2021 Legislative Session Recap
On May 21st, Vermont’s first (and hopefully last) fully remote legislative session adjourned, following passage of a $7.35 billion budget for fiscal year 2022. The FY2022 budget, signed by Governor Scott on June 8th, includes nearly $600 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As detailed below, the budget includes significant […]
Businesses, Older Vermonters and Working Families Urge House to Override Veto of Paid Family Leave
With an override, the legislature can enact paid family leave that will benefit thousands of Vermont families A diverse group of working Vermonters, home-grown Vermont businesses, and older Vermonters today urged lawmakers to override the governor’s veto of paid family leave. “Working Vermonters have been waiting for decades for paid family leave – for a […]
Letter to Governor Scott on Paid Family Leave
Governor Phil Scott, On behalf of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and our 730 plus member businesses across the state, we are writing to urge you to sign H.107, legislation that would take an essential step forward in providing a universal equitable Paid Family and Medical Leave Program for all Vermonters. While we commend […]
Testimony: Workforce Development, Senate Economic Development Committee
Workforce Development Senate Economic Development, Housing, General Affairs Committee April 2, 2019 Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is a non-profit, statewide business trade organization with a mission to advance business ethics that value multiple bottom lines- economic, social, and environmental. We strive to help members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human […]
Paid Family Medical Leave is Good for Business
The creation of a universal Paid Family Medical Leave system in Vermont would give security to workers who require time off to recover from an illness or welcome a new child, and to businesses who rely on qualified and experienced employees. This is a common-sense business-friendly solution that will strengthen our local labor force. Universal […]
Testimony: Workforce Development, House Commerce Committee
Workforce Development House Commerce Committee March 14, 2019 Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) is a non-profit, statewide business trade organization with a mission to advance business ethics that value multiple bottom lines- economic, social, and environmental. We strive to help members set a high standard for protecting the natural, human and economic environments of […]
VBSR’s 2019 Legislative Agenda
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility is proud to represent our members at the Vermont State House during the 2019 legislative session. Our goal is to pass laws and regulations that support triple-bottom line businesses in Vermont and foster an economy that supports our businesses, environment, and communities. Among the issues that VBSR will lobby on […]
Raising the Wage is Good for Business
By Daniel Barlow, Public Policy Manager of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility Want to hear something obvious? Raising the minimum wage increases the take-home pay for low-income workers without hurting job growth. That’s not just a sound bite from Sen. Bernie Sanders – it’s now a proven economic fact. A study released this month from […]
A $15/hour Minimum Wage is Good for Business, By Don Mayer, CEO of Small Dog Electronics
The Vermont Legislature recently passed a measure to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. As a Vermont business owner, I believe this is sound policy and should not have been vetoed by Gov. Scott. Many families now work multiple jobs and are still not able to meet the basic needs of shelter, […]
State House Report April, 9th
VBSR Asks VT Senate Leaders to Fund Climate Change Studies VBSR sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee last week requesting that legislators maintain funding for an important economic analysis of decarbonization policies in Vermont. Read the testimony to the Senate Committee. Climate change is a complex problem and the Vermont Legislature needs good […]
