Current News

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.

Vermont Business Magazine Join Vermont Electric Co-op leaders March 27 from noon-1 pm for a one-hour webinar focusing on the co-op’s use of drones for VEC’s system maintenance and after-storm restoration. Discover how the co-op is using this technology to boost grid reliability, improve safety, and support power restoration efforts. Bring your questions and join the conversation with our panelists.

Saint Michael's College It may be more happenstance than by design that six Saint Michael’s College alumni are currently employed by the South Burlington Police Department. But, the prevalence speaks to the special relationship between the organizations. What’s taught in the classroom at St. Mike’s complements the real-world work deployed by officers and staff at SBPD, who share a progressive policing approach.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark will hold a Town Hall concerning her recent work to protect the rule of law and Vermont’s sovereignty, including filing six lawsuits against the Trump administration since President Trump took office in January. The Town Hall will occur on Tuesday, March 18th, in Montpelier, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. It will be open to the public, but capacity is limited. Those unable to attend in person may watch the livestream hosted by ORCA Media. The lawsuits against the Trump administration filed by Attorney General Clark since Inauguration Day have blocked acts and Executive Orders that were unconstitutional and illegal. 

by State Rep. Monique Priestley & State Rep. Angela Arsenault In July 2020, a man fueled by hate and armed with an address he found online, traveled to Judge Esther Salas’s New Jersey home to murder her. Her 20-year-old son, Daniel, happened to be home that day and answered the door when the killer came knocking. Daniel was shot and killed. His father was gravely wounded. Judge Salas, by sheer chance, survived. This horrific tragedy exposes the brutal truth of our digital age: Big Tech has made personal information a weapon. While they peddle the illusion of connection and convenience, these unscrupulous data brokers and tech giants are profiting from selling the information that puts our public servants in the crosshairs. They've built a system where home addresses and private details are readily available to anyone – stalkers, extremists, and those bent on violent revenge. They are complicit in the danger.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Heading into next week’s public hearings on deer, moose, turkey and importation rules, here are the top three things to know about the proposed changes to deer hunting: The proposed new regulations would let hunters use antlerless permits during the regular November season; The proposed new regulations would allow hunters to take a “conditional” second buck; The proposed new regulations would simplify the archery season and provide additional archery hunting opportunity in select areas.

Vermont Business Magazine On March 13, 2025 GNAT-TV has successfully concluded its 2024 Fiscal Year Annual Meeting and Open House, offering a dynamic overview of the organization’s progress over the past year and its vision for the future of community media in the Northshire region of Vermont. The event highlighted GNAT-TV’s continued commitment to transparent government coverage, educational access, and the amplification of local voices through independent storytelling. Attendees gained insight into GNAT-TV’s strategic goals, evolving services, and new initiatives designed to expand accessibility and deepen community impact.

Farm to Plate The Federal Government has cancelled the Local Food for Schools and Child Care program, which was intended to provide $600 million in funding nationwide. The USDA entered into a cooperative agreement with he Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM) for $1,222,076 in LFSCC funding.