Governor Phil Scott

Earlier today, I met with legislative leaders to approve using additional money to help lower income Vermonters who rely on the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to cover at least part of the cost of their heating fuel this winter. This year, with the high cost of fuel, we know our LIHEAP funding isn’t going to go anywhere near far enough. I'm hopeful Congress will understand the urgency and do the right thing by increasing the funding for this program, which helps some of our most vulnerable Vermonters.

I kicked today off with a meeting with my extended cabinet team, which we do regularly. They’re leaders and subject matter experts across state government who oversee programs, develop and implement policy proposals to keep state government running and make sure Vermonters are getting the services they need. This time of year, their work is often criticized, so today I took the opportunity to thank them for all they do. I know Vermonters are better off because of the dedication and hard work of these public servants and their teams.

This is exactly why we need to follow through with bold education and property tax reform. The status quo is leading to unacceptable property tax increases, while results decline. It also means we have less money to invest in roads, bridges and other services that Vermonters depend on. If we follow through, and dare to do things differently, we can reduce property taxes and increase opportunities for our kids. Inaction is simply not an option. wcax.com/2026/10/07/vermonts…

Today at BROC in Rutland, I announced my Administration will bring froward a proposal for increased assistance for home heating fuel as federal funding for the LIHEAP program continues to be uncertain. With the extremely high cost of fuel heading into winter, we know our current LIHEAP funding isn’t going to go anywhere near far enough. It is clear we must prepare to help reassure Vermonters and provide greater certainty with an increased state commitment of support.

There’s something special about what’s happening at GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction where Vermonters are working with and making some of the most advanced technology in the world. It was good to be there today to celebrate a key milestone their transition to clean energy which will help them optimize energy use, manage costs, and put underutilized industrial land to use while reducing costs by more than $40 million over the next 25 years for GlobalFoundries and ratepayers. Economic growth should always be a priority of government and so should clean energy innovation and affordability. And when we do it right, like everyone has done on this project, it helps us attain our economic and environmental goals faster while making Vermont more competitive and affordable.

It was the perfect fall day to spend in Danville at the annual Autumn on the Green festival! It was great to connect with so many small businesses and Vermonters, including one of my yougest constituents!

When we started this program over 20 years ago, I saw an opportunity to keep tires out of our rivers, help Vermonters purchase good used tires for pennies on a dollar and keep Vermonters warm in the winter. It was a win-win-win. With the ever-increasing cost of winter tires, electricity and heating fuel, this program can make a real difference. But we can’t do it without tires, so if you have tires in good condition, please consider dropping them off, it’s a great way to help your neighbors and our communities.

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band visited Vermont last week and put on an incredible show for service members, veterans, and their families with an opening act from the Vermont National Guard band! Vermont was the 49th stop on the band's 50-state tour. Their mission is simple, to give military members and their families an uplifting show to build community and camaraderie among them. It’s clear they’re making a positive impact, and it was a great night to remind our service members how much we appreciate their willingness to step up and serve. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

I’ve been working with governors from both parties to make sure we strengthen the balance of power between states and the federal government because we’ve seen what can happen when Washington oversteps its authority. This isn’t a partisan issue, it’s about doing what’s right for our states and the people we were elected to represent, regardless of which party is in control. Read more here: stateline.org/2026/09/28/gov…

The recent closure of Finch Paper's pulp mill created uncertainty for Vermont's forest products industry and this change to allow wood that's already been harvested to be put to use, is a practical solution. Loggers and timber harvesters are a huge part of our rural communities and it's important we continue to look for ways to help them stay in business with viable markets to sell to. It's good for our economy and important to the long-term health of our forests.

Twenty-five years ago today, far too many Americans woke up that peaceful September morning, went to the office, the firehouse, the police station, boarded a plane, and never came home. In less than two hours, our lives, and the world, changed forever. Terrorism struck our country, taking the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans, injuring thousands more, and leaving scars on the hearts and minds of millions. September 11 showed us the consequences of hatred and division. But September 12, and the weeks that followed, showed us what we’re capable of when we look out for each other. Our duty to those we honor today is not simply to remember what happened twenty-five years ago, but also to remember what happened after and the unity we saw across our nation.

It was an honor to join military families in welcoming home members of the Vermont Air National Guard Sunday evening following their deployment. Today, the remaining members deployed, who serve as pilots, returned home with their planes. We're grateful for the men and women who serve our country, and for the families who support them while they’re away.

It was great to see so many Vermonters in Northfield for their Labor Day parade! As we celebrate Labor Day today, I want to thank the thousands of workers across the state who step up every day to serve their communities and neighbors.

It was great to take a flight in one of BETA’s aircraft! ✈️ The cutting edge work Kyle Clark and his team at @BETA_aircraft are doing is impressive and I’m glad they’ve chosen to invest here in Vermont.

I've proclaimed today as Overdose Awareness Day in Vermont. 173 Vermonters lost their lives to overdose in 2025, a significant decrease from 269 fatal overdoses in 2022, the highest number of fatal overdoses to date. It's important we continue to invest in proven strategies and reduce the sigma around substance use disorder because one life lost to overdose in Vermont is one too many.

This is petty and disappointing. We should be at the negotiating table, finding a path forward that strengthens both the U.S. and Canadian economies. Further escalating tensions does nothing to help American or Canadian families and businesses.

Today marks the first day of the new school year for many students across Vermont. Wishing all our kids, parents, and educators a safe, successful and fun 2026-2027 school year! 🍎

It was an honor to host the 47th annual New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers conference here in Vermont. It's an opportunity for us to bring together regional leaders to discuss continued coordination on shared regional interests, challenges, and opportunities. At a time of uncertainty and strain in the relationship between our countries, governors and premiers have a very important role to play in keeping those connections strong. I believe we’ve demonstrated that we can continue working together toward our shared interests, regardless of the political disagreements at the national level. Thank you to @BETA_aircraft and Shelburne Farms for hosting and helping us show some of what Vermont has to offer! Photos by Beta Technologies & Oliver Ames / Ames Consulting