Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Afghan Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Molly Gray, in recognition of World Refugee Day: “Today, June 20, 2025, marks World Refugee Day. Today, all of us at the Vermont Afghan Alliance recognize the strength and courage of those who have been forced to flee their home country because of conflict or persecution. Across Vermont, hundreds of resettled refugees contribute to Vermont’s economy, workforce and vibrancy. In particular, we want to recognize the more than 600 Afghan refugees across Vermont who had to flee Afghanistan because of their support for U.S. military and diplomatic missions."

Vermont Business Magazine Unseasonably hot temperatures are expected next week, with high temperatures forecast to rise over the weekend, reaching the upper 80s to mid 90s by Monday and Tuesday. High heat can increase the risk for dehydration, muscle cramps, headache, nausea, fainting, or even heat stroke, especially before our bodies are used to the change. In states with relatively cool climates like Vermont, older adults, people with disabilities and people managing chronic health conditions are often at the highest risk for severe heat illnesses, said Jared Ulmer, Climate and Health Program Manager with the Department of Health.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) is now accepting grant applications for the FY 2026 Mobility and Transportation Innovation (MTI) Grant Program. The program is designed to support innovative strategies and projects that improve mobility and access to services for transit-dependent Vermonters, reduce the use of single-occupancy vehicles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to funds provided through the authorization of the Transportation Bill, this year’s program includes funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP). These additional CRP funds will specifically support the expansion of travel demand management projects that encourage less carbon-intensive means of travel. 

The Vermont State Police is investigating a suspicious death in the Washington County town of Woodbury. The investigation began at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, when police received a report that a body had been found at a roadside pull-off along Route 14. First responders arrived and confirmed the individual, a woman, was deceased. Investigators are treating the death as suspicious. No one is currently in custody. This investigation is in its preliminary phase and involves members of the Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Crime Scene Search Team, Field Force Division and Victim Services Unit.

Vermont Business Magazine The 2025 edition of Chambers USA, a leading directory of American lawyers and law firms, recognized eight Dinse attorneys in their practice areas. The new guide, released June 5, 2025, also recognizes the firm as among Vermont’s best in every category of practice. The firm’s Labor & Employment group was described as “distinguished.” One source states “The team is phenomenal, and I consider myself lucky to be working with them. They have up-to-date knowledge and are well connected.” The firm’s Litigation group received the highest possible ranking.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), are pleased to announce the award of $97,500 to the Town of Waterbury through the Better Connections Grant Program, which seeks to help towns build stronger communities that are more livable and walkable. The Town of Waterbury will create a multi-modal transportation safety and accessibility plan for Waterbury Center to strengthen connections among the village assets through a smart growth approach and will incorporate stormwater mitigation planning to improve water quality.  

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, up 4 cents per gallon from last week, up 3 cents/g from last month and down 34 cents/g from last year. The lowest price in the state this week was $2.59/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 70.0 cents per gallon. Prices were lowest in Rutland ($3.05/g) and Bennington ($3.03/g) counties, as they were last week, and highest in Essex ($3.17/g), Orleans ($3.18/g) and Franklin ($3.17/g) counties, according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline has risen 8 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.20/g today.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine May revenues for the General Fund, Transportation Fund, and Education Fund collectively totaled $201.7 million, falling short of the consensus target by $12.3 million (-5.8%). Administration Secretary Sarah Clark said: “Although revenues were below monthly targets, cumulative General Fund receipts continue to be above consensus expectations in May, with an end of year surplus likely remaining. The Education Fund also continues to be on track to slightly exceed its cumulative target for the year. The outlook for the Transportation fund is more mixed as federal tariff policy continues to unfold.”

Vermont Business Magazine In the midst of 2020 Covid measures, another change took place in Vermont: A law went into effect banning businesses from offering plastic bags to customers, with paper bags only available for a fee. A 2023 analysis of a survey of hundreds of Vermonters found the law appeared to have worked. Plastic bag use in the state dropped 91%, and three-quarters of those surveyed approved of the approach. Now, researchers at the University of Vermont have dug deeper into the 745-person survey conducted by the University of Vermont Center for Rural Studies. The researchers found the law’s strongest effect, by far, was a near-complete elimination of plastic bag use following the ban’s implementation—a 91% drop. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Green Mountain Care Board today issued its decision on BlueCross and BlueShield of Vermont’s (BCBSVT) large group insurance filing, which establishes the formula, manual rate, and associated factors the insurer will use to set premiums for large group renewals. BCBSVT provides health insurance coverage to individuals, small and large employer groups, and Medicare enrollees in Vermont. GMCB’s decision applies to the BCBSVT’s large group products, which are used to determine premium rates for employer groups with over 100 employees. GMCB ordered BCBSVT to make three adjustments, which are projected to lower the proposed rate increase from 17.3% to approximately 13.7%.

Local Motion Our work in the 2025 legislative session has wrapped up and we are excited to tell you about several significant wins for Vermont’s biking community. The major win from this session, starting in July 2026, people on bikes will be able to legally proceed through a signalized intersection when the pedestrian signal is active in their direction of travel, even if the light is red. Many people already do this, and it has been legal in Burlington for several years. This practice enhances safety for people biking by allowing us to clear intersections before cars begin moving. It also enhances visibility, as a person on a bike who uses it can position themselves in drivers’ line of sight, rather than being to their side, often in blind spots. Bicycle use of pedestrian signals is legal in California, D.C., New York City, and Burlington. This provision goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has announced the   2025-2026 migratory game bird hunting season dates and bag limits. A printable copy of the Migratory Bird Syllabus can be downloaded from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s website  under “Hunt” – “Waterfowl.”  A printed version also will be available from license agents and post offices in August. A statewide Vermont open hunting season for resident Canada geese will occur September 1-25.  The daily bag limit is five Canada geese in the Connecticut River Zone and eight in the rest of the state during this September season.  The purpose of the September season is to help control Vermont’s resident Canada goose population prior to the arrival of Canada geese migrating south from Canada.