Governor Scott Proposes $400 Million Relief Plan
February and March Meals and Rooms Tax Abatement Unlikely
Legislature Revisits Single Use Plastics Ban for Lodging and Climate Bill
Vermont Chamber Submits Comment on Broadband Plan
DOL Argues Workers’ Compensation Bill Unnecessary
Vermont Chamber Assists Tourism Industry with Reopening Questions
Resource Roundup
In Case You Missed It
Governor Scott Proposes $400 Million Relief Plan
The economic recovery and relief package includes $310 million in immediate relief and is largely funded by the federal CARES Act, which provided Vermont with $1.25 billion. Over the last several weeks, the Vermont Chamber has pushed for a relief package to help Vermont businesses through mandatory closures and restricted restart and recovery periods. This economic relief package addresses much of the need highlighted by the Vermont Chamber during advocacy efforts.
Included in the recovery funds is a $90 million investment in economic recovery aid, additional funds for marketing Vermont, and emergency grants and loans to businesses that either closed, are primarily closed, or have experienced significantly reduced revenue. The proposal requires legislative approval and the Vermont Chamber will continue to work with legislative leaders to encourage immediate action.
February and March Meals and Rooms Tax Abatement Unlikely
After a coordinated push by the Vermont Chamber, Governor Scott directed the Commissioner of Taxes to exercise his authority to provide relief to Vermont businesses who owed March and April meals and rooms or sales and use tax. The Administration’s actions meant that business owners who were unable to meet the original deadlines would not be charged any penalty or interest on these taxes for late submissions. Due to a recently agreed upon budget plan that anticipates future collection of these taxes, it now appears unlikely that the Legislature will approve full abatement.
Legislature Revisits Single Use Plastics Ban for Lodging and Climate Bill
Legislators continued committee deliberation of bills unrelated to COVID-19 response or economic relief. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources reviewed the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA). If implemented, GWSA would establish an advisory council to assist in the implementation of policies that seek to revise Vermont’s current emissions goals, including a mandated emissions reduction to 80% below 1990 emissions levels by 2050. The Committee also reviewed a bill that would prohibit lodging establishments from providing single-use personal care products to guests. With many establishments closed or operating in a limited manner, the possibility of being forced to invest additional funds in retrofitting rooms with multiple-use dispensers is a daunting prospect for lodging operators. There also exists considerable uncertainty around which community-use appliances will be permitted moving forward as a result of COVID-19 safety measures. This largely depends on rapidly developing guidance from state and federal health agencies.
The Vermont Chamber will continue to convey to legislators the reality that businesses require immediate action to ensure relief funds are distributed in a timely manner. At this time, businesses have little or no capacity to absorb additional administrative mandates or costs.
Vermont Chamber Submits Comment on Broadband Plan
After weeks of discussions with public and private stakeholders, the Vermont Chamber submitted public comment to the Department of Public Service (DPS) regarding the Department’s recently proposed Emergency Broadband Action Plan (EBAP). If implemented, the EBAP would deliver emergency broadband access to areas with limited or no connectivity. Currently, 23% of Vermont (69,899 business and residential locations) do not have access to broadband at 25/3 Mbps – the service speed that defines broadband under federal law. This speed is also sufficient for most current learn and work-from-home tasks.
The Vermont Chamber’s comments were supportive of the EBAP and called for public and private partnerships to address the immense need facing communities around the state who do not have access to broadband. The Vermont Chamber believes Vermont is well positioned to be a work-from-home capital and our team will continue working with state officials and the congressional delegation to advocate for the federal funding necessary for realizing this goal.
DOL Argues Workers’ Compensation Bill Unnecessary
During testimony delivered to the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, the Director of Vermont’s Workers’ Compensation and Safety Division explained to legislators that recently proposed changes to workers’ compensation eligibility may be unnecessary. DOL’s testimony pointed out that very few positive cases have been denied and that those who have had to stop working due to the virus have generally continued to receive wage replacement by their employers, which means there has been little need for the state to provide workers’ compensation payments.
The discussed legislation passed in the Senate despite little being known about the impact these changes could have on employer’s workers’ compensation insurance rates. The Vermont Chamber is communicating with House legislators to advocate for a result that does not place unsustainable additional costs on businesses, many of which continue to struggle financially as a result of the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vermont Chamber Assists Tourism Industry with Reopening Questions
The Vermont Chamber is the restaurant and lodging trade association for the state of Vermont and the designated state affiliate of the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. As the statewide voice for Vermont’s tourism industry, the Vermont Chamber staff is well-versed on the Work Safe additions to the Be Smart, Stay Safe Order, and has been fielding reopening inquiries and providing clarifying guidance as businesses prepare to reopen.
As you prepare to reopen your tourism business and train your employees, please do not hesitate to contact Amy Spear with questions or concerns.
Resource Roundup
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Treasury Issues New PPP Guidance
The Treasury has issued updated guidance, including an application form businesses can use to apply for forgiveness of PPP loans. - Steps to Prevent Water Quality Issues Before Your Business Reopens
The Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation set up a website where building and facility managers can access guidance and recommendations for actions to take before a building’s drinking water is used again. -
ServSafe Reopening Guidance
ServSafe developed a free on-demand training video to train operators and staff to reopen restaurants with new COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. -
Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce created a guide designed to help borrowers understand the process by which their loan forgiveness amount will be calculated and the overall approach of the loan forgiveness process. -
Restaurants and Other Industries Receive Additional Reopening Guidance
The Agency of Commerce and Community Development released additional reopening guidance this week covering a variety of industries, including restaurants. Details include information on new mandatory operating procedures and best practices for limited reopening. -
Vermont Chamber to Host Lodging Townhall With Congressman Welch
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lodging Town Hall with Congressman Peter Welch. The topic of discussion is the effect of COVID-19 on the lodging industry in Vermont. Congressman Welch is interested in understanding how lodging properties have been impacted and what relief businesses will need now and in the future. This is an opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and have a say in what future assistance will look like. Questions may be submitted during the registration process.
Details:- Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
- Time: 11am-12 noon
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Register here
- Instructions to join the meeting will be sent with your registration confirmation
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