August 28, 2020
This week saw the start of the new legislative session, bringing a flurry of committee activity in the State House as committees resumed work and dove into the Governor’s proposed budget we outlined in last week’s update, however, there is not much to report out at this time as committees deliberate modifications. Things will pick up even faster as the Appropriations Committee aims to have most of the work done by next Friday to bring the budget to the floor the following Tuesday. Elsewhere in the legislature, conversations around cannabis commercialization, expungement, and Act 250 picked up almost where they left off.
Meanwhile, in our nation’s capital, the high stakes game continues for a fifth coronavirus relief package. However high the stakes might be for the politicos, they’re even higher for the real people caught in the middle who are now in week four of life without enhanced unemployment benefits or in dire need of further economic relief. According to reports this week, Speaker Pelosi and Mark Meadows met by phone Wednesday for the first time since negotiations broke down in early August, however, a deal does not seem any closer. Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution by September 30th to fund the government and prevent a shutdown, and many Republicans have reportedly been quietly discussing linking COVID-19 relief to a stop-gap funding bill.
In this week’s update:
- Unemployment update, more (limited) benefits coming soon
- Important updates on childcare availability
- Three-acre rule general permit released next week
- WATCH: FFCRA Updates and FAQs
- The Laundry List
Unemployment Update – More Benefits Coming Soon
As we reported last week, the State of Vermont applied for, and received, an initial grant award of $35.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Other Needs Assistance, or Lost Wage Assistance (LWA), program. This week, the grant was accepted by the Joint Fiscal Committee. The LWA program provides an additional $300 per week to eligible individuals filing for unemployment insurance. The first round of funding from FEMA covers the initial three weeks of the program beginning with the week ending August 1, at which time, states can apply for additional funding, should the program remain open. This could be complicated as the money comes from FEMA, which relies on funding to manage natural disasters such as the hurricane that just ripped through Louisiana.
The Department of Labor has begun implementing this program and expects to start issuing payments to eligible Vermonters in the coming weeks. In addition to the application submitted to FEMA for this benefit, the Governor has requested $20 million in Coronavirus Relief funding from the Vermont Legislature to provide an additional $100 per week to eligible claimants bringing the total benefit to $400 per week, for three weeks.
Important Updates on Childcare Availability
LCC’s advocacy team hopes the following information helps your communication with families about school-aged child care:
Families can access child care through the state-wide child care referral network. Child Care Referral Specialists at statewide Community Child Care Support Agencies can match families with available childcare options, including for school-aged children. There is no charge for this service, and it is available to all Vermonters. More information can be found here.
Families can receive financial support for child care by talking with an eligibility specialist. The Child Care Financial Assistance Program helps families pay for child care. Families with a household of four people can make up to $77,256 per year and qualify for help. Eligibility specialists maintain an ongoing connection with families who receive this benefit and help them as their needs change. More information can be found here.
Employers should also be aware of this information:
The Child Development Division is working to maximize child care options as needed. DCF is collaborating with state and community partners, legislators, and school leaders to find and implement positive solutions for school-aged child care during remote learning days.
If you are aware of vacant space for child care programs, please refer property owners to the Child Development Division. Our licensing team will rapidly vet these opportunities from a health and safety perspective and make the connection between programs and approved locations. The best way for property owners to get in touch is: (802) 241-0837 or [email protected].
CDD licensing staff are available for any and all questions related to regulated care and supervision of children. Our staff are available to discuss any questions related to child care programming, licensing, regulations, and more. Please contact us with any questions related to licensing: (802) 241-0837 or [email protected].
Three Acre Rule General Permit Released Next Week
This week the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation reached out to stakeholders to inform them that the Department plans to issue the final general permit next week. They will provide stakeholders with notice of issuance of the final general permit as well as our overall public comment response summary. The general permit will go into effect 90 days after it is issued. LCC will host a meeting next week to discuss the implications of the permit and the next steps; please contact our advocacy team if you would like to participate – [email protected].
Those falling under the permit will need to apply for initial coverage within one year of permit issuance (fall 2021) with basic information about the site, this will not require detailed engineering feasibility assessments, for coverage under the interim permit for for a period of up to 18-months. At the conclusion of the 18-month period, those coming under the permit coverage will need to apply with approved retrofit design. Permittees will have a five-year permit during which they will need to construct the project.
FFCRA Updates and FAQs Conversation
The Lake Champlain Chamber’s Government Affairs Manager connected with Alexandra Clauss of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC for a conversation around an August 3, 2020 decision from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York which vacated multiple provisions of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Final Rule on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). In this 30-minute conversation, they discuss recommendations for employers covered by the FFCRA who may need to change their practices regarding the vacated provisions and other frequently asked questions.
Laundry List
- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the tourism economy in Vermont. To help the Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) quantify the impact across the industry — from lodging to retail and restaurants to the arts — we are asking for your participation in a survey. Having accurate impact data will help inform additional recovery strategies going forward. VDTM hopes you will take a moment to help us understand the economic loss and seasonal trends by filling out the survey and sharing it with industry partners or businesses to fill out as well. Responses are requested by Friday, September 4th.
- The Office of Advocacy is pleased to continue its Small Business Profiles for the Congressional Districts series. The congressional district profiles are part of Advocacy’s state profile series, which provides user-friendly snapshots of national, state, and congressional district small business statistics.
- Updated forecasts anticipate a 17% reduction in revenue to the State of Vermont’s Clean Water Fund in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on revenue. This translates into a 15% reduction in SFY 2021 total Clean Water Fund appropriation when prior year unallocated/unexpended funds are applied. (Reduced SFY 2021 revenue only affects the Clean Water Fund, not the Capital Bill.)
- The Ministry of Transport Quebec (MTQ) broke ground on the third segment of construction of Autoroute 35 (A-35), which will connect the Highgate Springs crossing of U.S.-Canadian border directly to Montreal. The completion of the A-35 will reduce travel time, provide a more direct route, and encourage more business and recreation opportunities on both sides of the border. The completion of A-35 from Montreal to the U.S. border at Highgate will provide Vermont and other northeastern states with a four-lane limited-access highway, connecting Montreal to Boston via Vermont’s I-89 corridor. A full statement from the Governor on the groundbreaking can be found here.
- As mitigation efforts continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Cross-State Travel Map is updated weekly to allow for quarantine free travel from counties with a similar caseload to Vermont. ACCD has fielded many questions about the map and quarantine rules that are in effect and compiled them in a new FAQ section.
- Upcoming Chamber event: Leading with Emotional Intelligence: A Webinar to Boost Your EQ on September 3.
Concerned or need to learn more about anything in this newsletter? Email our team at [email protected].
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
The Lake Champlain Chamber Advocacy Team
