News, Events, Announcements

Vermont Government Transparency Site Goes Live!
The new website, a joint venture of Ethan Allen Institute and Public Assets Institute, has a wealth of information about state revenues and spending, both current and historical. Please go here and take a look: http://www.vttransparency.org

We The People of Vermont
We urge all members to fill out this non-partisan survey located at: wethepeoplevt.com

Pole Results
See the results of the wethepeoplevt.com pole here.

2009 Legislative Wrap-Up
Here are the results of the 2009 legislative session as published by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Click Here

Local Legislators met with RCPBC Members
On March 23 the four Rutland City Legislators, Gale Courcelle, Peg Andrews, Peter Fagan and Steven Howard met with the Members of the RCPBC. The Legislators made presentations on what they are working on and gave our Members an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas. The meeting was held at South Station Rest. in the Library Room. It started at 7:00 pm and lasted approx 2.5 hours.

Save the Ethan Allen
Join in and fill out the online petition to keep the Ethan Allen in Rutland.(Click Here)

State wants to increase UI tax, cut benefits
Vermont Business Magazine
The state of Vermont Department of Labor is proposing that the state should increase the tax charged to businesses to support the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and should also decrease the benefits paid to unemployed workers in order to head off a deficit in the trust fund... [read more]

Act 250 Site
Go directly to the Act 250 site. more...

City of Rutland
View the City of Rutland web site. more...

You Are Promoted

The  Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition is dedicated to promoting and protecting a competitive business climate in Rutland County. Our goal will be met through active participation by our membership. Our members include business owners and like minded individuals that are invested in Rutland County and need to protect their investment through education and political activism.

Press Release - "Vermont's Fiscal Realities"

Monday Feb. 8th, the Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition (RCPBC), in conjunction with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Associated Industries of Vermont (AIV), will be presenting a panel of three speakers discussing, VERMONT’S FISCAL REALITIES.

Featured Speakers:     

Mr. Jeb Spaulding, Vermont State Treasurer
Retirement Fund Liabilities
                                   
Mr. Richard Westman, Vermont Commissioner of Taxes
Property Tax Issues

Mrs. Patricia Moulton Powden, Vermont Commissioner of Labor
Unemployment and Worker’s Comp. Fund

Presentations to be followed by a question and answer session.

The presentation will be held at the College of St. Joseph, Tuttle Hall Theater, beginning at 6:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Frank Miglorie, CSJ President, will moderate this event. This is a non-partisan event.

The presenters are Vermont State Treasurer, Jeb Spaulding, (D), State Employee and Teacher Retirement Funding, Vermont Commissioner of Taxes, Richard Westman, Property Tax and General Fund Issues present and future, and Vermont Commissioner of Labor, Patricia Moulton Powden, Unemployment and the Workers Compensation Funds.

Following the presentations, the panelists will take questions from the audience. The Rutland County legislative delegation has been invited to attend.

This is an opportunity for you to learn the facts and the fiscal liabilities from the people that administer the laws passed by our elected Representatives.
For more information contact Jim@censorsecurity.net or 773-4441.

How Financially Healthy is Vermont?

Take a look at this recent news video as FBN's Brian Sullivan breaks down state budget gaps.

Unemployment Insurance Fund

As you are all aware there is a very big problem surfacing with the Unemployment Insurance Fund. The Board of the RCPBC has been following this problem, testifying and speaking on your behalf. We now need you to understand what is going on with the Fund and what the Legislature is thinking of doing to fix it. Trust me it involves you and your business. Some of the Board have had numbers run by the Dept. of Labor to see just how bad the problem is. What we found was that business will see possible increases of between 150% to 350%.

We have invited Pat Moulton, Director Dept. of Labor down to speak to us about this extremely important business issue. She will present a slide show with information and answer all of your questions. This meeting is set for 5:00 pm on Jan. 12, 2010 at the South Station Restaurant in Rutland. The presentation will take under an hour at which time the floor will be opened for any and all questions you may have.

