AGP Executive Report

Child Care Funding: Vermont child-care advocates say the 2025-26 legislative push delivered record Child Care Financial Assistance Program funding, new openings, and thousands of new spaces and jobs—while warning federal uncertainty still looms. Medical Marijuana Policy: A federal DOJ rescheduling of medical cannabis is expected to unlock some tax benefits and new research, but Vermont and other states still face a messy, split federal-state landscape as regulators weigh what comes next. Vermont Nuclear Debate: A letter urges Vermont to reconsider its outdated nuclear moratorium, arguing modern small modular reactors could provide reliable, zero-emission power. Education & Governance: As lawmakers wrap up, coverage highlights how education reform and governance changes are moving toward signature, with ongoing fights over funding and district structure. Maine Senate Scandal Spillover: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Maine candidate Graham Platner is getting fresh scrutiny amid reports that Platner’s wife flagged sexually explicit texts to campaign staff—adding to the tattoo controversy and intensifying the race narrative. Lottery Results: Vermont Lottery draw results were published for May 30, including Powerball, Pick 3, and Megabucks.

Maine Senate drama: Vermont-linked Democrat Graham Platner’s campaign is facing fresh scrutiny after the Wall Street Journal reported that his wife told campaign staff about sexually explicit texts she found on his phone soon after he launched his U.S. Senate bid—an internal “risk” check that ultimately kept plans moving. Vermont legislature wrap: After nearly two weeks of overtime, Vermont lawmakers adjourned with a major education reform package and budget measures, including next steps that pressure districts to consolidate without forcing mergers, plus caps tied to future spending. State politics leadership shakeup: Gov. Phil Scott announced he’ll seek a sixth term, while House Speaker Jill Krowinski said she won’t run for reelection—raising questions about who leads the Vermont House and Senate. Health policy: U.S. senators highlighted passage of a bipartisan rural hospital extension that keeps Medicare pilot funding alive in states including Vermont. Environment & agriculture: Gov. Scott signed Vermont’s first-in-the-nation ban on paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson’s risk, with a limited orchard/berry permit window. Cannabis business: Lake Effect Vermont is opening a permanent new location in South Hero on June 10. Elections watch: Washington County’s August primary filing deadline left only two contested races.

Education Reform Wrap-Up: Vermont lawmakers adjourned Friday after nearly two weeks of overtime, ending a session dominated by education overhaul talks and a budget fight; the final package keeps district mergers voluntary, adds regional resource-sharing, and sets a new funding framework aimed at easing property-tax pressure. Leadership Shake-Up: House Speaker Jill Krowinski said she won’t seek reelection, while Gov. Phil Scott announced he’ll run for a sixth term—raising questions about who will lead the House and Senate next. Data Privacy: A Vermont consumer data privacy bill is poised for signing despite lingering doubts from advocates about how strong the protections really are. Public Health Policy: Gov. Scott signed Vermont’s first-in-the-nation ban on paraquat, a weed killer linked to Parkinson’s risk, with limited exemptions through 2030. National Guard Deployment: More than 500 Vermont National Guard soldiers were honored before a Middle East deployment tied to CENTCOM. Cannabis Market: Lawmakers scaled back a proposal to expand Vermont’s retail cannabis marketplace, including dropping a direct-delivery pilot for growers. Local Business: Lake Effect Vermont announced a June 10 grand opening at a new South Hero location.

Vermont Cannabis Policy: Lawmakers scaled back a bill to expand the retail cannabis marketplace, keeping tighter limits on flower purchases and removing a pilot that would have let small growers deliver directly to consumers, while also trimming towns’ zoning leverage. Big-Tech Accountability in Vermont: The U.S. Supreme Court let Vermont’s Meta social media addiction case proceed, rejecting Meta’s bid to block it—an opening for similar youth-harm lawsuits nationwide. Privacy Law Reaction: Consumer Reports criticized S.71, saying Vermont’s new consumer data privacy bill backslid on key protections and enforcement despite earlier stronger action in 2024. State Budget Deal: Vermont budget writers reached a compromise spending package totaling $9.38 billion, including a late fight over redirecting money from a state scholarship fund to help fund UVM’s long-stalled athletic complex. Immigration & Worker Rights: Migrant Justice won a step forward as the Dutch government validated a human rights complaint against Hannaford’s parent company, Ahold Delhaize, tied to farmworker supply-chain abuses. Public Safety & Courts: A Memorial Day piece highlights how veterans treatment courts can keep vets out of jail, but warns staffing losses and healthcare cuts are threatening the model. Military Deployment: More Vermont National Guard members are preparing to deploy to the CENTCOM region as tensions with Iran continue. Local Politics: Rep. Brenda Steady announced she’ll seek re-election to the Vermont House; Manchester’s William Bazyk urged support for Jackie Wilson.

