ABC NHVT News

Vermont Advocacy Update- February 17, 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:21:37 GMT

Vermont Advocacy Update- February 17, 2026

Suddenly and without warning legislative leaders and advocates realized that “crossover” is less than a month away causing a quick uptick in the pace in the state house. At the same time, tension amongst legislators and advocates rose at the same pace. If bills do not cross over from the House to the Senate and vice versa before March 13^th give or take a day or two the bills will die for the biennium. Add that we are in an election year, and we see that intensity build fast.

For the most part, new bills have ceased to be introduced. Leaders in either chamber can choose to suspend rules to introduce new bills such as municipality charter changes and other priority issues but the reasons are limited. Instead, committees have ended ceremonial introductions and non-impactful updates from their daily agendas and have moved on to impactful and essential legislation.

The Transportation committees are moving quickly through their bills. House Transportation is responsible for the “T Fund” bill which allocates funding to projects at the state and municipal levels. Senate Transportation creates the “DMV” bill which changes things like motor vehicle law, and fees for various licenses and registrations. These bills are generally non-controversial but towns and VTRANS (VT Agency of Transportation) are keenly watching to ensure their budgets and policy goals are reached. The biggest challenge the committees are facing today is a $35 million shortfall in state funding due to shrinking gas tax revenues. That shortfall will result in the loss of $100+/- million match funds from the Federal government next year. ABC NH/VT and several other associations are working hard to help Governor Scott negotiate with the legislature on how and where to identify the short money. In a tight year that is focused on healthcare and education will make identifying the funds challenging but necessary.

The House Commerce committee is focusing on the broader 2027 state budget hearing testimony from both state and organizations seeking to remain funded in the coming years. Those budget items range from workforce development, tourism, housing, regional development and regional economic organizations. Again, being fairly non controversial these negotiations are almost done and will head to the floor for vote cleanly before crossover.

Your association will remain at the forefront of advocacy for the construction profession. If you have any questions about Vermont advocacy or the legislature please contact Matt Musgrave matt@abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Legislative Update- January 6, 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 23:52:42 GMT

Today, January 6, the Vermont Legislature gavels back in to complete their work for the 2025/2026 biennium. Last year, over 30 bills (of 700+/- introduced) had direct impacts on contracting, economy and business that ABC NH/VT tracked. Of those bills ABC staff and members were able to make effective changes to bills that passed and successfully opposed bills that would be negative to our community. This year we are back, those bills are technically still in play, and advocates anticipate another 600-700 bill introductions in the coming weeks.

Your legislative team headed up by staff, the ABC NH/VT board, Vermont legislative committee, contract lobbyists and members like you who can help make a difference with our elected officials. In the coming weeks staff will closely examine bills that are being introduced looking for good policy to support and analyze the devils in the details to identify bills that may be problematic.

Once staff clearly identifies the impact of policy the Legislative Committee discusses whether it would negatively or positively impact the construction industry and make recommendations to the ABC NH/VT board of directors. The board then decides how staff and the legislative team would react to legislation. There are multiple ways ABC NH/VT will react from direct lobbying efforts, coalition building, professional testimony, member testimony and messaging.

The goal of industry input is to educate the legislators on these impacts because often times, they have a “great idea”, but don’t know enough about how it might impact industry. This dialog with leaders helps us amend, support, or oppose bills which then helps elected officials in their decision making.

Its all about the great relationships that your association and members share with legislators and elected officials that makes our collective voices heard. That’s the power of association.

If you have any questions or interest in participating in the Vermont Legislative Committee please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.

Vermont Advocacy Update- November 4, 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:54:17 GMT

ABC NH/VT is continuing its preparations for the 2026 legislative session and things are heating up. A new Legislative Affairs Committee focusing on Vermont is forming with its first meeting being scheduled for mid-November. You can sign up for the committee by CLICKING HERE. Additionally, staff are tracking policy makers and working with partners to prep for the session.

One valued ABC NH/VT partner is the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce who represents a large group of Vermont employers and often leads on certain economic issues in the state house. Vermont Regional Director, Matt Musrave, has been participating in the chambers “Legislator Speed Dating” events across Northwestern Vermont.

The “speed dating” events were created so that legislators could meet with large groups of their constituents to hear concerns, accolades and needs of the community.

The format for the event has businesses assembling at tables, generally within the same industry, and legislators visit each table for a set time before moving on to the next group. The process, although simple in design, forced the legislators to think quickly and on their toes.

Workforce housing was the primary topic at the ABC NH/VT table which also included several builders. The housing need transcends simply “producing homes for profit” because its impacting the ability of contractors to hire and retain talent. The cost of living is just another barrier to businesses recruiting efforts in a tight market due to population.

All of the legislators who responded to the housing questions were sincere in their concern and had ideas to help. Those ideas included expanding on Act 250 exemptions and changes to municipal zoning requirements. Time will tell what the legislators are able to do in the coming session on housing and ABC NH/VT will be an advocate for the needs of contractors through the process.

Vermont Advocacy Update – October 7, 2025

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:30:16 GMT

The Vermont legislature reconvenes in just three short months to begin the second year of the biennium — an election year. Although it is an election year, voter turnout in Vermont is typically much lower during midterm elections than during presidential years. Those who do turn out are what Vermont political circles often call “super voters,” meaning they participate in every election, from local town issues all the way up the ballot. These “super voters” tend to vote based on issues, so legislators are especially motivated to pass strong policy during midterm years.

