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.