AGP Executive Report

Healthcare & Housing Costs: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a bill Democrats say would have lowered hospital costs and eased property-tax pressure tied to health spending, arguing the savings were too thin when spread “across all payers.” State Services: Vermont 211 is ending overnight coverage, cutting calls from 10 p.m.-8 a.m. starting July 1, citing low call volume after 10 p.m. Clean Water Planning: The Vermont DEC is seeking public comment on a draft five-year Tactical Basin Plan for the Batten Kill/Walloomsac/Hoosic basin (Basin 1), with a hybrid meeting July 16 in Rupert. Local Business & Community: Cabot Creamery’s Pepper Jack and Seriously Sharp Cheddar Snack Sticks won Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Snack Awards, while the Southwestern Vermont Chamber and Manchester Business Association raised support for economic development at the 2026 B2B Golf Classic. Workforce/Facilities: Central Vermont Career Center is working toward a potential November bond vote for a satellite campus, but says it’s “on with reservations” pending a new executive facilities committee. Climate/Ag Policy: Australia will keep paraquat in use despite bans elsewhere, tightening conditions rather than banning it—an issue that resonates for Vermont’s farm and pesticide policy debates.

Clean Water Planning: Vermont DEC is taking public comment on a draft Tactical Basin Plan for the Batten Kill/Walloomsac/Hoosic River Basin (Basin 1), laying out 30 actions across 16 southwestern Vermont communities, with a hybrid meeting July 16 (in-person in Rupert and virtual via Bennington County Regional Commission) running June 15–July 31. Health Care Costs: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the Legislature’s latest attempt to lower health insurance costs, saying his administration’s earlier H.585 approach is the better path; lawmakers are now left to decide what comes next. Burlington Economy & Public Safety: Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak says Burlington is “back,” pointing to police rebuilding, Main Street construction wrap-up, and more events as Church Street foot traffic improves. Housing & Legislative Results: A session recap highlights Democrats’ claims of progress on education funding, property tax relief, homelessness response, and new housing money—while Republicans and housing advocates call it a mixed bag. Local Business & Community: Cabot Creamery’s Pepper Jack and Seriously Sharp Cheddar Snack Sticks won Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Snack Awards, and a Shelburne audiobook studio is helping authors record more than 150 titles. Public Services: Vermont 211 will stop being 24/7, ending calls from 10 p.m.–8 a.m. starting July 1, with evening call volume dropping sharply. Sports & Youth: Orleans County soccer nonprofit OCFC awarded 25 summer camp scholarships and says it remains free for all athletes.

AI Ownership Push: Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont) says the public should get a stake in leading AI firms, proposing a 50% stock tax to fund a sovereign wealth fund that would pay Americans and steer AI benefits toward the public. Vermont Water Planning: The state DEC is seeking public comment on a draft five-year Tactical Basin Plan for the Batten Kill/Walloomsac/Hoosic River Basin, laying out 30 actions to protect and restore waterways, with a hybrid meeting July 16. Private Credit Risk Watch: Regulators are tightening scrutiny of life insurers’ growing private credit exposure, including how captive and offshore reinsurers are stress-tested as markets turn. UVM Athletics Funding Debate: UVM is pursuing a $175 million athletics spending plan amid enrollment pressures, betting upgraded facilities will help attract students and boost community use. Vermont Health Care Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the latest attempt at health care reform, arguing for structural changes to affordability rather than selective savings. Agriculture Disaster Relief: Vermont secured $31.7 million in USDA Farm Service Agency funding for storm and flooding recovery, with applications expected to open in 2026. Labor Market Snapshot: Vermont weekly unemployment claims edged up to 324 for the week ending June 13, staying near summer lows.

Vermont Health Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the Legislature’s latest health care reform push, arguing it wouldn’t solve affordability without structural changes that broaden savings and choices across the insurance market. Workforce & Economy: Vermont’s weekly unemployment claims ticked up to 324 for the week ending June 13, but remain near summer lows as tourism layoffs fade and hiring picks up. Higher Ed & Philanthropy: UVM Foundation named Christopher D. Jacobsen as its next president and CEO, effective Aug. 3, aiming to strengthen fundraising and alumni engagement for the university’s statewide mission. Housing & Local Development: St. Johnsbury ARPA funding is starting to translate into projects, including $100,000 in seed money for employee housing planning at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. Energy & Infrastructure: Maine’s utility regulators are restarting a northern Maine wind procurement effort, but transmission limits and grid constraints remain the big hurdle. Business Risk Watch: A national debt-delinquency study finds Vermont among the lowest-risk states for delinquent balances, while other states like Mississippi and Louisiana lead in delinquency rates. Weather Disruption: Cleanup continued after an EF-1 tornado hit Woodstock, with damage reported to local businesses and properties.