One such issue expected to come before the legislature is how Vermont treats its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and schools. Last year, a sweeping education bill passed that targeted K–12 educational funding and institutions, seeking to trim costs and create more efficiencies in programming and districting. This year, CTE centers face similar measures and planning efforts.

ABC NH/VT was invited to a CTE legislative planning series featuring several legislative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee Chair Alison Clarkson, Senate Finance Committee member Ruth Hardy, House Commerce Chair Michael Marcotte, and House Commerce member Edye Granning.
In addition to the elected officials, attendees included several CTE superintendents, representatives from the Vermont Department of Education, a technical education teacher from Otter Valley UHS, Vermont Construction Academy Chair Jon Pizzagalli, ABC NH/VT Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave, members of the Vermont Business Roundtable, and two CTE students.

The purpose of the event was to help legislators generate ideas for bills to be introduced in the 2026 session. Early drafts of a “CTE Bill” are already in the works, and it was suggested that Senator Ruth Hardy might sponsor the legislation. Although the drafting process is not secretive, advocates and the public typically do not see full bills until they are formally introduced in January or February, so this process serves as an input stage for legislators.

The first of several meetings to be held around the state focused on one key question:

Who should CTE serve?
a. When should students learn about CTE — pre-grade, middle school, or earlier?
b. How do we define CTE, and what does it look like at each stage of the continuum?

Before diving into the agenda, the CTE superintendents shared a presentation they had prepared for legislators, based on internal polling. The polling explored whether CTEs preferred remaining within local districts or would benefit from district consolidation — similar to the challenges facing K–12 schools. The PowerPoint presentation outlined their concerns and opportunities; however, the group was unable to reach a consensus on potential changes, concluding instead to maintain the status quo.

Participants then broke into four small groups to discuss the agenda questions. There were many familiar topics, but also valuable new insights. For example, CTE data revealed that by the time a student reaches 7th grade, they often already know whether they plan to graduate from high school. This finding underscores the importance of exposing students to different industries — including construction — earlier in their education.

A shared topic across the groups was what admissions requirements should exist for CTE programs. Stafford Technical Center in Rutland shared that it enforces very strict admission guidelines, including academic performance, attendance records, and behavioral background. The superintendent noted that even one unexcused absence could disqualify a student. In contrast, Hannaford CTE, just 20 miles away, has no such restrictions. This sparked a thoughtful discussion about barriers to access and inclusion within CTE programming.

The admissions discussion naturally led to the topic of tuition and funding. Participants questioned whether CTE programs create financial strain on K–12 budgets, and whether that influences admissions policies. Several attendees also suggested separating funding streams to clearly distinguish between school districts and CTEs.

Time ran out quickly, but many of the key questions were addressed and valuable notes were taken. The next meeting is scheduled for the end of October in Springfield, Vermont, and ABC NH/VT will be there once again — sharing the needs of industry with educators and legislators in hopes of advancing effective policy when the State House reconvenes in January.

Building momentum for free enterprise in construction

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 11:13:23 GMT

In 1985, the top movie in America was the Michael J. Fox classic Back to the Future. Watching it was an experience that you enjoyed as a kid and then a movie you enjoyed sharing with your kids in turn. It stands the test of time.

1985 is also the year that a group of a dozen contractors dedicated to the merit shop philosophy and inspired by the Live Free or Die attitude of our great State, came together to form the NH/VT Associated Builders and Contractors chapter.

When asked about what the “merit shop philosophy” is, I say it is a movement for the betterment of the individual, the construction industry and our country. It is about a belief in free enterprise, and that both employees and employers should have the right to determine wages and working conditions through either individual or collective bargaining, as they choose, within the boundaries of the law but not otherwise compelled by government mandate.

The merit shop philosophy embraces responsible leadership and stewardship by both employees and employers. It reflects the belief that fair play for both employer and employee – through ensuring general employee welfare, satisfactory performance of assigned work and fair compensation for work performed - is essential to the preservation of our free enterprise system.

Today, 40 years since that initial group of a dozen founders came together, the ABC NH/VT chapter is the leading professional construction association in New England, including nearly 300 construction companies and industry serving firms. Our member companies represent thousands of skilled employees who are literally building New Hampshire every day and providing essential services to our friends, families, neighbors and businesses large and small alike.

Over the past four decades, we are particularly proud of having skilled or upskilled thousands of construction workers and craft professionals. Concern over a lack of skilled workers in the trades has finally become a regular part of the workforce development conversation, but for us, addressing that concern it has always been a top priority. To that end, ABC NH/VT is the sponsor of New Hampshire’s only multi-employer Registered Apprenticeship Carpentry program, which collaborates with New Hampshire’s Community College system to answer the industry’s need for more skilled tradespeople. We also created the “I Build New Hampshire” branding – found at www.ibuildnh.org – which helps raise career opportunity awareness to students and adult decision makers in their lives. The program even partnered with NH PBS to produce a robust “hero story” video series.

