Checking in on the recently merged Vermont State University, after its composite campuses had long faced money and enrollment woes. Plus, a winter shelter is opening in Burlington, a member of the Green Mountain Care Board is stepping down, Vermont’s new payroll tax has generated a big pot of money for child care, and the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs has a new vacancy.

In his fifth inaugural speech this week, Republican Gov. Phil Scott pledged to fix a “broken and failing” education system – and the rising costs associated with it. Democrats in the Legislature seem receptive to the broad strokes of Scott’s preliminary proposals, despite butting heads in prior sessions. Vermont Public’s Lola Duffort will break down it all down in this week’s edition of the Capitol Recap.

We speak to 2025 Rhodes Scholar and Shelburne native Lena Ashooh, who’s interested in animal ethics and legal philosophy. Plus, Gov. Scott reiterates the need to make Vermont more affordable during his inaugural address, Republican John Rodgers is Vermont’s new lieutenant governor, a national cyberattack may have compromised local school district data, and Vermont health care providers are building an informal network to support intuitive eating habits.