Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott’s office today announced a range of appointments made in the first quarter of 2026. Boards and commissions serve an important role in state government, giving Vermonters numerous opportunities to serve their state and communities. The Governor’s office is currently soliciting applications to fill vacancies and upcoming term expirations. All those interested in serving on a board or commission should visit the Governor’s website to apply.

Vermont Business Magazine In recognition of Financial Literacy Month kicking off April 1, Treasurer Mike Pieciak is reminding eligible Vermont employers to enroll in Vermont Saves, the State’s auto-IRA program. Pieciak highlighted that the program is critical to strengthening Vermonters’ financial security and helping them start saving for retirement as soon as possible. Vermont Saves is an affordable retirement program for employers to offer their employees. The program was created to expand retirement access to the tens of thousands of private‑sector workers who are not offered a plan through their employer and are less likely to be saving for their future. 

Vermont Business Magazine Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s non-profit community mental health agency, officially welcomes Anne Bilodeau to her new role as Chief Executive Officer today, April 1. A familiar leader within the organization, Bilodeau steps into the role following years of hands-on leadership across HCRS’ operations, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. Her first day as CEO marks both a continuation of the organization’s strong foundation and a forward-looking moment for its future.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont State University is pleased to announce that its nursing programs have achieved significant accreditation milestones. The National League of Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) accredits VTSU’s nursing programs in the ‘laddered’ stackable credential model. These certificates and degrees enable students to progress seamlessly in their education or, alternatively, enter the workforce, certification in hand, at any milestone in the program. The rigorous accreditation process consists of self-study, on-site evaluations by academic and clinical experts, and evaluation by the NLN CNEA Board of Commissioners.

Vermont Business Magazine The Governor’s Office today issued the following statement: “Today’s decision from the Vermont Labor Relations Board makes it clear the Labor Relations Board is broken, and a fair, unbiased process is impossible with the present Board makeup. “The facts of the case, the precedent, the existing – union-negotiated – telework policy, state statute and the constitution are clear the State acted appropriately in setting a minimum in-office standard for state employees. No one could thoughtfully and objectively review the facts and documentation the State presented – alongside the convoluted and changing arguments the Union presented – and come to this conclusion.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Kumulia Long of Milton to fill the vacant Chittenden-Franklin seat in the House of Representatives. Long is a real estate broker, combat veteran, and former Chair of the Milton School Board. A resident of Chittenden County, he has spent more than a decade combining military service, civic leadership, and professional experience in Vermont’s housing market.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department for Children and Families joins communities nationwide in recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. This month highlights the work of families, communities, and service providers who help keep children safe. It is not only a time to recognize these efforts, but to strengthen them—together. Child abuse is a serious issue affecting communities nationwide, including here in Vermont. Since 2025, there were 45 cases of serious physical injury to children, including child fatalities, investigated in Vermont. Acknowledging this is an important step to keep children and families safe, stable, and together. 

Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office on Monday announced that Maxx Rheaume, 27, of Salisbury, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of Sexual Assault- No Consent and one misdemeanor count of Distribution of Cannabis to a person under the age of 21. The charges against Rheaume are the result of an investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police, New Haven Barracks. Rheaume pleaded not guilty at the arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark joined a coalition of 21 states and local governments in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s repeal of the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule and reversion to outdated standards that harm the environment and public health. The MATS Rule implements nationwide standards that limit emissions of toxic air pollutants from coal- and oil-fired power plants, including mercury, arsenic, lead and other toxic metals, in addition to acid gases, such as hydrogen chloride and formaldehyde. In 2024, following significant developments in the technologies used to control pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the standards for emissions of these hazardous air pollutants from power plants.

Vermont Business Magazine The former Director of the U.S. Census Bureau – a career-long statistician and data scientist – will speak at Saint Michael’s College as part of an annual endowed lecture series. The Honorable Robert L. Santos, the first Latino and person of color to serve as the Senate-confirmed director of the Census, will explore how considering culture and values in data have made him a better statistician and leader. Santos’ talk is part of the Sutherland Lecture Series, which brings leading thinkers and scholars to campus to speak about issues in the liberal arts and sciences.

by Sam Lincoln I’ve had the honor of being a Vermonter who made a career working the land in agricultural and timber harvesting enterprises and my family has owned land in Vermont for generations. I also served as Deputy Commissioner of Forests, Parks, and Recreation under Governor Scott, where I worked on efforts to reform Act 250 to both protect forests and make the law work for rural Vermont. Vermont’s forest economy businesses must compete, innovate, and grow, just to stay viable. But too often, our regulatory system makes that harder instead of easier. It should not take three years to get a permit to make bark mulch on land a town has already zoned for industrial use.

by Rep. Laura Sibilia Vermont has a responsibility to address climate change and protect our communities and the natural systems that support us. We have seen firsthand the damage a changing climate is doing across our state, from flooding that damages homes and roads to increasing wildfire risk and the growing threat to species we depend on. In that context, Act 181 of 2024 is a large and complex update to our land use laws that changes how decisions about land are made and adds new protections for land and water that support us. Advocates have rightly emphasized the importance of protecting biodiversity as part of this work.