Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Yesterday, Governor Phil Scott vetoed H. 91: An act relating to the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program. “We are deeply disappointed by Governor Scott’s decision to veto H. 91. After repeated calls for reform, H. 91 proposed a viable path forward for transitioning away from the state’s current hotel/motel system without abandoning those most impacted by the homelessness crisis in our state. Without the essential reforms contained within H.91, we can expect more unsheltered people on our streets, and more of the same drastic threats to emergency housing services in the coming years."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed into law late yesterday further restrictions on the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers. According to the Vermont Department of Health, PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive and developmental disorders, decreased antibody response to vaccines, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, certain types of cancer, and more. In fact, the CDC has found that nearly all people in the U.S. have PFAS in their blood. The new law (H.238) builds on earlier legislation adopted in Vermont that addressed PFAS in personal care products, menstrual products, textiles, cookware, rugs and carpets, artificial turf, ski wax, and more.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 10 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, challenging the unprecedented and unlawful use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove California’s waivers for its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII), Omnibus, and Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) standards – standards Vermont has adopted. The federal government’s approach, using the CRA to bypass Clean Air Act requirements, is unprecedented.  

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) today introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, legislation that would ban prescription drug advertising on television, radio, print, digital platforms and social media. The bill would also answer Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s repeated calls to end prescription drug advertising, a position he promoted while campaigning for President Trump in 2024.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, this week welcomed Steve Wright, President and General Manager of Jay Peak Resort, to the U.S. Senate for a forum on the impact of tariffs and President Trump’s trade war on the business, manufacturing, farming, and tourism industries. In the forum, Senators highlighted how the Trump Administration’s policies are raising costs for working families and causing extreme uncertainty for businesses across America. Senator Welch’s questions in the hearing focused on the economic and cultural harm caused by President Trump’s trade policy and anti-Canadian rhetoric.  

Vermont Business Magazine Three public information meetings will be held by the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) Civil Rights and Environmental Justice Unit (CREJU) this summer to discuss the Environmental Benefits Spending Guidance (EBSG). The Vermont’s Environmental Justice Law (VT EJ Law) from 2022 requires the Agency to develop guidance – the EBSG – to help designated Vermont state agencies to report on the investments that support communities, especially those most affected by environmental issues.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has released the Vermont Master Angler Program 2024 Report with 1,200 entries and 88 Master Angler Award recipients. Vermont’s wealth of waters and abundant fish populations provide many opportunities to experience outstanding fishing.  The Vermont Master Angler Program recognizes the achievements of anglers who catch trophy-sized fish from Vermont waters and celebrates the clean water and healthy habitats that allow these fish to survive and grow to exceptional sizes. The Vermont Master Angler program is a length-based program that sets “trophy sized” benchmarks for 34 eligible fish species.

Vermont Business Magazine With the beginning of summer and anglers fishing from shore, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds people that open fires and swimming are prohibited at all Vermont state fishing access areas. Open fires and their remnants, create unsafe areas for other anglers and boaters to use and enjoy.  The remnants of these fires are also unhealthy for the animals and fish that live in the adjacent waters.  Fish and Wildlife cleans up the toxic waste left by open fires on state lands annually at considerable expense. Swimming at fishing access areas is prohibited due to safety concerns and because the primary uses of the fishing access areas is for launching and retrieving motorboats and for shore fishing. 

Vermont Business Magazine SLoCAMP, FORESTRY SUMMIT, AND VWA FESTIVAL! This is a follow-up to last week's schedule reminder. Please read on for new events added to the June calendar, as well as new exciting information for SLoCAMP, the Vermont Forestry Industry Summit, and the 110th Anniversary & Forest Festival hosted by Vermont Woodlands Association!

Vermont Business Magazine Free Fishing Day is June 14, 2025. Vermont's Free Fishing Day gives resident and nonresident anglers the opportunity to go fishing in Vermont for the day without a license. The Grand Isle Family Fishing Festival is June 14, too!

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed eight bills into law. He also vetoed H.91, An act relating to the Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition to Housing Program. He had previously signaled issues with this bill but said he felt there could be "a way forward" if changes were made. They weren't to his satisfaction. He said the bill was far too expensive, while not providing appropriate services to those in the program. He said the program, even as expanded as it is, has become deleterious to those in it.

Vermont Business Magazine VITL announced today that Beth Anderson is stepping down as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective July 25, 2025. In a statement from Ms. Anderson, she said: “It has been my honor to lead the team at VITL in sharing essential health data on behalf of Vermonters and their health care providers. From the beginning, the promise was clear – secure exchange of health data is necessary for more effective, equitable, and efficient health care. The VITL team has proven the value of health data sharing again and again, through our service to public health during the pandemic, and continuing through the challenges facing health care providers in Vermont today. Providers use the data our team collects, matches, standardizes, and shares every day to make more informed care decisions and coordinate care across settings, support better health outcomes and help patients avoid the cost of duplicate tests and procedures.