AGP Executive Report

Vermont Politics & Elections: Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas is urging voters to make a “voting plan” as ballots head out under universal vote-by-mail, stressing four options to return ballots and warning against last-minute federal confusion. Housing & Homelessness: Burlington celebrated the completion of 38 permanently affordable apartments downtown, adding units for veterans, people exiting homelessness, and workers—funded through federal/state tax dollars and private investment, with Sen. Bernie Sanders highlighting the project as a model. Labor & Education: A rare escalation in the Blue Mountain Union School District: teachers’ contract talks have stalled without a deal, and the Vermont-NEA filed a complaint alleging bad-faith bargaining and retaliation. Public Safety & Local Governance: In Burlington, a new debate is heating up over how the city responds to knife and gun incidents and the conditions behind violent crime. Federal Courts & Voting Rights: Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from forcing states into major mail-ballot redesigns and new tracking requirements ahead of November. Health Policy: Vermont is among states suing to block federal limits on Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Business & Economy: USCIS revoked and denied multiple H-1B petitions after finding an IT consulting firm classified skilled jobs at wage levels below what the duties require—raising scrutiny on wage compliance.

USPS Mail-Voting Fight: AG Nick Brown and a coalition of 25 states won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from forcing states to redesign ballot envelopes and use a new USPS tracking portal, with the order set to hold through the Nov. 3 elections while the lawsuit proceeds. Labor & Democracy: Vermont voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing union rights, with supporters arguing it protects workers and critics warning about economic impact. Housing in Burlington: Ribbon cuttings celebrated 38 new permanently affordable apartments downtown, adding units for veterans and people exiting homelessness, funded through federal/state tax dollars and private investment. Homelessness Shelter Pushback: A proposed 100-bed low-barrier shelter in Chittenden County hit resistance after South Burlington officials signaled lack of support, sending the nonprofits back to find another site. Education Contract Tensions: Negotiations in the Blue Mountain Union School District are escalating, with teachers’ union alleging bad-faith bargaining and retaliation as the district starts the year without a contract. Corrections Scrutiny: Vermont’s DOC faces renewed attention over language services and broader policy disputes, as oversight and reform efforts continue. Military Homecoming: Vermont’s Green Mountain Boys are reportedly returning after back-to-back deployments, including F-35 operations in the Middle East.

Mail-voting fight: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a judge’s block on new mail-ballot restrictions, raising fears of last-minute disruption as North Carolina begins sending ballots. Vermont voting access: Vermont officials reaffirmed commitment to vote-by-mail while urging voters to follow the state’s ballot-return plan. Public safety vs. surveillance: A national backlash continues over Flock automatic license plate readers, with some states cutting use and privacy advocates warning against abuse. Healthcare rights in court: Vermont Attorney General Nessel joined a 22-state coalition challenging federal limits on Medicaid coverage for transgender youth care. Climate policy in the courts: A federal judge blocked New York’s $75 billion climate “Superfund” plan, a major setback for similar efforts. Data centers and local control: An EPA proposal would reduce public notice and comment for data center air permits, and Vermont’s debate over AI infrastructure keeps heating up. Vermont politics & institutions: Norwich University opened a new Cyber Fusion R&D Center funded by congressional directed spending. Local governance: Burlington’s mayor faced renewed criticism over how the city addresses drug markets and violence. Business & community: Registration opened for Sen. Welch’s Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference, and BDCC announced a new LaunchPad entrepreneurship cohort.

Education & Local Governance: Gov. Phil Scott is urging Vermont’s new school merger study committees to start with what students could gain, not what towns might lose, as Act 170 moves communities toward potential district consolidation with voter approval slated for 2028. Elections & Voting Access: Vermont’s Secretary of State is warning voters not to return ballots by mail amid uncertainty tied to new USPS rules and lists. Affordability Politics: A new poll finds affordability worries cut across party lines, with many Vermonters saying income isn’t keeping up and showing skepticism toward Proposal 3 if it raises school and wage costs. Public Safety & Accountability: A Burlington mayoral message on violence and “interrupting conditions” faces pushback from a local opinion writer arguing drug markets must be treated as violent crime and addressed directly. Statehouse & Campaigns: Democrat Amanda Janoo outraises Gov. Phil Scott in the latest fundraising round, while Scott emphasizes down-ballot focus. Housing Feasibility: Cathedral Square is pausing a planned Highgate senior housing project after water service proved infeasible. Tech & Economy: Vermont’s AI task force gets a new member appointment, and Norwich University cuts the ribbon on a cyber fusion R&D center backed by federal directed spending. Media & Democracy: Vermont Community Newspaper Group is being bought by the National Trust for Local News, shifting it to a nonprofit model.

