Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Advocacy

One of the four focus areas of the Vermont Chamber Hospitality Council (VHC) is advocacy on issues impacting the tourism industry.

The Vermont Chamber lobbying team advocates on core business issues such as property taxes, health care, and education. Vicky Tebbetts, a registered lobbyist and Vice President of the VHC, works on issues specific to the industry.

Here are some of the hospitality-industry specific issues addressed by the Vermont Chamber Hospitality Council in the 2009 session:

  • Proposal to consolidate the Vermont Economic Development functions
  • A funding formula for hospitality marketing and promotion via the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
  • Working against a proposal to raise the Rooms & Meals tax
  • Menu labeling / trans fats
  • Diesel Fuel Tax Exemption for Motorcoaches
  • Chains on busses when traveling on certain roads in the state in winter weather
  • Film industry study and tax credit.

In addition to our work at the Vermont State House, the Vermont Chamber Hospitality Council represents Vermont businesses on a federal level through our partnerships with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association.

Employee card check legislation, employing foreign workers, border crossings, and menu labeling in light of the LEAN/MEAL act, are examples of our national partners' advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.