Phil Scott

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.

Vermont became the first state to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease and banned in over 70 countries. The law prohibits sale or use without agricultural approval, and other states are considering similar measures. Syngenta, the producer of a paraquat-based product, announced it will stop global production by June.

Vermont became the first state to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, linked to Parkinson's disease, after Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed Democratic-sponsored legislation. The ban requires explicit approval for use, and over a dozen states have introduced similar measures, with Syngenta ending global paraquat production by June 2025.

Vermont has become the first US state to ban the paraquat herbicide due to concerns linking it to Parkinson’s disease. Governor Phil Scott signed the legislation, effective 1 November, with exceptions allowing regulated use on certain crops until 2030.

Vermont has become the first U.S. state to ban the herbicide paraquat due to concerns linking it to Parkinson’s disease. Governor Phil Scott signed the legislation, effective 1 November 2023, with a provision allowing special permits for certain crops until 2030.

Vermont's return-to-office policy under Gov. Phil Scott has led to financial losses and highlighted conflicts between political initiatives, labor laws, and fiscal management. The order, intended to boost collaboration, has become a case study in misaligned governance.