AGP Executive Report

AI & Work: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the AI backlash is real but argues wages will rise and “everyone is a stakeholder,” as labor leaders warn unions can’t keep up with AI’s pace. Retirement Policy: The U.S. Labor Department’s push to let 401(k) plans offer more alternative investments is moving forward after a huge comment surge—supporters call it “democratizing” wealth-building, critics fear higher fees and risk for typical savers. Vermont Housing & Growth: A coalition of Vermont business and civic leaders argues the state can’t “stay the course” amid aging, shrinking, rising taxes, and a severe housing shortage, urging an “Abundance” growth agenda. Solar Policy: California’s “balcony solar” bill advances, while Vermont’s net metering decision is making solar harder—both point to how state rules shape energy costs and adoption. Local Business & Regulation: Vermont’s secretary of state is on a listening tour with Windham County companies, and regulators approved a new Upper Valley freestanding surgery center. Agriculture & Community Giving: Vermont maple production remains nation-leading, and the Vermont Women’s Fund awarded $411,650 in grants to expand childcare, pay equity, and leadership.

AI & Public Ownership: Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing a federal 50% public stake in major AI firms and a moratorium on new AI data centers until environmental impacts are studied, arguing AI decisions shouldn’t be left to “Big Tech oligarchs.” Energy & Housing Policy: Vermont’s net metering decision is making solar harder, while a coalition of economists faces backlash over calls for “public control of strategic assets” and “beyond growth” plans. Healthcare Costs: BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont wants cheaper plan options, but the Green Mountain Care Board is questioning whether they truly lower costs and delayed a decision to August. Regulatory Approvals: Regulators cleared a freestanding Upper Valley Surgery Center in Hartford, a rare Vermont move that could cut wait times and offer a lower-cost alternative to hospital care. Business & Community: Vermont Vitality opened a new wellness studio and juice bar in Derby; the Vermont Women’s Fund awarded $411,650 in grants to 46 nonprofits; and Vermont’s auditor office earned the highest peer-review rating. Economy Watch: Gas prices fell again nationally and in Vermont, with AAA putting Vermont’s average at $4.34/g. Local Economy & Jobs: Franklin Foods’ Enosburg Falls closure is expected to eliminate about 100 jobs, with agriculture officials warning of broader economic harm. Public Safety: Vermont school districts dealt with “swatting” bomb threats that were later deemed hoaxes.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Franklin Foods will close its Enosburg Falls plant this summer, ending about 100 jobs and raising concerns about ripple effects on local suppliers and the broader dairy economy. Energy & Grid Policy: New England governors, including Vermont’s Phil Scott, urged federal regulators to reject a proposed electricity profit increase tied to transmission rates—warning it could hit households and businesses while slowing needed grid upgrades. Child Well-Being: Vermont slipped in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book, landing fourth overall as education remains a weak spot even as health and family/community indicators hold up. Flood Relief for Farmers: U.S. Sen. Peter Welch says Vermont farmers affected by 2023–24 floods will receive $31.7 million in USDA disaster aid block grant funding. Local Business & Community: Smugglers’ Notch named ski-industry veteran Brandon Swartz as general manager, while Vermont’s Advanced Wood Heating Assistance program opened for municipal applications. Environment & Planning: DEC is rolling out updated wetland maps statewide for public review, required under Act 121.

Workforce & Economy: Franklin Foods will close its Enosburg Falls cream cheese facility later this summer, putting about 99 jobs at risk, with dairy leaders warning Vermont needs more processing investment. Local Tax Debate: Bennington’s Select Board is set to discuss a potential 1% local option tax after its Economic Development Committee reviews options, with opponents questioning whether the process is too closed off. Education Costs: Community College of Vermont will keep tuition flat for 2027/28 at $290 per credit for in-state students, emphasizing access programs. Child Care Funding: Vermont awarded $264,500 in Make Way for Kids grants to 20 child care programs, including expansions and new capacity in multiple counties. Energy & Environment: Vermont is accepting public input on updated wetland maps in more than 100 towns, required under the 2024 Flood Safety Act. Business & Tourism: Smugglers’ Notch named Brandon Swartz as general manager, bringing a long ski-industry career back to Vermont. Tech & Policy: Vermont AG Charity Clark joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new federal contractor contract terms tied to DEI restrictions. Consumer Data: Vermont’s new data privacy law heads to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk, but advocates say it won’t do enough to rein in Big Tech. Health & Regulation: The U.S. DOJ’s medical marijuana reclassification could unlock some federal tax benefits, but the federal-state divide remains. Public Safety: Vermont Fish & Wildlife reiterates that open fires and swimming are prohibited at state fishing access areas.