Advocacy is a critical element of ABC NH/VT, and we are proud of our role as a leading voice for improving the construction environment in our State, and as a subject matter resource for leaders of both parties to address critical issues for the common good. This year we are seeing promising gains in the future of housing construction with thoughtful building and permitting reforms promoted by Governor Ayotte and legislative leaders. We are grateful to the Governor and all leaders who come together to solve important issues like this one collaboratively and creatively.

Looking ahead, we urge the State to take on construction proposal and bid reform to ensure the most efficient process possible, and a level playing field for both union and non-union employers alike. Punitive measures such as project labor agreements often disadvantage non-union, merit shop contractors—excluding them from the negotiation process and forcing them to adhere to union-specific work rules. These agreements may require companies to recognize unions for job representation, use union hiring halls for workforce recruitment, and abide by union benefit structures.

These types of PLA agreements – common in Massachusetts – can increase construction costs by 20%, reduce competition and close the door on non-union employers. With 90% of New Hampshire’s workforce non-union, a policy that simply says government will remain neutral and not mandate PLAs would embody the New Hampshire way and ensure fair treatment for these thousands of employees.

One of the most memorable lines from Back to the Future comes from Doc Brown at the end when he says “Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.” While we may wish to see some of the futuristic elements from the movie, we’re still going to need roads. And bridges, houses, apartments, commercial buildings, schools, churches and community centers. As we celebrate 40 great years as an Association, we are proud that we too have stood the test of time. We look forward to the next 40 years and beyond of building the future for the Granite State.

Josh Reap is President and CEO of the Association of Builders and Contractors for NH / VT, based in Concord. He lives in Candia.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- July 8, 2025

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 16:40:00 GMT

The Vermont Legislature has adjourned, and our Senators and Representatives have returned to their districts to face the voters for their successes and “policies that still need work”. Be on the lookout for a detailed end of session report from ABC NH/VT coming soon. The end of the session is not the end of the ABC NH/VT advocacy, but it is time to switch gears with a focus on Washington DC.

On June 24^th ABC members and staff descended upon Washington DC for its annual Legislative Conference. The conference itself is an education event for members to learn what ABC of America is doing to protect the interests of Merit Shops. Several staff and members of the NH/VT chapter went this year to stay engaged with the national organization and our representatives.

After arriving in DC several members decided it was time to see the city and check out some of the national treasures we have. They joined Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave on what he dubs “Honest Matts Scooter Tour” which began at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum (no scooters in building) and proceeded to go through the national mall seeing the capital building, Washington Monument, World War 2 Memorial, all the way to the Lincoln Memorial and then a loop around the Whitehouse.

After sightseeing everyone returned to the hotels to put on tuxedos for the ABC 75^th Anniversary Gala which was hosted by President George W Bush. This was an amazing event where members got to celebrate 75 years of Merit Shop success and hear a very personal account of the former Presidents time in office.

Wednesday the 25^th was all about business and members visited our congressional delegation. The group split to meet with both NH and VT delegates. First off for Vermont was Representative Becca Balint who invited us into the private office for a great discussion about what we were doing at the Vermont Construction Academy (VCA) to upskill and build the workforce. Balint was more than excited to hear about the industry led effort to tackle the challenges in our workforce and vowed to keep apprenticeship programs alive in the future to bolster our work.

Next, there was a rare and exclusive trip under the capital building in tunnels to go visit the Senate with the first stop being Senator Peter Welch. Welch’s staff had been reporting to him about the great work at the VCA and he applauded our efforts. He also said he would be willing to work towards expanding apprenticeship programs and wanted to work with ABC NH/VT to find good policies he would be able to introduce in future sessions.

The last stop was a trip to Senator Bernie Sanders office. Sanders has not spent a lot of time in Washington DC as he is on a national tour already working on future campaigns, but attendees got to meet with his staff. Although the staff was cordial and inviting it was clear that Sander’s policy agenda does not match that of the Merit Shop, which was no surprise to anyone.

The annual Legislative Convention happens in June and ABC NH/VT encourages members to consider the trip to see not only the power behind our national association but how impactful it is to our congressional delegates to hear directly from business leaders. Please reach out to matt@abcnhvt.org or josh@abcnhvt.org if you have any interest in joining us next year!

New Hampshire Government Affairs Update- June 17, 2025

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 19:08:41 GMT

Closing Days of NH state Budget, ABC Encourages Funds for Construction of Housing

Additional funding for Housing could be a topic of debate. There is a section in HB 2 (page 128, section 392) that extends the lapse of the Housing Champion Designation and Grant Program from June 30, 2025 to June 30^th, 2026. The sum is $5 million. Although a good move, not enough especially with the focus on Housing this session.

Deep cuts have been made to many agencies. The other day they announced the members of the Committee of Conference for the FY 26/27 State Budget. ABC sent a letter to encouraging support for housing (click here). The economic multiplier of construction work would be the most wise and prudent investment the state can make this year.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- June 17, 2025

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 18:52:13 GMT

The Vermont Legislature is on its way to adjournment now two weeks past its scheduled end in May. The delay is due to three legislative priorities and negotiations to get to a “yes” from the Governor. The states housing crisis, education reform and attempts to energize legislators to override a veto of a program funding homeless staying in Vermont hotels.

As of June 13th, a deal has been reached to start repairing Vermont’s expanding school funding issues. The deal reached set targets with contingencies for consolidating schools, changing the funding formulas and changes to exemptions to the property tax for income earners under $115k/year. The full assembly still needs to vote on the bill, but if it passes the Governor has signaled that he will sign it. Of course, floor votes are riddled with amendment proposals and there will be dissent on the package itself which could ultimately kill the bill.