Vermont Politics & Elections: Gov. Phil Scott filed to run for a sixth term, while House Speaker Jill Krowinski announced she won’t seek reelection—setting up a new leadership scramble as Democrats and Republicans line up for the August primary. Statehouse Watch: Lawmakers also advanced a health care cost-control bill (S.190) aimed at lowering insurance premiums by speeding up reference-based pricing for certain plans. Public Safety: Vermont State Police cited South Burlington resident Connie Anania after an ICE protest on March 11, alleging she drove on a closed Dorset Street area and steered toward police; she’s due in court July 9. Health & Policy: Vermont’s paraquat ban—linked to Parkinson’s risk—continues to draw national attention, while overdose deaths in 2025 fell 37% to 170, according to the state Department of Health. Internet Safety: AG Jay Jones joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority and protections for children online. Local Government: Lawrence city commissioners will consider buying a former printing press building for a city hall annex. Courts: A Rutland jury acquitted Daniel Banyai of felony assaulting a police officer.

Treasurer Race: Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak says he’s running for reelection on a platform of housing, retirement security, and affordable health care, arguing more Vermonters feel “priced out.” Health Care Costs: Lawmakers advanced a health cost-control bill (S.190) aimed at lowering insurance premiums by speeding up reference-based pricing for certain plans, now headed to Gov. Phil Scott. Education Budget Pressure: A Chalkbeat analysis finds more than half of the nation’s biggest school districts are facing cuts or deficits, with rising costs and enrollment declines squeezing budgets. Data Center Backlash: A report claims anti–data center activism is being amplified by foreign-linked networks, raising questions about who’s driving local opposition. Statehouse Leadership: House Speaker Jill Krowinski announced she won’t seek reelection, setting up new chamber leadership in 2027. Public Safety & Courts: Embattled Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer says he won’t seek reelection amid pending sexual misconduct charges. Environment & Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat statewide, citing Parkinson’s and other health risks, with limited farm exemptions. Local Governance: Holland set a June 29 meeting to plan replacement costs for a failed bridge after VTRANS closure. Primary Filing Deadline: Vermont’s primary filing deadline is approaching, with key statewide races already taking shape.

Paraquat Ban: Gov. Phil Scott signed Vermont’s first-in-the-nation law banning the herbicide paraquat over Parkinson’s-linked health risks, with limited orchard exemptions and required reporting plus a state-funded study on alternatives. Education Reform: Lawmakers are still racing to finish H.955: the Senate passed it, the House sent it to a committee of conference, and negotiators are aiming for voluntary school district mergers while tightening timelines and construction/class-size details. Ticketing Reform: Vermont’s new resale rules cap prices at 110% of the original ticket for smaller venues and require clearer “from issuer or reseller” disclosures. Internet Safety: Vermont’s AG Jay Jones is part of a broader push against the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority and shift safety duties to platforms. Public Safety Benefits: “Jessica’s Law” expands survivor benefits for families of fallen first responders, closing a long-standing eligibility gap. Land-Use Rollback: A partial repeal of Act 181 is headed to Scott’s desk after Senate approval, a win for rural landowners challenging the law’s conservation limits. Courts & Social Media: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s social media addiction case, keeping the lawsuit moving. Statehouse Clock: Multiple reports note adjournment is still uncertain as major bills remain in flux.

