Fri, 05/07/2021 - 12:38pm tim
by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Regular weekly unemployment claims continue to grow to their highest levels this year and remain at a very high level, as claimants were required to refile based on their annual eligibility. The Vermont Department of Labor has also reverted to call-in only for new claims, as the online system has been barraged by large numbers of fraudulent filings.
In addition, Commissioner Michael Harrington is urging the Legislature to change the law regarding how employers are charged to meet UI Trust Fund obligations (see his letter below).
The Vermont UI Trust Fund was well-stocked with over $500 million before the pandemic and is still flush with over $200 million. Despite the Stay Home order from a year ago and layoffs at their highest levels since the Great Depression because of the pandemic, current law would require a steep increase in employer charges because of those pandemic-related layoffs. At current l
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The finish line for the 2021 legislative session is in sight. So Look Ahead Vermont will take a slightly different approach, looking at the issues rather than the calendar.
Hereâs what remains to be done before the proposed adjournment date of Saturday, May 22. (Yes, that is a Saturday, and yes, I will be working if they are!)
BUDGET: The House and Senate have each passed their versions of a spending plan for fiscal 2022, and done so unanimously.
The next step, Speaker Jill Krowinski confirmed, is review of the Senate budget by the House Appropriations Committee.
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The finish line for the 2021 legislative session is in sight. So Look Ahead Vermont will take a slightly different approach, looking at the issues rather than the calendar.
Hereâs what remains to be done before the proposed adjournment date of Saturday, May 22. (Yes, that is a Saturday, and yes, I will be working if they are!)
BUDGET: The House and Senate have each passed their versions of a spending plan for fiscal 2022, and done so unanimously.
The next step, Speaker Jill Krowinski confirmed, is review of the Senate budget by the House Appropriations Committee.
MONTPELIER The Senate gave preliminary approval to its version of the fiscal 2022 budget on Thursday, passing the $7.17 billion spending plan by unanimous voice vote on second reading.
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The last thing you do in the middle of a crisis is kick the can down the road. Yet, thatâs exactly what the legislature just did on Vermontâs mounting pension liabilities.
Earlier this year, State Treasurer Beth Pearce delivered a long overdue message to the legislature â calling for painful cuts in order to keep the state employeesâ and state teachersâ pensions operation. This comes years after resisting calls for structural reform to the pension system.
However, the treasurer deserves recognition for having the courage to at least present a plan. The legislature did too â with leadership in the House Government Operations Committee unveiling its own similar plan.