A housing bill has crossed the finish line and has become law with the Governors’ signature. The bill itself leaves many hoping that next year more changes will come that will significantly impact/limit the challenges from Act 250 Vermont’s development law cited as the number one reason for the housing shortage. The bill that passed expands significantly on the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) which is one of the ways the state is trying to soften the cost of housing developments like permitting, engineering, and infrastructure by providing grants for different types of projects. While the grants will soften the blow of the cost, it does not directly change the causation of the high costs. Additionally, the bill would allow developers with approval from municipalities to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to fund infrastructure for projects by reducing the property tax on the development. These and a few other small policy changes are part of a larger effort to make housing more affordable in Vermont, while not addressing the giant elephant in the room: Act 250.

Another priority of the Democrats and Progressives in the legislature is the extension of a previously Federally funded program under COVID to place homeless families in hotels. Once the Federal funding ended legislators redirected some remaining CRF funds to the program which have since run out. Governor Scott is unwilling to extend the program citing, “Rather than continuing to fund a program that isn’t good for those in it, I believe we should focus on real solutions like building additional shelter capacity and requirements to engage in work, training, and treatment for those who need it,”. It is unlikely that the legislature will have the votes to override the veto as its unpopular with Republicans who would be needed to support it.

NH Government Affairs Update- June 2, 2025

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:12:42 GMT

On May 22, 2025, ABC contractors met with the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to discuss improvements to the state’s contracting process. The focus was on reducing the 110-day average timeline from bid opening to issuing a Notice to Proceed and ensuring more timely vendor payments.

Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus acknowledged the need to address material price escalation and tariffs, which currently place a unique burden on contractors working with the state. Key concerns raised during the meeting included a lack of transparency in project budgets, lengthy inter-agency contract reviews, and poor communication—particularly around notifying contractors when contracts are ready for Governor and Council meetings.

Contractors proposed several solutions: announcing project budgets before bidding, allowing agencies to conduct contract reviews simultaneously, and exploring the use of electronic sign-offs to streamline approvals.

The DAS is actively working to improve these processes, and further discussions are planned.

ABC leadership is encouraged by the progress but notes that additional reforms are still needed, including better project documentation, change order management, and improved collaboration across agencies.

Vermont Government Affairs Update – June 3, 2025

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:10:54 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update – June 3, 2025

The Vermont Legislature was scheduled to adjourn on Friday, May 30, but that deadline has been missed. One major issue remains unresolved: school funding and a sweeping miscellaneous education bill that includes significant changes to how services are delivered.

As previously reported, the Legislature has been exploring various ways to reduce school spending without cutting essential programs for Vermont students. The goal is to curb the rising statewide education property tax, which has surged in recent years due to multiple factors.

Governor Scott’s original proposal included several major reforms: reducing the number of school districts (initially down to five); replacing the current two-tier property tax system (homestead and non-homestead) with a single rate while preserving income-based relief for lower-income residents; eliminating student weighting formulas and instead allocating a flat $13,200 per student to school districts; setting a minimum classroom size of 25 students for grades 4–12 and eliminating programs with low enrollment; ending universal school lunches; and introducing a school choice program—an idea strongly opposed by many legislative Democrats.

In contrast, House Bill H.480 sidesteps most of Governor Scott’s recommendations. Instead, it prioritizes school safety, regulating cell phone and social media use in classrooms, and imposing a moratorium on new approved independent schools. It does not directly address the rising costs that concern taxpayers.

A Facebook post from Governor Scott last week signals a likely veto:

"Since Vermonters saw significant property tax increases last year, I’ve been clear: we can’t continue with the status quo because it’s not serving our kids or taxpayers well.

Both the House and Senate passed versions of the education bill spend too much money and implement the transformation too slowly. But I believe we can find a path forward and reach a compromise.

The plan I outlined in January aimed to make Vermont’s education system more equitable, transparent and effective. It focused on student needs and efficient governance, providing better opportunities for every child in Vermont, while also creating a funding structure that is clear, affordable, and sustainable.

These will remain my objectives when evaluating a final bill when it reaches my desk."

We’ll see what happens next—and whether lawmakers are truly hearing Vermonters’ calls to get school spending under control.

Vermont Government Affairs Update – May 20, 2025

Mon, 19 May 2025 12:24:46 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update – May 20, 2025

As we reach the halfway point of May, it appears the Vermont Legislature is on track to adjourn by the end of the month. It has become clear which bills will make it through and which won’t—but that doesn’t mean the action is over. Expect a flurry of amendments and the use of “must-pass” bills as vehicles to advance favored policies. A scheduled veto session in June also leaves room for late-stage negotiations and influence from both sides of the aisle.

Last November, voters turned out in large numbers to support a reasonable state budget, fixes to the education funding system, and increased housing. The Legislature has listened—somewhat.

The state budget has cleared a conference committee, landing at $9.01 billion. While modest compared to Governor Scott’s proposal for fiscal year 2025, it still represents a significant increase in state spending since the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal funds created new programs that the state is now responsible for maintaining. For context, the 2019 budget was $5.8 billion. While many sections of Governor Scott’s budget were increased, there has been no clear indication yet of a veto.

