AGP Executive Report

Election Watch: Outside spending is pouring into Vermont’s governor’s race, while a political mailer targeting Sen. Rob Plunkett has drawn a disclosure complaint. Polls offer sharply different forecasts: one puts Amanda Janoo six points ahead of Phil Scott, another has Scott up nine; both show him near 42% or 43%, with many voters still undecided. Rural Vermont: Hundreds rallied at the Statehouse for a stronger rural voice in Montpelier. The group behind the event says it has grown across party lines as residents push to protect working lands and shape decisions affecting rural communities. Colleges and Jobs: Some Vermont high schools report international student enrollment down by about half amid federal policy changes. International students contributed an estimated $57.6 million to the state economy and supported 336 jobs in 2024–25, adding urgency to calls for graduates to have a path to stay. Rural Health: A House health committee member is urging Vermont not to return $195 million in federal rural health funding, saying the money is vital for hospitals and clinics facing rising costs.

Rural Voices: Hundreds rallied at the Statehouse, calling for more rural input in Montpelier. The group grew from opposition to Act 181, which supporters say tightened rules on rural land; last session, advocates pushed for some restrictions to be eased. Big Tech Taxes: Sen. Peter Welch is asking the IRS to ensure technology companies aren’t using research tax credits to subsidize AI data-center construction, citing Meta’s reported $4 billion tax reduction in 2025. School Costs: Rising diesel prices could leave Champlain Valley schools about $200,000 over budget for fuel, forcing districts to consider cuts or use reserves. Rural Health: A Vermont lawmaker is urging the state to keep $195 million in federal rural health funding, saying it could help providers facing rising costs and Medicaid cuts.**

Election 2026: Outside money is flowing into Vermont’s governor’s race: a Republican Governors Association-backed group has spent $160,000 supporting Phil Scott, while Bernie Sanders has endorsed Amanda Janoo. PACs and a pro-labor ballot campaign have also reported significant spending as Nov. 3 approaches. School Costs: Diesel prices are squeezing districts’ budgets. Champlain Valley projects a $200,000 overrun if prices hold, with fuel spending up 60% from last year; other districts face rising costs through busing contracts. Rural Health: A Vermont lawmaker is urging the state to keep its $195 million in federal rural health funding, arguing it could help providers facing budget gaps and Medicaid cuts. Connectivity: State drive tests show persistent cell-service dead zones in parts of Lamoille County, including Wolcott, Elmore, Eden and Belvidere. Winter Bills: Vermonters are being urged to use rebates and weatherization steps to prepare for higher heating costs, as Gov. Scott says he’ll meet with legislators about increasing fuel aid.

Governor’s Race: Outside money is surging as Gov. Phil Scott faces Democrat Amanda Janoo: the Republican Governors Association gave a supporting PAC $400,000, while Janoo raised $290,000 in September. Bernie Sanders has endorsed Janoo, and campaign spending is adding to a race focused on taxes and affordability. Election Spending: Vermont PACs have reported more than $233,000 in spending on state races and ballot questions; the group backing a constitutional right to organize has spent $552,000. Rising Costs: Higher diesel prices are straining school transportation budgets, and Gov. Phil Scott says he will meet with legislators about increasing fuel aid. Health Care: A Vermont House member is urging the state to keep its $195 million in rural health transformation funding, warning that rural providers need the money as costs rise and Medicaid support shrinks.

Governor’s Race: Bernie Sanders endorsed Amanda Janoo, as universal primary care and affordability take center stage in the contest. Election 2026: General-election ballots have been mailed to Vermont voters. Congressional candidates debated immigration, health care and voting, while Rutland County Senate hopefuls clashed over health costs and the state’s economy. Rural Health: State Rep. David Soucy opposes returning Vermont’s $195 million first-year rural health award, warning the funds are critical for providers facing rising costs and Medicaid cuts. Cost Pressures: Vermont school districts are scrambling to cover higher diesel costs, and Hinesburg residents questioned a proposed local option tax amid household strain and small-business closures.

Election 2026: Healthcare and affordability are front and center in Vermont’s governor’s race, with Democratic candidates Amanda Janoo and Molly Gray backing universal primary care while Gov. Phil Scott points to a state feasibility study. Janoo also picked up endorsements from Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna. Rising Costs: Higher diesel prices could push Champlain Valley schools about $200,000 over budget, adding pressure to district finances. Rural Health: A Vermont lawmaker says the state should keep its $195 million federal rural-health award, warning that returning the money would deprive providers of critical support. State Government: Digital Services Secretary Denise Reilly-Hughes plans to leave Oct. 16 for the private sector; Deputy Secretary Andrea DeLaBruere will serve as interim leader. Local Economy: Rutland will hold a public forum on downtown investment and its economic-development tools, while Vermont manufacturers and state officials recently met in Morrisville to discuss business growth and workforce challenges.

