Current News

Vermont Business Magazine As President Trump reportedly prepares to enact blanket tariffs that will impact trade globally and plunge the economy into chaos, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement: “It is obvious that Trump ‘couldn’t care less’ about the American people feeling the pain of his reckless tariffs. President Trump needs to get real: this half-baked trade war will only raise prices for consumers. Trump’s so-called ‘liberation day’ will throw the global economy into turmoil and leave Americans holding the bag."

Vermont Business Magazine A diverse, statewide group of 119 Vermont businesses, nonprofits, and faith communities led by the ACLU Vermont published an open letter to Governor Scott and state lawmakers today, urging them to use the power of elected office to support and protect Vermonters from harmful and unconstitutional federal actions. The letter comes in response to unprecedented attacks on constitutional rights, state and local government autonomy, and the nation’s civic infrastructure. Signatories include faith communities; non-profit organizations working in public health, the environment, civil rights, agriculture, and economic development; unions; libraries; and businesses from a wide range of sectors.

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHS President & CEO We lost Tom Huebner this week, and it was a big blow for our state. Tom was a partner, a leader, a fixer and a believer that gifted Vermont with his grace, poise, skill and heart. Tom was forever optimistic—a devoted family man, full of love, and driven by a deep sense of purpose. That’s why he accomplished so much. His dedication to Vermont, especially to healthcare, was unwavering. He led Rutland Regional Medical Center for two decades and gave everything he had to make our state a better, healthier place. He always kept his eye on the greater good, seeking the right path forward—not necessarily the easiest or the one that best served RRMC, but the one that was honest, filled with integrity, and truly in Vermont’s best interest.

by Sara White, UVM College of Nursing and Health Sciences A new initiative between UVM’s Physical Therapy program and Winooski’s school-based health center provides free physical therapy services to students, ensuring they receive necessary care without financial or access barriers, improving recovery and performance. Access to prompt physical therapy can significantly affect recovery and performance for young people with injuries, especially student-athletes. While some schools have an athletic trainer for on-field treatment of sports injuries, many students lack access to continued outpatient rehabilitative care and guidance for injury prevention. A new initiative between UVM’s Physical Therapy program and Winooski’s school-based health center offers physical therapy (PT) services to students in need. This free program, led by Reuben Escorpizo, PT, M.Sc., D.P.T., and Heather Link, M.D., ensures students receive necessary care without financial or other access barriers.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Conor Casey (D-Washington-4) and Senator Becca White (D-Windsor) have introduced companion bills in the Vermont House and Senate to protect consumers from misleading and inadequate coverage by Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs). House Bill 102 and its Senate counterpart would require HCSMs operating in Vermont to register annually with the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), submit financial and membership reports, and disclose their limited coverage so Vermonters can make informed decisions about their health care.

Green Mountain Care Board GMCB Board Members and meeting presenters will participate virtually. The public can also join the meeting by using the meeting link or the call-in phone number listed below. Members of the public who cannot access the meeting remotely can view the meeting at 112 State Street, 5th floor, Montpelier, Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on March 27, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Willard Perry, 66, of Milton, Vermont, with possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also known as child pornography. Perry entered a plea of not guilty to the charge during an arraignment on March 28, 2025, before United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford. Judge Crawford ordered that Perry be released on conditions, including that Perry provide the probation officer with a complete and current inventory of the number of media storage devices and electronic devices capable of internet access that he uses or possesses, and that he not use an internet-capable device until an Internet Use Plan is developed and approved by the Probation Officer. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed into law H.2, An act relating to increasing the minimum age for delinquency proceedings. He said in a statement: While I continue to believe repealing “Raise the Age” for 19-year-old criminal offenders altogether is the best approach, I do appreciate the Legislature’s willingness to at least delay it for another two years. In the meantime, we will continue to make our case for a full repeal, so we don’t proceed down this path again in two years."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced three leadership appointments: Kaj Samsom as commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), Jill Briggs-Campbell as deputy secretary of the Agency of Education (AOE) and Neil Kamann as deputy commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Samsom has over 14 years of experience in state government in a variety of positions at DFR and later serving as Tax commissioner in the Scott administration from 2017-2019. Briggs Campbell served as the director of operations at AOE and helped to lead the COVID-19 emergency response. Kamman has over 30 years of experience at DEC.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark, joined by a coalition of 18 attorneys general, today sent a letter to congressional leadership opposing H.R. 22, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The proposed legislation would create unnecessary and burdensome proof of citizenship requirements that would effectively disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country, argues the coalition. The SAVE Act would amend the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) to unnecessarily require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship before registering to vote. The coalition emphasizes that this requirement would reverse three decades of progress made under the NVRA, which was designed to remove barriers to voter registration and promote greater participation in the democratic process.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has announced Governor Phil Scott as the commencement speaker for the graduating Class of 2025. The annual spring commencement will once again be held in Shapiro Fieldhouse on May 3. “We are immensely honored to welcome Governor Phil Scott as the distinguished keynote speaker for our spring commencement,” stated LtGen John Broadmeadow ‘83, USMC (Ret), 25th President of Norwich University. “Governor Scott has demonstrated unwavering support for Norwich, continuously endorsing our long-standing mission. His career embodies the key principles enshrined in our Guiding Values: honor, integrity, leadership, and service to nation and others before self. The Norwich University mission statement closes by commanding us ‘to make moral, patriotic, efficient, and useful citizens, and to qualify them for all those high responsibilities resting upon a citizen of this free republic,’ a mission fulfilled by our graduating Class of 2025, our numerous alumni, and Governor Scott alike.” 

Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets This grant supports licensed dairy processors and brands aiming to start new co-packing ventures or expand existing ones by scaling production, diversifying product lines, or forming new partnerships. Dairy brands currently using or planning to use co-packing services can also apply, provided their projects focus on scaling or initiating production through co-packing. Grant funds may be used for purchasing specialized equipment, hiring marketing and branding services, enhancing food safety, and covering contract fees for new co-packing relationships.