A bill proposing major changes to the delivery and funding of education has passed the House and is currently being reviewed by the Senate—though it’s not generating much enthusiasm from education advocates. Notably, two Senate Democrats on the Education Committee voted “no,” signaling concern. The bill incorporates some of Governor Scott’s recommendations, sets a base payment per student, and introduces a “foundation formula” to give the state more control over school district appropriations. It also addresses classroom sizes and calls for a redistricting committee to evaluate potential district consolidation. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee, where changes are expected. Whether it passes this year remains to be seen, but many see it as a preferable alternative to doing nothing—which last year contributed to sharp property tax increases.

Vermonters did score a win on taxes this year. The “yield” bill, which sets the statewide education property tax, was adjusted to result in only a 1% increase over last year—far lower than the 14% hike the year before.

Meanwhile, meaningful housing development legislation appears to be on life support. Governor Scott sharply criticized the Legislature last week for delaying action on this critical issue. Vermont is currently short 22,000 housing units—a shortage linked to rising homelessness, a shrinking workforce, and young people leaving the state. While some bills offer modest incentives to developers and repeat half-measures of the past, they fail to address the state’s primary obstacle to building more homes: Act 250, which allows small groups to block developments—often for capricious reasons.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- May 5, 2025

Mon, 05 May 2025 17:04:19 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- May 5, 2025

As we enter May there has been much discussion in and around the state house related to date of adjournment, will the budget get vetoed, housing, education funding and more. Adjournment seems to be one up in the air but as of the date of this article most pundits and politicians see May 30^th as being the day everyone goes home for the summer The only exception being a veto session scheduled in June to deal with the budget adjustment act that did not make it past the Governors desk.

Last Monday ABC NH/VT and partners opened the Vermont Construction Academy and were lucky to have many political leaders and politicians in to see the property.

Governor Phil Scott, a former contractor, spoke before the audience of over 120 contractors, press and interested members of the public. In his speech he outlined the challenges to the workforce due to Vermont’s demographics that he has explained hundreds of times. We are losing more and more students, workers and young adults to other states with better economic outcomes and opportunities for housing. Scott addressed the workforce shortage and commended the participants in the building of the facility and training programs for taking the lead on such an important issue.

Lieutenant Governor John Rogers was also in attendance greeting and congratulating the organizations who built the facility. Rogers also a masonry contractor shared his views and story about how the industry helped him achieve his persona goals and looks forward to seeing VCA prop up youth and others entering the industry.

Many Senators and Representatives were also in attendance. They were impressed by the efforts that industry has made to improve the workforce while not asking for handouts or someone else to do it for them. One Senator was particularly impressed by the fact that zero state or federal funds have been used to build the facility. Her realization that industry, well THIS industry, has taken the reigns and will lead their own pathway towards successful recruitment.

Also in attendance were the Commissioner of Department of Labor, Michael Harrington as well as many from his staff and other departments. Other workforce development and building sector people also joined the grand opening. The energy was felt by all.

The results of opening the Vermont Construction Academy and the memory that industry stood up to build their own way out of the workforce shortage will be remembered and aid in future political endeavors for ABC NH/VT.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- April 15, 2025

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 18:50:31 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- April 15, 2025

As April 15^th arrives taxes are being filed, its getting warmer outside and legislators may be seeking an early exit this year. The legislative session in Vermont generally runs January through the end of May. Occasionally it creeps into the month of June if agreements on budgeting or other big-ticket items have completed and sometimes, they return in June to address gubernatorial vetoes. This year K-12 education funding and a housing crisis were the top priorities of most but as we lurch through the session it seems agreement on these are still far away. If the legislators are unable to continue with those larger items, its likely they’ll just move the “must pass” bills like the general budget, transportation funding and normal technical corrections.

The House passed a 176-page education bill that will significantly change the way education is funded and delivered across the state. The bill includes a timeline to impose school closing requirements, changes and consolidation of school districts, new property tax brackets and much much more. It took the house almost 4 months to craft the policy and technically it has not been passed prior to “crossover” so rules would likely have to be suspended for the Senate to take up the bill. As of today, the Senate Pro Tem has not signaled that they have enough time to take a deep dive into the bill which likely means it will be shelved until next year. Since the “yield bill” which sets the 2026 statewide property tax for education has already passed, nothing will change until next year regardless.

Housing has been a slow-moving policy as well. The same actors on behalf of housing and environmental protections are working hard together (and opposed) to expand on work that had been done to create different zones recognized under Act 250 Vermont’s landmark development regulation and find ways to financially support the “missing middle” income earners in home purchases. For those watching closely it consistently feels like one foot forward two feet back in terms of reaching a goal everyone can agree to.

The appeals process of Act 250 permitting has been at the most recent focus. The governor’s original proposition was to change the appeals process “standing” from 20 people in a community to 20% of the community to challenge a permit. Attorneys opposed to the 20% policy have suggested that changing grounds for standing from simply the current “allegation of harm” from a development to “realized injury” that would have to be proven would be the best solution to stop inappropriate appeals from the NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) population who has been blamed for a lack of smart development leading to the housing crisis.

