Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Vermont Department of Labor announced that the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for January was 2.6 percent. This reflects an increase of one-tenth of one percentage point from the prior month’s revised estimate. The civilian labor force participation rate was 65.5 percent in January, no change from the prior month’s revised estimate. While the Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment all increased slightly, none of the changes were statistically significant. Vermont continues to have the second lowest rate in the nation, tied with North Dakota. South Dakota is lowest at 1.9 percent; Nevada is highest at 5.8 percent. The comparable United States rate in January was 4.0 percent, a decrease of one-tenth of one percentage point from the revised December estimate.  

by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First, Vermont Business Magazine The Los Angeles man that authorities say was behind an elaborate cross-country murder for hire scheme that ended in a deadly shooting in Vermont seven years ago, will go on trial today (Monday) in U.S. District Court in Burlington. Serhat D. Gumrukcu, 42, has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges, including causing the execution-style death of Gregory Davis, 49, of Danville in January 2018 in the Northeast Kingdom. Authorities have identified Gumrukcu as the man that ordered the hit on Davis after he threatened to blow the whistle on the defendant for a multimillion-dollar fraud involving international investments in an oil deal.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) today announced the death of Michael Hartigan, a detained individual receiving palliative care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Hanover, New Hampshire. Michael Hartigan, 67, of Randolph, Vermont, was detained and ordered held without bail in May 2020. On February 6, Mr. Hartigan was hospitalized at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vermont. He was subsequently transferred to DHMC on February 9. He was receiving palliative care prior to being pronounced deceased on March 16 at DHMC. 

Vermont Business Magazine The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell by 2.1 points in February to 100.7. This is the fourth consecutive month above the 51-year average of 98 and is 4.4 points below its most recent peak of 105.1 in December. The Uncertainty Index rose four points to 104 – the second highest recorded reading. “Uncertainty is high and rising on Main Street, while inflation and a lack of qualified workers remain the biggest problems facing small business owners,” said NFIB Vermont State Director John Reynolds. "NFIB's survey shows that the proportion of small business owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months dropped, and the percent viewing the current period as a good time to expand fell. Small business is the backbone of Vermont’s economy, but they need state lawmakers to support them and avoid new mandates, fees, and taxes for the remainder of the legislative session."

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Mutual Insurance Group Giving Fund (VMI) has committed $10,000  to support Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity (CVHFH) to assist with building a single family home in Barre. Beyond their financial support, VMI employees will also volunteer on-site, reinforcing their commitment to community involvement. VMI’s dedication to volunteerism aligns with a growing trend in the for-profit sector, where companies not only encourage employees to give back but also provide paid volunteer days. CVHFH homes are sold to low-income families with a 0% interest or equivalent mortgage. Homeowners must demonstrate the ability to repay the mortgage and contribute sweat equity by helping build their own home.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The current president of Boise State University has been named the de facto next president of the University of Vermont. Dr Marlene Tromp was named Monday morning as the lone finalist for the position of president. In recent years a single finalist is named as the presumptive new president until a final vote of the Board of trustees. Tromp will succeed Suresh Garimella, who stepped down last fall to take over the presidency of the University of Arizona. UVM Provost Patricia A. Prelock was named interim president by the Board of Trustees beginning October 1, 2024. Tromp is a professor of English and a widely published scholar of Victorian literature and culture.

The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is no longer in line to receive anticipated federal funding, which would have helped Vermont farms feed their local communities in 2025. On Friday, March 7, 2025, VAAFM received termination notices for two cooperative agreements from our USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) program contacts for the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA25) and Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) programs. The termination notices read, in part: "AMS has determined this agreement no longer effectuates agency priorities and that termination of the award is appropriate.” 

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS Crossover week is usually intense, but the heat was ratcheted up to volcanic levels last week with the announcement of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s financial struggles from the Green Mountain Care Board and the Department of Financial Regulation. While we are seeing these trends nationally both with health insurers and hospitals, it appears that the combination of Vermont’s aging demographics, rurality, and housing costs have put us at the tip of the spear. What I love about this state is the ability to get everyone in a room to hash things out. VAHHS welcomes the opportunity to do that here.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, down 1.3 cents per gallon from last week's $3.11/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.85/g while the highest was $3.29/g, a difference of 44.0 cents per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has fallen 1.3 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.02/g today. The national average is down 10.6 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 42.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

by Cheryl Charles, Chair of the Rural School and Community Alliance Vermonters spoke loud and clear this Town Meeting Day: they support their public schools. With over 90% of school budget proposals winning voter approval and budgets passing in at least 101 districts, the message is undeniable—Vermont communities value their schools and want to see them strengthened, not dismantled. While there is broad recognition that education finance reform is needed, Vermonters are not interested in a rushed, one-size-fits-all political fix. Instead, they seek thoughtful, well-planned reforms that prioritize the best interests of children, taxpayers, and the future of Vermont’s communities.

by Noah Diedrich, Community News Service In the face of skyrocketing property taxes across the state, Gov. Phil Scott is looking for new ways to economize Vermont’s education spending. The statewide average property tax bill increased nearly 14% last year, triggering calls for cost control and an uncharacteristic red wave in November’s election that saw the Vermont GOP pick up enough seats to undo the Democratic supermajority. Now Scott is setting his sights on programs where he believes the state can afford to cut costs. 

by Maggie Lenz and Nick Charyk on behalf of Atlas Government Affairs Well, that was fast. On Friday, Governor Phil Scott issued his first veto of the 2025 session, rejecting the FY25 Budget Adjustment Act almost as soon as it hit his desk. At this point, Scott reaching for the veto pen feels familiar. But the dynamics have changed. Last year, Democrats had a supermajority and overrode six of his eight vetoes. After November’s election, that supermajority is gone. The Democrats still have a majority, but not enough to override. Which means compromise isn’t just preferable. It’s necessary.