$150K ‘energy coaching’ passes Senate

Spearheaded by the Vermont Public Service Department, the program would give energy navigator services to Vermont residents. Energy navigators are trained professionals or volunteers who inform residents how to make their homes more energy efficient, such as with weatherization projects or installing heat pumps. Under the bill, they would also inform clients about rebates and incentives.

Woolf: Counting Vermont’s county populations

Given that the state has only added 1,698 people since 2020, a decline of 6,000—or more if we include vacation homes in non-ski towns—it is very likely that Vermont will have fewer residents in 2030 than in 2020. And since most of the ski towns are in southern Vermont counties, their population picture will look even grimmer than it does today.

VT Headlines: 3 ATMs stolen from Middlebury stores in recent weeks

Gov. Scott signs bill to allow Vermont to make its own vaccine recommendations: In visit to Vermont Statehouse, Japanese diplomats talk business and baseball; ICE agents chased the wrong man into a South Burlington home, court filings say; Brattleboro nurses union approves potential strike; Rutland community and city leaders weigh in on plans for new Walmart Supercenter in Rutland town

Tagliavia: Property tax freeze bill needs attention

Vermont is one of only three states with no safety-valve restrictions on how much a property tax  bill can increase in a given year. In the months ahead, the Legislature should examine how the  other 47 states manage this issue, identify policies that could work here, and adapt them to  Vermont’s unique circumstances. Property taxpayers deserve both immediate relief and long-term predictability.

VT Headlines: Vermont AG’s office to prosecute Addison County criminal cases amid state’s attorney controversy

Police to testify in joint hearing following South Burlington ICE activity; South Burlington School Board to meet after ICE protest near schools, safety concerns take center stage; Legislative panel votes against keeping southern Vermont judge on the bench; Fight over Middlebury College chapel name argued before Vt. Supreme Court