Governor

Supports making wind, solar and small hydro power more affordable to install, energy-efficient housing for low-income residents, and a shift toward plant-based agriculture. Opposed new biomass generation facilities in 2024.

Supports a moratorium on AI data centers and opposes new nuclear infrastructure built to power them. Says Vermont should cut emissions by building a circular economy with local food, repair and reuse, and community-owned renewable energy.

Opposes the state's electric vehicle requirements, which he calls the Scott administration's EV mandate, and supports allowing a nuclear power plant in Vermont.

Vetoed the 2023 Affordable Heat Act, which set up a clean heat standard for heating fuel dealers, saying its costs would be passed on to customers. The Legislature overrode the veto.

Would fully implement Vermont's 2011 universal health care law, moving toward one system of coverage for everyone, and would seek foundation grants to help pay for the transition.

Proposes free, universal primary and preventive care for every Vermonter with no copays or deductibles for primary care, supported by local community health teams and funded by a "fair share" tax on the wealthiest residents. Estimates savings of up to $300 million a year and describes it as a step toward universal health care.

Supports a public health insurance option for people earning under $100,000 a year, funded by higher taxes on the wealthiest residents, and an eventual move to universal health care.

His campaign says he supports universal access to primary care, and he signed a June 2026 bill commissioning a feasibility report on universal primary care. Favors loosening health insurance regulations, such as allowing premiums that vary by age and small-business plans, and working directly with hospitals to lower costs.

Would rehabilitate and build energy-efficient housing and sell it to low-income buyers with 0% interest loans, support ownership in cooperative housing and intentional communities that include people with low incomes, and tax vacant housing at a high rate.

Would change property tax classifications so resident homeowners, affordable housing and small Vermont landlords pay less while luxury second homes, commercial vacation rentals, vacant investment properties and corporate or private-equity owners pay more. Supports expanding cooperatives, land trusts and shared-equity ownership.

Supports repealing Act 250, Vermont's land-use permitting law, and building homes for under $150,000 each, funded partly by a 0.6% increase in property taxes on short-term rentals and second homes. Would also raise taxes on short-term rental room revenue to cut taxes for middle- and lower-income Vermonters.

Says Vermont needs to grow its population and tax base to address a lack of workers and housing they can afford. Issued a September 2025 executive order directing agencies to reduce permitting barriers, energy code obstacles and permit costs for housing projects, saying the state hadn't done "anywhere near enough" to meet housing needs.

Would replace homestead property taxes with progressive taxation to fund education, and raise taxes on high incomes and on vacant buildings that could be used as housing.

Proposes a 2% surcharge on personal income over $250,000 and an 8% surcharge on income over $500,000, plus higher taxes on some second homes and on large technology companies' digital advertising revenue. Says "Taxes are one of the levers, or tools" to improve affordability.

Supports a wealth tax and capping net worth at $1 billion in Vermont. Would raise taxes on large corporations by 2% and raise water extraction fees for bottling companies and data centers to lower property taxes for the bottom half of earners and taxes on small local companies.

Opposes proposed income tax surcharges on high earners and says he "would prefer not to raise any taxes." Says he plans to propose a package of tax cuts or credits. Has not taken a position on higher taxes for second homes while the Department of Taxes studies the idea.

Says Vermont needs a statewide system that provides equal access to quality education to all students, would reduce administrative pay or the number of administrators, and strongly supports the Legislature's policy of restricting the use of public school funds for private schools.

Opposes the Legislature's recent steps toward consolidating school districts and opposes giving the state power to set school budgets. Would expand community schools that offer child care, health care, food access and adult education.

Signed Act 73 in July 2025, which sets a path to consolidate Vermont's school districts and move to a statewide foundation funding formula. In January 2026 urged lawmakers to make drawing new district lines "the first order of business" and proposed using $75 million in state funds to offset an expected property tax increase.

Supports holding people accountable to their community and building social supports as lower-cost alternatives to prison.

Supports a statewide ban on Flock cameras and says protecting the privacy of all Vermonters will be a very high priority.

In 2025 declined Pentagon requests to send Vermont National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C., and to ICE detention facilities. His office said he does not view enforcement of domestic law as a proper use of the Guard absent an emergency.

Pledges no new restrictions on personal freedoms and says digital freedoms, firearm rights, LGBT+ rights, minority rights and the right to abortion will be protected under his administration.

Signed a 2019 law (H.57) that protects the right to abortion in state law, and has repeatedly said he supports a woman's right to choose.

Proposes a Vermont Public Bank, partnering with local credit unions and community lenders, to finance small businesses, farms, cooperatives, housing and other investments, and would redirect state economic development subsidies from recruiting large corporations toward Vermont businesses, workers and communities.

Supports workers' right to unionize and democracy in the workplace, and says he would work with organizations seeking to move away from "pure corporate control" over workplaces.

Would expand in-state food processing and distribution, increase purchasing of Vermont food by schools, hospitals and state agencies, and create a Vermont Food Security Reserve.

Proposes citizens' assemblies that bring representative groups of Vermonters together to deliberate on major statewide issues and make recommendations to the Legislature and governor, and expanded participatory budgeting giving communities more direct authority over public spending.

In 2018 signed laws expanding background checks to private sales, raising the minimum age to buy firearms to 21, banning bump stocks and limiting magazine capacity. In 2019 vetoed a bill that would have created a 24-hour waiting period for handgun purchases.

Says the National Guard and other state agencies will never work with the federal government to harm Vermonters, citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Has said the country needs immigration reform.