Last Friday, the Governor continued with his plan to open the Vermont economy a quarter spigot turn at a time. The following are the new guidelines

Phase 2 of this effort, effective April 27, 2020, will allow the following:

Training Requirements. All employers shall provide training and a written copy of standard operating procedures to be developed by the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Agency (VOSHA), in consultation with VDH, on, at a minimum:

a. The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and an explanation of how the disease is spread.

b. Information on appropriate social distancing and personal hygiene practices, including those set forth in this Addendum 11 to the Executive Order and applicable ACCD Guidance.

c. The types, proper use, limitations, location, handling, decontamination, removal, and disposal of any PPE being used.

Employers may adopt another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA provided standard, or additional policies and procedures that are applicable to the employment environment and employees’ duties, which shall not be less restrictive than those developed by VOSHA.

All businesses and non-profit and government entities in operation must complete and document mandatory health and safety training by May 4, 2020.

The Governor has been noticeably clear with his messaging, “we will open the economy a quarter turn at a time.” At last Friday’s news conference there was guarded optimism that the strict measures that have been taken have proven successful. The COVID-19 cases seem to be lessening. But it was clear from both Governor Scott and Health Commissioner Levin that we are not in the clear/we need to continue to be vigilant in the efforts.

REMOTE VOTING

HOUSE AND SENATE AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEES

SBA PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM/VT SBA WEBINAR

UPDATE FROM BOB GRAY/MIKE OSCAR

VRGA/ERIN SIGRIST

RESOURCES

The House and Senate both have the capacity to vote remotely. The House passed their Temporary Remote Voting bill on Thursday and then proceeded to pass four Senate bills dealing with COVID-19 issues. Now that both chambers can vote remotely there could be an increase in legislative activity. The Speaker indicated last week that the House would continue to work on COVID-19 issued till the end of April, suggesting there might be opportunity for other legislation to be worked on and passed.

There has been some discussion that the legislature will recess within the next few weeks and then come back in midsummer to understand what revenues the state has received and how the federal money can be utilized. Vermont is scheduled to receive about $1.2 Billion from the Federal Government. The House Appropriations Committee is considering creating:

The House and Senate Ag committees continue to meet. Last week the House and Senate committee’s discussed Farmer’s Markets, meat/culling capacity, farm labor.

Farmer’s markets

Farmer’s markets must adhere to all municipal ordinances and regulatory and permitting requirements prior to opening. Farmer’s markets must significantly alter their business practices to eliminate crowds and reduce contact between vendors and customers, including a transition away from shopping and social events to primarily a food distribution system. Farmers markets shall use a “pre-order, local food pick-up” model to the extent possible and comply with any additional guidance issued by the Agency of Agriculture and Food Markets (AAFM).

Farmworker Health Issue

Senate Ag and Senate Health and Welfare heard from UVM Extension and Migrant Justice and others on the challenges with migrant farm workers and securing health care and the financial impact on the workers when they are unable to work when they are ill. Meat processing/Culling capacity

House Agriculture heard testimony on the challenges within the meat processing industry both in and out of state. As producers cut production what will the value of that cull animals be and is there the capacity for processing

Congress passed and the President signed a new Covid-19 relief bill. The bill includes another $210 Billion for the PPP. If you have not applied for this money, I suggest that you contact your lender and discuss if this would be an option for your business. The other option could be the PUA which is explained below:

The Vermont SBA will provide daily webinars that provide guidance for applicants for federal assistance, including what the loans cover, the difference between the two loans, answer questions about forgiveness, and more. There is a Q&A period during each webinar.

These webinars take place from 9 am to 10 am daily.

