Highlighting legislative outcomes, economic priorities, and opportunities to strengthen Vermont's competitiveness.
Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Chamber of Commerce has released its 2025–2026 Legislative Biennium Report, documenting key policy outcomes, emerging economic priorities, and the growing role of data-informed decision-making in shaping Vermont's future.
The report reflects a legislative biennium defined by both progress and persistent challenges. While meaningful advances were made in areas such as housing, workforce development, healthcare reform, and economic development, affordability and competitiveness remain defining issues for Vermont's future.
"This biennium marked an important shift in Vermont’s economic conversation,” said Amy Spear, President of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “There is growing recognition that Vermont’s challenges are interconnected. Housing, workforce, healthcare, demographics, affordability, and economic growth do not exist in silos. Solving them requires a shared vision, a commitment to facts, and the willingness to make long-term decisions that strengthen Vermont’s future.”
Over the past two years, the Vermont Chamber advanced policies focused on affordability, workforce development, housing, healthcare reform, economic development, and tax competitiveness. The report also reflects the growing connection between research and policymaking, informed by the Vermont Futures Project's work to better understand Vermont's workforce, housing, and economic challenges.
Through the Vermont Economic Action Plan, shaped by input from more than 5,000 Vermonters across all 14 counties, the Vermont Futures Project established a long-term blueprint to address Vermont's workforce and housing challenges and strengthen economic competitiveness. New resources, including the Vermont Business Climate Survey and Competitiveness Dashboard, further expanded access to economic data and insights for policymakers, business leaders, and communities.
Highlights from the 2025–2026 Legislative Biennium Report include:
- A Trusted Voice for Vermont Employers: The Vermont Chamber testified 87 times before legislative committees and monitored nearly 2,000 hearings throughout the biennium, bringing real-world business insight and economic expertise to policy discussions affecting employers across every sector and region of Vermont.
- Affordability Takes Center Stage: Policymakers increasingly focused on the interconnected challenges of housing, workforce, healthcare, education, and economic competitiveness as Vermont's affordability crisis emerged as a defining issue.
- A Blueprint for Vermont's Future: The Vermont Futures Project launched the Vermont Economic Action Plan, a long-term roadmap shaped by more than 5,000 Vermonters to address workforce shortages, housing constraints, and population growth.
- Progress on Key Business Priorities: Meaningful advances were made in housing, healthcare reform, workforce development, economic development, and tax policy.
- Preventing Additional Cost Burdens: Numerous proposals that would have increased costs for employers, consumers, and communities were defeated or improved through advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
- Greater Transparency and Accountability: Legislative voting records on key economic issues provide employers and voters with a clearer understanding of where elected officials stand on policies affecting Vermont's economy.
The report concludes that while important progress has been made, Vermont's long-term success will depend on sustained leadership, collaboration, and a continued focus on affordability and economic growth.
"Data alone will not solve Vermont's challenges, but good decisions begin with good information," said Spear. "This report demonstrates the value of bringing together research, business insight, and public policy to create practical solutions. The work ahead will require persistence, partnership, and a shared commitment to building a more affordable, competitive, and prosperous Vermont."
The full 2025–2026 Legislative Biennium Report is available here.
About the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to advancing the Vermont economy. Trusted by the businesses that make living, working, and thriving in Vermont possible, we prioritize collaboration and uphold the core values that define our state. As the preeminent not-for-profit business organization, we advocate, build community, and provide resources for businesses statewide.
Montpelier, VT (June 18, 2026) - Vermont Chamber of Commerce
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