Phil Scott

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is projected to face Amanda Janoo in the state’s November gubernatorial election. Decision Desk HQ reported this matchup. Scott has served as the state’s top official since his election in 2016.

In Vermont, Amanda Janoo won the party's gubernatorial nomination after defeating Aly Richards. Gov. Phil Scott secured his GOP gubernatorial nomination for a sixth straight two-year term. Despite Democrats having a dominant track record in the state, the article notes that Scott is poised to continue serving and has maintained high approval ratings.

In Vermont, Democrat Amanda Janoo defeated former child advocacy organization CEO Aly Richards to capture the gubernatorial nomination. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Phil Scott was unopposed and cruised to his own party's nomination for a sixth term. Despite having a deep blue state with strong Democratic dominance, Democrats face a difficult task beating Scott in November.

The Vermont Department for Children and Families announced that its new locked juvenile facility, dubbed the Green Mountain Youth Center, will only hold youths ages 12-17, contradicting previous statements that included 18-year-olds. This development highlights political disagreement over implementing the 'Raise the Age' law, particularly regarding calls from officials to repeal provisions affecting nineteen-year-olds.

The Phil Scott administration implemented wetlands rule changes to facilitate housing development near wetlands, reducing buffer zones from 50 to 25 feet in designated areas. Lawmakers rejected the initial proposals, but the administration revised the rules to avoid litigation, retaining the buffer zone reduction while removing provisions for building in unmapped wetlands. Environmental organizations, including the Vermont Natural Resources Council, agreed not to sue after the changes were scaled back.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital plans to close southeastern Vermont’s only birthing center within six to nine months, prompting community efforts to prevent the closure. The article criticizes Republican and bipartisan failures in addressing Vermont’s healthcare crisis, citing past closures of birthing centers and inadequate policy responses.

Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a data center bill that passed with bipartisan support in Vermont, arguing it imposed unnecessary regulations. The bill aimed to address rising electricity costs and pollution from AI data centers, with the final version strengthening protections for ratepayers and the environment compared to the governor's preferred draft.

Gov. Phil Scott directed Vermont State Police to patrol downtown Burlington from July 29 through mid-August to address public safety concerns, a decision that surprised Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak. The governor cited upcoming events like a New England governors gathering and the University of Vermont's fall semester as reasons, while the mayor welcomed the effort despite being informed via email rather than direct communication.

Brattleboro dropped a proposed municipal tax hike to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s financially struggling birthing center after hospital leaders expressed concerns about divisiveness and affordability. The hospital faces a $4.8 million annual deficit and may close its obstetric services within six to nine months unless a solution is found. Hospital and town officials now advocate for state-level interventions, including adjusting Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Kinney Drugs, a pharmacy chain in Vermont and New York, implemented an AI assistant for prescription refill services, leading to customer reports of delays, incorrect medication requests, and privacy concerns. Customers described receiving confusing AI-generated refill notifications and experiencing system errors, prompting frustrations and some to abandon the pharmacy due to limited rural alternatives. The AI rollout coincides with broader regulatory gaps in healthcare AI oversight.

Vermont faces severe environmental challenges including floods, droughts, and water shortages, with climate-related costs exceeding $15.9 million for farmers in 2025 alone. Efforts to expand population and development, such as the Vermont Futures Project's 2035 growth targets, clash with ecological limits highlighted by declining aquifers and Earth Overshoot Day.

Owen Foster is stepping down as chair of Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board by September 2024 to focus on family and professional pursuits. He will remain on the board as a regular member, and under his leadership, the board has adopted a stricter approach to hospital budgets and insurance premium increases.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed an executive order directing state advertising dollars to prioritize local news platforms. The policy aims to support struggling local news organizations while ensuring Vermonters stay informed, aligning with similar initiatives in Colorado and Maryland.

Aly Richards and Amanda Janoo, two first-time Democratic candidates for Vermont governor, have raised significant campaign funds despite lacking political experience. They argue declining support for incumbents and Governor Phil Scott's low approval rating present an opportunity to challenge him, though polls show most Democratic primary voters remain undecided and Scott would likely win a general election.

Vermont's Act 170, signed into law as H.955, mandates school district merger study committees and cooperative educational service areas (CESAs) by 2026, but lacks efficiency targets, oversight, and accountability mechanisms. Critics argue structural gaps, such as conflicting CESA and merger group boundaries, could undermine savings potential, despite identified $9M-$10M in back-office savings for Chittenden County districts.

Gov. Phil Scott announced Lindsay Kurrle will leave her role as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development on July 24 to become president and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems. Tayt Brooks, the agency’s deputy secretary, will replace Kurrle. Kurrle previously served as Scott’s labor commissioner, and Brooks has held roles in the governor’s administration since 2017.

A University of New Hampshire poll found that 63% of Vermonters aged 18-34 plan to leave the state within five years due to affordability concerns and seeking adventure. Overall, 86% of Vermonters find the state unaffordable, with housing costs and taxes cited as primary issues. The outmigration of young people could worsen Vermont's workforce shortages.

Governor Phil Scott issued an executive order allowing age-based health insurance premiums to lower costs, alongside measures for small businesses and tobacco use adjustments. The order aims to expand affordable choices and reduce regulations, following Scott’s veto of a legislative healthcare cost bill.

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak declared the city is 'back,' citing growing energy and confidence, but business leaders remain uncertain if recent improvements in downtown activity are a temporary blip. Challenges include rising inflation, labor costs, and concerns over homelessness and drug use, which some argue deter visitors. The city plans summer events and infrastructure projects to boost the economy.

