In a short three weeks from today the first fall of the gavel will occur at the Vermont State House signaling the start of the 2024/2025 legislative biennium. After a wild election season with national and state political shake ups voters are anxious to see what their newly elected leaders will accomplish, or not. The first couple weeks of the Vermont legislature are filled with ceremonial and educational traditions. Legislative committees will be assigned to members, and they will get to see where their desks will be for the next two years. The House of Representatives has 13 committees that meet each day, all day when the floor is not in session, and each has 7-10 members. The Senate has 11 committees that meet each day, but only for half the day. The Senate has only 30 members unlike the Houses 150, which requires Senators to participate in two committees to complete the workload. The members of the legislature will also spend time in either committees or on the floor of their respective chambers taking trainings. The trainings they receive range from ethics to sexual harassment to procedural education so that everyone is on the same page though the session. In committees, the chairs spend time bringing their members up to speed on their duties and perennial issues they tackle.

On Wednesday, November 20th ABC NH/VT was invited to Governors Phil Scotts office on the “5th floor” of the Pavilion building in Montpelier, VT for his weekly press conference. Ryan Ahern, Director of Field Operations for ReArch and Ted Sheehan, Apprentice Participant at ReArch also attended the press conference to recognize apprenticeship week. Vermont Works for Women who also hosts apprenticeship programs joined in the conference. Governor Scott started off the press conference with a speech recognizing the hard work Vermonters face in growing their workforce, but also in retaining the workforce through programs like apprenticeships. Scotts applauded that employers across the state now have over 1,500 active participants in apprenticeships and that the state would work hard to expand those opportunities and programs. The Governor pointed out that we need to continue to create pathways into professions because the average age of a worker in Vermont is 55 and we are in a demographic crisis.

On Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, Vermont Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland Hanzas, certified the election results from the prior week’s election which point to a changing trajectory in Vermont. Hanzas, while certifying her own reelection, was one of the six statewide candidates who won reelection. Our Congressional delegation will remain the same as Vermonters sent Representative Becca Balint and Senator Bernie Sanders back to Washington DC. State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Auditor Doug Hoffer and Governor Phil Scott also sailed into easy reelection. The only surprise in the statewide candidate races was the Lieutenant Governor race which had Republican John Rogers of Orleans County beat incumbent Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman. The race which Rogers won by only 6,000 votes represented the real shift in Vermont politics showing a resounding opposition to progressive policies and wild state spending. This race is likely to put an end to Zuckerman’s chances to run for governor in the future and the opposite for Rogers.

Today is Election Day! As we cast our votes, we also turn our attention to the rapidly approaching 2025 legislative session in January. The drop of the gavel always seems to come quicker than some would expect or enjoy. In the months leading up to the opening of the state house, legislative and administrative study committees have been racing to complete their reports and, more importantly, their recommendations in time for the incoming legislature. ABC has been tracking several of those studies that may have significant impacts on contractors. Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation has released a report detailing its recommendations for reducing and eliminating PFAS, or “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,” from consumer products. These man-made chemicals are resistant to heat, water, oil, and grease, and are found in products such as carpets, clothing, cookware, food packaging, firefighting foams, paints, cleaning products, microelectronics, batteries, and medical equipment. Commonly called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are suspected carcinogens linked to various illnesses, including cancer and other serious diseases. Vermont took notice of PFAS contamination after groundwater near a dry-cleaning chemical company was discovered to be contaminated several years ago. The report focuses primarily on intentional additions to consumer products. While there are many exemptions to the rulemaking process, it remains unclear how items like personal protective equipment or construction materials might be impacted. Once reviewed by the legislature, a bill may follow that incorporates some or all of the report’s recommendations. ABC will monitor this process closely to ensure contractors’ concerns are addressed before any potential legislation is passed.

Ballots have arrived in the mail for most Vermonters. Spoiler alert: not much will change this year. As of October 15th, the statewide election races are basically locked in with the same people representing Vermonters expected to win, except for Lieutenant Governor. Incumbent David Zuckerman from Hinesburg faces off with Republican (formerly Democrat) John Rodgers of Essex-Orleans County for the #2 seat in the state house.

The state of Vermont is a buzz of political calls, emails and events across the state as ballots will be mailed in the next week to all registered voters. In addition, many reports due to the legislature are in the process of completion or have been delivered to answer several questions related to professions including residential contracting, building code studies and education funding.

With the 2024 General Election right around the corner Vermont candidates are out pounding the pavement, attending events and fundraising to keep themselves front of mind with voters through November. With Vermonts new program of mailing absentee ballots to the list of registered voters, people will begin casting theirs as early as the first week of October.

Burlington, VT (June 20) – Associated Builders & Contractors NH/VT Chapter (ABC) and ReSOURCE conducted a graduation ceremony, June 20, for three apprentices graduating from the inaugural class of the association’s new carpentry apprentice program.

Founded in 2007, the Future Leaders in Construction (FLiC) program is a leadership development initiative designed for both emerging leaders and established professionals who are committed to making a significant impact in their work and personal lives. Whether you are working in the field or in the office, FLiC offers a unique and enriching experience by bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering a rich environment for learning and growth.

The annual Safety Awards recognize commendable safety performance of individual firms. The awards are intended to convey ABC’s strong support of safety performance in full recognition of the fact that each firm has the responsibility for execution of safety, to ensure an overall safe workplace.