“Factoring in all the other taxes, fees and higher costs the Legislature has passed over the last two years, I simply cannot allow this bill to go into law,” Scott said.
Roll Call! How YOUR rep, senator voted on vetoed Renewable Energy Standard
Guy Page
Guy Page is the editor and publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
Busted for serial littering
Police credit a local group of anti-litter investigators with solving the ongoing case of littering at a scenic pull-off.
Play Ball! Lake Monsters return
Baseball’s back at Centennial Field. Our honored dead remembered in parades, at cleaned-up cemeteries. Tourist town starts rental registry.
Ex-State Sen. Dick Mazza has died
Flags will be flown at half mast in Vermont this Thursday, the day of his funeral at Holy Cross Church in Colchester.
DNA test closes case of day-old baby found dead in garbage bag
Northfield, 1982. A one-day old baby is found dead in a garbage bag on the side of a road.
Aggressive bear euthanized, wardens warn about compost
The bear euthanized this morning in Underhill was attracted into an area resident’s yard by recycling left outside the front door this morning.
“Taxes for Thee, but not for Me”
Yes, that IS a sweet El Camino in the first al fresco episode of Friday at Four. It pays state highway taxes so EVs don’t have to. We discuss.
House leaders pledge to override Scott veto of renewable power bill
The guv’s path to 100% carbon free electricity is cheaper and quicker. The Legislature wants to take the longer, more expensive road, paved with solar farms and wind turbines.
Man behind Biden robocall indicted
Just stay home and save your vote for the November election, the robocaller told Democrat voters.
VT Headlines: Ambulance service honors, struggles
As one town ambulance service receives a national honor, another struggles to find EMTs.
Cops provide photo of suspect in brutal day-time beating
If the courts won’t jail violent repeat offenders, can we at least know what they look like?
VT Headlines: Direct flight to North Carolina for under $100
Heading south? New flight will get you there on the cheap. Black restaurant owner honored with statue in Rutland. GOP optimistic.
Public defender emerges as federal judge frontrunner
Lanthier, a public defender for more than 20 years, oversees a handful of lawyers who represent indigent defendants in Rutland County.
Scott opposes methods, not goals, of likely veto bills
“Sometimes the Legislature focuses so much on their goals they don’t consider the unintended consequences. And the reality is, there are almost always some negative consequences as the result of new policies,” Scott said.
Feds selling emergency gasoline reserve to lower prices for July 4 weekend
A million barrels of gasoline set aside for emergency use in the next disaster will be sold to reduce prices at the pump this summer.
State to issue summer EBT cards to supplement school meals
This new benefit provides $120 per child, which families can use to purchase fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish, dairy products; breads and cereals, and other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages.
UVM cancels big housing project
UVM can’t afford to build new housing it proposed last year, due to unexpectedly high costs. That, and the City of Burlington has yet to follow through with necessary zoning changes.
Pesticide ban won’t help bees but will hurt farmers, Scott veto says
Agreeing that “pollinators are essential,” Gov. Scott said “the same is true of farmers” and that the bill is “more anti-farmer than it is pro-pollinator.”
Friday at 4: Trafficked women in VT forced into abortions
Last Friday’s episode unveils disturbing truth about human trafficking victims who do NOT have freedom of choice about abortions. This Friday we discuss “Taxes for Thee, But Not For Me.”
VT Headlines: 3 years to replace crashed fire truck/ VT-made car charger installed
The crash that led to the death of a responding state trooper and eventually to the resignation of the local fire chief now also means a three-year wait for a new fire truck.
Scott picks press Maulucci to lead re-election
Turnover at top of the Scott administration. Sanders applauds international arrest warrants for Israel, Hamas. Sportsmen flag animal welfare bill.
Taxes the Legislature passed, taxes it didn’t
The Wealth Tax passed the House but not the Senate this year. One tax hike that went through with little notice: landline and postpaid wireless phone use taxes will be assessed differently and collect $3 million more new revenue.
State senate primary races develop
Ledbetter said, “We need a lot more housing that working people can afford or we risk losing a generation of young Vermonters now spending almost all of their paychecks on rent.”
Bronze Star recipient runs for State Representative
The ribbon isn’t “his,” it’s “theirs.”
Breaking: Dean won’t run
“Gov. Scott’s a popular governor. My polling shows that the most important issue for Vermonters is taxation. And the governor has talked a lot about this,” Dean told reporters.
VT Headlines: DQSH protests in Lyndonville
Protesting drag queen story hour at library. EV forklifts. Support after miscarriage. BIPOC professionals survey. UVM graduation, bass, bus fares.
