Current News

by Meg Davidson As a longtime anti-hunger advocate, a former SNAP recipient, and a proud Vermonter, I am deeply alarmed by proposals moving through Congress that would gut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known here in Vermont as 3SquaresVT. If passed, these cuts would devastate thousands of families across the Green Mountain State that rely on this vital program to put food on the table. In May, the House narrowly passed a budget bill that would slash more than $1 trillion from programs like SNAP and Medicaid, essential lifelines for people in need. Meanwhile, the same bill offers massive tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations. Now, the Senate is taking up this bill, and the future of food assistance hangs in the balance. Here in Vermont, SNAP supports 66,500 residents—1 in 10 of us. 

Vermont Business Magazine Over 100 nonprofit recipients of Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Sunshine Fund donations are invited to the brewery’s inaugural SIPosium, a convening of local community-based organizations from across Vermont to be held Wednesday, June 25, at Lawson’s Finest destination taproom in Waitsfield, Vt. The SIPosium will be an afternoon of building community, storytelling and celebration. This event will bring together organizations of all sizes and causes from localities across Vermont, to discuss a wide range of topics, from rural economy and food insecurity to community relationships. Organizations will learn from each other, share key insights and make connections with the goal of fostering collaboration. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott has signed the $9.1 billion 2025 budget “Big Bill” into law. He said this budget makes important affordability investments – most notably the $77 million general fund transfer to the education fund to help stabilize property taxes this year, and $13.5 million in much needed, targeted tax relief for young families, lower income working Vermonters and seniors on fixed incomes. He also signed into law the property tax rate “yield bill,” H.491. The average increase in property taxes this year is 1.1%. Last year’s increase was 13.8%. The Legislature used the surplus funds from the General Fund as a one-time fix for FY2026, which begins this July 1. Before the session began, the projected average property tax increase was 5.9%. Also, the Vermont DOL reported that the unemployment rate for April was 2.7 percent. Vermont is tied for the third lowest jobless rate in the US. See more.

Vermont Business Magazine Simon Shuster, senior correspondent at TIME, will receive the 2025 William E. Colby Award at Norwich University’s Military Writers’ Symposium, scheduled for October 27-28. Shuster, known for his critically acclaimed book, The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelensky, offers an insightful political portrait of Volodymyr Zelensky’s wartime leadership. Shuster’s book, praised by publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian, presents an unprecedented perspective based on deep access to Ukraine’s leadership during the ongoing conflict.

Vermont Business Magazine For generations, Copley’s Birthing Center has been a source of joy and pride—a vital part of our hospital’s history and a trusted place for families across our region. We deeply honor the role our Birthing Center has played in welcoming new life and providing compassionate care during life’s most meaningful moments. In our current healthcare crisis, Copley’s goal is to maximize the welfare of the community regarding hospital-related health issues. On June 17, 2025, the Copley Board of Trustees voted for the closure of the Copley Birthing Center and to transition to a regional model of care in our county.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont weekly unemployment claims for the week ending June 14, 2025, fell back close to 300, to a level similar to much of the spring. New claims this week were 305, down 45 claims from the week before and up 49 from last year at this time. Claims, which are lowest in the summer, were 181 at the end of September 2024. For the week, Vermont total unemployment insurance claims were 2,736 (down 32 for the week and up 456 from this time last year). The Vermont Unemployment Trust Fund is well capitalized. As of the most recent data, there was $325.6 million in the Trust Fund, up about $35 million from the previous week. The pre-pandemic Trust Fund balance on March 1, 2020, was $506.2 million.

Vermont Business Magazine The bill, Act 68 (S.126), proposes to enact certain health care payment and delivery system reforms to achieve transformation of and structural changes to Vermont’s health care system. The bill would appropriate $4.2 million to the Agency of Human Services (AHS) and $1.2 million to the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB). The bill would also: • Direct GMCB to implement reference-based pricing for hospitals; • Allow GMCB to implement reference-based pricing for services delivered outside a hospital; • Allow GMCB to review and evaluate the structure of a hospital network, investigate the financial operations of a hospital network, and recommend corrective actions it deems necessary

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today filed an amicus brief along with 21 other attorneys general in support of two lawsuits brought by National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) that seek to block proposed funding cuts to their organizations and local affiliates. At issue in the case is an executive order signed by President Trump on May 1 directing the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and executive branch agencies to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. On May 27, NPR and three Colorado public radio stations—Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and tribal-serving KSUT in southwestern Colorado—sued to block the proposed cuts. PBS and a Minnesota-based affiliate filed a separate lawsuit on May 30. 

Vermont Business Magazine With temperatures expected to rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday 6/22, Monday 6/23, Tuesday 6/24, the heat index will meet the threshold for cooling centers to be activated by the City of Burlington.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont River Conservancy (VRC), in partnership with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), have successfully closed the LeBlanc River Corridor Easement and the Gilman River Corridor Easement. Closing the LeBlanc River Corridor Easement in Troy is a significant achievement and ensures the permanent protection of land along the Missisquoi River, the VRC and DEC said in a statement. Meanwhile, closing the Gilman River Corridor Easement ensures the permanent protection of 22.5 acres of critical river corridor along Millers Run in Sheffield, Vermont. 

Vermont Business Magazine Kinney Drugs announced today that the Rite Aid drugstores in Brattleboro and Springfield will become part of the Kinney family the first full week in August. Kinney stated that its goal is to minimize any disruption to patient care and customer service during the transition. Rite Aid announced in May that it was closing all of its stores nationwide, including its last five in Vermont. With the additions of the locations at 49 Canal Street in Brattleboro and 55 Springfield Plaza Road in Springfield,  they will have 23 drugstores in the Green Mountain State.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve electricity on Monday evening June 23 as demand for electricity across New England is expected to spike because of high temperatures. Specifically, VEC asks members to conserve between 5-10 pm.