Election 2026: General-election ballots are being mailed to Vermont voters, as the governor’s race puts the choice between raising taxes and cutting them in focus. Voters can also look to new guides on how to cast their ballots and the candidates competing for state Senate seats. Heating Costs: Fuel prices are squeezing more households, including moderate-income families. Gov. Phil Scott says he’ll meet with lawmakers about increasing fuel aid, while Vermont’s Button Up campaign is promoting weatherization rebates to help residents lower winter bills. Rural Health: A Vermont House health care committee member is urging the state to keep its $195 million federal rural-health award, arguing the funds could help providers facing rising costs and Medicaid cuts. Housing & Energy: Vermont Gas and Dandelion Energy are backing geothermal systems for a planned 44-unit affordable housing development in Hinesburg, with the utility covering the upfront cost of ground loops.

Election 2026: General-election ballots are being mailed to Vermont voters, as Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo offer sharply different answers to affordability: Scott favors tax cuts or credits, while Janoo proposes higher taxes on wealthy residents, some second homes and large tech companies. Heating Aid: With fuel costs climbing, Scott says he’ll meet with lawmakers next week about additional help for lower-income households; he warns existing assistance may not go far enough. Rural Health: A Vermont lawmaker is urging the state to keep its $195 million first-year award from a federal rural health fund, saying rural hospitals and clinics need the money as costs rise and Medicaid funding falls. State Government: Digital Services Secretary Denise Reilly-Hughes will leave next week for a private-sector job, as Vermont pursues a $70 million overhaul of its finance and human-resources systems.

Governor’s Race: Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed Democrat Amanda Janoo, saying Vermont needs new leadership and backing her proposals on health care, property taxes and rural communities. Rural Health: A Vermont lawmaker is urging the state to keep its $195 million federal rural health award, warning that returning the money would hurt providers already facing budget pressures. Housing: Putney is set to add 25 permanently affordable apartments as Vermont’s housing costs remain a major concern. Heating Costs: Officials expect about 15,000 Vermonters to get LIHEAP assistance this year, as fuel costs rise and New England households could face roughly $1,000 more in winter energy bills. Northeast Kingdom: The Vermont Community Foundation awarded $117,500 to 27 community-led projects, including efforts focused on health, economic equity and flood resilience.

Homelessness & Housing: Putney celebrated the opening of 25 “permanently affordable” apartments, including units reserved for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with wraparound services from SEVCA. Brattleboro also marked a major shift in sheltering: Groundworks’ new Hope’s House is a $6.2 million, substance-free 40-bed shelter with no set end date, built around case management and stability. Health Care & Education: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital named a new interim CEO after a reported deficit, promoting a finance veteran to lead while it searches for a permanent top executive. Community College of Vermont says headcount is up 6% and is launching an LNA Training Hub to strengthen the nursing assistant pipeline. Vermont Economy & Policy: Vermont’s Summer EBT benefits are set to expire Oct. 10, with $120 per child helping families bridge the summer meal gap. Transportation & Energy: A new state-by-state EV report shows Vermont’s EV market share at 5.55% in Q2 2026, with 1,411 public charging outlets. Research: UVM received up to $38 million to develop digital twins aimed at improving individualized ICU treatment. Politics: Vermont’s lieutenant governor race stayed personal in a debate, with Molly Gray and John Rodgers trading barbs over Gray’s family farm and migrant worker housing. Public Safety & Surveillance: Lawmakers introduced competing bills to rein in federal use of Flock-style license plate cameras.

Vermont Politics & Labor: Vermont Democrats rallied in Burlington for Proposal 3, which would amend the state constitution to guarantee workers the right to join unions and collectively bargain, with supporters arguing it protects jobs and sets labor rights in the constitution rather than leaving them to lawmakers. Energy & Industry: GlobalFoundries says it has brought about 6MW of new solar and a 16MW battery storage system into operation at its Essex Junction site, aiming to improve energy resilience and manage costs while supporting the local grid. Health & Community: Vermont health officials report COVID hospitalizations remain scarce, with outbreaks still rare as other viruses like norovirus and enterovirus D68 show more activity. Local Business & Services: Rock Point School in Burlington is hosting the Ooky Spooky 5K on Oct. 24 to raise funds for COTS, supporting people experiencing homelessness. Environment & Research: UVM researchers report new findings on thiamine and lake trout recovery in Lake Champlain, exploring whether embryos can build up vitamin B1 in the wild. EV & Infrastructure: A new Vermont-focused EV and charging snapshot shows EVs at 5.55% of new light-duty sales in Q2 2026, with Vermont ranking 24th in EV market share and a lower EV-to-public-charger ratio than the national average.

