Public Policy

VBSR has been advocating on behalf of the people, environments, and businesses of Vermont for nearly 30 years – having been a leader on legislative successes such as farm to plate and home solar investment, marriage equality, ban the box, clean water investment, earned paid sick leave, increasing the minimum wage, climate action, and much more. It is unique that our organization advocates on a such a wide range of social equity and economic development issues, however, as social responsible business leaders, we recognize that these issues have wide and lasting impacts on our business members, their employees, and the communities that we strive to support.

“We are so proud to have been able to build this business in Vermont, and to use our voice to advocate for policies that help Vermont’s people and environment.”– Jen Kimmich, co-founder and CEO of the Alchemist Brewery

Not only does VBSR maintain a full-time lobbyist in the Vermont Statehouse, we are also committed to creating opportunities for member businesses to gain firsthand experience in the policymaking process and help shape the public narrative around some of our most pressing societal challenges. Our team is here to elevate the voices of Vermont’s forward-thinking businesses through collective action, media campaigns, op-eds, community forums, trainings, lobby days and much more!

Democracy is a messy business, so don’t let that discourage you from getting involved. Jump in, get your hands dirty, and you can make a difference.” — Mark Curran, Vermont Family Farms 

VBSR members can be champions for change not only in their own workplaces but in the policy arena. While voluntary changes inside our businesses is absolutely key to creating more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous communities, only public policy can deliver the pace and scale of change needed to tackle our most pressing societal challenges.