Maine Senate showdown: Graham Platner cruised to the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination and will face Sen. Susan Collins in November, setting up a high-stakes race for control of the chamber. Vermont business & jobs: PC Construction’s Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Arena renovation at the University of Maine won a third major industry award, adding to earlier honors for responsible growth and safety. Broadband expansion: Fidium expanded 100% fiber service in Shelburne, bringing multi-gig symmetrical speeds to more than 2,100 homes and businesses. Energy & climate policy: Vermont is accepting applications for a USDA-funded Advanced Wood Heating Assistance program for municipalities, aiming to replace oil and gas with efficient advanced wood systems. Natural resources planning: DEC is rolling out updated wetland maps in more than 100 towns, with public meetings scheduled in June. Public health: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional recalls. Local politics: Four candidates filed for the Windham-3 House seats after incumbent Leslie Goldman announced she won’t seek reelection. Child well-being: A new KIDS COUNT report finds child well-being declined nationally from 2019 to 2024, with Vermont among the top-ranked states.

Local Economy & Jobs: Franklin Foods will close its Enosburg Falls plant this summer, cutting about 100 jobs, after the facility was sold to a German company that is ending Vermont operations. Housing & Rent: A cooling Burlington-area rental market is starting to ease pressure for tenants, with vacancy rates rising enough to drive some landlords to lower asking prices. Waste & Environment: Berlin opened a year-round Eco Depot for hazardous waste drop-offs, expanding access beyond seasonal pop-ups for residents and businesses. Public Health: Vermont reports COVID-19 hospitalizations at negligible levels, with outbreaks rare and mostly confined to long-term care. Workforce & Training: Northwest Career and Technical Center held a Skilled Trades Signing Day, with more than 20 students committing to careers in trades and health-related fields. Higher Education: Community College of Vermont will keep tuition flat for 2027/28, holding the in-state rate at $290 per credit. Business & Community Growth: Fidium expanded its all-fiber service in Shelburne, bringing multi-gig speeds to more than 2,100 residents and businesses.

Maine Politics: With Tuesday’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary looming, Graham Platner’s bid to challenge Sen. Susan Collins is getting a last-minute stress test as voters weigh fresh allegations about his conduct against his working-class, anti-establishment pitch. Workforce & Health Care: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with eight graduates, including young adults building real workplace skills through health care rotations. Senior Living Leadership: The Village at White River Junction named Danielle Nickerson executive director, bringing nearly a decade of Vermont senior-care leadership. State Policy & Business Climate: Gov. Phil Scott signed a slate of bills, including measures tied to chronic absenteeism, immigration protocols in schools, and economic development provisions. Legal & Immigration: A federal judge blocked Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee, a win for states and a potential relief for tech employers relying on skilled foreign workers. Local Retail Expansion: Town Fair Tire plans a new St. Albans store at Highgate Commons, targeting a late-July opening. Public Health: A free Alzheimer’s and caregiving conference is set for Burlington July 15.

Workforce & Inclusion: UVM Health hosted a Project SEARCH completion ceremony for eight graduates, highlighting how the year-long, workplace-based program builds independence and job skills for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Senior Care Leadership: The Village at White River Junction named Danielle Nickerson of Bethel executive director, bringing nearly a decade of Vermont senior-care leadership and HR experience. Health & Research Funding: UVM’s Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health received renewed $12 million NIH support for a five-year push on heart-brain links, including cardiovascular impacts on cognition and brain motor function. Privacy & Compliance: Vermont’s updated data broker law raises the annual registration fee to $900, increases penalties, and adds a 30-day deletion right—prompting businesses that buy, sell, or share consumer data to reassess obligations. Energy & Grid Debate: Green Mountain Power invited customers to a Bethel open house June 9, while Vergennes residents continue pushing back on a proposed battery energy storage site. Local Business Expansion: Town Fair Tire plans a late-July opening in St. Albans at Highgate Commons, its fifth Vermont location. Community Grants: Downtown Brattleboro Alliance won a Vermont Community Foundation grant to pilot a Community Ambassador Program for youth and young adults. Access to Justice: Vermont Bar Foundation announced its largest-ever FY27 grant investment, expanding funding for legal services and community support statewide.