Vermont Youth Justice: A new Vermont report finds relatively low reconviction rates for teens affected by the state’s “Raise the Age” law, with 6.9% reconvicted after one year and 18.7% after three years, though researchers note key caveats. State Politics & Elections: Vermont Public is releasing transcripts from interviews with candidates for secretary of state and attorney general ahead of the Nov. 3 election, including incumbent Sarah Copeland Hanzas and AG Charity Clark. Food Assistance Deadline: Summer EBT benefits for eligible Vermont families expire Saturday, Oct. 10, with officials urging families to use the $120-per-child monthly benefits before they lapse. Local Business & Health: Float Away Wellness Spa announced a partnership with UVM Athletics, bringing floatation and vibroacoustic therapy to student-athletes; meanwhile, Rutland Regional Medical Center will debut the da Vinci 5 surgical system Oct. 10. Agriculture & Rural Life: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District are hosting a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 in Greensboro. National Policy Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, a major climate-damages case that could shape how states and cities sue energy companies.

Vermont PFAS Research: A nearly $8 million, four-year NSF-funded effort is bringing Middlebury, Bennington, Landmark, and UVM together to study how “forever chemicals” move through Vermont’s water, wildlife, and food. Climate Court Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor v. Boulder, with justices appearing skeptical of whether energy companies can be hit with billions in local climate-damage lawsuits. Local Economy Snapshot: A new look at 2026 GDP growth shows Vermont at 2.7% annualized growth in Q2, ranking mid-pack nationally. Food Safety Alert: The FDA announced a recall of Stewart’s Shops ice cream in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire after a metal object was found in cartons; no injuries reported. Community & Health Grants: NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice a $7,200 grant to support adult home healthcare. Education & Access: Vermont’s Farm to School CSA grant applications are open, offering $150,000 to bring local food to early learners.

Medicare Costs: The Trump administration says it will send one-time $90 premium rebate payments to more than 20 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part B in October, funded through a $2 billion Medicare Improvement Fund. Heating Bills: Heating oil prices are expected to jump about 50% this winter, adding nearly $900 to the average household, with 4.8 million U.S. homes relying on oil—especially in the Northeast and Alaska. Vermont Politics & Governance: Gov. Phil Scott announced new administration appointments, including Nick Kramer as deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Resources and Shabnam Nolan as deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Election Focus: NBC5 In Depth looks at Vermont and North Country races heading into November, with affordability, housing, health care, taxes and energy costs driving voter attention. Local Business & Community: Float Away Wellness Spa partnered with UVM Athletics to bring floatation therapy to student-athletes, and NorthCountry Federal Credit Union awarded Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice a $7,200 grant for its Adult Home Healthcare program. Agriculture & Food: NRCS Vermont and the Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District will host a free bedded pack manure management workshop Oct. 29 at Bartlett Family Farm in Greensboro.

Medicare & health care: Open enrollment for Medicare starts Oct. 15, with Medicare Advantage premiums projected to fall about 16% in 2027—while critics warn about narrower coverage and past overpayments. Privacy & policing: A federal judge ruled a Tulsa deputy violated a woman’s Fourth Amendment rights by using Flock Safety to check a license plate without a warrant, calling the practice “indiscriminate mass surveillance.” Vermont justice & youth: A new Vermont study finds 18-year-olds handled in family court are less likely to reoffend than those processed in adult criminal court, supporting “raise the age” next steps. Housing & community: Vermont’s Roman Catholic Diocese is seeking to dismiss its 2-year-old bankruptcy case, as communities debate what comes next for struggling institutions. Energy & costs: Heating oil prices are expected to jump sharply this winter, adding hundreds to bills for households that rely on oil. Local business & services: Grants and partnerships are boosting Vermont health and community programs, including home healthcare support and student resources.

Privacy & Courts: A federal judge ruled a Tulsa deputy violated a woman’s Fourth Amendment rights by using Flock Safety to check a license plate without a warrant, calling it “indiscriminate mass surveillance.” Border Searches: The 2nd Circuit also ruled Vermont’s border agents can search travelers’ phones without suspicion. Politics & Surveillance: Bernie Sanders and AOC pushed the “Ban Flock Act,” aiming to block federal use of automatic license plate readers and limit data retention. Healthcare Access: A landmark Medicaid study finds kids’ sleep testing varies wildly by location, with some states seeing rates up to four times higher. Vermont Life & Economy: Stowe’s peak fall foliage is drawing visitors and boosting local businesses. Sports: Otter Valley shut out Windsor 10-0. Business/Community: UVM Athletics partnered with Float Away Wellness Spa for floatation therapy; VAHHS volunteers supported North Country Career Center’s personal care closet and community fridge.