Whether its dealing with disagreements to education funding or how to build more houses, one thing people are well aware of is that May is two weeks away. Will we see an extended legislative session to deal with these issues, or quick adjournment? Some would argue that swift adjournment and returning next year to deal with these issues would be best because they involve only 4-5 committees working on the policies. This would leave the other committees open, with more time, to cook up special interest bills that some may like, and others may not!

Vermont Government Affairs Update- April 1, 2025

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 10:54:04 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- April 1, 2025

As we roll into the second half of the 2025 legislative session its become clear that this is a unique year in terms of policy. The election November which gave more power to Governor Scott and the Republicans is truly forcing legislators to work hard towards compromise bills. Although compromise is the goal, it’s clear that there are still power struggles going on even within party lines. Today marks April 1, which many know to be April Fools Day, but there is very little joking to be had at the state house.

The “Clean Heat Standard” also known as the “Affordable Heat Act” was passed last biennium by a supermajority of Democrats seeking ways to reduce fossil fuel usage in Vermont. The policy would have required fuel dealers to encourage and assist their customers to move away from fossil fuels to heat their homes. If the dealer is not able or willing to report reductions by their customers, they would then be forced to apply a surcharge (some call a carbon tax) which was estimated to be between $2-5/gallon of fuel. With broad public opposition and recent political losses, the legislature seems to have heeded the public’s interest in cancelling the policy.

The heat act was passed with the caveat that the Public Utility Commission (PUC) begins designing the program and identifying fuel dealers in the state, but the reduction requirements would not begin until the 2025-2026 legislature approves the policy again by vote. This has been known as the “look back” policy within the bill that would allow legislators to find out exact cost estimates before enacting the regulations. A report from the PUC in the fall of 2024 prior to legislative session stated that the program would be overtly expensive and that the commission recommends scrapping the proposal.

This opposition was celebrated by opponents to the policy and has caused environmental advocates and Vermont’s Climate Commission to scramble to figure out next steps.

With several bills in play to repeal the heat standard, opponents are hopeful. However, that hope comes with concern as plans are being made to add another component to the bill which would give Vermont’s energy regulator Efficiency Vermont more authority to increase and spend ratepayer taxes on driving electrification goals. This “poison pill” may satisfy removal of the heat standard but will trigger possibly more costly additions to Vermonters electric bills.

In addition to the “poison pill” possibility, Vermont’s Climate Commission is preparing for a lawsuit against Vermont for not complying with Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions act which requires the state to reduce carbon emissions by preset requirements. The lawsuit plans to ask a judge to enact the “Clean Heat Standard” and a carbon “cap and trade” program without having to go through the legislature allowing them to push policy that a majority of voters oppose…..

I wish this was an April Fools joke, but unfortunately it is not.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- March 18, 2025

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:35:16 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- March 18, 2025

On Thursday, March 13, the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General committee took up a slew of bills related to labor laws. ABC NH/VT Vermont Regional Director, Matt Musgrave, was invited to give feedback on the bills introduced. The issues raised were for the most part perennial requests to the legislature from organized labor groups. The policies were introduced in the “11^th hour” of the first half of the biennium. They had not yet received an official bill number, and little to no testimony was received.

For reference, the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General committee has had a history of starting big labor bills which generally do not make it through the rest of the legislative process but are nods to labor organizations from the committee.

One of the favorite requests from labor organizations is that Vermont turn away from a long tradition of “employment at will” which allows an employer to separate an employee for no reason to a new “just cause” termination law. Musgrave's testimony on this policy served as more of an education than position statement showing there is no need for a “just cause” standard. In fact, the Vermont unemployment system already recognizes terminations for no cause and requires employers pay into an unemployment trust fund for the benefit of those employees let go by no cause, or layoffs. In addition, Musgraves testimony pointed out that the unemployment trust fund that has more than $300 million would have to be redistributed to the payors who had built the trust fund which includes businesses that have closed in the past. The committee’s response was that there was not likely time to vet this policy, so they moved on. In the rare event that the language finds its way into a bill this year would most likely result in a veto by Governor Scott.

Musgrave began testimony on “right to sit” with some humor that was inspired by the sitcom Seinfeld. In the episode, one of the characters advocated to a retail security guard’s management that he should be allowed to sit while on the job. Management obliged and the security guard fell asleep. Aside from the appropriate amount of humor, Musgrave pointed out that OSHA and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) already consider the need to sit. The OSHA 5A standard requires that employers keep employees safe from known hazards and if standing was causing undue injury they would need to be accommodated. ADA requires that reasonable accommodation must be made for someone with physical challenges preventing them from standing. Even with the clear explanation one Senator was strongly advocating for the policy, but the rest of the committee felt the policy went too far and left it behind.

A big policy change was introduced related to Vermont’s Prevailing Wage. The proposal would remove the existing system which is based on surveys of Vermont’s actual wages and replace it by tying the classification wages to that of the “closest” by geography union bargaining agreement. Musgrave testified that making this change would be unreasonable due to the fact Vermont’s construction workforce is less than 2% union so any local wages (which might not even exist) would be outliers not representing actual Vermont wages. Also, it was pointed out that due to the lack of unions in Vermont, northern New York, and most of New Hampshire would require wages to be tied to Massachusetts wages, or that of the unions operating in Portsmouth’s military installations with neither representing actual Vermont wages. The committee chair admitted this was not realistic to take up this year but stopped short of agreeing it was a bad idea.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- March 4, 2025

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:25:38 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- March 4, 2025

The Vermont Legislature has gone on recess for the week of March 3^rd to return home for town meeting day. This is a time of the year that elected leaders stand before their localities to share with them the progress that they have made improving the lives of Vermonters. It is also the time where townspeople vote on their selectboards and other local initiatives. This year, however legislators will have very little progress to report to their constituents due to it being the first year of a biennium and the overshadowing priority of school funding.

