Career Day at Vermont schools could have a whole new look.
Career Day, next year?
Senate bill seeks vision, road test for drivers 75 and older
A new Senate bill would require drivers 75 and older to pass vision and road tests before having their licenses renewed.
Conserve 50% of all land in Vermont, Natural Resources chair says
The Global Deal for Nature would conserve half of the globe’s total land and sea area from development. A bill by the chair of the Vermont Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Committee would ensure that Vermont does its part. The committee will review the bill Thursday morning.
Embattled Northeast Kingdom has its day at the State House
NEK Day at the Statehouse is a chance for residents of Vermont’s most rural region to connect with their representatives in Montpelier.
House committee to review Homeless Bill of Rights, $48 million fuel switching program, Prop 5, City of Essex Junction
The creation of the City of Essex Junction is just one bill before Vermont House committees this week. Also up for review are the Homeless Bill of Rights and the Unborn Bill of No Rights – a/k/a Prop 5.
Raising marriage age to 18 proposed
Vermont lawmakers want to raise the legal age of marriage to 18. Good idea – or not?
Prostitution legalization bill introduced
A new bill proposing decriminalization of prostitution has been introduced into the Vermont House.
Bill would change gender identity on birth certificate
A new bill would allow gender identity changes to be listed on Vermont birth certificates.
Senate bill requires insurance coverage for transgender fertility treatment
A new Senate bill would require all Vermont health care insurers – including Medicaid – to cover extensive fertility treatments for both transgender and non-transgender insureds.
Transportation bill punishes low MPG with ‘feebates’
A bill co-sponsored by 61 Vermont House members (but no Republicans) would levy steep fees on vehicles with poor miles-per-gallon performance.
Cows dying from eating broadband debris
Cows are dying from eating broadband wire. The Artificial Intelligence Commissioner founder is trying to give it new life. And racial equity in landownership will get another look in House committees this week.
Dame: trying to stop the Democratic Gerrymander
Why did House Democrats ask a tri-partisan Reapportionment Board its opinion if they were going to ignore it and take the party line?
Barre City legislators deny voters’ will on City Hall Park flag charter change
Little did Barre City voters know, when they voted almost 2-1 on a City Hall Park flag-flying ordinance, that their own legislators would quietly eliminate it months later.
‘Environmental justice’ bill would create another unelected board
Congress Candidate Ram pushes ‘environmental justice’ bill at noon today.
Housing challenge facing Legislature: $300K home now costs $400K
Vermont officials are ready to spend big on creating new housing. Problem: a house that once cost $300K now costs about $400K, thanks to labor, supplies, land, etc.
GOP bill: no ‘safe spaces’ discrimination at government meetings
A Senate bill would end the practice of excluding participation at government meetings on the basis of race.
Bills introduced this year, last year eliminate vax religious exemption for minors
A bill striking the religious exemption from school vaccinations was introduced last January and is still pending review by the House Judiciary Committee.
Krowinski priorities: spend fed $$, fight climate change, enshrine abortion in Constitution, dismantle systemic racism “in every policy area”
Krowinski believes VT needs to focus on climate change, racism, and Covid recovery.
Statewide mask mandate bill proposed
A group of lawmakers who last year wanted Gov. Scott to impose a mask mandate in high transmission areas now have introduced a bill to accomplish the same goal.
Balint promises big spending of federal $$, suing cops, unlimited abortion, Town Meeting changes
Sueing police and getting unlimited abortion into the state Constitution are part of Senate leader Becca Balint’s 2022 legislative agenda.
New bills would make hard drug possession a misdemeanor, establish Health Care Freedom of Conscience Act
The Chair of the House Judiciary Committee wants a misdemeanor ‘personal use’ defense for people caught with hard drugs.
Legislature opens in person tomorrow, will meet remotely for two weeks
The Legislature – including Rep. Vicki Strong, she hopes – will meet in person tomorrow, then go to remote meeting for two weeks.
