Guide to Issues & Legislation

The Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce encourages all residents to keep in touch with legislators and local officials. This section includes issues of interest to business and residents of Central Vermont and convenient contact with Central Vermont Legislators and other lawmakers. Chamber Legislative Issues White Paper

Fox Interviews Shumlin on Replacing VY Power - Senator Shumlin explains the Vermont Senate voting to close Vermont Yankee on Fox Business national cable channel, and Stuart Varney questions Shumlin's claims regarding replacement potential and costs. View the full video segment of Senator Shumlin. (Run Time – 9:33), and view the video rebuttal. (Run Time – 5:23)

H.382 Mandates Universal Health Leave - H.382 would require even Vermont's smallest employers to provide paid time off for personal or family sickness, doctor's appointments, domestic abuse or stalking. Any employee working 30 hours per week is eligible. The mandate would require pay for up to 56 hours per year. Rep. Paul Poirier of Barre is among the sponsors. Bill posted at www.central-vt.com/legis/H.382.pdf

S. 290 Restoring Solvency to Unemployment Fund
In order to implement the shared responsibility found necessary by the general assembly to bring the unemployment trust fund balance to a level recommended by the U.S. Department of Labor, this act proposes to implement eight reforms and changes.
View article

Health Care Position - A recent update of the Chamber’s health care position points out that there is no single action that will contain rising costs, but rather that action is needed on various fronts. The Chamber believes that consumers, not government, offer the best oversight of health care. Central Vermont Chamber Position on Health Care

Chamber Opposes S.99 - Act 250 changes are not the best way to curb sprawl. Growth Centers and tax financing districts can bring housing construction costs down while promoting construction in cities and villages. Chamber Testimony on S.99

Vermont: State of Crisis - Financing Government in the Years Ahead
The gap between Vermont’s projected revenues and its future expenditures has become a chasm that widens with each passing day. What does this mean for your family, your business, your future? What can you do?                                Click imagefor larger view

In early January the following panelists presented details to central Vermonters.
Beth Pearce, Treasurers Office, State of Vermont
Pat Moulton Powden, Commissioner of Labor
Susan Zeller, Deputy Commissioner of Finance
Sen. Ann Cummings, Chair Senate Appropriations
The event was Moderated by Bill Cody, Chamber past president.

Interstate 89 Signage -

The Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce is preparing to make a formal request for Supplemental Travel Information signage on Interstate 89. The Chamber Board has recommended that “Granite Quarries” be installed in the approach to Exit 6 from the south and “Mad River Scenic Byway” be installed in the approach to Exit 9 from the north. These are the only two approaches to exits along I-89 in Central Vermont that do not currently have supplemental signage. Endorsement/Comment Form.

Local Option Taxes  have been soundly defeated in both Barre and Montpelier in the past. However, Barre Mayor continues to focus on new revenues rather than cost containment or grand list growth. More at www.localoptiontaxes.com

Growth Centers Policies
The need for growth center legislation has never been greater. A regional forecast sees demand for 8,000 new housing units in the next 20 years. Forecast summary.

State agencies continue to consider incentives for designated "Growth Centers." What constitutes a "growth center" and how "designation" will be determined are among the issues to be resolved. The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission and Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce take an active interest. Proposals & Regional Responses to "growth centers."