AI Wealth-Share Debate: Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing a bill to create a sovereign wealth fund funded by a one-time 50% tax on the stock of the largest AI firms, with the goal of paying Americans and funding public priorities—an idea that’s also drawing interest from President Trump and AI leaders. Vermont Economy & Jobs: Vermont’s weekly unemployment claims ticked up slightly but stayed near summer lows, with 324 new claims for the week ending June 13. Higher Ed Philanthropy: UVM Foundation named Chris Jacobsen as its next president and CEO, effective Aug. 3, as it looks to expand alumni and donor support. Healthcare Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed Vermont’s latest healthcare reform push that would have sped up reference-based pricing for specific groups, arguing savings must be shared broadly. Cannabis Regulation: Scott signed a bill doubling the legal possession limit for adults 21+ and enabling interstate cannabis commerce compacts. Local Business & Community: St. Johnsbury’s ARPA grants include $100,000 to seed employee housing planning at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, while Ocean State Job Lot announced hiring events in St. Johnsbury. Risk & Resilience: Cleanup continued after an EF-1 tornado hit Woodstock, with damage to local properties including the Woodstock Sleeper Motel.

Vermont Jobs Watch: Vermont’s initial weekly unemployment claims ticked up to 324 for the week ending June 13, but total claims fell to 2,664—still near summer lows. Cannabis Policy: Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill doubling the legal adult possession limit to two ounces and setting up a path for interstate cannabis commerce. Healthcare Shakeup: Scott vetoed S.190, arguing reference-based pricing savings can’t be limited to just public school employees and ACA marketplace buyers. Vermont Yankee Redevelopment: The state and community are weighing what comes next for the shuttered Vermont Yankee site, with options ranging from data centers to other energy uses. Business & Growth: Shock, a Vermont community tech firm behind the Bee app, acquired Dono to help nonprofits manage volunteers and deliveries. Local Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot will hold hiring events in St. Johnsbury later this month for part-time and seasonal roles. Entrepreneurship: X-Figure launched BOSS by X-Figure, a business operating system aimed at service-based owners. Energy Costs: AAA reports the national gas average at $3.95, still elevated after Iran-related volatility. Tech Regulation Backlash: Multiple states are pushing back against data centers over power demand and utility bill concerns.

Healthcare Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, which would have used reference-based pricing to speed premium savings for Vermont public school employees and ACA marketplace customers, arguing affordability gains must be shared across the whole insurance system. Workforce & Retail: Ocean State Job Lot is planning hiring events in St. Johnsbury (June 24 and 26) for about 40 openings at its Green Mountain Mall store. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a bomb threat at Weidmann Electrical Technology in St. Johnsbury—the fourth similar incident in recent months—after an evacuated search found nothing. Local Economy & Food Supply: New owners of Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield say they’re aiming for local growth after purchasing the USDA meat processing facility, helping keep more Vermont-raised meat processed and sold in-state. Business & Tech: Shock, the Vermont community tech company behind the Bee app, acquired volunteer management software Dono and will unveil an updated Bee at Common Ground 2026. Jobs & Education: UVM’s Foundation named Christopher D. Jacobsen as its next president and CEO, effective Aug. 3. Community Business: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation is hosting a Windham Leadership Series session June 25 focused on how to get grants funded.

UVM & Workforce Development: UVM’s Grossman School is highlighting how Peace Corps values are shaping business education, with Peace Corps alumni and programs like the Sustainable Innovation MBA and Coverdell Fellows feeding a service-first pipeline. Funding & Economic Growth: Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation is hosting a Windham Leadership Series session focused on how to unlock grant funding, including NBRC’s Catalyst Program and Vermont’s Department of Economic Development. Higher Ed Leadership: The UVM Foundation has named Christopher D. Jacobsen as its next president and CEO, starting Aug. 3, as it looks to deepen philanthropy and alumni engagement. Vermont Health Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a reference-based pricing bill tied to the Green Mountain Care Board, arguing it won’t deliver system-wide savings for all Vermonters. Energy & Resilience: Three years after the July 2023 floods, the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson is receiving FEMA recovery funding to rebuild and relocate key facilities, supporting a major local arts economy. Clean Energy Reality Check: A regional study says meeting climate goals in Washington and Oregon will require hundreds more wind and solar projects across thousands of square miles—raising new siting and opposition concerns. Manufacturing & Jobs: Vermont Packinghouse has new owners and a plan for local growth, aiming to ease long-standing meat processing bottlenecks for in-state farmers. Local Business & Community: Shock, the Vermont company behind the Bee volunteer app, is expanding its ecosystem by acquiring Dono, adding volunteer management and in-kind delivery tools ahead of Common Ground 2026. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a fourth bomb threat at Weidmann Electrical Technology in St. Johnsbury; the facility was evacuated and later reopened after searches found nothing.