National marijuana legalization founders pushing legal prostitution in VT
The founders of the influential legal-pot Marijuana Policy Project are directing the political and IT efforts of a national prostitution legalization group funding Vermont organizations.
CFV looks back at 2021 Legislature, looks ahead
Campaign for Vermont sees pension reform, water quality, and tourism, workforce and broadband development as crucial areas of improvement in 2022.
Top News of `21: House OKs firearms relinquishment, gender ID victim protection, non-citizen voting
Vermont Daily Chronicle publishes first Readable House Journal – a blow by blow account of legislation moving through the House of Representatives, one day at a time.
Decriminalization of prostitution – “the choice of the choiceless” – approved by Burlington council, goes to voters
If the Legislature approves a Burlington charter change backed by the city council AND decriminalizes prostitution, the door will be open to unfettered, legal prostitution in Vermont’s largest city.
Top News of `21: Vax refusal bill introduced (Feb. 19)
H.283, providing the right to refuse any unwanted test, treatment, or vaccine, was introduced yesterday into the Vermont House. Sponsored by four Republicans, a Democrat, and an independent, it would specifically prevent employers and state government from requiring vaccination in exchange for jobs, travel, childcare and other benefits.
Prostitution vote tonight could lead to full decrim
A Burlington City Council vote could pave the way for the Queen City to be a legal sanctuary for prostitution.
Burlington prostitution ordinance language offensive, subcommittee says
All that talk about “houses of ill fame” and “to punish common prostitutes” has to go from city ordinances, Burlington Progressives say. But what will take its place?
State’s marijuana warning labels too weak, doctors say
Vermont’s legal pot industry oversight board has disregarded Vermont physicians’ recommendation to limit the harm of retail sales – again.
Climate plan will hurt poor, rural VTers, DCF commish says
Let them eat kale! The state welfare office commissioner says the Climate Action plan will hurt poor, rural Vermonters. The Climate Council passed it anyway.
Scott signs municipal mask mandate bill, predicts it won’t work
The municipal mask mandate is now law, after Gov. Phil Scott signed it this morning. But, he predicted hours later, it won’t work.
Legislature passes municipal mask mandate
With approval from the House of Representatives Monday afternoon, the Vermont Legislature passed a municipal mask mandate bill in special session. The bill now goes to Gov. Phil Scott for his consideration.
Senate passes Municipal Mask Mandate
Despite challenges from Progressives and Republicans, the Vermont Senate voted 17-10 in favor of a temporary Municipal Mask Mandate.
Special Session: Senators stake out positions during SOE resolution vote
Senate passes SOE resolution in preamble to mask mandate bill discussion.
Special Session: Text of draft bill #21-1038, Temporary Municipal Mask Mandate
See the entire text of the draft of the bill to be introduced into the Vermont Senate today gives municipalities the power to “make and enforce rules” to wear masks in indoor public spaces.
Special Session: schedule (so far) for Municipal Mask Mandate Monday
The Vermont Senate will discuss a municipal mask mandate Monday in Special Session. Proposed amendments to Gov. Scott’s draft bill are under discussion.
Questions about enforcement, liability surround Municipal Mask Mandate bill
Health Choice Vermont asks questions and provides legislator contact assistance for Monday’s Special Session of the Vermont Legislature, which will consider a municipal mask mandate.
Municipal mask mandate either not enough or goes too far, lawmakers say
A Democrat and physicians says a municipal mask mandate isn’t enough. Two GOP lawmakers from the Northeast Kingdom say it’s too much.
Redistricting would split Winooski in two House districts
A board tasked with redistricting the Vermont House voted 4-3 on a proposed map, splitting Winooski into two districts.
Single-member House districts recommended to Legislature
Vermonters spoke in favor of single-member districts for the VT House of Representatives, and today a state advisory board agreed. But will the Legislature?
Convicted sex traffickers would support Montpelier legalization of prostitution, critic says
100% of convicted sex traffickers wish prostitution was legal, a researcher told the Montpelier City Council last night.