Stack: Young people, you’re being punked
In layman’s terms, the Fed is going to keep the financial heroin in the system.
Fellow governor stumps for Trump while Scott looks on
Make America Great Again!, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum urged the state GOP convention as Trump foe and fellow Gov. Phil Scott watched.
Judge challenges State lawyer on pregnancy center law
Judge Sessions rejoined, “They may very well be saying things that you perceive to be false. Say, about the consequences of abortion….I wonder if that would be a reasonable concern for them.”
VT announces 14-bed youth treatment site in Vergennes
The new site on state-owned land will have more than double the capacity of the now-abandonred planned facility in Newbury.
Burlington man pleads innocent to child luring
Charbonneau allegedly initiated contact online via Kik messenger with a Hartford investigator posing as a 14-year-old minor and engaged in sexual conversations, attempting to arrange a meeting for sexual acts.
VT Headlines: Well, THAT didn’t take long
Days after Notch opens, truck escapes stuckage. 8 new invasive species. Welch all about Rural Prosperity. VT goes to Drone Championships.
Pregnancy resource centers challenge Vermont law in court today
Vermont’s law impedes women’s ability to receive critical services during a difficult time in their lives and suppresses the free-speech rights of faith-based pregnancy centers, ADF lawyers argue.
State effort to reduce Lake Carmi algae makes it worse
Aeration “resulted in much higher surface water total phosphorus and stronger, more protracted cyanobacteria blooms.”
Judge shaves off sentence of drug dealer turned barber
As Judge William Sessions put it, he had “earned his freedom” by leaving the business of drug trafficking entirely and working hard to alter the direction of his life.
VT Headlines: Child injured after running in front of moving school bus
The 12-year-old suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Scott will veto school funding bill
Scott wonders how many legislators actually read, much less understood, the 60 bills passed in the final week.
VT Headlines: Stuckage Highway opens for season
When will the first big rig get stuck in Smugglers Notch? Health care rates to climb by double digits. Thom Lauzon is BACK in the Barre mayor’s seat.
Progressive Burlington mayor defunds the DEI
Created with federal pandemic funding as a response to the purported public health emergency of systemic racism, the city’s DEI office is a victim of the $13 million budget shortfall.
Perps beat cops in St. J
Judge Michael Kainen released a repeat convicted felon to be treated for an eye injury after he pleaded innocent Monday to misdemeanor assault on a protected professional.
‘Place-based’ Act 250 housing bill details explained
Tier 3 consists of “critical resource areas” where any activity within will more than likely trigger Act 250 jurisdiction and would, by some estimates, cover about 18% of the state’s land mass.
Drag Queen Story Time coming to Lyndonville library, local resistance forms
A Massachusetts-based group plans to come to Lyndonville to support local resistance to a drag queen story hour currently scheduled at the library for this Saturday.
Roper: Howard Dean Vs. Phil Scott? Yes, Please!
As a well-funded, big-name headliner, Howard Dean will force Phil Scott to campaign. For real.
State government body to meet behind closed doors
Secret testimony allowed in $1.1 million state government body, because “the politics are sensitive.” Plus, the bill’s veto-proof.
Copper market explodes, Chinese pot growers suck up power
As the shutdown of Orange County copper mines continues, the market for copper has exploded due to electrification.
VT Headlines: Slain rookie cop to be honored in D.C.
Burlington copes with $13 million deficit. Balint in Barre for mental health help for flood victims. Barre picking new mayor
And…. they’re off!
“I’ve come to realize I cannot step away at a time when Vermont’s Legislature is so far out of balance, so I’ve decided to run for reelection to keep working for you,” Scott said.
New Director of Elections named
Election, mail sorting, turtle-crossing, and Coronal Mass Ejection news.
13.8% property tax increase passes
On the last day of the 2024 session, the Vermont Legislature passed a state budget, school funding, Act 250 reform, and a slew of lesser-known bills.
Vermont has third-highest tax burden
#3 in taxes, after New York and Hawaii.
Bear attack hoaxer arrested for shooting at house
Bear hoaxer busted again.Cop tased with his own taser. Uncle, nephew die in homicide-suicide. Cow dies in freeway collision.
VT Headlines: Fighting knotweed with goats
Rural blight fight: knotweed-eating goats. Urban blight fight: limiting the junk left at curbside by departing college students.
VDC-TV: Housing for Me, But Not For Thee
Guy and Paul look at where the other half live – you know, the people deciding our kids will live in towns and cities.