Vermont Republicans celebrated rolling back laws from the previous legislative session as a key victory, citing increased influence after the 2024 elections. The party highlighted a 2025 tax break for military retirees as a success, while Democrats maintained majorities but faced GOP efforts to reverse prior policies.

Aly Richards and Amanda Janoo, Democratic candidates for Vermont governor, reported significant fundraising totals by July 1. Richards raised $365,867, while Janoo raised $164,798. Lieutenant governor candidates Molly Gray and Ryan McLaren each raised over $250,000. Republican Gov. Phil Scott reported $48,000 in contributions and a $218,000 cash surplus.

The Trump administration faces accusations of undermining First Amendment rights through actions like tear-gassing protestors at an ICE facility, suing a media outlet, and targeting a poll worker's social media post. These actions have spurred a cross-partisan coalition defending free speech, including Republican governors, businesses, and conservative media outlets, despite differing policy views. The Department of Justice has also indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, raising concerns about threats to democratic accountability.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed H.955, an education transformation bill aimed at strengthening public schools through voluntary district mergers, local governance preservation, and regional collaboration. The law addresses financial pressures from declining enrollment and rising costs while emphasizing investments in teaching and learning over structural changes.

The article criticizes Vermont Governor Phil Scott for promoting nuclear power as 'clean' to meet carbon commitments, arguing it is neither clean nor green. It highlights concerns about radioactive waste stored near the Connecticut River and opposes H.601, a bill redefining 'clean' energy to include nuclear.

Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a bill to implement reference-based pricing for health insurance, arguing it unfairly prioritized certain groups. His alternative proposal, H.585, aimed to expand insurance options through association health plans and other reforms but failed to pass the Senate Finance Committee. The debate centers on balancing cost-saving measures with equitable access for small businesses and young people.

The Vermont data center bill H.727 was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott due to Senate amendments, including an 'energy transformation payment' criticized by experts as deterring businesses. The bill aimed to regulate data centers to address pollution, water contamination, and grid strain but failed after Senate changes undermined its viability.

Gov. Phil Scott signed H.955, a new education reform bill in Vermont, initiating a voluntary school district merger process. The bill mirrors past efforts like Act 46, aiming to consolidate districts through community-driven negotiations by 2028.

The Vermont Supreme Court heard arguments over whether the state violated labor laws by implementing a three-day-per-week back-to-office policy without union negotiations. The Vermont State Employees Association argues the policy change required collective bargaining, while the state appeals a previous labor board ruling in favor of the union.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is criticized for failing to represent Vermonters, using public funds for a greenwashing campaign on Vermont Public, and prioritizing image management over addressing wildlife threats. The letter alleges mismanagement, lack of staff diversity, and neglect of public interests by the department and state leadership.

Governor Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a Vermont healthcare bill aiming to accelerate premium savings for public school employees and Affordable Care Act marketplace users through reference-based pricing. Scott argued the bill unfairly targeted specific groups, opting instead for broader reforms, while supporters, including Rep. Alyssa Black, criticized the veto as vengeful.

Vermont has enacted a law to limit private equity's influence over healthcare by preventing corporate entities from making medical decisions and requiring healthcare companies to disclose ownership. Governor Phil Scott signed the legislation, H.583, into effect.

Governor Phil Scott signed H.938 into law, restructuring Vermont's homelessness response system with a $83 million funding plan and a continuum of shelter options. The bill addresses political divisions over motel voucher programs, though advocates note concerns about funding adequacy.

Vermont's Act 181, a 2024 land-use law aimed at boosting housing and environmental protections, has been partially rolled back after Gov. Phil Scott signed S.325. The repeal, driven by rural landowners and municipal officials, removes provisions that strengthened development reviews in sensitive natural areas, including road construction and habitat connector protections.

Vermont's legislative session passed several education-related bills, including standardized immigration protocols in schools and pre-kindergarten choice for the Northeast Kingdom. The laws aim to protect students from federal immigration enforcement and expand school district consolidation efforts, though some education leaders criticize the increased administrative workload.

Gov. Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a bill to regulate large-scale AI data centers in Vermont through Act 250 permitting, which failed a veto override attempt in the legislature. The bill aimed to address environmental and financial impacts of data centers, including high energy use and water consumption, but Republicans blocked the override, allowing the veto to stand.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $31.7 million in disaster aid for Vermont farmers affected by floods in 2023 and 2024. The funding will support infrastructure repairs, flood-related losses, and market losses for farmers unable to access FEMA funds. Vermont officials confirmed the approval and noted the next step is state legislative authorization to accept the funds.

Vermont's public lands face rising maintenance costs, leading to proposed fee increases for state parks and federal recreation sites. State and federal agencies aim to balance affordability with necessary maintenance, with Vermont Governor Phil Scott supporting the proposals while emphasizing accessibility for low-income families.

Vermont became the first state to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, linked to Parkinson’s disease, after Republican Governor Phil Scott signed Democratic-sponsored legislation. Other states, including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, are considering similar bans, and agricultural company Syngenta announced it will stop global production of paraquat by June 2025.

Vermont became the first state to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease. Other states are considering similar bans, and Syngenta, the producer of a paraquat-based weedkiller, will stop global production by June. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns of paraquat’s severe health risks, including fatal exposure and no known antidote.

Vermont became the first state to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease, through legislation signed by Republican Gov. Phil Scott. The ban requires explicit approval for its sale or use, and over a dozen other states have introduced similar measures. Syngenta, the manufacturer of a paraquat-based product, announced it will cease global production by June 2025.