AI & Wealth Redistribution: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders unveiled the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, proposing a one-time 50% stock “tax” on major AI firms to seed a roughly $7 trillion government-run fund that would pay Americans about $1,000 a year via a 5% dividend. Vermont Healthcare Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a bill meant to speed reference-based hospital pricing for only two insurance groups, arguing savings must be shared broadly across the system. Vermont Transportation Funding: The Agency of Transportation is accepting applications for the FY27 MTI Grant Program, aimed at improving mobility for transit-dependent Vermonters and cutting single-occupancy driving and greenhouse gases, with a Sept. 21 deadline. Vermont Business & Jobs: Shock, a Montpelier community tech company behind the Bee volunteer app, acquired Dono to add volunteer management and in-kind delivery tools ahead of Common Ground 2026. Local Economy & Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot will hold hiring events in St. Johnsbury June 24 and 26 for about 40 openings. Vermont Agriculture: USDA data shows Vermont produced 3.091 million gallons of maple syrup in 2026, about 53% of the U.S. total.

Vermont Supreme Court Telework Fight: Vermont State Employees’ Association and the Scott administration argued over whether the state can change telework terms without bargaining, after a Labor Relations Board ruling favored the union and the case reached the state’s highest court. Healthcare Reform Veto: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.190, which would have sped up reference-based pricing savings for public school employees and ACA marketplace enrollees, saying affordability fixes must be structural and shared broadly. Dairy Job Shock in St. Albans: Dairy Farmers of America will idle/close its St. Albans milk processing plant and creamery & supply, affecting about 80 employees, while keeping a small team on site. Battery Project Scrutiny in Vergennes: A proposed Vergennes battery energy storage project is drawing local frustration and fear, with residents questioning whether promised savings will materialize. AI Wealth Push from Bernie Sanders: Sanders unveiled an AI sovereign wealth fund plan—taxing AI company stock to fund public payouts—adding to a broader national debate on who benefits from AI growth. Local Business & Community Moves: UVM Foundation named Christopher Jacobsen as next CEO; Shock (Bee app) acquired Dono to expand volunteer management; and Ocean State Job Lot scheduled hiring events in St. Johnsbury.

Vermont Homelessness Overhaul: Gov. Phil Scott signed H.938, creating a single Vermont Homelessness Response Continuum with stronger disability protections, tailored expectations, permanent supportive housing, and a clearer framework for the state’s response. Vermont Data Privacy: Scott also signed S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act, giving the Vermont attorney general centralized enforcement and new limits on how covered businesses collect and use personal data, with the law taking effect Jan. 1, 2028. Dairy Job Losses: Dairy Farmers of America will idle its St. Albans processing plant and close the adjoining farm store Aug. 17, affecting about 80 employees, with milk rerouted to other DFA facilities. Vermont Yankee Redevelopment Talks: Vernon officials are weighing early, unfinalized proposals for the former Vermont Yankee site, including battery storage, a small nuclear reactor, and a possible data center. Clean Water Planning: The state DEC is seeking public comment on a draft five-year Tactical Basin Plan for the Upper Connecticut River Basin, outlining dozens of restoration and protection actions. Transportation Costs: AOT says new “Notch” truck penalties will jump to $10,000 (and higher for repeat offenses) starting July 1. Energy Costs: A new Energy Action Network analysis estimates fossil-fuel price increases have cost Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers about $124 million since the Iran war began. Local Business & Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot is holding hiring events in St. Johnsbury later this month for part-time and seasonal roles. Cabot Hosiery Leadership: Cabot Hosiery Mills named David Steel VP of Product & Innovation to lead product development and innovation.

Dairy Industry Shock: Dairy Farmers of America will idle its St. Albans milk processing plant and close the adjoining St. Albans Creamery & Supply on Aug. 17, affecting about 80 employees, with milk routed to other DFA facilities in New York, Massachusetts and Maine. State Privacy Overhaul: Gov. Phil Scott signed S.71, the Vermont Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act, creating new consumer rights and shifting enforcement power to the attorney general; it takes effect Jan. 1, 2028. Healthcare Pricing Fight: Scott vetoed S.190 on reference-based hospital pricing, citing analysis that savings claims don’t hold and raising legal concerns about the Green Mountain Care Board’s authority. Local Development Watch: Bennington’s DRB delayed a decision on a proposed luxury resort at the former Southern Vermont College campus, with the hearing set to resume July 7. Tech & Government Services: Marlborough’s Stonewall Solutions was acquired by xFact, expanding xFact’s software and consulting services for state and local governments with a Vermont client footprint. Clean Water Planning: DEC is seeking public comment on draft tactical basin plans for the Upper Connecticut River and other basins, with hybrid meetings scheduled in late June. Workforce & Transit Funding: AOT is accepting FY27 MTI grant applications to support mobility and transit innovation, with a Sept. 21 deadline. UVM Leadership: The UVM Foundation named Christopher D. Jacobsen as its next president and CEO, effective Aug. 3.