Rutland-Addison voters reject school budget for third time
Voters in the Slate Valley region declined a budget $211,000 less than the Town Meeting budget.
“Legislature wasted time” helping big shots, not the needy, former senator says
“This is a regressive bill. It will punish working class and poor Vermonters to make millionaires even richer,” Rodgers said.
VT Headlines: Northern lights coming?
The spectacular Northern Lights may make an appearance in Vermont, thanks to a ‘severe’ solar storm coming our way. Photo by shutterbug extraordinare Adam Silverman.
S.258 a goner
“I think the majority (of Democrats) didn’t want to take it up in an election year with all the sportsmen voters out there defending Vermont traditions,” said Rep. Smith, of Derby.
McGuinness: Lawmakers play fast and loose with Prop 4 “equality of rights” constitutional amendment
Vermont lawmakers do not have the constitutional upper hand under Prop 4. Taxpayers can anticipate footing the bill for the State’s defense against anyone who dares to challenge them, if Proposition 4 is approved by voters in 2026.
Day before today’s rally, House OKs new Act 250
“They have to have a way to build wealth,” Rodgers said. “Home ownership is a way to build equity and wealth which will turn into intergenerational wealth. Without that, people are just working like dogs and they’re handing all their money over to some business or business owner.
VT Headlines: Burlington Gateway construction hurts business downtown
It’ll be nice when it’s done, the dust clears, and the traffic starts flowing. Meanwhile…..
With days left is session, Guv bashes Legislature’s housing, school funding efforts
He doesn’t like what he sees in housing and school funding legislation. On public safety and affordability, he sees a glass half full.
Podcast: Matt Musgrave, Associated General Contractors of Vermont
Some podcasts are interesting because of the subject matter, others for the personalities and conversation. This one’s both.
Five school districts pass school budgets Tuesday
The Yes votes in three big school districts followed budget cuts of $1 million or more.
Son helps mom murder step-father, gets 18 years-to-life
Kory Lee George, 36, and his mother Angela M. Auclair, 52, formerly of Williston, have been implicated in orchestrating the nighttime ambush killing of David Auclair, 45, of Williston almost five years ago.
VT Headlines: Sanders says he hates anti-semitism, supports free speech on campus
Middlebury puts money on the table to renovate library. Volunteers needed for lakes and ponds. Hospital backs food bank services.
Adjournment still on for Friday
Gov. Phil Scott appointed a Democrat to fill the seat vacated by Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, who was elected mayor of Burlington.
Thursday’s rally leader John Rodgers live on VDC-TV tomorrow
“I am helping to organize these events to represent working class, Vermonters and the working poor, who have been forgotten by the majority of our state legislature,” the former state senator said.
‘Super-pot’ bill in Senate opposed by doctors
Child poisoning from THC has risen 2000 percent and Vermont has one of the highest youth use rates in the nation, Antley said.
Two first-time school budgets pass on floor votes
South Burlington leads the school districts facing failed school budget revotes today.
VT Headlines: New bishop, familiar face
Return of the Bird Bikes. Late-night cookie chain comes to Burlington. Missing children found safe.
Fatal crash in Georgia last night, Berlin triple-fatal victims ID’d
Police are looking for the causes of two crashes that took four lives.
House lawmakers look at hard drug decrim, police interrogations, $6 billion for school upgrades
Vermont aging school buildings need a $6 billion facelift – spending that would be above and beyond the burgeoning sum under fire by taxpayers.
‘Tap Trees, Not Vermonters’ follow-up rally Thursday at State House
“As more and more Vermonters are finding themselves left out of the political process, diverse groups are gathering together to be heard and make change,” a spokesperson for the coalition-based Downstream Vermonters rally said.
Senate ponders clothing tax to pay for public schools
The Senate also is reportedly considering taxing clothing purchases of more than $150, raising taxes on sugared drinks, and dipping into reserve funds and tax surpluses to further reduce the property taxes.
Green Up Day protects the ‘golden goose,’ News 5 Stephen Biddix reports
Crowd-sourcing the solution to Vermont’s litter problem since 1970. Smuggs stuckage solution. State Hospital burial grounds. Cannabis controversy.
Ambassador to UN won’t speak at UVM commencement
The U.S. Ambassador to the UN won’t be speaking at UVM. But pro-Palestine demonstrators who’ve been demanding her disinvitation will face the music for UVM policy violations.
What the Senate DIDN’T know about Zoie Saunders
Agency of Education Secretary Zoie Saunders a hired gun with no personal stake in Vermont? Hardly
FRIDAY AT FOUR TODAY: Why do we call it a Creemee Cast? And what DIDN’T the Senate know about Zoie Saunders?