Ticket Scalping Crackdown: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill capping resale prices for Noah Kahan’s home-state ticket market at 110% of face value, making Vermont the first state to set a secondary-market cap. Public Safety & Courts: Vermont’s lawsuit against Meta over allegedly addictive Instagram design features can move forward after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene. AG on National Guard: Vermont’s attorney general joined a coalition urging a D.C. appeals court to uphold a block on unlawful National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. Online Kids Protections: Vermont-linked attorney general efforts are also pushing back on the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority to protect children online. Environment & Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, with limited exemptions and reporting requirements. Education & Community: Community College of Vermont set its June 6 commencement and highlighted student and veteran support. Housing/Permitting Fight: A wetlands-related rule dispute continues after lawmakers objected to changes that would allow more building in unmapped wetlands. Labor & Immigration: A Hannaford dairy labor complaint is moving into mediation with farmworkers as Vermont immigration policy pressure continues to shape local organizing.

Education Reform Deadline Pressure: Vermont’s Senate has passed H.955 back to the House with a 27-2 vote, pushing the education-reform package toward a conference committee as lawmakers try to finish before adjournment. Local Governance: The House is already moving to reconcile differences, including class-size minimums and school-construction aid, after Gov. Phil Scott’s push for mergers met resistance. Courts & Tech: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Meta’s bid to stop Vermont’s lawsuit over Instagram addiction claims, letting the case keep moving in state court. Public Health & Environment: Vermont also became the first state to ban paraquat, signing H.739 with a limited-use phase-in. Safety & Justice: A Jeffersonville resident, Justin Couture, was sentenced to 2–5 years (with 6 months to serve) for luring a child, with probation conditions including limits on internet access. Business & Community: CCV will hold its 2026 commencement at Norwich University’s Shapiro Field House on June 6, awarding nearly 500 associate degrees.

Data Center Clash Hits Congress: Across the country, fights over massive new data centers are moving from local meetings to Capitol Hill, with lawmakers debating bills, a possible moratorium, and ways to stop higher power bills—while communities keep pushing back hard, including a recent Utah showdown over a proposed 40,000-acre campus. Supreme Court, Vermont Social Media Case: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Meta’s appeal in Vermont’s Instagram addiction lawsuit, keeping the state’s case alive. Kids Online Protections: Connecticut AG William Tong announced an investigation into Roblox over reports of child exploitation, joining a broader push by states to strengthen online safety rules. Maine Primary Alliance: In Maine, Democratic gubernatorial candidates made their alliance with Senate contender Graham Platner official, aiming to consolidate votes against Nirav Shah. Local Vermont Watch: Royalton is holding a June 2 listening session on local option taxes to help pay for replacing the Foxstand Bridge, and Norwich’s selectboard member Mary Layton pleaded not guilty in a financial exploitation case.

Education Reform Showdown: Vermont’s Senate is set to vote Tuesday on an education consolidation deal after Gov. Phil Scott shifted from forced mergers to a voluntary approach, with the new foundation formula and the second-home tax now slated for 2029—Sen. Ruth Hardy says Vermonters want self-determination, not top-down takeovers. Data Center Fight Goes Federal: A national push is heating up in Congress as lawmakers debate how to stop data centers from driving higher electric rates, while grassroots opposition keeps flaring in states. Memorial Day, Vermont Style: Rain-soaked ceremonies still drew crowds across the state, and local veterans’ groups marked the holiday with tributes and support for those who served. Local Politics & Turnover: With August primary ballot deadlines looming, dozens of Vermont lawmakers are stepping back, including candidates citing financial strain and changing priorities. Business Notes: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for a June 6 Manchester 5K fundraiser, and a Richmond design firm won a packaging medal for Backus Distillery’s bourbon label.

Agriculture vs. solar: Sen. Russ Ingalls is pushing to expand the PUC’s authority over where energy projects—especially solar—can be built, after lawmakers raised fears that weak oversight makes it easier to expand onto prime farm fields. Telecom siting rules: In Westmore, activists are pressing H.527 to require the PUC to consider town plans when approving telecommunication towers, arguing neighbors have little recourse under current law. Veterans and courts: A new push highlights how Veterans Treatment Courts can help keep veterans out of jail, but warns staffing and healthcare cuts are squeezing the system. Memorial Day logistics: Rain forced some Vermont parade cancellations and moved others indoors, while Gov. Phil Scott urged Vermonters to remember those who “left and never came home.” Cyber breach: 7-Eleven confirmed a ShinyHunters-linked breach that exposed franchise application data, with Vermont among the notified states. Vermont jobs snapshot: The unemployment rate held at 2.6% in April.

