Vermont

Gov. Phil Scott announces $30 million in CARES-funded housing assistance

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott announced a $30 million housing assistance program for renters, landlords, and lower-income homeowners who have been affected by COVID-19.
The programs, funded through the federal CARES Act, provide relief for those tenants unable to pay rent, landlords...

Gov. Scott calls for prosecution of Minneapolis officers

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott used his Monday press briefing to address the murder of George Floyd, and the protests that subsequently swept the globe, sometimes turning violent. Gov. Scott also announced the launch of a racial equity task force here in Vermont.
Gov. Scott expressed his...

Governor opens more business sectors, expands gatherings to 25 people

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott announced another "turn of the spigot" in the phased reopening of Vermont's economy and social activity Friday.
"Looking at our latest data and the latest recommendation from the department of health, we feel like it is safe to turn the spigot a bit more today...

Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine at Wednesday's press conference.

State stats still look promising

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott said his team would be monitoring neighboring states for indications that Vermont could open its borders to tourists again, and Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine fired back at a national news report that listed Vermont as a “trouble spot” for coronavirus...

Governor proposes $400 million state relief plan

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott and members of his administration announced their proposed $400 million economic relief and recovery package on Wednesday.
At his press conference Wednesday, Gov. Scott said the proposed relief would use funds from the $1.25 billion the state received through...

Retail businesses to begin reopening May 18

MONTPELIER- Retail businesses may begin reopening next week, Gov. Phil Scott announced at his press conference Monday morning. He also indicated that his emergency order, extended until May 15, would be extended again. "You can expect, when the emergency order is extended on Friday, it will...

Governor tees up more businesses, small groups

MONTPELIER- At his press briefing Wednesday, Gov. Scott said Vermonters can resume small social gatherings and limited outdoor activities.
Addendum 13 to his March 13 emergency order, signed Wednesday, allows gatherings outdoors or at homes of 10 or fewer people, provided they observe...

Gov. Scott opens the spigot another quarter turn

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott opened the economic "spigot" another turn today, with the signing of addendum 12 to his March 13 executive order declaring a state of emergency.
This week's order will bring businesses with 10 employees or less back to work, provided they follow the governor's...

Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine

State to ramp up testing, tracing

MONTPELIER- The state will turn its focus to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing as it contemplates bringing more of the economy back on line. Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday at a press conference the state would ramp up its testing capacity to 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day, and 7,000 per week. ...

Directive to wear face masks in public may be coming

MONTPELIER- At a press conference Monday, exactly one month after declaring a state of emergency, Gov. Phil Scott hinted that there may be more orders coming this week, including a directive to wear face masks when in public.
"It's hard to believe it was only one month ago today that I...