Mail-voting fight: Vermont Democrats are reacting to a Supreme Court order that lets the Trump administration move forward with an emergency plan to restrict vote-by-mail, arguing it risks federal interference in Vermont’s election rules and could “weaponize” the Postal Service. Climate Superfund on the ground: The Vermont State Treasurer’s Office is touring flood-impacted communities as it builds the state’s assessment for Vermont’s Climate Superfund, tying recovery costs to severe weather and the law’s goal of making fossil fuel companies pay. Vermont courts and health policy: Colorado AG Phil Weiser’s lawsuit joins a coalition challenging a Trump administration rule that blocks Medicaid reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Local justice politics: The Vermont GOP is backing a “placeholder” candidate against progressive prosecutor Sarah George, with a plan to resign if elected so Gov. Phil Scott can appoint a replacement. Burlington safety debate: A new local opinion piece argues Burlington’s “interrupt conditions” messaging isn’t enough and calls for more direct action against drug markets alongside better treatment options. USPS reliability pressure: Vermont’s congressional delegation says USPS missed a deadline to answer questions about slow mail service, with thousands of complaints reported this year. Bear-country composting: UVM Extension is offering a course starting Sept. 11 to help Vermonters compost safely in bear country. Federal climate law setback: A federal judge struck down New York’s $75B climate “Superfund,” a ruling Vermont observers will likely watch as states consider similar approaches.

Medicaid Fight Over Trans Youth Care: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark joined a 22-state coalition suing the Trump administration over a new HHS/CMS rule that would block federal Medicaid and CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth (effective Oct. 13, 2026), arguing states—not Washington—set coverage decisions. Voting Rights Under Pressure: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he’s “very concerned” about Trump efforts to restrict mail-in ballots ahead of November, warning it could hit access in Vermont and beyond. Women’s Prison in Limbo: Vermont lawmakers pressed officials on the stalled plan to replace Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, with the state still struggling to find a site after a bid process produced only one withdrawn proposal. Local Schools Consolidation: Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union is seeking community input as Vermont’s new education consolidation law pushes districts toward mergers and shared services. Burlington Public Safety Debate: A Burlington op-ed challenges Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s “interrupt conditions” framing, arguing drug markets must be removed while expanding treatment and alternatives. Community Impact: The Holland Food Shelf announced it will close after months of financial uncertainty, citing declining grants and rising operating costs.

Burlington Funding Fight: Burlington officials are asking the state for more money to tackle public safety and homelessness, but critics warn it’s “subsidizing Burlington” without measurable results, as the city weighs options including an injection site. Housing Debate: A GOP lawmaker pushes back on the idea that Vermont’s housing crisis can be solved by turning second homes into primary residences, arguing most are seasonal and too expensive to meet workforce needs. Education Watch: Community College of Vermont is reporting steady enrollment and growth this fall despite headwinds, highlighting unconventional pathways that let students start college early. Local Politics: Kim Gleason announces a run for Vermont State Senate in Grand Isle District, while Chris Siliski accepts the Democratic nomination for Rutland House District 6 on an affordability-and-practical-governance platform. Federal Courts, Climate: A judge struck down New York’s $75B climate “Superfund” law, raising questions for similar efforts in the region. Election Administration: Vermont is also in the orbit of national mail-voting fights, as courts and election officials say proposed USPS ballot rules may be impossible to implement in time. Public Safety & Corrections: Lawmakers are scrutinizing Vermont’s policy changes that keep some prisoners past minimum sentences, with civil rights advocates calling it a mismatch for staffing and rights.

Immigration & Corrections: Vermont DOC agreed to expand language services for federal immigration detainees after a discrimination complaint, including identifying preferred languages, providing interpretation and translated legal/medical info, and improving access to counsel and reporting channels. Homelessness Response: Vermont is tightening its state-funded motel voucher system for people experiencing homelessness—ending evening/weekend access and shifting intake to state phone lines during business hours as the Vermont Homeless Response Continuum rolls out. Public Safety & Housing: Rutland Mayor Tom Donahue is pressing DOC to stop placing people in a transitional home after neighbors reported repeated police calls, overdoses, and safety concerns. Courts & Trial: A judge rejected a defense bid to block a prosecution expert in the Burlington trial of a man accused of shooting Palestinian students, setting up a battle of mental-state experts. Trade & Local Economy: Sen. Peter Welch convened Vermont businesses at Jay Peak to warn Trump’s Canada tariffs are raising costs and threatening cross-border growth. Local Governance: Poultney set its tax rates for the coming fiscal year, with municipal taxes up nearly 8% and discussion of how quarterly taxpayer discounts affect budgets. Elections Watch (Out of State): Massachusetts Democrats backed Sen. Ed Markey over Rep. Seth Moulton in a generational primary fight. Civic Life: Vermont’s Constitution Day event in Burlington spotlights free speech and local nonprofit journalism.

