there are several resources available to consumers to resolve medical billing disputes, particularly if a regulated business, such as an insurance provider is involved. In the medical billing realm, consumers have earned more protections just this January through the Federal No Surprises Act, aka the “No Surprises Act” or the “No Surprise Billing Act.” The
Using Federal Funding for Municipal Resiliency Projects in Vermont
Vermont is awash with an unprecedented surge in federal funding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, American Rescue Plan, and other pandemic-related aid represents the most significant infusion of federal funding to Vermont in decades. Developers, municipalities, and Vermont citizens should pay close attention, as the funding provides myriad opportunities to build more resilient communities
This Week at SCOV: March 18, 2022
I don’t know what’sup with this dog . . .but it makes me laughBy Andy DelaneyTwo decisions on March 18 from SCOV. First up is a constitutional challenge to school-funding tax collection and allocation. A student, a taxpayer, and the Town of Whitingham walk into a bar . . . I mean, filed suit
Vermont DEC Issues Draft Guidance on PCBs in Non-School Buildings
On March 10, 2022, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (“DEC”) published new draft technical guidance addressing polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) that are contained within building materials located in non-school buildings. DEC previously published separate guidance for PCBs in schools in February 2022.
The new draft guidance implements a 2021 legislative change to the waste management statute
Weekly Update (a Week Late) for March 4, 2022
Chalk it up to laziness. Oh? Were you looking for highbrow sophisticated humor here? You might be in the wrong place. By Andy Delaney There were no decisions yesterday, March 11. There were two decisions the week of March 4, 2022. Why didn’t I post last week? Good question. I thought about it but I didn’t. That
SLAM the SCAM: Hang up on government imposters!
Receiving a call from someone claiming to be from the government can be alarming. These calls can be threatening in nature, claiming your personal information or identification was involved in a crime, or money is owed to a federal agency. On the other hand, sometimes these calls are more positive which offer fake opportunities for
Paul Quackenbush Joins Dunkiel Saunders
Burlington, VT – Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand, PLLC, announced that Paul Quackenbush Paul Quackenbush has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Paul is a 2021 graduate of Vermont Law School, where he was an environmental mission scholar. In his practice at Dunkiel Saunders, Paul will focus on energy, environmental, litigation, and transactional
Dunkiel Saunders Names Victoria Westgate Partner
Burlington, VT – Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand, PLLC today announced that Victoria Westgate has been named a Partner of the Firm. Vic is an experienced counselor who helps clients in a range of practice areas, including energy and environmental, advertising and consumer protection, and business law. Vic joined the firm in 2014 after
Vermont Supreme Court Rejects “Functional-Equivalency” Test for Public Records Act
On November 5, 2021, the Vermont Supreme Court handed down its decision in McVeigh v. Vermont School Boards Association, 2021 VT 86, holding that “there is no general ‘functional-equivalency’ concept contained in the [Public Records Act].” The Court decided that the Vermont School Boards Association (“VSBA”) is not a “public agency” subject to the Vermont
“We the People” Demand Transparency: Covid-19 and the Governmental Duty to Inform America
Ricardo “Rico” J.J. Edwards Jr.—Have you seen the movie 2012?[1] What took place in January 2020, when President Trump was informed about the danger of Covid-19, tells a similar plot. Many audiences can observe the 2012 administration’s silence about Earth’s catastrophic changes, which led to unnecessary deaths. In 2012, the President’s Chief of Staff failed