Public Policy: People & Communities

VBSR supports public policies that support people, families and community.

Healthy people and healthy communities are central to keeping a productive and sustainable business climate. People who come to work knowing their children are well cared for, that they will be able to pay their bills, and who are respected and valued by their employers, are people who will strengthen and grow our economy.

Current Action

We continue to work to provide people with:

affordable health care
paid sick and family leave
quality early childhood education
affordable and high quality child and elder care, and
respectful and supportive workplace policies.

We are also members of the One Vermont Coalition, a group of businesses and associations committed to public policies, programs, and systems that ensure the long-term prosperity for all Vermonters.

Legislative Activity

During the 2008 legislative session VBSR worked to ensure the succesful passage of H.641 which provides support for nursing mothers in the workplace. The law requires employers to provide (uncompensated) time for employees to express breast milk and to make reasonable accomodation to provide appropriate private space. VBSR also continued to lend our voice to legislative initiatives that support childcare and early childhood education.