Opening Week Under the Dome: New Political Math Shapes Lawmaking Process

Your Guide to Week One of the 2026 Legislative Session

On Monday, January 5, the quiet corridors of the Vermont State House will bustle with activity once again as the 2026 legislative session officially begins. While the formal gavel doesn’t drop until Tuesday morning, lawmakers are returning to Montpelier this week to kick off the second half of the biennium.

For Vermonters watching from home, this isn’t just business as usual. The legislature is returning to a “Golden Dome” defined by a new political reality: the loss of the Democratic supermajority and a looming affordability crisis. From the Governor’s State of the State address to the first committee hearings on housing, here is your breakdown of what to expect during this pivotal opening week.

A New Political Arithmetic

To understand how this week will play out, it is essential to look at the numbers. Following the 2024 elections, the balance of power in Montpelier has shifted. The Democratic caucus in the House now holds 87 seats, down from previous highs.

Why does this matter? Under the Vermont Constitution, overriding a gubernatorial veto requires two-thirds of the vote—100 votes in the House. With only 87 votes, the majority can no longer unilaterally pass legislation over Governor Phil Scott’s objections. This restores significant leverage to the Governor’s office and suggests a session that will require more negotiation and compromise than in recent years.

Tuesday, January 6: The Gavel Drops

The ceremonial start of the session takes place on Tuesday. Both the House and Senate convene at 10:00 A.M..

The First Hurdle: The H.91 Veto

The House calendar lists unfinished business right out of the gate: the Governor’s veto of H.91, the emergency housing bill. Given the new math in the House, an immediate override attempt is unlikely. Expect leadership to table the bill or refer it to committee, using it as a bargaining chip for later budget discussions rather than risking a defeat on day one.

The State of the State

At 2:00 P.M., the Joint Assembly will gather to hear Governor Scott deliver his State of the State Address. The Governor is expected to lean heavily on his “affordability” platform, citing the projected 12% increase in education property taxes as a call to curb spending. Listen for proposals on Act 250 reform to boost housing stock and public safety initiatives addressing repeat offenders.

Wednesday, January 7: The Work Begins

By mid-week, the pageantry fades and the committees dive into the details. The Senate Committee on Economic Development has scheduled an aggressive agenda focused squarely on Vermont’s housing shortage.

On Wednesday morning, administration officials, including Secretary of Commerce Lindsay Kurrle, will present housing and economic development priorities. Later that morning, the committee will review guidelines for the Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP), a critical funding source for municipal water and sewer projects that are prerequisites for new housing in rural towns.

Key Issues Driving the Week

Beyond the daily schedule, several major legislative vehicles will dominate the conversation in the State House hallways.

The Budget Adjustment (H.489)

The House Appropriations Committee will immediately take up H.489, the Budget Adjustment Act. This bill “trues up” the state budget mid-year. With federal funding uncertainties looming, fiscal prudence will likely be the watchword.

The Great Tax Debate

Property taxes remain the top concern for many residents. While a radical proposal to replace the education property tax with an income-based education tax (H.177) has been introduced, it faces a steep climb without a veto-proof majority. However, the Ways and Means Committee will likely use it to frame the debate on how to fund Vermont’s schools without overburdening homeowners.

Housing Investment (H.479)

Lawmakers are also looking at H.479, an omnibus housing bill that proposes over $70 million in investments, including mixed-income rental housing and homeownership programs. The tension this week will be between the recognized need for housing and the Governor’s resistance to new spending.

New Faces and New Voices

When the roll is called, there will be two new lawmakers answering. John Benson, a civil engineer from Brookfield, has been appointed to the Senate to represent the Orange District. His background is expected to be vital as the legislature grapples with the technical challenges of the Act 78 public safety communications overhaul. In the House, Val Taylor of Mendon joins to represent Rutland-11, bringing a municipal and small-business perspective to the chamber.

What Happens Next

The first week is often defined by what doesn’t happen as much as what does. Do not expect explosive showdowns or immediate overrides. Instead, watch for the signals coming out of the committee rooms. If the administration and legislative leadership find common ground on housing investments during Wednesday’s hearings, it could set a productive tone for the winter. If they dig in their heels, Vermont may be in for a long, slow session.

The Farmers Night Concert Series—a beloved Montpelier tradition—doesn’t kick off until January 21, so for now, the focus remains strictly on the work at hand.