Current News

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) released the following statement Thursday following passage of Democrats’ three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. The measure now goes to the Senate. “During what has been a really hard week for Americans, I am grateful to share the good news that we were able to secure House passage of a three-year extension of the ACA premium tax credits – a crucial step forward in our work to address soaring health care costs. In the end, several Republican members joined us, Speaker Johnson’s work to keep this from getting to the floor failed, and the collective voice of the American people prevailed."

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine In this State of the State address on Wednesday, Governor Phil Scott focused on education transformation. Act 73, passed last year with the support Democratic leadership, remains a work in progress. A task force commissioned to propose school realignment plans concluded late last year by only offering recommendations. Then in December the state announced that school property taxes are estimated to go up by double digits (11.9% FY27), nearly as much as they did in FY25 (13.8%). For FY26, the legislature used $118 million to pay down property taxes to nearly wipe out a tax increase (1% increase). Scott has proposed again using such a "band-aid" ($75 million) to hold down taxes this year. However, there is considerable pushback for that plan as surplus funds are lower now and the economy is softening. Here are some reactions to the governor's speech and his education proposals.

Vermont Business Magazine Benchmark Senior Living, a leading senior living provider in the Northeast, and National Development, a prominent real estate investment, development and management firm, announced today the acquisition of The Village at White River Junction in White River Junction, Vermont through a joint venture. Benchmark will operate the 80-apartment assisted living and memory care community located near the New Hampshire border and a short drive from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. The acquisition was completed through a joint venture between National Development and Benchmark with financing provided by M&T Bank. Benchmark also operates six communities throughout New Hampshire and The Arbors at Shelburne in Shelburne, Vermont. This acquisition marks National Development’s first senior living community in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of strong fiscal performance and meaningful progress in addressing Vermont’s growing affordable housing needs. The report showcases VHFA’s leadership in financing solutions that expand housing opportunities, strengthen communities, and support Vermont’s economic future. Highlights included: VHFA awarded state and federal tax credits to affordable housing developers, generating an estimated $63 million in equity for new construction projects; VHFA closed over $80 million in short-term construction loans and $4 million in long-term permanent loans, fueling affordable housing development statewide.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Mike Pieciak and local leaders announced a legislative initiative to lower prescription drug costs and make life-supporting medications more affordable for Vermonters. As Affordable Care Act subsidies expire, and thousands risk losing their coverage and paying fully out of pocket for their prescriptions, the proposed program will offer Vermonters a free drug discount card, delivering meaningful savings on their medications, regardless of coverage. 

Vermont Business Magazine Burlington Telecom (BT), a local leader in high-speed fiber broadband and community-focused service, today announced the appointment of Mike Callahan as President and General Manager, following the retirement of Mike Loucy on December 31, 2025. Previously serving as Burlington Telecom’s Controller, Callahan now heads the organization with a strategic and operational focus. He carries forward Loucy’s dedication to outstanding customer service, growth, and ongoing success in delivering Burlington Telecom’s products and solutions to Vermont residents and businesses.

Vermont Business Magazine ISO New England has requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accept its first batch of proposed reforms to the capacity market. The reforms are intended to improve power system reliability and cost-effectiveness as the region’s resource mix evolves. The filing asks FERC to issue an order by March 31, 2026. The ISO plans to conduct its first auction under the new framework in 2028. The FERC filing is the culmination of the first phase of the Capacity Auction Reforms (CAR) key project. The ISO worked closely with stakeholders on the effort over the last two years. The first phase involves moving capacity auctions to a “prompt” timeline, as well as updating the process for resources exiting the capacity market.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that it has resolved its investigation into complaints that Brattleboro Memorial Hospital (BMH) failed to effectively communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing during medical visits. This agreement resolves allegations that BMH violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) during patient visits dating back to at least 2018. The United States received a complaint from an individual who alleged that BMH discriminated against him by failing to provide qualified sign language interpreters and appropriate auxiliary aids and services during visits to BMH’s emergency department. 

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.02 per gallon, down 2 cents per gallon from last week, down 8 cents/g from last month and down 7 cents/g from a year ago. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.67/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 62.0 cents per gallon. Prices are lowest in Bennington ($2.84/g) and Rutland ($2.92/g) counties and highest in Caledonia ($3.08/g), Chittenden ($3.09/g), and Washington ($3.11/g), according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 2 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $2.81/g today. 

Vermont Natural Resources Council As Vermont enters the 2026 legislative session, we do so at a moment where environmental protections and funding that Vermonters have long relied upon are increasingly at risk, even as the impacts of climate change, housing instability, and rising costs are felt more acutely in our communities. Right now, VNRC & VCV are grounded in a simple but powerful belief that protecting our environment goes hand in hand with protecting people, communities, and our democracy. Vermonters care deeply about clean water, healthy forests, and access to the outdoors, but we are also concerned about whether we can afford to live in our communities, get to work, put food on the table, and trust that our voices matter. These challenges are not separate. The choices we make about land use, energy, transportation, and environmental health will shape whether Vermont remains a place where people and habitats can thrive.

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Futures Project released the Vermont Competitiveness Dashboard, a comprehensive new data tool that shows how Vermont compares to other states across key indicators shaping long-term economic vitality, including population trends, housing production, workforce dynamics, affordability, and economic momentum. The dashboard is intended to support informed reporting and public conversation by grounding economic discussions in transparent, comparable data. It complements the Vermont Economic Action Plan and highlights where Vermont is performing well and where long-term challenges remain.

Vermont Business Magazine Northfield Savings Bank announces year-end community contributions totaling $127,500 to support organizations addressing housing and food insecurity across Vermont.