Vermont Politics & Courts: Vermont Republicans are trying to block the re-election of Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, naming Jace Laquerre as their candidate and signaling he’d step aside after the vote so Gov. Phil Scott can appoint a replacement. Big Money, Big Tech: Colorado AG Phil Weiser joined a multi-state push against Amazon, alleging the company manipulated ad auctions to inflate prices—claims that echo a broader national crackdown led by the FTC and other states, including California. Healthcare & Food Security: SNAP cuts are expected to ripple into school cafeterias, putting free breakfast and lunch at risk for more than a million children, especially where eligibility is tied to SNAP or Medicaid participation. Higher Ed Affordability: A national report highlights doctors’ growing anxiety about whether college is worth the cost, while another Vermont-linked feature spotlights a “reinvent higher education” effort in Montpelier aimed at lowering prices by stripping away nonacademic frills. Public Safety & Recovery: Addison County’s Peer Recovery Center is holding a grand opening for its permanent home in Middlebury, while Burlington-area advocates continue pushing for an overdose prevention center as families mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Climate & Energy Law: AG Mike Hilgers says a federal judge struck down New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act, a ruling that could limit states’ ability to impose massive penalties on energy producers. National Politics Watch: Massachusetts’ Democratic Senate primary pits 80-year-old Ed Markey against 47-year-old Seth Moulton in a generational clash that’s drawing major attention well beyond the Bay State.

Amazon Ad Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states, including Pennsylvania and Washington, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” that inflated ad prices for more than a million advertisers over seven years, with claims Amazon misrepresented its auction system and extracted over $20 billion. Vermont Politics: The Vermont GOP named Jace Laquerre, a software engineer, as a “placeholder” challenger to Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George—he says he’d resign if elected so Gov. Phil Scott can appoint a replacement. Public Safety & Justice: Burlington’s Animal Control Committee will review whether a dangerous dog order involving former deputy prosecutor Diane Wheeler should be updated after reports the dog was seen off-leash. Healthcare Policy: New migraine prevention guidelines from the American Headache Society and American Academy of Neurology urge preventive treatment for frequent or disabling migraine sufferers, including options that have expanded since 2012. National Guard Oversight: Vermont veterans and Guard families urged Gov. Scott and lawmakers to back the Defend the Guard Act, arguing Guard deployments overseas should require congressional authorization. Addiction Response: A Springfield recovery center held a candle vigil on International Overdose Awareness Day, citing Vermont’s ongoing overdose death toll. Trade & Local Economy: Jay Peak reached out to Canadians amid the latest U.S.-Canada trade fight, warning tariffs could affect travel as the ski season approaches. State Budget: Gov. Phil Scott is pushing agencies toward a leaner FY2028 budget to make room for tax relief.

US-Canada Trade Fight: Google Maps has switched “Lake Ontario” to “Lake America” for U.S. users after Trump’s renaming order, while Canada keeps “Lake Ontario,” keeping the tariff dispute in the spotlight. Vermont Politics & Governance: Vermont Law and Graduate School named Melissa Hoffer its next president, starting Dec. 1, 2026, as the school leans further into environmental law leadership. Housing: St. Johnsbury is moving to double homeless shelter beds, with a plan to convert a former Moose Lodge into a 40-bed low-barrier shelter for families and individuals. Public Safety Leadership: South Burlington Fire Chief Steven Locke was sworn in as president and board chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, elevating Vermont’s fire service on the world stage. AI & Jobs: Sen. Bernie Sanders backed Bill Gates’ warning that AI could threaten jobs and humanity, urging Congress to act before it’s too late. Immigration Enforcement: New reporting says ICE arrests have surged, increasingly targeting people without criminal records. State Policy Watch: Vermont’s Act 125 housing-land-use updates are easing how municipalities expand village-center development zones.

Vermont Politics & Policy: Vermont’s primary care doctor workforce keeps shrinking, though the pace is easing: the state reports 529 primary care clinicians in 2024 (down from 569 in 2022), with only 39% working full time—raising fresh concerns about access as waits grow. Elections & Voting Rights: A federal judge temporarily blocked a USPS vote-by-mail rule that would have forced states into new federal approval and tracking requirements, citing practical impossibility before November and warning of disenfranchisement risk. Health Care Costs (Local Medicaid): New data show Burlington Medicaid claims for “administrative, miscellaneous and investigational” services rose to $2,133 in 2024, while South Burlington’s radiology payments climbed to $46,011. Higher Education Leadership: Vermont Law and Graduate School named Melissa Hoffer as its next president, starting Dec. 1, 2026. Federal/Regional Watch: Google Maps updated U.S. labels for Lake Ontario to “Lake America” after Trump’s executive order, while Canada continues to show “Lake Ontario.”