City of Montpelier ponders legalizing prostitution and public drinking
The City of Montpelier will review a report recommending legalizing prostitution and public drinking.
House Speaker, Senate Prez to deliver eugenics public apology on State House Steps
The leaders of Vermont’s two legislative bodies October 16 will stand on the State House steps and offer a public apology for the Vermont Legislature’s zealous pursuit of eugenics.
Scott still opposes TCI carbon tax – but doubts he can stop it
Gov. Scott still thinks the TCI is a bad deal for Vermont. He also doubts he can stop it.
Non-citizen ‘local’ voting affects statewide education funding
What happens in Winooski stays in Winooski? Not when it comes to local elections affecting statewide policy.
GOP sues Winooski, Montpelier for non-citizen voting
Vermont and national Republicans are suing Montpelier and Winooski for letting non-citizens vote in municipal elections.
Leftist Vermont union rejects carbon tax, gun control
The VT AFL-CIO voted Sunday to oppose gun control laws and carbon taxation. But don’t think they’ve gone all reactionary.
Sanders bill shifts power over military from president to Congress
A bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders would shift power over the U.S. military from the president to Congress.
Leahy wants new, $27 million ‘rapid response’ strike force for next ‘insurrection’
Sen. Pat Leahy has introduced a bill to spend billions on U.S. Capitol security, including a brand-new, $27 million U.S. Capitol Protection Task Force, a rapid response team to deal with future threats.
Billado: Shutting down the power play
S79 would have created 6.5 new bureaucratic positions in state government, with an annual appropriation of $850,000 for pay and benefits. That works out to $130,000 per bureaucrat–an insult to every Vermonter.
Guv vetoes rental registry bill
Gov. Phil Scott today vetoed S79, the rental registry bill passed June 24 during the veto session.
Montpelier considers allowing homeless camps
The City of Montpelier is considering taking making an official policy of its laissez-faire approach to homeless encampments.
Race-based bills, initiatives listed
Vermont’s Legislature has embraced a panoply of race-based bills during the 2021-22 session.
Senate OKS rental, contractor registries, overrides veto of non-citizen voting
The Vermont Senate today agreed with the House on bills to create statewide registries of all rental housing and building trades contractors.
House overrides veto of non-citizen voting
The House of Representatives today overrode the vetos of Gov. Phil Scott of two municipal charter changes allowing non-citizen voting.
Sanders bill would raise social security benefit 31%
A bill introduced by Bernie Sanders would increase the minimum SSDI payment by 31%, or $246/month.
Scott supports, signs bill to study legalized sports betting
Gov. Phil Scott on June 8 signed into law a bill to study legalizing sports betting in Vermont – an industry he supports, he said.
Scott signs mailed ballot, equity-in-schools bills
ov. Phil Scott yesterday signed into law S15, universal mailed ballots, and S115, providing more funding and regulation for equity and inclusion programs in Vermont schools and libraries.
Biden’s new taxes won’t cover deficit
For over a year, as a candidate and President, Biden has repeatedly said that tax increases needed to pay for what has turned out to be his staggering multi-trillion dollar deficit spending would be only Bernie Sanders-type tax increases, only on the rich and the big corporations. But the New York Times reported ahead of the budget release that it will include a large, direct tax increase on middle class America as well.
Legislature boosts state employee pay, pensions
The Vermont State Employees Association – the union for state employees – recently reported good news about members’ paychecks and pensions as a result of the actions of the 2021 Legislature.
Scott vetoes non-citizen voting; override vote expected
On June 1, Governor Scott vetoed legislation that would give non-citizen voting rights in municipal elections in Winooski and Montpelier.
Feds to give parents $250-$300/child every month, beginning July 1
With Vermont’s unemployment rate below three percent and employers struggling to find workers, new and existing combined state and federal cash benefits total about $52,000/year.
