Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s Covid-19 press conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 3/29/22.
At today’s press conference, Governor Scott addressed the high cost of fuel and inflationary impact on Vermonters. He spoke to steps that can be taken now to become more resilient in the future and less dependent on a volatile fossil fuel market, steps that can help the environment and economic woes.
Now is the time for Vermonters to take steps on efficiency upgrades for next winter, says Governor Scott, and he is asking for $80 million appropriation for weatherization, in addition to the $20 million appropriated last year. The House agrees and he hopes the Senate will too. Learn about Vermont’s weatherization programs at Dept. of Children & Families’ website and check with utility provider for programs and incentives.
As a strong proponent of electric vehicles, Governor Scott has proposed millions of dollars and efficient vehicle (EV) incentives to make EVs more affordable and continue the build out of EV infrastructure. The House transportation bill funds many of his requests, currently:
- $4,000 state incentives for EVs, and rebates and up to $7,500 federal tax credits––visit driveelectricvt.com.
- Faster we make a transition to EV, the better from both an environmental and cost standpoint.
- Gas is over $4/gal and electric cost about $1.50/gal.
- Making EV more affordable and accessible is a priority, but in the near term, access local and commuter bus options with free fares through June and other alternatives––visit connectingcommuters.org
He also made a pitch for his progressive tax relief package which he says will:
- help over 25% of taxpayers (the House version only 10%)
- deduct student loan from income tax
- eliminate tax on military pensions
- cut tax on Social Security benefits
- increase earned income tax credits
- expand child-care tax credit
To help Vermonters deal with inflation, Governor Scott wants to rebate residential property taxpayers about $275.
NOTES:
- Dr. Levine:
- updated COVID slides available at Vermont Department of Financial Regulations COVID 19 website
- FDA just authorized second booster for 50+ and 12+ with certain immune deficiencies; new information that VT Dept of Health will continue to review
- Omicron variant over 72% of cases in New England and 55% across country; cases not growing exponentially; cases expected to remain low over next few weeks
- hospitalization remains low––12 of which 4 are due to COVID; 0 in ICU; VT has lowest national hospitalization rate
- continue to see steady decline despite more contagious variant
- urges continued precautions according to one’s own comfort level and risks and consider those around you
- get vaccinated and first booster
- if you test positive, treatments are available, speak to healthcare provider
- starting April 1, clinics will be walk-in only (no registration); vaccines are free and widely available across state, including pharmacies and healthcare providers; find list of clinics at healthvermont.gov/myvaccine.
- Questions:
- Regarding CDC’s classification of three VT counties
- Scott – not using CDC approach because of so much travel between counties; hospitalization metrics are our focus
- Levine – CDC created system for the whole country; nuances in CDC reporting data; we are looking at trend data
- French – recommendations and school operations will not shift based on a weekly shift in data; refer to guidelines at VT Dept of Health
- What’s behind the rising numbers as reported today in NY Times?
- Scott – Vermont leader in testing; more testing can indicate more cases
- Levine – not clear on NYT data; it’s a little inconsistent with our cases and reporting doesn’t match
- Companies can set own pricing of home fuel costs; is there any sign of price gouging?
- Scott – not aware of any problem; perhaps better question for AG
- On transportation bill, are we putting enough into roads & bridges and too much into EV?
- Scott – probably at historic funding levels for traditional infrastructure; biggest concern is inflationary costs and getting projects completed
- On Beta Technologies – with DRB issues in So. Burlington are you concerned that they may pull out?
- Scott – very concerned; will seek legislative fix if DRB, or city council cannot fix issues (parking); we can’t delay this; important not just for jobs but transformational, green cutting-edge technology; Beta leadership wants to be here, but they have another option in Plattsburgh
- Evusheld – 80% of 850,000 doses are sitting in warehouses, does VT have a supply and a cause for using it?
- Levine – we have abundant doses; suitable for only a small percentage of the population; depends on clinician interpretation of risks
- Commuter Connect is more of an incentive, transportation bill requiring employers to have own commuter plans. What do you think of using a requirement vs. incentive for reducing commuter traffic?
- Scott – always prefer incentive and that may be the high cost of fuel; not aware of requirement approach and will take a look
- Hood & Booth cyber-attack shutting down milk production––how did this affect school milk supply? Is administration thinking about food shortages in VT and if so, what are you planning to do?
- Scott – very aware of cyber-attacks; security teams are putting in firewalls and keeping us aware of security protections
- we have working land initiatives in place; we need our farms and farming brings a public safety aspect as well
- French – no impact on school supply; have resources on cyber security (national level) that have been highlighting with school districts and will speak about with superintendents on Thursday
- Scott – very aware of cyber-attacks; security teams are putting in firewalls and keeping us aware of security protections
- School spring sports – any masking requirements?
- no mask requirement in place
- US accepting 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, any news of Vermont’s role?
- Scott – nothing new at this time but welcome Ukraine refugees; have been focusing on Afghan refugees
- What is Dr. Levine advising on second booster for over 50?
- Levine – we need to do our review of these new CDC guidelines
- Can we improve communication in regard to missing persons including when they are found?
- Scott – you make a good point and will check on it
- High fuel prices: any state level projections on potential impact on state tourism and the wider economy?
- Scott – haven’t heard any concerns; border opening up is a positive; trends seem steady
- Criteria for calling the pandemic over?
- Scott – can safely say we have transitioned to endemic, but can’t predict the future
- Levine – pandemic was declared by World Health Organization and in many places in the world virus is quite active and many places have low vaccination rates; in Vermont, transitioning our behaviors to more of an endemic posture
- Jobs report from last week professional business services sector is up. Why?
- Scott – don’t know; let’s hope it continues
- EV stations at VT highway rest areas?
- Scott – doubt it is permissible because of restrictions due to federal money used to build rest areas but will check into it; we are moving to expand access statewide
- Any more news on the Newport Department of Correction Superintendent who is being placed on paid leave and will not be reinstated?
- Scott – have been briefed but refer to Sec. Samuelson
- Sec. Samuelson – Vermont DOC is leaning into significant culture change and improving morale and well-being of staff and incarcerated individuals; Department acted following concerns raised and thorough review over the past month or so; Assistant Superintendent will serve as acting Superintendent; can take more questions offline
- Asking for clarity on how wastewater in analysis of COVID cases.
- Levine – the whole nation is grappling with how to make use of this data; Burlington studied longest and shows increased activity in recent weeks but nowhere near levels at past peaks; results are reported to National Waste Water Surveillance System is where data is reported and metrics look at 15-day period; we focus on trends, not changes point to point; our data shows trends that decreasing; more sites will be coming online; we are learning how to aggregate data and interpret appropriately before releasing to the public
- Regarding CDC’s classification of three VT counties