The AIV Difference:  Leadership, Information, Involvement, and Benefits

 

Leadership on the Issues

 

AIV takes the lead on the key issues impacting the state's economy, engaging state leaders, mobilizing busi­ness leaders, organizing other associations in coalition efforts, and representing the broader business commu­nity on special commissions and committees.  

 

Whether AIV stands alone or at the head of a coalition, our members know that we will always stand up for their interests.  The consistent strength of AIV has led even many of our strongest opponents to respect our integrity and dedication to our members.

 

The following are highlights of some key issues AIV has worked on in the past and continues to work on to­day.

 

Taxes

 

AIV consistently leads the rest of the business commu­nity on tax issues, and often is the only organization en­gaged and making a difference. 

 

AIV led the successful effort this year to turn back legis­lation that would have blocked the state pass-through of the domestic production deduction, a move that would have increased taxes on manufacturers and other pro­ductive businesses in Vermont.  This followed a similar successful effort to protect the deduction in 2006. 

 

A few years ago we played a critical role in preserving Vermont's capital gains exemption and laying the groundwork for protecting investment in Vermont.  Al­though the exemption was virtually eliminated in 2009, AIV helped lead efforts this year to restore a significant part of the exemption, and will continue efforts for full restoration in the future.

 

Other accomplishments in recent years include single-handedly forestalling restrictions on net operating loss deductions and then leading successful efforts to pass positive NOL reforms the following year.

 

AIV was the only organization to fight against the adop­tion of unitary combined reporting, which has made Ver­mont a more costly location for many multi-state and multi-national corporations.  AIV is now leading efforts to develop alternatives to UCR as part of a broader initiative to make the Vermont tax code more supportive of eco­nomic development and manufacturing in particular.

 

Human Resource and Workforce Issues

 

AIV led the efforts of the business community to promote difficult but balanced and necessary UI reform, including efforts to keep employer tax increases to the minimum necessary and to help ensure that fair but meaningful reductions in benefit spending were part of the final re­form package enacted this year.  Although tax increases were successfully restrained, AIV will continue to work on more meaningful benefit reforms in the future.

 

AIV has long been the leading organization on human resource issues like the cost of workers' compensation.  AIV played a central role in the steps toward workers' compensation reform in 2004 and led the renewed coali­tion effort for reform in following years, setting the agenda for the continued fight for meaningful reform. 

 

During the major health care reform action a few years ago, AIV was the only major state organization that did not at some point support or propose new taxes or new mandates on employers.  We have consistently focused on market-based regulatory reform as the best means to reduce costs and expand coverage, and will be actively engaged in the debate over state health plan proposals expected next year.

 

AIV has long led efforts against unduly restrictive or costly workplace mandates.  AIV played a major roll this year in successfully pushing back on paid leave mandates and other proposed legislation.

 

AIV has been closely engaged with the Department of Labor in developing workforce training programs for the state, as well as legislative leaders interested in reform­ing the state's approach to technical education.

 

With drug abuse among workers and job applicants a continuing concern in many parts of the state, AIV is working on approaches to help deter, detect, and treat drug use in the work­place and among applicants.

 

Energy

 

AIV is the most active and effective business organization representing commercial and industrial ratepayers on energy issues. 

 

We have been the only organization con­sistently and ac­tively involved in ensuring that Vermont's energy effi­ciency programs are as cost effective as possi­ble and that alternative funding mechanisms are devel­oped to reduce taxes on ratepayers.  AIV played the leading role in cre­ating the new Energy Savings Account option for em­ployers to effectively keep more of their energy efficiency charges for their own projects.

 

AIV has led efforts to ensure that renewable energy is promoted in Vermont through smart permit reform and tax incentives rather than mandates that distort markets and add undue costs onto ratepayers.  AIV has also sup­ported efforts to encourage the growth of merchant electricity generation in Vermont. 

 

Finally, AIV has long been the leading organization sup­porting the continued safe and reliable operation of Ver­mont Yankee, and is the only business organization with party status in current Public Service Board dockets.

 

Environmental and Related Regulation

 

AIV plays a central role in regulatory is­sues. 

 

AIV has worked directly on recent changes to solid waste, air toxics, and groundwater rules, and remains engaged with ANR and the Natural Resources Board on ground­water regulations, air toxics regulations, stormwater regulations, wetlands rule changes, and other issues.

 

AIV is also engaged in the ongoing debate on funda­mentally changing the state's regulatory posture toward toxic chemicals used in industrial and commercial proc­esses and products.  AIV led efforts this year to forestall the creation of a toxics regulation regime separate from and possibly conflicting with federal regu­lations.

