AGP Executive Report

Vermont Education Reform: Five districts, including Montpelier Roxbury and Washington Central, must start merger talks this fall under Act 170, with decisions headed to voters on Town Meeting Day 2028. Vermont Public Safety & Courts: St. Albans troopers cited John Montgomery after an assault on a law enforcement officer near Exit 21 in Swanton. Vermont Cannabis Oversight: Lt. Gov. John Rodgers faces a $5,000 fine after regulators found cannabis growing at an unapproved Glover site; he plans to contest the Cannabis Control Board’s action. Vermont Housing/Schools Funding: Central Vermont Career Center officials are gearing up for a special election pitch on a new bond proposal after last year’s vote failed, arguing the revised plan is “better price, better place.” Federal Voting Rights Fight: AG Nick Brown’s coalition won a temporary block against a USPS rule that would have disrupted state vote-by-mail systems ahead of November. Gun Policy: AG Raoul co-led opposition to an ATF rule that would expand automatic registration for military-grade weapons. Drug Sentencing: A Bennington County drug conspiracy leader, Alec Diaz (“Benn Tenn”), was sentenced to 12 years in federal court. National Guard: Vermont Air National Guard members returned home after an extended deployment. Local Resilience & Climate Funding: Treasurer Pieciak visited Hardwick to gather input tied to resilience work and Vermont’s climate superfund efforts.

Trade & Border Impacts: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion in U.S. goods kicked in Tuesday, with rates from 15% to 50% hitting items like steel, aluminum, dairy, appliances, clothing, and electronics—raising costs for manufacturers and dairy producers, including in the Vermont region. Vermont Politics & Elections: Vermont’s Democratic gubernatorial challenger Amanda Janoo outraised Gov. Phil Scott in August, but still trails badly in cash on hand as the race tightens heading toward November. Campaigns & National Stakes: New Hampshire voters head to primaries Tuesday, choosing nominees for Senate, House, governor, and the legislature—while Nina Turner stumped for Karishma Manzur and floated 2028 ambitions. Labor Rights on the Ballot: Vermonters rallied at Burlington’s Festival of Resistance in support of Proposal Three, which would guarantee laborers the right to collectively bargain. Health Care Access: UVM Health’s Asha Clinic opened in Burlington, expanding specialized outpatient suicide care for Vermont and Northern New York. Community & Culture: Grafton residents are organizing a late-September fundraiser for a new Community Nurse program, and South Londonderry Library hosts International Dot Day with a Yayoi Kusama theme. Civic Education: A national look at how states teach 9/11 shows wide variation in requirements and guidance.

Vermont Politics & Labor: Vermont voters will decide in November on Proposal 3, a constitutional amendment to protect workers’ right to organize and collectively bargain, including limits on lawmakers rolling back labor protections. Elections & Voting Rights: Vermont Attorney General Aaron Ford secured a court order blocking the postal service’s mail voting rule while the case proceeds, as the state continues to push vote-by-mail planning. Economy & Workforce: A Vermont Business Magazine commentary argues the state’s low unemployment rate masks a deeper problem: fewer people available to work, making housing, childcare, education, health care, taxes, and permitting central to the next legislative session. Health & Community: Burlington’s Asha Clinic opened as a specialized outpatient suicide care program led by researcher Dr. Craig Bryan, expanding local access to targeted therapies. Public Safety: State police say a Waitsfield-area man faces attempted murder and other charges after a Barre Town shooting tied to a domestic dispute. Education: Gov. Phil Scott urged school leaders to move “full steam ahead” on district mergers, despite concerns about costs and capacity. Higher Ed Leadership: Vermont Law and Graduate School named former Massachusetts climate chief Melissa Hoffer as its next president, starting Dec. 1.

Labor Rights Vote: Vermont voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment (Proposal 3) protecting workers’ right to organize and collectively bargain, including limits on lawmakers rolling back those protections. USPS Mail Voting Fight: Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS requirements that would have forced states into new ballot design approvals and tracking portal steps as the Trump administration presses the Supreme Court again. Vermont Law & Graduate School Leadership: Melissa Hoffer, Massachusetts’ climate chief, is set to become VLGS president on Dec. 1, bringing litigation and regulatory-policy experience to the South Royalton-based school. Mental Health Access: Burlington’s new Asha Clinic opened as a specialized outpatient suicide-care program, led by Dr. Craig Bryan and designed to expand evidence-based treatment locally. Purple Heart Returns: A World War II Purple Heart found in Vermont was traced and returned to the veteran’s family after a week-long search involving local VFW and American Legion commanders. Arctic Monitoring: MIT Lincoln Laboratory researchers are using underwater sensors to track shifting Arctic sea-ice sounds, aiming to improve early warning and resilience planning. Local Public Safety Pressure: St. Johnsbury officials say a small group’s downtown “bad behavior” is driving repeated police calls and calls for stronger accountability.