In response to rapidly rising costs of education and soaring property taxes that fund it, Governor Scotts administration has presented a bill to change Vermont’s system completely. Vermont ended up in a statewide payer model after a lawsuit in the 1990s known as the “Brigham Case” which was brought against the state due to significant disparities between school districts funding which violated students constitutional rights. The system created a separation between voters deciding on their local school budgets and what the impact of taxes would be. Because the statewide property tax is a rate set by state government, it shields some communities from bad (expensive) decisions because they don’t directly pay the costs. This has ballooned over the years, handing Vermonters a 14% property tax increase in 2024.

The Scott administration’s bill proposes to do many things. Scotts “Stronger Schools” approach would make significant changes to funding and governance models. One major move would be to consolidate 119 school districts to just 5 to reduce administrative costs. It would also change the statewide property tax by eliminating a system that had both homestead and non-homestead tax rates and creating just one rate. It would still allow people below a certain income threshold to reduce their property tax burden. It would remove student weighting formulas replacing it with a flat $13,200/student to school districts. The policy also takes aim at classroom sizes, setting a minimum of 25 in grades 4-12 and proposes eliminating programs that do not have minimum populations of students. Two major sticking points for Democrats opposing the policy is the elimination of the COVID instituted universal school lunch program and creating a “school choice” policy the teachers unions fear the most. If the plan moves forward, which is yet to be clear, it will enact over several years completing in the 2028 school year.

While all the politicians at the table agree there is a school funding crisis, and that the voters overwhelmingly told them so last election it is to be seen whether real change will happen or the Democrat majority in the legislature will just try to wait out Governor Scotts proposals until they die at the end of the session. Education funding has plagued Vermont since the Brigham decision and Vermonters votes last election are proof its time for change.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- February 18, 2025

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 13:00:00 GMT

On Friday, February 7th, ABC NH/VT Vermont Regional Director Matt Musgrave and chair of the newly formed Vermont Construction Academy board Jon Pizzagalli descended on Montpelier to testify at Vermont’s commerce committees. They would introduce the works of ABC NH/VT including the apprenticeship program successes and future education plans that would take place at the new Vermont Construction Academy training facility in Winooski. Jon focused his testimony on the needs of the industry and that more proactive effort was needed to make young people and people considering career changes successful. That effort to improve the outcomes for new construction workers starts with programs like Vermont Construction Academy.

In the morning, they testified in front of the Senate Economic Development, Housing and Commerce committee followed by the House Committee on Commerce in the afternoon. The committees all seemed to be impressed by the work that had been done by the private industry partners and they wanted to learn more. They also wanted to set up tours of the training facility.

You can view the committee testimony by clicking the links below:

Senate Economic Development Committee Testimony – Starts at minute 44:00

House Commerce Committee Testimony- Starts at beginning

Op-Ed: Protecting Fair Competition in NH’s Public Construction Sector

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:40:29 GMT

February 11, New Hampshire Journal

New Hampshire has long prided itself on a competitive, business-friendly environment that fosters growth, innovation, and economic prosperity. However, that advantage is under threat due to government-mandated Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), which stifle fair competition in our public construction sector. That is why the Associated Builders & Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter (ABC) strongly supports Sen. Regina Birdsell’s Senate Bill 88 (SB88), legislation that ensures taxpayer-funded projects are awarded through fair and open competition.

PLAs impose restrictive conditions that often disadvantage non-union, merit shop contractors—excluding them from the negotiation process and forcing them to adhere to union-specific work rules. These agreements may require companies to recognize unions for job representation, use union hiring halls for workforce recruitment, and abide by union benefit structures.

A 2021 study by Dr. John McGowan, formerly of Saint Louis University, found that merit shop workers on PLA projects can lose up to 34 percent of their take-home pay to benefits they do not utilize. That essentially amounts to wage theft, favoring a specific segment of the industry while sidelining qualified, skilled workers who do not belong to a union.

The consequences of mandated PLAs extend beyond workers—they directly affect taxpayers. Studies indicate that PLAs can increase construction costs by as much as 20 percent compared to non-PLA projects. Reduced competition leads to inflated bids, meaning that fewer infrastructure improvements can be completed with the same budget.

Twenty-five other states have recognized this issue and enacted policies prohibiting government-mandated PLAs on public projects. It is critical that New Hampshire follow suit to prevent unnecessary cost increases and ensure our construction sector remains competitive.

SB 88 is a common-sense solution that applies solely to state-funded projects while leaving local municipalities free to make their own decisions. It does not ban the use of PLAs; rather, it prevents the state government from mandating them, allowing contractors and their workforce to make their own labor management decisions.

This stands in stark contrast to Massachusetts, where recent legislation now requires government agencies to explore PLAs for every public project—forcing many businesses and workers to relocate to states with more favorable policies, including New Hampshire. We cannot afford to follow that path.