To join by phone, call (202) 765-1264 and when prompted enter the code 470177937#. Upon joining the call, mute the phone to cut down on the background noise and please do not place the call on hold as the hold music will be heard over the presenter. For more information, email susan.mazza@sba.gov

Senate to Vote on Essential Employee Financial Assistance Grants

The Senate Appropriations Committee Friday afternoon worked to finalize a bill that proposes to create an Essential Employees Grant Program for the payment of $1,000 monthly grants to employees making $25 or less per hour. The grant, an attempt to support essential employees with increased risk of contracting COVID- 19, is the Legislature’s response to the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program. The federal program has increased unemployment benefits by $600 per week, thus making it more attractive for some employees to stay home.

If passed, a third-party fiscal agent would reach out to employers within essential industries to identify eligible employees. Employees working more than 108 hours per month would receive the full $1,000 grant, while employees working under the threshold would receive a partial grant payment. The legislation also prohibits employers from reducing the hourly compensation, including any related bonuses or premiums, of any eligible employee during the program period, and cannot require any eligible employee to pay an administrative fee or other charge in relation to the employer requesting or obtaining a grant payment for the employee. The committee will brief the Scott Administration and House leadership on Monday to discuss next steps. Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe has alluded to lukewarm support from the Scott Administration. Additionally, he reported that the Trump Administration’s guidance on these funds have been rather restrictive on what these funds could be allocated toward.

Dairy Risk Management Concepts for the Current Environment APRIL 30, 2020

Dairy farmers and industry professionals are invited to hear Dr. Marin Bozic and Farm Credit East Business Consultant Gregg McConnell address the current dairy situation during a free webinar from 12:30 to 2 pm on Thursday, April 30. During this time, Dr. Bozic will provide a dairy markets update as well as discuss tools available to dairy producers to manage risk on their operation. Gregg McConnell will discuss how to evaluate your farm’s risk profile and the suitability of risk management tools for different situations.

Congress Passes $484 Billion Coronavirus Relief Bill By Mike Oscar

On Thursday, Congress passed a $484 billion coronavirus relief bill setting the stage for negotiations on an even larger package that could rival the $2.2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress last month. The primary purpose of the bill is to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but the measure includes funding to expand coronavirus testing and help keep states and hospitals afloat amid the pandemic. To that end, the bill will:

Passing a fifth COVID relief package, which members of Congress have already promised, is developing into a more costly and contentious undertaking. This week, President Trump called for a new bill providing aid to state and local governments, infrastructure spending, a payroll tax cut and tax breaks for restaurants, sports and entertainment interests. Senate Minority Leader Schumer told reporters he would push for a “big, bold, broad” package that would include money for infrastructure, housing, election security, a “heroes fund” for frontline workers and first responders, a postal service rescue and “robust” state and local aid. Speaker Pelosi has her own wish list that includes extending enhanced unemployment insurance benefits past their current July 31 expiration, and another round of tax rebate checks. Also, she wants more funding to protect the integrity of elections and let people vote by mail, but Senate Majority Leader McConnell intends to stymie any new major spending initiative due to his concerns regarding the rising debt. Per McConnell, “let’s see what we’re doing that’s succeeding, what is not succeeding, what needs less and what needs more. Let’s weigh this very carefully because the future of our country, in terms of the amount of debt we’re adding up, is a matter of genuine concern.” These COVID-19 Relief Bills purport to dwarf the deficit peak of $1.4 trillion during the Great Recession and will approach levels not seen since World War II. Per estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the current legislation, combined with aid packages enacted last month, is likely to add nearly $2.5 trillion to deficits over the coming decade. Per Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, “the good news is interest rates are very low, so the cost of carrying the debt to the American taxpayer is quite low. But I think we’re all sensitive to that this is a war and we need to win this war and we need to spend what it takes to win the war. We are sensitive to the economic impacts of putting on debt. That’s something that the president is … reviewing with us very carefully.” Finally, it’s still unknown when the COVID-5 Relief Bill will be conceived, drafted and debated and with Congress in a prolonged recess, this bill will hinge on when member of Congress can safely return to the Capitol for an extended period. Congress is tentatively scheduled to reconvene on May 4, but that timing is dependent on the virus’s continued impact.