Election & Voting Rights: Nevada AG Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from enforcing a new mail-voting rule that would have required federal approval of ballot and return-envelope designs and a new USPS tracking portal. Public Safety & Immigration: Seven Vermont clergy were arrested in Williston while protesting ICE targeting operations, with protesters blocking entrances to a facility tied to ICE analysis and targeting. Vermont Politics: Rep. Becca Balint criticized a White House “arcade” promoting ICE roleplay and urged action on rising health-care costs, calling for bipartisan steps to reverse affordability pressures. State Government & Policy: Vermont’s AI economic taskforce continues work after Gov. Phil Scott’s order, with Vermont Gas CEO Neale Lunderville leading; the effort aims to shape AI policy recommendations. Military & Service: Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing is scheduled to return home Sunday after an extended deployment to the Caribbean and Middle East. Community & Civic Life: Wardsboro launched a “Turns Up” community process starting Sept. 17 to set priorities and build action plans with state and nonprofit support. Health Care: Burlington opened the Asha Clinic, a specialized outpatient suicide-care program led by Dr. Craig Bryan and backed by the Four Pines Fund.

Suicide Care in Burlington: The Asha Clinic opened at 1 South Prospect Street, offering a specialized outpatient model focused exclusively on suicide care, led by researcher Dr. Craig Bryan and backed by the Four Pines Fund. Leadership Change at Peckham Industries: John R. Peckham was named interim CEO for the Newport and Lyndonville-based company, replacing Damian J. Murphy, with no expected changes to day-to-day operations. Vermont First Amendment Event: Third Act Vermont is hosting a free Constitution Day program Sept. 20 on free speech and the press, featuring FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, NYT journalist Jesse Wegman, and VT Digger founder Anne Galloway. ICE Protest Arrests in Williston: Seven Vermont clergy were arrested while blockading entrances at a Williston site tied to ICE operations, with charges including unlawful trespass. Vermont Air National Guard Returns: The 158th Fighter Wing is scheduled to come home Sunday after an eight-month deployment across the Caribbean and Middle East. H-1B Scrutiny Hits IT Firms: USCIS says Vermont flagged H-1B petitions where wage classifications didn’t match job duties, leading to denials and revocations. Burlington Safety Debate: A Burlington mayoral op-ed argues “interrupting conditions” isn’t enough and calls for direct action against drug markets. Public Safety Warrant Arrest: Vermont State Police reported an arrest in Bethel tied to four active in-state warrants.

Elections & Voting Access: Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas is urging voters to make a voting plan as ballots head out under Universal Vote-by-Mail, outlining four ways to return or vote in person. Constitutional Politics: Vermonters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing union rights, with supporters arguing it protects workers and critics warning about economic impact. Public Safety & Local Governance: A Burlington op-ed argues the city must do more than talk about “interrupting conditions” behind drug markets and violence, calling for removal of drug sales alongside better treatment options. State Government & Agencies: VEDA named Kim Highter as a new agricultural loan officer, Renée Grzankowski to lead the Vermont AI Economic Task Force, and Sarah Isham announced retirement after 32 years. National Guard: The Vermont Air National Guard’s Green Mountain Boys are scheduled to return home Sunday after an eight-month deployment to the Caribbean and Middle East. Housing: Burlington celebrated completion of 38 new permanently affordable apartments downtown, adding units for veterans, people exiting homelessness, and workers. Cyber & Privacy: A HumanEdge data breach is drawing a class-action investigation after possible exposure of names and Social Security numbers. AI Policy: Sen. Bernie Sanders is backing a bill to permanently ban artificial superintelligence, paired with a temporary pause until safety standards exist. Community Process: Wardsboro is launching a town-wide “Turns Up” community process starting Sept. 17, with forums and action planning through November.

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.