After what one senator called a ‘vicious’ nomination rejection this week, information about Zoie Saunders and her connection with Vermont come to light. Tune in at 4 PM today for Friday at Four on our YouTube channel.
Fraudster bilks $1.2 mil in pandemic unemployment benefits
The stolen funds were deposited into accounts in the names of individual victims or fictional organizations, such as the ‘Peaceful Protesters Bail Fund,’ ‘BLM New England Trust,’ and ‘Anti-Drumpf League.’”
Crips tag Burlington courthouse
Parts of Vermont have been flooded with an influx of gang members, who have been recruiting new members, including youthful offenders in Burlington for drug and gun crimes, federal and state authorities have said.
Ellis: The view from 34E on Biden’s election problem
Sure, in the end, my son will probably vote for Biden. But he is not happy about it. Neither are thousands in his generation who have lost faith in the system and no longer care about defending the institutions of democracy.
Prayer warriors gather at State House for NDP
They came from all over Vermont to pray for the state’s leaders and people.
Chelsea Green’s Legacy: Wisdom and Unwavering Dedication to Free Speech
“I wish the Vermont liberal media was a little more self aware of how little it does in promoting diverse views and engaging in serious discussion of the problems we all face instead of its current ideological bashing of viewpoints it disapproves of. But in the end it is just a reflection of the larger media environment that it tries to emulate,” Chelsea Green Publisher Emeritus Margo Baldwin said.
Headlines: License plate sales make flood relief $1.2 million stronger
Students walk out in support of school budget. Wanted: Teeth cleaners. Runner’s 100th half-marathon.
Dean, Scott positioning for guv race
Scott said at a press conference this week that the Senate’s treatment of Education Secretary nominee Zoie Saunders has made him more likely to run for re-election.
Social justice leader calls prominent Prop 4 critic “white and privileged” on House floor
“This is systemic racism, what we’re dealing with right here,” Hughes said. “I mean come on, we’re talking about now sending it back over to the Senate because one person who happens to be white and privileged came in and told you one thing about some civil liberties that could potentially be taken and you got a black man right here telling you about civil liberties that are currently at risk.”
Vermonters rallied to challenge political threat to food, water, and shelter
The diverse group chose the cafeteria to voice their concerns recognizing that the politicians could not get away with eating Vermonters’ lunch without at least having to look them in the eye.
Vision clash in the Senate over housing, Act 250
The Senate will hold a noon-hour caucus today to help its members understand recent amendments to an already complicated housing/Act 250 reform bill.
House backing off school budget ‘three strikes and you’re out”?
I showed up promptly at 8:55 to find an empty room. Apparently, they canceled the hearing. One can’t help but wonder…Why?
Pro-Hamas camps at VT colleges, mass arrests at Dartmouth
“You’re up past your bedtime,” police told protesters before arresting 90 students and non-students at 1:30 AM May 1 at Dartmouth College.
VT Headlines: Coin-free parking in the Queen City
One less reason to keep spare change in the car. Marxist support for Hamas spreads to Dartmouth. Vergennes the home (again) for new Juvy Hall.
Constitutional amendment protecting gender identity and expression has public hearing today
“The government must not deny equal treatment and respect under the law on account of a person’s race, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin,” the proposed amendment says.
VT Headlines: Drug use source of blood infection surge at UVMMC
Another lethal consequence of Vermont’s craving for fentanyl and other illegal injected drugs.
Seven districts vote no, four yes in Super Tuesday school budget revote
Seven revised budgets rejected. Four others approved on the second try.
Hey, Vermont – Africa’s getting clobbered with ‘global warming solutions,’ too
Growing food on a continent where hunger is still a reality for many, an African farmer calls out EU error and hypocrisy for criticizing fossil-fuel fertilizer.
McClaughry: Controlling education costs
So what can Vermonters do to curb education costs? Here are five proposed “solutions.”
Bill to create new state division of ‘Animal Welfare’ gets Senate committee review
It further states that the Commissioner of Public Safety will appoint a Director of Animal Welfare to be in charge of the Division.
Criticism of ‘3 cue’ teaching removed from reading reform bill
Vermont 4th grade reading scores have been dropping steadily since 2015.
Senate thumbs down on Saunders
Just three Senate Democrats backed the nomination of Gov. Scott’s choice for Secretary of Education.
Sims joins race for open Orleans Senate seat
The Orleans District of the Vermont Legislature includes 20 towns spanning Orleans, Caledonia, and Franklin counties.
