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 […]
Rebuilding a Resilient Vermont
We can create a more resilient, equitable, inclusive and vibrant Vermont The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound impacts on Vermonters across the state. Every day people face new obstacles and for many the future feels daunting and uncertain. But we believe the future for Vermont is greater than what lies behind—if we move forward in […]
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 […]
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 […]
VBSR Testimony: Economic Growth through Climate Action
Testimony to the House Appropriations Committee Thursday, February 21, 2019 Daniel Barlow, VBSR Public Policy Manager 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 […]
Vermont CEOs call for Urgent Climate Action
VT can grow the economy by tackling climate change, business leaders say Business leaders from some of Vermont’s most iconic companies on Wednesday called on the Governor and the Legislature to pass a comprehensive climate action package this session that moves the state off of fossil fuels and to local, renewable energy. The CEOs and […]
Coalition of 25 Diverse Groups Unveils Shared Priorities and Recommendations for Climate Action in 2019
Today a coalition of 25 organizations – representing youth, low-income, business, public health, environment and others – outlined a platform of policy priorities for Vermont legislators to advance in 2019 on climate change. View the platform here: http://vnrc.org/actonclimatevt/. In a press event at the Vermont State House today, the coalition urged action on several of Gov. Scott’s Climate Action Commission’s recommendations and […]
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 […]