The Senate Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs Committee continued ironing out details of the omnibus economic development bill, with several Vermont Chamber priorities to grow the workforce, such as relocating employee incentives and targeted marketing aimed at recruitment and relocation, included in the bill. The bill is also the vehicle for the VEDA forgivable loan program. The most recent version contains several provisions on raising the minimum wage, establishing a voluntary paid family and medical leave program, and increasing unemployment insurance benefits, which received minimal review from the committee, calling into question whether these major initiatives will be passed in the final version. A brief overview of the various sections, prepared by Legislative Counsel, can be found here. The bill is expected to be voted out of committee next week.