by Matt Cota, for the Meadow Hill View
Fuel and Food Funds Approved
The Vermont Emergency Board approved the use of state funds to sustain fuel and food assistance programs affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The E-Board confirmed that Vermont will fully fund its fuel assistance program, ensuring benefits continue without interruption. Although the state had anticipated receiving $23 million in federal funds, officials are confident those dollars will be reimbursed once Congress passes a spending bill and the federal government reopens. Fuel assistance payments are expected to be issued in the second week of November. While the average benefit amount has not yet been finalized, it is expected to be similar to last winter.
The situation surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/3SquaresVT program is more complicated. More than 60,000 Vermonters depend on these benefits, which total about $12 million each month. The E-Board unanimously authorized $6.3 million in state funding to cover two weeks of benefits during the federal lapse. Because these expenditures are not reimbursable, the allocation was limited to a two-week period. Technical issues related to loading state funds onto existing EBT cards have been resolved, though minor disruptions may still occur.
Two days after the E-Board approved the use of state funds, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to continue funding SNAP during the shutdown. The ruling found that the administration acted unlawfully by refusing to tap an emergency reserve—enacted by Congress and totaling billions of dollars—to sustain the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. It remains unclear when the federal funds will be distributed or how much recipients will receive in November, as the emergency reserves are sufficient to provide only partial benefits.
Housing Help
When the Legislature and Governor Scott enacted the Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) last spring, it marked a significant step toward addressing Vermont’s housing shortage. The Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC), in coordination with the Scott Administration, began developing program guidance shortly after adjournment. The process included input from housing organizations and policy experts to clarify eligible infrastructure, define public benefits, and outline financing mechanisms for developers and municipalities. VEPC recently approved final guidance, positioning the program to launch in early 2026. Implementation will determine how effectively CHIP supports new housing development across the state.
At the same time, the Act 181 map-making process is helping regional planners and municipalities identify priority growth areas—the locations best suited for future housing and infrastructure investment. The process also incorporates the “road rule,” which focuses housing development near existing roads and utilities to minimize sprawl and reduce costs. The goal is to provide clear financing tools, predictable permitting, and practical land-use planning that work together to make new housing development more feasible.
Energy Issues
The House Energy and Environment Committee met in Montpelier this week to review how recent federal policy shifts under the Trump Administration are affecting Vermont’s clean energy programs. Lawmakers heard testimony that the rollback of key provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act—particularly the early termination of tax credits for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and building efficiency—will significantly impact Vermont, with most programs scheduled to end between 2025 and 2027. Several Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency initiatives, including home electrification rebates and contractor training grants, have also been paused or terminated. Efficiency Vermont reported that inflation, rising equipment costs, and the 2025 phaseout of legacy refrigerants are driving up the price of heat pump projects, while workforce shortages continue to pose challenges.
News from the DMV
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles will temporarily close all offices and its call center to complete a major system upgrade. Limited services will be available on November 5–6, with only vehicle-related transactions processed on November 6. The DMV will be fully closed on November 7, and regular operations will resume on Wednesday, November 12.
Crunching the Numbers
National electric vehicle sales are projected to fall nearly 60% in October, dropping to just 5.2% of new-vehicle sales after September’s record 12.9%, according to J.D. Power. The sharp decline follows a surge of buyers rushing to claim federal tax credits before they expired. In Vermont, 2,918 EVs were registered through September, but delayed reporting means many late-September sales will appear in October’s totals. Updated state data in November will clarify local trends.
The author is the principal of Meadow Hill, Meadow Hill, an advocacy firm that offers management and advocacy assistance to trade associations, focusing on energy, transportation, and economic development.