Governor Phil Scott

82nd Governor of Vermont | Working to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Today, Vermont's families, workers, and small businesses face some of the highest health insurance costs in America while having fewer affordable choices than people living in neighboring states. That should concern all of us, regardless of what political party we align with.

Throughout my 25 years in public service, I've never served in the majority. That experience has taught me an important lesson: Vermont gets much better policy when no single political philosophy dominates the debate. Our best solutions come from testing ideas, challenging assumptions, and finding common ground.

Unfortunately, for more than three decades, the Legislature pursued healthcare policies, culminating in Act 48 in 2011, which directed the state to design a taxpayer-funded single-payer healthcare system. Although Governor Shumlin ultimately concluded that plan wasn't financially viable, millions of taxpayer dollars were spent pursuing it, and much of the regulatory framework created during that period remains in place today, despite my repeated requests to bring our healthcare policy back into the mainstream.

That's why I've issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to use every executive authority available to expand affordable health insurance choices, reduce costs, and prepare additional reforms for next year's legislative session. My Executive Order is only the beginning. It’s important to realize that modernizing Vermont's healthcare system requires legislative action. That means Vermonters will need to elect legislators willing to evaluate policies based on today's realities rather than yesterday's assumptions.

Read more here: https://t.co/s68ynlDeF6

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

It was good to in my hometown of Barre today for the Heritage Festival Parade, march with the Barre Elks Club and see some of my classmates from Spaulding High School!

The festival's purpose is one I think we could all do a little more often - connect with our communities and neighbors. I'm grateful to the Barre Partnership for organizing a great event that gives everyone something to enjoy.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

It was good to be in Winooski today at VHV for their apprenticeship graduation ceremony! I’ve always advocated for more trades training because they’re great career choices. The knowledge and skills today’s graduates have learned will open doors for the rest of their professional lives.

If you’re interested in learning more about apprenticeships and the sectors offering them, visit the Department of Labor: https://t.co/RxGQSHOKbN

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Yesterday, I signed an executive order directing state agencies and departments to prioritize local news businesses for state advertising. This makes sure that the taxpayer dollars we use to communicate important information to Vermonters are always used in the best possible way.

Having strong regional news outlets is especially important here in Vermont. As I’ve talked about many times, I believe a big contributor to the harmful policies that come out of Montpelier is the fact that rural Vermont is under-represented and far too often, gets entirely ignored.

Just look at Act 181 as a prime example. Throughout the 2024 legislative session I must have held a dozen press conferences, and issued dozens of statements, pleading for the supermajority at the time to understand the harm it would do to rural Vermont. I believe I called it a “death knell” for rural Vermont at one time. And I vetoed the bill for that reason, but it was overridden and became law.

As we saw this session, once those impacts were seen and felt by rural communities, they rose up. And their voices couldn’t be ignored, so the worst parts of the bill were repealed.

If we had more local news outlets in those rural communities with the resources and staff to regularly cover what happens in Montpelier, maybe we could have saved ourselves two years, and the worst parts of the bill could have never passed in the first place.

That’s how important good, straightforward, informative local news coverage is for our small communities.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Today the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) voted against making it easier to build or revitalize homes in buffer zones on less than 3% of the total land area of Vermont, such as downtowns and existing neighborhood areas, previously designated by the Legislature as a priority area for housing.

Following months of negotiations, my Administration narrowed our original proposal, earning the support of both environmental and housing advocacy organizations. Despite that broad agreement, the legislative committee voted 5-3 against our proposed change.

If the legislative majority cannot come together around a compromise supported by both housing and environmental advocates, it's hard to see how we'll solve Vermont's affordability crisis without having more mainstream legislators in Montpelier.

I’d like to thank Senators Beck and Weeks and Representative Higley for their common-sense votes today. At this point, we will be assessing our options to find a path forward.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

My feelings on punitive tariffs imposed on Canada have not changed over the last two years and are simply a bad idea that will lead to increased costs on Vermonters.

As I’ve said before, this added burden would create real challenges for our residents and businesses who are already facing economic headwinds. Canadians are our friendly neighbors and long time allies, and we should be working together to find solutions that strengthen the region, not further divide us.

As I prepare to host the Premiers of Eastern Canadian Provinces in Vermont next month, my message is clear: we are good friends and partners, and I’m committed to strengthening our economic and cultural ties to benefit both sides of the border.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Wishing all Vermonters and visitors a happy and safe 4th of July! 🇺🇸

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

It was great to be in Brattleboro today to celebrate the new Amtrak station. Like any transportation project, this station is the result of all of us, Amtrak (and in particular, Bill Hollister, who’s retired now but has been instrumental in all we’ve accomplished with Amtrak over decades), VTRANS, the Town of Brattleboro, New England Central Railroad, legislators, and our congressional delegation, as well as the general contractor, Enfield, for working together to get the job done.