Healthcare Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed Vermont’s “soft opening” bill (S.190) that would have sped up reference-based hospital pricing, saying any savings should be shared by all insurers—not just plans sold through Vermont Health Connect and school employee coverage. Prescription Drug Costs: Scott also signed legislation to let Vermont join ArrayRx, a multi-state prescription discount program run through the State Treasurer’s office, with a free card expected by January 2027 and discounts up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand drugs. Clean Water Planning: The Vermont DEC opened a public comment period (June 15–July 15) on a draft Tactical Basin Plan for the Upper Connecticut River, laying out more than 40 actions to protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Business & Community: Burlington approved a $112.6M FY27 budget aimed at fiscal sustainability; Ocean State Job Lot announced a St. Johnsbury hiring event June 24 and 26. Sports & Culture: RunVermont reported results from the May 24 Vermont City Marathon, and the Vermont Renaissance Faire returns June 27–28.

Burlington Budget: Burlington City Council approved Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s $112.6M FY27 budget in a 10-1 vote, aiming to protect core services and wages while closing structural gaps. Prescription Savings: Gov. Phil Scott signed Vermont into ArrayRx, a multi-state prescription drug discount program housed in the State Treasurer’s office, with cards expected by January 2027. Clean Water Planning: Vermont DEC is seeking public comment on a draft Tactical Basin Plan for the Upper Connecticut River (Basin 16), with a hybrid meeting June 23 and a June 15–July 15 comment window. Local Business & Jobs: Ocean State Job Lot will hold hiring events in St. Johnsbury June 24 and 26 for about 40 openings. Healthcare & Education: A new report grades Nebraska and Vermont top for public education commitment, while UVM research links neighborhood demographics and housing traits to higher soil lead risk. Infrastructure: Londonderry announced construction starts June 17 on a South Village wastewater project, bringing lane closures and noise. Food & Retail: Red Hen Baking’s new Montpelier café is drawing crowds, and Rookie’s Vermont Maple Lemonade is now available in cans statewide. Higher Ed: Sterling College’s campus in Craftsbury is listed for sale after the school closed this spring.

Fuel Costs Hit Vermont Households: A new Energy Action Network analysis says higher gasoline, diesel and fuel oil prices since late February have added about $124 million in estimated costs for Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers over the past three months, with the average driver paying $75+ more per month. Housing & Growth Pressure: Realtor.com’s 2026 housing report cards find Midwest and Southern states leading on affordability and homebuilding, while Vermont remains among the states facing supply strain. Local Tax Options for Emergency Services: Pownal is weighing joining Vermont’s Local Option Tax program, with potential revenue earmarked for the rescue squad and fire departments. Workforce Hiring: Ocean State Job Lot will hold hiring events in St. Johnsbury (June 24 and June 26) for part-time seasonal roles. Business Leadership Move: Brian Shankey is named president and CEO of the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, starting July 13. Public Services: The White River Junction VA system hosts a June 27 open event for veterans and families to get help with benefits and claims. Cybercrime Case: Vermont State Police report a Rutland-area fraud case involving unauthorized Cash App access and identity theft.

Local Tax Planning: Pownal’s Select Board is weighing whether to join Vermont’s Local Option Tax program, potentially adding a 1% sales tax to fund struggling emergency services, including the Rescue Squad and fire departments. Northern Border Funding: Upstate New York border communities are receiving millions through the Northern Border Regional Commission, including $1 million for Clayton sewer/water planning and grants for projects in Lewis and Franklin counties. Privacy Law Fight: The proposed federal SECURE Data Act is drawing pushback from state officials and attorneys general, including Hawaiʻi, which warns a federal “ceiling” could preempt stronger state privacy protections. Vermont Courts vs. Big Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s social media addiction lawsuit, letting the case proceed. Public Safety & Courts: A Burlington man accused of stalking Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak pleaded not guilty and faces conditions barring contact. Business & Infrastructure: Fairfax is starting a roughly 1,500-foot sidewalk extension on Main Street with new flashing crosswalk signs to improve walkability and support local businesses. Health & Consumer Watch: Target-linked organic baby formula Nara Organics is recalled nationwide after infant botulism cases. Crime & Sentencing: A Derby-area murder suspect in federal court was sentenced to 13 years on drug charges, with additional state homicide exposure.