Vermont gets ‘C’ grade for slow economic recovery and high unemployment
A new study gives Vermont a “C” grade for its efforts to reopen the economy as coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to decline.
New Hampshire to see limited reopening, with hair salons, restaurants, some retail allowed to open
Effective immediately is the opening of state parks, campground and manufacturing services. Barbershops, hair salons, golf courses and some retail locations can reopen on May 11. Salons are limited to cuts and “simple coloring.” Retail establishments must limit their occupancy to 50 percent. Restaurants will be allowed to offer outdoor dining on May 18.
Flemming: Vermont goes from best to worst unemployment in US
Just six months ago, Vermont had the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. COVID-19 and the federal, state and local reaction to it has vaulted Vermont past all 49 other states by most any measure, placing our economy on an unemployment precipice.
COVID-19 legal liability protections are crucial to ensuring economic recovery
Recognizing that such lawsuits could choke off any hope of a sustained economic recovery, Congress should give serious consideration to passing federal liability protections to protect businesses from nuisance litigation.
Keelan: Is now the time for nonprofits to think about merging?
It is not known what the economic impact will be on nonprofits, but it has to be awful. There are about 4,500 nonprofit organizations in Vermont, ranging in size from $50,000 in annual revenue upwards to hundreds of millions. The sector employs close to 20% of the state’s workforce has a $6 billion impact on the state’s economy.
More than 3.8 million new unemployment claims filed; 6 week US total exceeds 30 million
The six-week surge in new unemployment claims continued last week as businesses deemed nonessential by state and local governments reduce staffing in response to COVID-19.
Aimee Stephenson: Why we should liberate Vermont now with a full turn of the spigot
As the reason for the shutdown was to avoid a particular cause of death — lack of hospital capacity — it would follow that the most relevant metric for deciding whether to reopen the economy is hospital capacity. The question our leaders should be asking is whether we currently have an issue with hospital capacity? The answer is a resounding “no.”
GDP drops 4.8 percent in first quarter, largest decline since Great Recession
U.S. Gross Domestic Product shrank by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of the year, a result of stay-at-home orders that shuttered businesses in response to COVID-19.
Gov. Scott allows more businesses to operate, but tight restrictions remain
Gov. Phil Scott on Friday announced a loosening of restrictions on businesses, but many will still not be able to operate as they did before the shutdown.
Georgia reveals what dining out looks like starting Monday
Georgians will be allowed to eat in public dining areas again Monday, but safety guidelines because of the COVID-19 pandemic will create a different experience for diners.
Another 6,500 Vermonters out of work last week due to governor’s COVID-19 response
The number of Vermonters out of work and struggling to support their families continues to climb as the Vermont Department of Labor processed more than 6,500 jobless claims over the past week.
Shutdown brings liberty-minded Vermonters out to protest despite freezing cold
Amid freezing temperatures and a spring snowfall, dozens of liberty-minded Vermonters with flags and signs met Wednesday at the state Capitol to send a message that the shutdown response to the coronavirus has gone on long enough.