Current News

Vermont Business Magazine More than 25 current and former elected officials have today signed an open letter urging prospective candidates to reject the corporate two-party system and run with the Vermont Progressive Party in 2026. The letter, signed by local lawmakers and former officeholders from across the state, points to mounting frustration with Democratic inaction on core issues like healthcare, housing and climate. It urges bold, values-driven leaders to stop waiting and start building something better.

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs In March, Burlington voters again approved a charter change banning guns in bars, with 86.6% in favor. In 2014, Burlington voters had previously approved a similar measure. However, for a charter change to become law, it must be approved by the Legislature. Usually a routine bit of legislative sign-off, this change instead languished in committee and never made it to a full vote. On Thursday, a group of service industry professionals, lawmakers, and gun safety advocates gathered at the State House to call on the Legislature to approve Burlington’s charter change (S.131). The proposal is being championed by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, who stated, “Guns and alcohol don’t mix... let’s keep guns out of bars. It’s common sense.”

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, up 2.4 cents per gallon from last week's $3.07/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.81/g while the highest was $3.27/g, a difference of 46.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 10.6 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.21/g today. The national average is up 13.2 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 35.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets This grant, offered by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), provides funding to hire professional marketing and branding experts for existing value-added dairy processors, producer associations, and dairy brands using co-packing services. These professionals will develop strategies to increase consumer awareness, improve product positioning, and expand market reach for regional value-added dairy businesses. At least 75% of grant funds must be used for these professional services, ensuring that the expert drives the project’s direction. Up to 25% of the grant funds may be used to implement the professional’s recommendations, such as printing marketing materials, launching advertising campaigns, or updating branding and packaging.  

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance The outdoor sector in Vermont and across the country is working to understand and prepare for changing federal policy from the Trump administration. Vermont's outdoor businesses and organizations are already experiencing impacts due to tariffs, reduced Canadian visitation and brand boycotts, and federal grant cuts and employee layoffs. Join this VOBA forum for updates from Washington on the latest tariff announcements and implications on the Vermont economy from Tim Tierney, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

The Vermont State Police is investigating the death of a man who was in the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections. VSP was notified at about 10 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, that James Ingerson, a 54-year-old inmate at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport, had been found deceased in his cell. Per standard protocol, a detective from the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations was assigned to the case and began a death investigation.

Initial information gathered by VSP indicates Mr. Ingerson had reported not feeling well and had been receiving care for a medical issue prior to his cellmate’s discovering him unresponsive Saturday morning. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced that Burlington Fire Chief Michael LaChance intends to retire, effective June 30, 2025. LaChance has served the City of Burlington for 26 years, including the past two years as Fire Chief Engineer. LaChance began as a volunteer firefighter in Colchester over 30 years ago, before joining the Burlington Fire Department in 1999. Over 26 years he has continued to demonstrate his commitment to the department, its members, and the residents they serve.   

Vermont State Police Saturday night, Jozef I. Eller was ordered jailed without bail on charges of attempted second-degree murder and violating a no-trespassing order. He is due to appear for arraignment at 12:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland.

by Helen Argraves, Community News Service The federal government’s efforts to cut expenditures have not skipped Vermont. The Elon Musk–led Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has terminated leases for three federal office buildings here since the second Trump administration’s launch in January, touting claimed savings achieved on its website. The buildings in question are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration building in Barre, the Department of Housing and Urban Development building in Burlington and the Natural Resources Conservation Service building in St. Johnsbury. Together the leases account for 8,342 square feet of office space, and as of March 26 DOGE claims $170,306 in savings from the conservation service lease and $13,161 savings from the NOAA one. 

by Charlotte Oliver, Community News Service Early last month, legislators sat around their committee table and shared stories of loss. Rep. Mary Howard, D-Rutland, said she would wipe tears from her eyes on her morning drive to work after the death of her husband. Other lawmakers joined in — and no one was off topic. They were discussing a bill, H. 461, which could widen the circumstances under which employees can take unpaid time off. It would also expand the definition of family under state time-off laws, changing language to include more non-traditional family structures. 

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce today announced that they will hold a press conference alongside food service and airport workers on Tuesday, April 8, to introduce the Raise the Wage Act. This bicameral legislation will ensure American workers make a living wage, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality by raising the minimum wage to $17 over five years for all workers and gradually eliminating subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.

by Katie Grenon Equity is meaningless when it is defined by those in power, rather than by stakeholders. Legislators need to keep this in mind as they reimagine Vermont’s education system. Living in a rural area is a social determinant of health, of educational outcomes, and, I would argue, of power. Nearly 65% of Vermonters live in small towns, rural, or remote areas. This means that policies with unique impacts on rural communities affect a substantial majority. Legislators should be quick to consult rural constituents about our experience of the factors that most influence educational outcomes. If they asked rural folks, this is what they would hear: Retaining our local elementary schools is the most important factor in supporting educational equity.