Current News

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. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC/VT) has announced that Richard Wobby, Executive Vice President, delivered a compelling presentation at the OSHA Summer Summit held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst on June 4, 2025. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss critical topics in workplace safety. Richard Wobby's presentation, titled "Actively Caring for People," highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of care and compassion within the workplace.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) tonight took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s reckless request to rescind $9.4 billion in Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025 Congressionally appropriated funds, which provide vital support to Americans through public broadcasting and radio networks and promote U.S. global leadership. In his remarks, Senator Welch emphasized how rescinding these funds will put American lives at risk, damage security alliances and global partnerships, and erode Congress’s constitutional authority over appropriations.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) today announced nearly $1.5 million in awards for the 2026 Vermont Better Roads Program to support municipal road projects that improve water quality and result in maintenance cost savings. The grant funds totaling $1,457,700 are provided by AOT in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and are sourced from state transportation funds and the State’s Clean Water Fund. The Vermont Better Roads Program promotes the use of erosion control and maintenance techniques that save money while protecting and enhancing water quality around the State. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today released guidance intended to help Vermont’s immigrant and noncitizen communities understand their rights during encounters with immigration enforcement officers. The guide was designed in response to the many Vermonters who have expressed great concern about recent changes in federal immigration enforcement. It seeks to answer questions about (1) the power of the federal government, (2) the role, or lack thereof, state or local law enforcement play in civil immigration enforcement, and (3) the rights Vermonters can exercise if they encounter immigration enforcement officers. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in releasing the following statement condemning the Trump administration for unlawfully deploying the California National Guard against protestors in California, without coordination with state leadership: “The president’s decision to federalize and deploy California’s National Guard without the consent of California state leaders is unlawful, unconstitutional, and undemocratic. The federal administration should be working with local leaders to keep everyone safe, not mobilizing the military against the American people."

Vermont Business Magazine As President Trump and Senate Republicans rush forward with their budget reconciliation bill – which would throw 16 million people off of their health insurance – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside every Democratic member of the HELP Committee, today sent a letter to committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) urging him to schedule hearings with patients and health care providers to hear about the legislation’s disastrous impact on the health and well-being of the American people and markup this bill before it reaches the Senate floor for consideration.

Vermont Business Magazine In just months, Vermonters participating in the Vermont Saves retirement program have collectively saved over $1 million toward their retirement, Treasurer Mike Pieciak announced today. The Vermont Saves program was brought forward by Treasurer Pieciak in 2023 and earned unanimous approval from the Legislature and Governor Scott. Treasurer Pieciak proposed Vermont Saves because many Vermonters have inadequate personal retirement savings, leading to a less secure and less dignified retirement. Studies show that workers are fifteen times more likely to save for retirement if offered a plan through their employer. Unfortunately, many small businesses in Vermont are unable to afford retirement plans for their employees. Under Vermont Saves, tens of thousands of working Vermonters now have access to a plan for the first time at little to no cost to employers.