Health & Workforce: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with eight graduates, including a Burlington teen with Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes, highlighting real workplace rotations and more independence. Healthcare Policy Debate: A new push for Medicare for All argues the country can’t keep relying on “false promises” while medical debt and eroding public goods squeeze working families. Cannabis & Public Safety: A Vermont-linked account of severe cannabis use disorder and psychosis risks feeds into wider state debates over how potent legal products should be regulated. Local Business & Community: Hinesburg volunteers and TimberHomes Vermont raised the Brian Busier Pavilion on the Town Common in one day, funded by donations to preserve community as housing growth accelerates. Employee Ownership Watch: Front Porch Forum founders say they’re exploring employee ownership to keep jobs and benefits in Vermont as they near retirement. Public Safety: Vermont State Police are seeking a suspect in an early-Sunday burglary at Dwyer’s State Line Beer and Wine in Pownal. Tech & Politics: Sam Altman met with Sen. Bernie Sanders about public equity in AI companies, underscoring a growing push to share AI gains with the public. Vermont Economy/Travel: WCAX reports Vermont tourism is still struggling with a Canadian visitor slowdown, with businesses working to bring travelers back. Lottery: Vermont Lottery results posted for June 6 and June 7.

Workforce & Education: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with a June 3 ceremony for eight graduates, including Juno Kelleher, who used the year-long rotations to build workplace skills and more independence while managing Type 1 diabetes. Higher Ed: Community College of Vermont held its Class of 2026 graduation for about 500 associate-degree recipients, with students from all 14 Vermont counties and a wide age range, plus a keynote from Alyssum’s Will Eberle. Local Governance: Peacham voters approved a plan to transfer ownership of the town’s elementary school building to the town for $1, aiming to keep the property as a community asset if school district mergers happen. AI & Public Policy: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Sen. Bernie Sanders after Sanders proposed public ownership of AI companies; Altman signaled support for the idea even if he wouldn’t back Sanders’ 50% threshold. Energy & Costs: Gas prices remain a pressure point, with Vermont’s premium fuel reported at $5.19 in Addison County for the week ending May 30, while national volatility continues to be tied to global oil and shipping risks. Health & Regulation: Vermont’s paraquat ban is part of a broader push against harmful chemicals, while Australia’s top neurologists say regulators ignored concerns as a weedkiller linked to Parkinson’s disease heads toward a final decision.

AI & Energy Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed Vermont’s data-center bill (H.727), despite broad legislative support, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and environmental groups who warn of higher utility bills and pollution from large AI-driven facilities. Public Ownership in AI: A new push for Americans to get equity stakes in AI companies is gaining traction, with reports of talks between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Trump floating a similar idea. Chemicals & Consumer Safety: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, tied to Parkinson’s disease risk, while a wider state-by-state crackdown on PFAS is reshaping what ends up in products. Local Business & Economy: Vermont Smoke & Cure launched new meat sticks in partnership with A.1. and Lea & Perrins, aiming at the fast-growing snack aisle. Workforce & Education: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH program wrapped up with nearly 500 CCV graduates celebrated statewide, highlighting job skills and career pathways. Community & Culture: Burlington Wine & Food Festival returns June 27, and the Central Vermont Humane Society held its 34th Walk for Animals.

AI & Public Wealth: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Sen. Bernie Sanders after Sanders floated a plan for the public to take a major equity stake in AI firms, and Trump also signaled interest in a White House partnership that would let Americans benefit from AI success. Energy & Data Centers: Vermont’s Gov. Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a bill meant to curb the financial and environmental fallout of large AI data centers; lawmakers fell short of an override vote, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and environmental groups. Health & Agriculture: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, an herbicide linked to Parkinson’s disease, with a phase-out expected over coming years. Local Business & Community: South Burlington is moving toward data-center-related zoning changes, while Burlington’s Wine & Food Festival returns June 27 and Northfield’s summer road race series kicks off June 4. Banking & Fraud: Federal authorities arrested suspects tied to a $500,000+ wire fraud scheme targeting Vermont and Northeast banks and credit unions.

