Tax Foundation’s Ranking of Vermont Highlights Need for Tax Policy Changes, Business Group Says
by Neil Downing
Date: Oct. 2, 2009
The Tax Foundation’s recent ranking of Vermont as having one of the nation’s least business-friendly tax environments underscores the need to change the state’s tax and spending policies, according to the Vermont Business Roundtable. (more…)
Op – Ed by Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable
As the debate over Vermont’s energy future moves ahead, it is imperative that the public debate – and the resulting decisions – be based on a full analysis of the most current information available. The recent paper issued by Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) sets out an ambitious vision, but fails that most basic of tests and threatens to create unrealistic expectations and promises. VPIRG would like Vermonters to believe that Vermont Yankee power can be replaced with renewable energy at a lower price, but while this may sound appealing, it is simply not true. (more…)
For a brief moment I thought I was listening to BBC’s coverage of Parliament. The rowdiness of the House gallery, climaxing with Joe Wilson’s total loss of decorum, made me think of the days when Tony Blair took his thumps for being too close to the U.S. The only difference in this case was that politicians then turned their displeasure on Wilson. Blair had no such support. (more…)
Op – Ed by Lisa Ventriss, President of Vermont Business Roundtable
Economic development comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes it’s disguised as a preschooler wearing a baseball cap, an outsized glove, and singing ‘Take me out to the ballgame!” That’s right; Vermont’s Lake Monsters, the farm team for the Nationals, is an economic engine. The team is also a community builder, a family therapist, a source of good clean fun, and a ladder to the big leagues for the likes of Red Sox standout Jason Bay and others who have had the privilege of playing on our various teams over the years. Vermonters and our visitors love our minor league baseball; its traditions, players, and memory-making games. (more…)
Question #1: From your vantage point high in the mountains at Smugglers’ Notch, “America’s Family Resort”, how would you describe the current trends within the travel/recreation industry, and what does it portend for economic development in the state? (more…)
New England’s strong base of young professionals is due to the high educational attainment of its 25-39 year olds. At issue is the rate of growth in that cohort in N.E. has slowed (overall, 21% fewer young adults in 2007 than in 1990) while in other parts of the country it is growing. Still, research by the New England Public Policy Center shows that all the N.E. states but Maine, exceed the national average for young adults as a percentage of the total adult population. (more…)
The opinions of Vermont’s leading employers continue to reflect the strain of the current global recession, according to the results of the Roundtable’s 2009 Q2 economic outlook survey that concluded earlier this month. On the whole, though, members seem to have stabilized in their outlooks, if not begun turning in a more positive direction; more CEOs are expecting their sales to increase in the next six months while negative outlooks for capital expenditures and employment levels have decreased. (more…)
In case you missed it, here is the WCAX interview with Marselis Parsons and Bill Stritzler, President of Smugglers’ Notch and Chair of Vermont Business Roundtable, on July 13, 2009 regarding VBR’s released 2nd Qtr. 2009 CEO Economic Outlook Survey.
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As we begin our emergence from the Great Recession and see budget deficits forecast through FY13, the Roundtable’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force has been taking a fresh look at these and related issues. The Task Force, which began meeting earlier this summer and will continue through November, is chaired by Ken Perine, President of National Bank of Middlebury, and a member of the Roundtable’s Board of Directors. Recommendations will be submitted to the Board for consideration at its November planning retreat. (more…)
The chief executives of Vermont’s leading businesses seem cautious over capital expenditure and employment levels for the summer and fall when compared against expected increases in their sales volumes for that same timeframe. In general, however, the attitude of the business community appears to have stabilized from the last quarter. The mood was assessed at the end of the second quarter and released today by Vermont Business Roundtable Chair Bill Stritzler and President Lisa Ventriss. (more…)