 

AIV worked closely with the Administration in developing and passing Act 250 reform a few years ago, directly in­fluencing key provisions. 

 

Transportation

 

AIV has long led efforts to keep Vermont's weight and length limits on trucking reasonable and competitive with other states, and to oppose unwarranted or discrimina­tory fuel and vehicle class charges. 

 

AIV participated in successful efforts recently to funda­mentally improve overlength truck permitting as well as efforts that helped lead to the current pilot project in­creasing allowed weights on interstate highways.  This followed on AIV's past lead role in creating Vermont's Truck Network to reduce transportation costs to key ar­eas of the state.

 

AIV is also working on ways to maximize the potential for rail transportation in the state, as well as the value of air services.

 

With our transportation system caught in a needs and funding crunch, AIV is continuing our long standing ef­forts to reduce the transfer of transportation funds to unrelated programs and develop a "back to basics" focus on repair and economically necessary construction.

 

 

Information You Want and Need

 

Timely and useful information is critical for our members to keep engaged on matters that impact their business.

 

AIV's News and Views is one of the oldest, most re­spected newsletters in Vermont, providing information and analysis on local, state, and national developments important to Vermont's industrial and business commu­nity.  Issues are published every week during the legisla­tive session and as warranted during the rest of the year.

 

In addition to News and Views, AIV issues action alerts on key legislative debates, public comment deadlines, and other time-sensitive matters.  AIV also publishes oc­casional briefing papers and special reports.

 

Especially popular among AIV publications is the AIV Employer Handbook, a comprehensive guide to rules, regulations, and policy issues of importance and interest to Vermont businesses.  Also popular is the AIV Hazard Communication Standard Handbook.

 

AIV offers frequent interactive seminars and work­shops for members and non-members to provide infor­mation and education on issues critical to employers.  These seminars usually cover human resource and regu­latory issues, but can feature the full range of policy and operational matters.  They feature peer presentations and interaction, as well as presentations by government officials and policy makers directly involved in the issues discussed.  As a result, AIV seminars and workshops pro­vide members with the very best information and direct contact with relevant decision makers.

 

 

Involvement in Issues that Matter to You

 

AIV provides the full range of policy involvement:  mem­bers can either benefit anonymously from our action on the front lines or get directly involved through testimony and other activities.

 

Key to AIV's success is bringing members directly into contact with decision-makers.  More than any other busi­ness organization, AIV excels in bringing members to­gether with legislators and administration officials through hearings and special meetings, including one-on-one meetings to discuss concerns of individual compa­nies.  Such direct contact is invaluable in helping law­makers and agency leaders understand the needs and concerns of Vermont's employers.

 

AIV also maintains several volunteer task forces to de­velop policy positions and action campaigns on issues of importance to Vermont's industrial and business commu­nity.  Our task forces are made up of representatives of interested member companies, with frequent involve­ment of members of the state legislature, agencies, and administration officials. 

 

The number and focus of task forces evolve as develop­ments warrant.  Currently, AIV has task forces on:

 

·          Energy

·          Environmental and Land Use Regulation

·          Fiscal Policy and Economic Development

·          Forest Policy

·          Human Resources

·          Transportation

 

 

Benefits for You and Your Employees

 

In addition to the benefits of representation, access, in­formation, and education outlined above, AIV members can enjoy a growing list of benefits and cost-saving ser­vices. 

 

Technical Assistance.  AIV staff provide members with free assistance in answering their company's policy, op­erational, regulatory, and related questions, either di­rectly or by connecting members with the right sources.  We also help expedite assistance from state agencies or other authorities.

 

Health Insurance Services.  Members have access to health plan consultations from AIV member Paige & Campbell, Inc., as well as cost-effective health insurance plans offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Ver­mont.

 

Shipping Discounts.  AIV has made it easy for mem­bers to save on all types of shipping services.  We've teamed up with the leading transportation providers in the industry, including YRC (formerly Yellow and Road­way), USF Companies & New Penn, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions.  Whether you ship envelopes, packages, or heavy freight, these carriers have a solution.

 

Payment Processing Discounts.  AIV members have access to discounted payment processing and related services with First National.

 

Retirement Plans.  Members have access to consulta­tions and cost-effective retirement plans in conjunction with AIV member Carney Antell, LLC, a recognized leader in providing retirement plans and life insurance.

 

Advertising and Networking.  Members have access to a variety of venues for meeting and interacting with po­tential customers and providers, as well as a variety of affordable opportunities and media for advertising to AIV members and non-members.

 

 

More Information on Joining AIV

 

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·          FAQ about Joining AIV

 

 

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