Senate votes 20-10 to register construction contractors
H157, registering construction contractors, passed the Vermont Senate 20-10 on May 21.
Economic development, broadband, UI relief pass Legislature; Cloud tax, Act 250 reform fail
The Legislature adjourned Friday after approving spending for tourism marketing, foreign trade, technology-based economic development, workforce development, and BIPOC business support.
Legislature passes $7.35 bil budget, adjourns
The Vermont legislature completed the 2021 session on Friday, May 21. It passed a $7.35 billion budget and Governor Phil Scott offered the traditional closing message.
Scott vetoes bill raising age of ‘youthful offender’
On May 20, Governor Phil Scott vetoed a bill that raises from age 19 to 20 the age of public accountability for crimes.
Vaccine passport ban introduced
A bill to ban vaccine passports has been introduced into the Vermont House of Representatives.
With Israel under rocket attack, Sanders seeks to block missile, bomb sales
With Israel under rocket attack by the Palestinian military, Sen. Bernie Sanders has introduced a resolution to block $735 million of future sales of precision-guided munitions to Israel.
Scott signs environmental, race-related bills
Gov. Phil Scott signed legislation for clean water and racial ‘equity.’
New law opens door to legalized prostitution
A bill that opens the door to legalization of prostitution passed the Legislature this month and was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott.
Roll call: House won’t wait for study on secure voting
An amendment to postpone implementation of universal vote-by-mail until after a 2023 election security study was rejected by the Vermont House of Representatives May 12 by a 39-99 vote. The House went on to approve the underlying bill, S15.
Universal mailed ballot bill passes House
S15, universal mailed ballots, passed the Vermont House 119-30 Tuesday.
Paycheck protection tax dead
The Vermont Senate Finance Committee included language repealing a provision of a law passed earlier this session that would have subjected forgiven 2021 PPP-Paycheck Protection Program loans to Vermont income tax.
Burlington mandates rental housing weatherization
The Burlington City Council last night ruled last night that all rental housing must meet “stringent” weatherization standards.
House Committee relieves employers of heavy UI burden
Removing 2020 from calculation of the Unemployment Insurance fund will help to hold employers harmless from certain costs related to the pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns, while also ensuring the unemployment trust fund remains solvent and UI claimants are not negatively impacted.
Legislature OKS minority student suspension task force, migrant child Medicaid
The Vermont House yesterday passed S16, creation of the Task Force on School Exclusionary Discipline Reform. The goal of the task force is to reduce minority suspensions and expulsions from Vermont schools.
State protection of sex orientation/identity must continue, Scott says
“There is still more work to do to ensure all Vermonters, regardless of identity, feel safe and protected in our state,” Gov. Phil Scott said after signing the ‘gay panic defense’ bill.
Bill would let candidates draw campaign salary
H363, a bill introduced into the Vermont House on Feb. 26, would “permit a candidate for statewide office to receive a salary from the candidate’s campaign funds.”
How did YOUR representative vote on 16-year-old voting in Brattleboro?
H.361 would the Brattleboro charter to allow 16-17 years olds (and 15 years olds if they will turn 16 by election day) to vote in municipal elections and serve on town boards, such as the select board, according to an Ethan Allen Institute analysis.
Lawmakers don’t trust towns with TIF
Last week, the Vermont House killed the project-based “Tax Incremental Funding” (TIF), a funding source for small towns.
Universal mailed ballot bill to get House vote
The House Government Operations Committee approved S15, the universal mailed ballot bill, by an 11-0 margin Friday after making changes meant to reduce potential for election fraud.
Black Republican questions racism as root of public health disparities
Racism is a problem, it exists everywhere,” Kumulia “Case” Long told the House Human Services Committee Wednesday. “We are looking to tackle an issue that will never go away. The human race will always have something to fight over….however, If we can address economic inequality, we can help a much bigger group,” Long said. “We can help lift each other up.”