This new station includes upgrades to give travelers a better experience from better lighting, to improved ADA accessibility, relocating the parking lot so it's on the same side of the road as the station, as well as the Words Trail Project murals.

This project is a great example of what's possible when all levels of government , federal, state and local, work together for the greater good.

https://t.co/mgkBLIvd9b

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Since coming into office, I've believed our vehicle inspection manual has needed an overhaul. My Administration has already eliminated hundreds of unneeded pages. Although the DMV already has the authority to make changes and legislation was not necessary, I signed S.326 into law because it had other helpful provisions. We’ll continue to make common sense changes to the inspection manual that focus on vehicle safety rather than failing vehicles for unnecessary reasons.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads across Vermont! Even after all this time, I continue to be inspired by the strength and resilience my dad showed us.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Today I signed S.325 which repeals the harmful Road Rule and Tier 3 provisions the legislative supermajority enacted in 2024 over my objection. While I appreciate their willingness to reverse course, if they had just engaged with us, the minority, and rural Vermonters, we wouldn't have wasted valuable time and hundreds of thousands of dollars just to arrive at the same conclusion.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

The State of Vermont is kicking off the summer season with free admission to Vermont State Parks and Vermont State Historic Sites on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. This annual Vermont Days celebration encourages Vermonters and visitors to get outside, learn, recreate, fish, and more.

We’re fortunate to live in such a beautiful state with impressive landmarks and tightknit communities. Vermont Days is a good way to welcome more Vermonters and visitors to these sites. Going outside, enjoying ourselves and connecting with our neighbors has never been more important. So, get out there and celebrate with us for Vermont Days!

For more information and to learn more about events happening at State Parks next weekend, visit https://t.co/sRZDJj02Gk.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

In January, I was clear about my expectations for the session: to follow through on what Vermonters sent us here to do and fix what’s broken or not working well. We did make some progress this session, and I don't believe any of it would have happened without more balance in the Legislature.

As bills begin to be delivered to my desk, I'll continue to do what I’ve always done - weigh the good against the bad and decide what's best for Vermont. Without a supermajority to deal with, coupled with different perspectives and a willingness to listen and compromise before bills reach my desk, I'm hopeful there will be fewer vetoes.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Since our nation’s earliest days, Vermonters have fought and died to protect the freedoms we enjoy today. Time and time again, Vermonters have shouldered more than our share in the fight for freedom, and it is our duty to honor those who left and never came home.

Theirs is the greatest example of what it means to be an American: the selfless sacrifice made in defense of freedom and in service to something greater than themselves. So today, and every day, let us remember the names and faces of those who sacrificed all for each and every one of us.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

With an expensive system and declining student outcomes, my team put forward a plan to address the challenges our education system is facing.

Yet, the legislature may be poised to defund the Agency of Education’s literacy initiative, while doing nothing to save our education system, and property taxpayers.

Read more here: https://t.co/Y1KOxko7Y9

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my loving, caring and hardworking mom (who celebrated her 90th birthday last month!). Wishing her, my wife Diana, my daughter Rachael, and all the moms across Vermont a very happy Mother’s Day!

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

It was great to be in Morrisville last night honoring Kathy Demars as this year’s Lamoille County Good Scout Recipient. Kathy is someone who has spent decades serving her community and setting an example for all of us to follow.

It’s events like these that remind us that as individuals, and as citizens, we have a duty to each other to do our part. To look for opportunities to be helpful, to be good role models, and give people we disagree with the benefit of the doubt.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

Two years ago, I vetoed what became Act 181 because I knew it would have devastating consequences for rural Vermont. Montpelier should be focusing on how to give Vermonters a leg up, not making it harder and more expensive for rural communities to grow and thrive.

Yesterday, the House majority finally listened to the voices of rural Vermonters and voted to repeal the most harmful aspects of Act 181.

I'm appreciative of legislators who have long advocated for this. I hope Vermonters stay engaged as S.325 moves back to the Senate.

[Governor Phil Scott @GovPhilScott]

57 years ago, there were no wild turkey left in Vermont, until a small flock of 17 was released by the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Pawlet. Today, there are about 50,000 across the state. It was a privilege to join Rep. Chris Pritchard and over 200 others in West Pawlet this afternoon to dedicate a historical marker and celebrate one of Vermont’s greatest restoration and conservation success stories. This incredible, decades-long effort would not have been possible without the contributions of rural Vermonters and landowners, who for generations have been stewards of our landscapes, habitats, wildlife, working lands, and so much of what makes Vermont special.