Latest Phil Scott News

Vermont Legislature overrides governor, passing overdose prevention, renewable energy, tax measures

Jun. 17, 2024 18:15 PM EDT

The Democratic-controlled Vermont Legislature on Monday overturned a number of the Republican governor's vetoes, passing measures to prevent drug overdoses, restrict a pesticide that's toxic to bees and to require state utilities to source all renewable energy by 2035. But the...

Vermont governor vetoes data privacy bill, saying state would be most hostile to businesses

Jun. 14, 2024 12:59 PM EDT

Vermont’s governor has vetoed a broad data privacy bill that would have been one of the strongest in the country to crack down on companies’ use of online personal data by letting consumers file civil lawsuits against companies that break certain privacy rules. Republican Gov....

With home prices up more than 50%, some states try to contain property taxes

Jun. 02, 2024 04:33 AM EDT

For retirees Tom and Beverly McAdam, the good news is the value of their two-bedroom home in suburban Denver has risen 45% since they purchased it more than six years ago. That's also the bad news, costing them thousands more in real estate taxes and leaving less for discretionary...

Vermont governor vetoes pilot safe injection site intended to prevent drug overdoses

May. 31, 2024 15:59 PM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s governor has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the creation of a pilot overdose prevention center in the state's largest city of Burlington, including a safe injection site where people could use narcotics under the supervision of trained staff and be...

Vermont becomes 1st state to enact law requiring oil companies pay for damage from climate change

May. 31, 2024 15:00 PM EDT

Vermont has become the first state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay a share of the damage caused by climate change after the state suffered catastrophic summer flooding and damage from other extreme weather. Republican Gov. Phil Scott allowed the bill to become...

Vermont's Republican governor allows ghost gun bill to become law without his signature

May. 29, 2024 09:51 AM EDT

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, has allowed a bill to become law that requires serial numbers on firearms that are privately made with individual parts, kits or 3D printers. Scott allowed the bill, part of an effort to crack down on hard-to-trace ghost guns that are...

Vermont governor vetoes bill requiring utilities to source all renewable energy by 2035

May. 23, 2024 17:33 PM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s governor vetoed on Thursday a bill that would have required state utilities to source all renewable energy by 2035, saying it would be too costly for ratepayers. Under the legislation, the biggest utilities would need to meet the goal by 2030. If...

Vermont governor vetoes bill to restrict pesticide that is toxic to bees, saying it's anti-farmer

May. 21, 2024 12:53 PM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont's Republican Gov. Phil Scott has vetoed a bill to severely restrict a type of pesticide that’s toxic to bees and other pollinators, saying the legislation “is more anti-farmer than it is pro-pollinator.” The bill would have banned uses of...

Vermont to grant professional licenses, regardless of immigration status, to ease labor shortage

May. 16, 2024 13:41 PM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Starting in September, Vermont will be able to grant professional licenses to people who meet the requirements, regardless of their immigration status, in a move supporters hope will ease Vermont’s labor shortage. Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill...

Vermont Legislature passes one of the strongest data privacy measures in the country

May. 14, 2024 16:32 PM EDT

The Democrat-controlled Vermont legislature has passed one of the strongest data privacy measures in the country aimed at cracking down on companies' use of online personal data, which would let consumers file civil lawsuits against companies that break certain privacy rules. ...