Senate seeks lost loan $$
$5 million allocated in 2010 by the Vermont Legislature for economic development loans hasn’t been recouped as planned. The Senate Economic Development Committee wants to know why, according to a report from the Campaign for Vermont (CFV).
Surprise state tax on 2021 Paycheck Protection Program baffles businesses
Act 9, a new state law, would collect state income taxes from Paycheck Protection Program loan funding provided to Vermont businesses in 2021. This unexpected taxation of an emergency benefit has the Vermont business community in an uproar.
Puerto Rico statehood, service animal stipend introduced
A joint resolution urging Congress to support statehood for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Copeland-Hanzas (D-Bradford), was introduced into the Vermont House today.
Senate GOP says House stingy with military retirement tax relief
“Vermont Senate Republicans are extremely disappointed that the House of Representatives has failed to fully repeal the tax on military retirement income,” said Senate Minority Leader Randy Brock (R-Franklin).
Unions face pension Cancel Council
Frustrated by heavy union opposition to its plan to reduce the multi-billion state pension deficit, House leadership instead wants to create a problem-solving task force, with just a minority of labor voices at the table.
Expanded Bottle Bill gets OK in VT House – most containers still 5 cents
H175, the updated Bottle Bill, received initial approval in the Vermont House Thursday. The vote was 99-46. It’s up for final approval today.
Roper: Netflix tax hiding in Tampax bill
A proposed ‘cloud’ tax on Netflix, Hulu, Pandora and other online services has been tacked on to S.53, exempting feminine hygiene products from the Vermont Sales and Use Tax.
Committee takes testimony on BIPOC land bill
House General, Housing, & Military Affairs today will take testimony on H. 273, “promoting racial and social equity in land access and property ownership.”
Dems gamble on pension fund – what will it mean for 2022?
The political credibility Progressives bought with labor leaders is not the only factor working in their favor. By delaying the pension issue to next year, Krowinski is not only kicking the can down the road, she’s setting it up for a time closer to the 2022 elections. This issue will be much more ripe in voters minds, and union members in particular will be more likely to recall whatever actions the Legislature takes next session.
Vax registry change unites two Prog, GOP reps
A proposed change in vaccine registry law has two very different legislators expressing the same concern.
Senate bills bad for employers, gun owners, homeowners, election integrity
For a legislative session that was supposed to focus on getting through the pandemic, it’s proven to be just the opposite. There are some harmful bills you ought to be aware of. So here we go.
Pension vote spurs political threat from the left for Democrats
The Vermont AFL-CIO is calling state employees and teacher unions to strike over the Vermont House’s March 26 rejection of a wealth tax to bail out the public pension deficit.
Unions hate House pension reform plan
Word began circulating last week that the Speaker had a “secret group” of legislators working on a pension plan, the Campaign for Vermont (CFV) reports. That “secret group” turned out to be the leaders of the House Government Operations Committee, who released their proposal on Wednesday.
House OKs health care equity, BIPOC biz funding
The Vermont House Wednesday, March 24 gave preliminary approval to spending millions on tourism, workforce development, and BIPOC business development. It also created a health care equity council and toughened laws surrounding sexual violence.
Tale of two cities, and non-citizen voting
The Montpelier charter change allowing non-citizen voting passed the House with little difficulty, 103-39. One expected Winooski, with this precedent set, to sail through as well. But it didn’t. There’s a catch – one that should also inspire some second thoughts about Montpelier as that bill goes to the Senate.
The Readable House Journal: Illegal immigrant healthcare approved, contractor registry referred
The Vermont House yesterday referred a contractor registry bill to the Appropriations Committee and gave preliminary approval to statewide broadband spending and Dr. Dynasaur healthcare for illegal immigrants.
How did YOUR senator(s) vote on universal mailed ballot bill?
S.15 An act relating to correcting defective ballots, passed in the State Senate Thursday, March 18 by a vote of 27-3. Its purpose: To make the election policies and procedures adopted during the Covid pandemic emergency permanent features of Vermont elections.