We need a count to know which room to use at the South Station. I ask that you please reply to this email and let me know if you intend to attend. Since this issue is so very important please feel free to invite other business people (owners and Management). Information is the key to understanding where the fund is at and what the proposed Legislative Study Committees changes in fee structure will have on your business.

We have purposely not had any activities during the holiday season so that you could enjoy this time of year. After the first of the year we will be back at getting the information out.

“Dangerous Trends” presented by David Coates

The Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition and The Vermont Business Roundtable are sponsoring a public service event entitled “Dangerous Trends” presented by David Coates, regarding the fiscal health of the state of Vermont.  The presentation will take place Tuesday, September 29, 7 pm at the College of St. Joseph Tuttle Hall theatre.   The event is free and open to the public.
Mr. Coates is a well-regarded advisor to state government, including Vermont’s last four governors.  Mr. Coates has provided advice to key lawmakers and government officials for several years, and developed his “Dangerous Trends” presentation primarily from his research regarding the impacts of unfunded liabilities on the state’s future, including retirement liabilities for state employees and teacher pension funds.

According to Jim Eckhardt, Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition president, Coates’ presentation is a must see for taxpayers, business owners, and local and state lawmakers,  “It is vitally important that all the stakeholders in Vermont’s fiscal future understand how serious this situation could be for our state.  Effective fiscal reform cannot happen without honest dialogue about our current situation and trends for the future.” The presentation will be moderated by CSJ president Frank Migliore, and will be followed by a question and answer period.
 Coates is a former managing partner of KPMG in Burlington and currently serves as a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, Treasurer of Vermont Municipal Bond Bank, he is a member of the Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee for the state, and the Vermont Institute on Government Effectiveness. 

PR Contact:  Jim Eckhardt
Who:  Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition
What:  “Dangerous Trends” Vermont state fiscal analysis by David Coates
Where:  College of St. Joseph
When:  9/29/09, 7 pm

State House Bill Tracking

Stay informed, track all the bills being put before the Vermont State Legislature. See how your elected official is voting. Find out how to reach your elected official. http://www.leg.state.vt.us/

 

Our Goals:

  • Hold local officials accountable for their voting record
  • Follow and support Rutland County town and city issues that involve current or future business growth initiatives
  • Interview, select and support local pro-business candidates

Rutland City may soon welcome Snowmobiles

The Rcpbc would like to thank the Rutland City Board of Alderman for their unanimous vote to allow Snowmobiles to use an existing but unused and overgrown trail in the Rutland City Watershed for snow travel. VAST will be maintaining the trail corridor. This trail will allow the hundreds of snowmobiles that use the North South trail weekly to come into Rutland City and utilize the services and businesses of Rutland City. Until now the Vast trail completely bypassed the City and so did the economic benefit. This should be good for the restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc of Rutland City and the community as a whole. We should all make every effort to welcome these snow travelers into Rutland. Great Job Dave Fucci for pushing this through.

So, What Else is On This Site?

This web site, along with the organization itself, is here for your and your business' benefit. We believe in transparency and information that you can use. When you get a chance, take a look at some of these pages:

  • Rutland County Legislatures - Just who are our elected officials? How do you contact them? Get the scoop here.
  • Voting Records - They can vote, but they can't hide. Just how active are your senators and representatives?
  • Archives - Information and other items of interest. Check this page regularly, since it will update frequently.

These pages and more can be found in the menu along the top of any page. Feel free to look around.

Vermont Employee Income Ratios

Government salaries vary from state to state, as you might imagine. But, how does Vermont compare to its surrounding neighbors? Take a look at this downloadable PDF copy of the Vermont Employee Income Ratio. It's based on April 2007 US Census data. You might be surprised at some of the figures.

Some Items of Interest on the Internet

Join Us

The Rutland County Pro-Business Coalition is here for you. If you would like to become a member, it's as simple as clicking here. Otherwise, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.

We look forward to having you on board!

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