Vermont Health Care: A new state survey finds Vermont is still losing primary care doctors, though the pace is slowing—529 primary care providers in 2024 versus 569 in 2022, with fewer clinicians working full time. Meta & Youth Privacy: Commentary from Vermont’s political class backs the $92.7 million Meta settlement, arguing Vermont should use part of it to build stronger privacy and digital protections for kids. Rural Economy: Sen. Peter Welch met Vermont farmers to discuss the rural economic crisis, focusing on the farm bill’s real-world hurdles. Campaigns & Influence: A report says political campaigns are quietly paying influencers to boost candidates—raising questions about transparency and accountability. Voting Rights Fight: A judge temporarily blocked a USPS mail-voting rule, and Florida officials say November voting will proceed as planned despite the legal fight. Surveillance Backlash: Sen. Bernie Sanders pledged legislation targeting Flock Safety, framing it as AI mass surveillance. Education Leadership: Vermont Law and Graduate School named Melissa Hoffer as its next president, starting Dec. 1, 2026. National Politics: Manchin is launching an Independent Leadership Council aimed at backing independent candidates.

US Voting Rights: A federal judge temporarily blocked a new USPS mail-voting rule, saying compliance before the Nov. 3 election was “practically impossible” and posed a risk of disenfranchisement—Vermont is among the states pushing back. Digital Privacy & Kids Online: Vermont lawmakers and the AG’s office are still digesting the $92.7M Meta settlement, which adds limits on minors’ use and “like” counts, while critics say recommendation systems remain a weak spot. Surveillance Cameras: Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing legislation aimed at Flock Safety, joining a broader bipartisan backlash after reports of misuse and rapid expansion of AI-enabled license-plate tracking. Vermont Leadership & Institutions: Vermont Law and Graduate School named Melissa Hoffer as its next president, starting Dec. 1, 2026. Local Government Watch: Woodstock’s legal-fee spending is under scrutiny as separate litigation continues, while Rutland’s “business accelerator” is being retooled to help startups actually stay. Regional Politics: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joined Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey’s final push ahead of the Sept. 1 Democratic primary. Trade & the Great Lakes Name Fight: Trump’s “Lake America” order drew pushback from Canada and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, with Indigenous leaders also demanding a reversal.

Vermont Leadership Shake-Up: Melissa Hoffer, Massachusetts’ first climate chief, is set to become the next president of Vermont Law and Graduate School starting Dec. 1, 2026. Digital Rights & Kids Online: A Vermont lawmaker backs the state’s $17B Meta settlement, arguing it’s a start but calling for a dedicated privacy and digital protection division in the AG’s office. Local Housing: Claremont’s planning board approved 27 affordable apartments through adaptive reuse of a historic mill building, with financing as the key hinge. Health & Care Accountability: A former Bradford caregiver, Michael “Mickey” Sullivan, faces a misdemeanor charge after allegedly taking a vulnerable adult to a hotel for sex instead of treatment. Immigration Enforcement: New reporting says ICE arrests surged in July, with Vermont among states seeing big increases. Trade & Vermont’s Canada Link: Sen. Peter Welch and Rep. Brad Schneider plan a bill to repeal Section 338 tariffs tied to Canada, warning Vermont businesses face real pain. Mail Reliability: Vermont’s delegation pressed USPS for answers after thousands of complaints about ongoing delays. Community Debate: Bristol residents remain divided over whether to remove the Lord’s Prayer Rock. Public Safety Labor: Montpelier firefighters’ contract impasse heads toward a fact-finder process.

US-Canada Trade & Naming Fight: President Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” is drawing bipartisan backlash and fresh friction with Canada as the tariff war deepens. Elections & Voting Access: Vermont is part of a multistate fight over USPS mail-voting rules; a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order, and Vermont AG Charity Clark says the federal attempt to upend state systems is unlawful. Postal Service Reliability: Vermont’s congressional delegation is pressing for answers on continued USPS mail delays after thousands of complaints, citing late bills, prescriptions, and tax documents. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Vermont lawmakers and AG Charity Clark are backing a landmark multistate Meta deal that requires child-safety changes and brings Vermont about $92.7 million. Healthcare & Rural Access: A new analysis warns rural hospital obstetrics closures could mean longer drives for Medicaid patients. Vermont Leadership & Institutions: Melissa Hoffer is leaving Massachusetts climate leadership to become president of Vermont Law and Graduate School on Dec. 1, 2026. Local Governance & Community: Windham & Windsor Housing Trust board member Anne O’Connor-Chapman graduates from a NeighborWorks governance program. Public Safety & Courts: A Bennington County judge sentenced Robert Weigner for DUI and reckless endangerment, with probation and a suspended jail term.