Without the Fair and Open Competition Act, government-mandated PLAs threaten New Hampshire’s economic strength in several ways: Excluding 90 percent of New Hampshire’s 38,000 hardhats from opportunities in their own communities, replacing them with contractors from Massachusetts. Raising costs on taxpayers by increasing construction expenses by up to 20 percnt, worsening inflation and harming small businesses. Undermining local control and negotiated contracts, leading to reduced take-home pay for workers and fewer infrastructure improvements across the state.

SB 88 ensures that New Hampshire continues to benefit from an open and competitive construction market, where taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently, and all qualified contractors have an equal opportunity to bid on state-funded projects. By passing this legislation, we can protect the integrity of our public procurement process, safeguard jobs for local workers, and keep costs manageable for New Hampshire residents.

Let’s maintain the New Hampshire Advantage—support SB88 to preserve fairness, competition, and economic efficiency in our state’s public construction sector.

Vermont Government Affairs Update- February 4, 2025

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:54:19 GMT

Vermont Government Affairs Update- February 4, 2025

On Tuesday, January 28, Governor Phil Scott addressed the Vermont people and the legislature from the floor of the House or Representatives. In his address he outlined the many differences in opinions with the way he and the former legislative supermajority believed the state should be spending taxpayer funds. He also proudly explained that we need to “fix broken systems not just fund them” when we are not happy with the results that we get from Vermonts programs such as education. His focus in the 2026 state budget will be creating affordable housing and transforming the grades PreK-12 education funding system.

This Vermont budget announcement comes on the heels of the 2025 presidential inauguration. There is fear among Vermonts legislators that Federally funded programs, or other State programs expected to end with the Trump administration which could Vermonts many nonprofits. Many of the legislators in Vermonts mostly “blue” leaning state house have been writing bills to deal with concerns related to social policies or economic policies that will impact many of their favorite initiatives and organizations. Some of those bills are/will be aimed at initiatives like universal school lunch and some will be workforce development programs.

Apart from the few “must pass” bills that go every year, some technical updated to existing laws, and some environmental law revisions there have been few bills related to employment or contractors released in the legislature so far. Most agree that in Vermont this is usually a good thing. This is quite normal at the beginning of a Vermont biennium, but rapid release of bills is expected soon.

Your team at ABC NH VT is hard at work looking for ways to promote your industry and the hard work you do, so we can get help with workforce development programs from our partners in government. There are “annual” bills related to housing, workforce and economic development that are places good ideas can be introduced by the public and even ABC NH VT that we will be working on this year.

This week be on the lookout on our social media and within our emails for links to see Matt Musgrave, Vermont Regional Director- ABC NH who will be at the state house with a special guest and first public announcement of Vermont’s newest training center for construction at the legislature.

Vermont Government Affairs Update January 21, 2025

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:10:38 GMT

As expected, the beginning of the 2025/2026 legislative biennium got off to a slow start, but by design. The first few days of the session organize legislative members to their respective committees, organize leadership, and behind the scenes, they are organizing their priorities. As of Friday, January 17, only 60 bills have been introduced out of a likely 1,000 bills between both the Senate and the House over the next 30 days.

The House of Representatives, unlike the Senate, elected their leader, “Speaker of the House,” prior to the beginning of the session in a member caucus, with Representative Jill Krowinski from Burlington holding on to her seat for another term. The three-person Senate “Committee on Committees,” which assigns members to committees, is composed of the Senate Pro Tem, Senate Majority Leader, and Lieutenant Governor. Because the Lieutenant Governor is not officially installed until the session begins, the Senate waits to appoint their committees and their chairs. Both chambers appoint their committees within the first week of the session.

Due to Republicans picking up seats in both the House and the Senate, it changed the composition of leadership. With no official formula, it has been precedent that there is parity between the parties’ members at large and who chairs committees. This means that Republicans picked up chair positions in both chambers.

For the first time in three bienniums, a Republican, Rep. Matt Walker of Swanton, has taken control of the House Transportation Committee as chair. Senator Brian Collamore of Rutland has taken control of the powerful Senate Government Ops Committee, which directs state employees, state contracting laws, and other governmental directives. Senator Russ Ingalls of Essex County was moved as chair from the Institutions Committee to the Agriculture Committee, which is of interest because it’s a committee that will reengage the “right to repair” bill that impacts Vermont’s heavy equipment dealers.

There were not a lot of other surprise changes to committee chairs, although it’s notable that Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, who became Senate Majority Leader, ceded her chair position of Economic Development to Senator Alison Clarkson, the previous majority leader.

The House created, or recreated, the Energy and Technology Committee, which moved some members around, including Representative Tom Stevens of Waterbury, who had been helpful with contractor needs in his prior position as chair of House General and Housing, which deals with employer/employee bills. His replacement, Representative March Mihaly, had been on the committee previously and has a moderate approach that should benefit ABC priorities.

Governor Scott gave his inaugural address and coined a term, “Legalize Housing,” which, although humorous, also sheds light on what some consider to be a moratorium on affordable housing in Vermont. Between the needs of the housing sector, emerging healthcare issues, and public safety, this session will be one to pay attention to. Your team at ABC NH/VT will be in your corner!

To participate in ABC NH/VT’s government affairs committee, please contact matt@abcnhvt.org.