Rare Disease Push: Gov. Phil Scott has signed a bill creating Vermont’s Rare Disease Advisory Council, giving patients a formal seat at the table for long-overdue care and planning. Politics & Power: Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour to Maine, campaigning with endorsed candidates Graham Platner and Troy Jackson and pressing the case for a wealth tax on billionaires. Local Travel & Business: The Vermont Inspiration Guide is out for 2026/27, spotlighting local businesses and experiences statewide as the visitor economy keeps driving billions. Tech & Privacy: 7-Eleven confirmed a franchise-application breach tied to the ShinyHunters leak, exposing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers for some applicants. Everyday Vermont: The Vermont City Marathon drew record-breaking performances in rainy weather, while gas prices continue to show pockets of relief across counties. Health & Safety Watch: Vermont is also moving toward a paraquat ban, with national attention on a Parkinson’s-linked family fight.

Paraquat Deadline Looms: Vermont is poised to become the first state to ban paraquat after lawmakers passed H.739; Governor Phil Scott has until May 26 to sign or veto, as a family’s Parkinson’s fight turns national. Courts Under AI Strain: A new MIT-backed study warns federal courts could “grind to a halt” as generative AI fuels a surge in self-filed lawsuits. Education Reform, Up Close: With the session nearing its end, Montpelier is pushing must-pass education bills and conference negotiations, while local school finance leaders are spotlighted as the people doing the daily heavy lifting. SPLC Donor Backlash: AG Kwame Raoul urges donor-advised funds to reconsider cutting off the Southern Poverty Law Center amid claims of political retribution. Gas Watch: Diesel hit $5.69 in Orange County (week ending May 16), while Vermont’s diesel average slipped to $5.76. Community Calendar: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for major spring 5Ks in Essex Junction and Manchester to fund access for every girl.

Death Doula Spotlight: A Vermont woman, Diana Griebell, is working as a “death doula” to help families navigate end-of-life care—offering emotional and physical support so people can have a “good death.” Border Tensions: Canada is reportedly rejecting some asylum seekers at the U.S. border and handing them to ICE, leaving vulnerable travelers stuck between two systems. Education Reform Watch: Vermont’s Act 173/H.955 overhaul keeps moving, with attention turning to the local school finance leaders who manage the day-to-day dollars. Gas Prices & Daily Life: GasBuddy reports the week ending May 16 brought some of Vermont’s lowest regular gas deals in Windham ($4.29) and Washington ($4.39) counties, while diesel pricing remains higher statewide. Sanders vs. Musk: Bernie Sanders pressed Elon Musk on how a “universal high income” plan would get funded, pointing to Musk’s refusal to back a 5% wealth tax. Community Calendar: Girls on the Run Vermont is gearing up for its Essex Junction 5K on May 30 and a Manchester 5K on June 6.

Education Reform Fight: Vermont’s education overhaul is still in flux, with lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott working toward a deal while the state’s Social Media “arrest tips” program faces dehumanization claims and the GDOE in Guam was just hit with a $292k legal-fee bill after an adequate-education lawsuit. Federal Pressure on Student Loans: Vermont and 24 other states sued the Trump Education Department over new caps on federal loans for “professional” degrees, arguing the rules miss key programs. Hospitals Under Strain: Vermont hospitals are being told to cut spending sharply—but reporting raises the question of whether their plans add up. Environment & Land Use: A federal move to roll back the roadless rule is drawing New England opposition, while Vermont lawmakers push back on weakening wetland protections. Tech & Energy Tension: Americans oppose data centers by wide margins, and Vermont’s own data-center debate keeps heating up. Community & Culture: Colchester will dedicate an Italian heritage marker June 13, and Memorial Day weekend events are already rolling out.