AI Wealth Plan: President Trump says he’s exploring a federal stake in major AI firms—“pieces” of companies that could be shared with the public—after talks with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and amid growing bipartisan interest in “universal basic capital.” Vermont Energy & Data Centers: A Vermont veto fight over protections for future large-scale AI data centers ended when lawmakers failed to override Gov. Scott’s veto, keeping the status quo. Offshore Wind Lawsuit: Vermont AG and other states sue the Trump administration over a “sham deal” to pay TotalEnergies about $928 million to cancel New York offshore wind leases, arguing it swaps clean energy and union jobs for oil and gas. Vermont Economy: Ski Vermont reports the strongest skier visits in about a decade—over 4 million visits and a 4.7% jump—fueling summer-to-fall optimism. Fraud & Banking: Federal authorities arrested suspects tied to a $500,000+ wire fraud scheme targeting Vermont banks and credit unions. Local Housing: Montpelier’s Turret House shelter opened with 18 beds, aiming to ease pressure on downtown businesses as homelessness rises. Food & Business: Vermont Smoke & Cure expands nationally with new A.1. and Lea & Perrins meat sticks.

AI Policy & Industry: President Trump says he’s talking with top AI executives about the federal government acquiring “pieces” of major AI firms, potentially turning the public into a partner via dividends—an idea that’s already drawing skepticism from critics worried about stifling innovation. Vermont Energy & Governance: Burlington Electric Department approved new hydro power purchase agreements, including output from Maine’s Skelton Hydro facility and a 10-year deal for Connecticut’s Wyre Wynd project, as it reshapes renewable supply after expiring contracts. Local Economy & Jobs: Vermont’s ski industry logged a banner season with more than 4 million visitors, helped by early snow and holiday storms—boosting off-mountain business too. Workforce & Inclusion: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduates, including a participant with Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes, highlighting real workplace rotations and independence-building skills. Community & Food Systems: Vermont awarded $1 million in Farm to School grants to expand school gardens, outdoor classrooms, and local food access for students and early childhood programs. Public Safety: Vermont school districts faced “swatting” bomb-hoax calls, with officials saying the threats were unfounded and warning these incidents are becoming more common. Business Development: Lawrence, Kansas is weighing incentives for Alarm.com to renovate a downtown building, aiming to expand its workforce and investment.

AI & Data Centers Policy: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed H.727, a bill meant to protect Vermonters from the financial and environmental fallout of large AI data centers, and lawmakers failed to override the veto as the session ended. Workforce & Health Care Skills: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH wrapped up with eight graduates, including a participant with Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes, highlighting real workplace rotations and independence-building for young adults. Small Business Financing: BDCC is running new Funding Fundamentals sessions, including a June 10 workshop on building business credit and a June 17 mini-session on avoiding financing traps. Local Economy & Tourism: Burke Mountain’s Bike Park is set to open Saturday, June 6, with expanded trail plans and major 2026 upgrades. Community & Environment: PlayCleanGo Awareness Week runs June 6-13, urging Vermonters to clean gear to slow the spread of invasive species that threaten forests and outdoor recreation. Social Security Pressure: A new national analysis warns Social Security’s trust fund could trigger an automatic benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 a month.

Juvenile Justice: Vermont announced plans for a permanent 14-bed Green Mountain Youth Center in South Burlington to replace the closed Woodside Youth Rehabilitation Center, with a crisis stabilization unit and residential treatment program aimed at a more therapeutic approach. Housing Pressure: Fair Haven mobile home park residents are scrambling as a September closure nears, highlighting how limited affordable options leave families in legal and financial limbo. State Politics & Tech: A key Vermont AI data-center bill (H.727) was vetoed by Gov. Scott and the Legislature failed to override, reigniting debate over power, water, and environmental impacts. Water Quality: Hanover Water Department found higher-than-normal iron levels in the Fletcher Reservoir after complaints of metallic-tasting tap water, though results stayed within safe drinking limits. Workforce & Inclusion: UVM Health’s Project SEARCH celebrated eight graduates, including a participant with Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes, underscoring real workplace training for young adults with disabilities. Economy & Tourism: Ski Vermont reported the strongest skier visits since 2014-15, with 4.36 million skier visits for 2025-26. Health & Safety: A national report warns Social Security could face automatic benefit cuts averaging about $500 a month by 2032 if Congress doesn’t act.