Contact Your Legislators Now to Urge Additional Business Grant Funding
Vermont Chamber Requests Additional Relief for Businesses
State Election Results Impact Political Dynamics in Montpelier
Vermont Chamber Hosts Virtual Policy Series
In Case You Missed It
Contact Your Legislators Now to Urge Additional Business Grant Funding
After the Vermont Chamber urged the Scott Administration and the Joint Fiscal Committee to redeploy unallocated CARES Act funding to the business recovery grants, the Joint Fiscal Committee is considering an Administration proposal to reallocate $75 million for businesses. Contact your legislators and ask them to urge their colleagues on the Joint Fiscal Committee to approve these funds for additional business relief grants. If your legislator is a member of the Joint Fiscal Committee you can contact them directly with the request.
In your communication with legislators we suggest highlighting the vital importance of maintaining cash flow and the financial impact of Governor Scott’s most recent travel restrictions, which includes universal mandatory quarantine for all out of state travel to Vermont. If you have questions about how best to frame your communication, please contact Vermont Chamber Government Affairs Director, Charles Martin.
Vermont Chamber Requests Additional Relief for Businesses
The Vermont Chamber sent a letter last week to the Joint Fiscal Committee requesting the Committee authorize disbursement of a portion of state-recouped relief resources to be provided to businesses with existing unmet need. To avoid returning Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) dollars to the federal government, the State will recoup any unexpended CRF resources prior to the congressionally imposed spend deadline of December 31. The Joint Fiscal Committee is tasked with authorizing disbursement of the excess funds, and the Vermont Chamber is advocating that a portion of those funds be provided to businesses with unmet need. Governor Scott requested $75 million of the potential reallocated funds go to expanded economic relief grants for businesses with unmet need. As a result of the pandemic-caused economic downturn, there is an estimated $600 million in unmet need that businesses throughout Vermont are still grappling with.
On Monday, the Joint Fiscal Committee met to discuss several requests for reallocation of CRF funds. Members of the Committee were sympathetic to the ongoing need of COVID-19 impacted businesses, particularly those in the lodging and restaurant sectors. However, despite assurances from Vermont Department of Labor officials that the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund is in good health and not at risk of becoming insolvent in 2021, Committee members indicated they are interested in providing a portion of the Administration’s reallocation request to the UI trust fund and for other purposes.
The Committee has not yet made a final decision on how to use remaining CRF funds. They are expected to meet on Saturday to make a final determination. In the meantime, the Vermont Chamber will continue to work with state leaders to help ensure the business community is not left out of this opportunity for additional economic relief.
State Election Results Impact Political Dynamics in Montpelier
Republican Governor Phil Scott handily won reelection by a margin that clearly reflects bipartisan support for the Governor’s leadership during the pandemic and prior. In addition to the Governor’s victory over Progressive/Democrat challenger, Lt. Governor David Zuckerman, Republicans increased their total strength by three seats in the House and one seat in the Senate. Notably, this outcome reduces the strength of the combined Democratic and Progressive parties in the House to 99 seats, effectively eliminating the liberal coalition’s ability to override gubernatorial vetoes through party-line votes. Impacting State House dynamics further is the exodus of several legislative leaders, including President Pro Tempore of the Senate Tim Ashe (D/P) from the State House after his Lt. Governor primary election loss to Lt. Governor-Elect Molly Gray (D), House Speaker Mitzi Johnson’s (D) election loss to Republican challenger Michael Morgan, and House Progressive Party Chair Robin Chesnut-Tangerman’s loss to Republican challenger Sally Achey.
The vacancy of the Speaker’s position has already resulted in multiple legislators coming forward as possible replacements for Speaker Johnson. House Speaker hopefuls will no doubt spend the next several weeks delicately attempting to gather support among their legislator colleagues before the upcoming election of a new House Speaker.
Vermont Chamber Hosts Virtual Policy Series
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is currently hosting a Virtual Policy Series that brings together government and business leaders to get questions answered, provide personal access to key Vermont leaders, and bring attendees up to speed on important policy. The events are hosted virtually every Monday afternoon through December. Our guest speakers answer questions from attendees and our staff moderates. You can view the complete agenda and register for upcoming events through December 14.
In the first event of our series, Congressman Peter Welch discussed the economic repercussions of the pandemic and federal actions impacting Vermont. You can listen to coverage of the event with Congressman Welch on WAMC. In an event featuring Secretary of State Jim Condos, the conversation delved into new challenges presented by the 2020 election cycle and what election changes Secretary Condos thinks are here to stay. Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington and Director of Economic & Labor Market Information Mathew Barewicz joined for our third event, and the conversation included Commissioner Harrington's legislative wish list and current unemployment numbers and trends. Our most recent event featured U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley, who explored expectations for the next federal relief bill and the economic importance of investing in child care.
Next Monday at our Broadband Now and Beyond event, Department of Public Service Commissioner June Tierney and Representative Laura Sibilia will discuss broadband investments made in 2020 and planned infrastructure improvement. If you have questions about the series, please reach out to our Director of Events Ariel Bertenshaw.
In Case You Missed It
- House Republican Gains Could Strengthen Scott’s Veto Powers
- Kimbell Joins Race For House Speaker; Browning Also Considers Outside Run
- State Orders Universal Quarantine for Travelers
- Vermont Chamber Joins Addison County Chamber for 2020 Legislative Briefing
- State Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Remains Healthy
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