MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Governor Phil Scott says a $30 buy-local program is open for the public to enroll.
The $30 voucher program is for people to spend at local businesses. It’s a $500,000 effort to boost the economy. Weeks ago, Gov. Phil Scott pitched a similar buy local program that would give every household $150 in discounts. That proposal was shelved in the Vermont House of Representatives because they say it didn’t help low-income Vermonters.
BACK TO SCHOOL
It’s the first day of school in Vermont for K -12th graders in the public school system. Most districts are doing a hybrid approach of in-person and remote learning. The governor acknowledged that while we are “by far the safest state in the nation,” he acknowledged that the state will see COVID cases in schools.
Education Secretary Dan French said he hopes the state will move to the next step allowing for more in-person learning that could happen later this month. He says reopening schools is best for the social, emotional, and educational needs of students. Guidance on physical education, science labs, and students with disabilities is coming soon.
HEALTH UPDATE
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine says a total of 146,782 Vermonters have been tested so far, about 1/4 of the population. He says a Walgreens pop-up pilot project went well and now Kinney Drugs will do COVID testing at 11 locations around the state. He says the tests should be covered by insurance. Details are on the health department’s website. He says he expects the turn around time for the tests to be about two days since they are working with UVM.
Vermont has seen a total of 1,654 cases as of Tuesday with three new cases Monday. The number of deaths is still at 58.
The governor says if the state continues to see favorable trends and we don’t see spikes with schools reopening and college students returning, that he may ease restrictions on lodging and restaurants even more. He says the vast majority of Vermonters who are still unemployed work in the hospitality sector. Human Services Secretary Mike Smith says he thinks there’s a chance of expanding the hazard pay program to send money to towns for volunteer first responders.
PENCE VERMONT VISIT
The governor did not speak with the vice president who vacationed in Vermont over the weekend. He says his choice to stay here shows that Mike Pence knows it’s safe too. He says he expects an influx of people who will choose to live in Vermont because of that but that we need to make the state more affordable to keep them here.
Related Story:
Vermont rolling out $30 ‘Shop Local’ program Tuesday, lawmakers mulling over more hazard pay
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Vermont $30 buy-local program open for enrollment - WCAX
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