“Let me be clear: while the responsibility for rising property taxes rests squarely upon the shoulders of the Democrat supermajority”
A single-digit vs. double-digit property tax increase should be a simple choice
Roper: Equity Advisory committee members souring on Clean Heat Standard
“A boondoggle that really is designed to support entrenched interests.”
Despathy: Details matter
Plain and simple, the supermajority chose REV and VPIRG, special interest groups, and their high cost, impulsive Renewable Energy Standard.
Despathy: Advice from a Vermont environmentalist
The RES Series, Part II: The advice of Annette Smith, Executive Director, Vermonters for a Clean Environment (VCE).
Despathy: Steamrolling Vermonters one law at a time
The RES Series Part I: The interests of renewable energy industrialists versus those of Vermont and the the environment.
Washington joins Vermont in denying foster parents for their religion
Vermont isn’t the only deep blue state to reject Christian foster parents for not accepting pro-trans guidelines.
PUC increases installed solar power payout, cuts rate for new projects
Net-metering is the costliest of the State’s renewable energy programs, and that the pace of net-metering installations far exceeds the pace of other less costly renewable energy projects.
Roper: How does New Hampshire spend half the money for better results?
Unlike Vermont, their legislators spend taxpayer money wisely.
Vermont DCF blocks Christian foster parents
“Although the Wuotis and Gantts have adopted five children between them, the Department has determined they are unfit to foster or adopt any child solely due to their religiously inspired and widely held belief that girls cannot become boys or vice versa,” the filing states.
Addison, Lamoille, Caledonia ‘Blue’ districts face ‘Red’ challengers for House seats
(Part 1 of 3)
A lengthy list of Republican challengers against Democratic incumbents have filed petitions to run in the August 13 primary election.
State Sen. Dick Sears of Bennington has died
Sears served as chair of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee and was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Gov. Scott let pro-union ‘Card Check’ bill pass without signature
A ‘card check’ provision in the pro-labor bill could lead to higher state and local taxes, Scott warned.
Breaux: Vermont tries and fails to tax unrealized gains
There’s a compelling reason that even the most progressive states can’t generate any momentum for taxing unrealized gains: it’s pure guesswork.
Amid record budgets, Vermont among states with tax revenue problems
Red states with prospering economies, such as Florida and Texas, are among the top performers in exceeding tax revenue predictions.
Evslin: Tale of two districts
What has the legislature done?
John Rodgers: Energy developers making “giant contributions to political candidates”
Former State Senator John Rodgers noted while on the Morning Drive Radio show Friday the amount of special interests influencing state energy policy.
House Primary GOP candidate: “Citizens losing trust in government, schools, healthcare, and media”
The current legislature is polling at just 49% approval meaning there could be some changing seats this November election. The primaries are on Aug. 13 for VT.
Beekeeper abuzz about vetoed neonicotinoid ban
It is increasingly more expensive to keep and repopulate his hives, the vetoed bill’s sponsor said, because colonies are dying at faster rates in recent years.
Despathy: Tap Trees. Not Vermonters!
Vermonters hold legitimate fears and anxiety about the decisions made by our Democratic supermajority.
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.
Gov. Phil Scott appoints Andy Julow to Vermont Senate
Julow replaces Richard T. Mazza, who resigned last month after serving 39 years in the Vermont Senate.
Volatile health trends, Covid drive big health insurance rate hikes
Blue Cross Blue Shield and MVP health insurance companies each are requesting state approval of rate increases for monthly health insurance premiums.
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.
Professional licensing “regardless of immigration status” becomes state law
The law lets “individuals who meet the requirements for professional licenses to be granted those licenses regardless of their immigration status or lack thereof.”
Woislaw: Snooping listers must follow Constitution
Snooping in the area close to the home, which courts call the “curtilage,” is flatly forbidden by the federal constitution.
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.
Harrison: Veto session a safe bet
While I may have lost the adjournment pool, it is a very safe bet there will be gubernatorial vetoes over the next several weeks.
Vermont has third-highest tax burden
#3 in taxes, after New York and Hawaii.
Critics question VT’s plan for a new women’s prison
Vermont’s only women’s prison is half a century old and in terrible shape. The state has set aside millions for a new facility, but construction is years away.
Roper: Supermajority votes for even higher health insurance costs
H.766 will add estimated 3-7% increase on top of “normal” annual premium increases.
Galfetti: A legislature on a dangerous course
Vermonters will continue to pay for a mirage that promises effective climate change legislation but yields no discernible results.
Dame: R in G.E.T. R.E.A.L! stands for Regulatory Reform
Regulatory stagnation is partly to blame for housing prices out of reach for young Vermonters.
Hunt more moose to save them from winter ticks?
Experts see few other ways to stem the grisly pests.
Roper: The climate crusade that’s bankrupting Vermonters
This week Vermont Senate passed the Renewable Energy Standard bill (H.289) by a vote of 18-8.
Klar: Vermont’s virtue signaling Proposal 4
Here’s the rub – no advocate for Proposal 4 has actually furthered a need for the legislative change aside from a feel-good virtue-signal.
S.310 to mandate language assistance services for emergency info
Amid a hefty bill focused on the state’s natural disaster response is a provision to better inform Vermonters who can’t hear or speak little English.
As medical cannabis services wane, lawmakers look for solutions
Vermont only has five medical cannabis dispensaries as opposed to at least 51 recreational businesses opening within the last two years.
Sibilia: Looking for state accountability on education spending
State leaders aren’t acknowledging their role exacerbating these challenges while also repeatedly making expenditures out of the education fund without paying.
Roper: “Clean” heat mess gets even messier
It was neatly summed up by TAG member Christopher Trombly’s revelation, “We’re taxing the poor so that the rich can benefit.”
Missed crossover deadline, but bill banning drone surveillance still viable
Legislators added the original bill’s language to H.878, which deals with “miscellaneous judiciary procedures.”
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.
Shoplifting felony bill faces Senate scrutiny
A bookstore owner and House Democrat co-sponsored the bill.
Senate thumbs down on Saunders
Just three Senate Democrats backed the nomination of Gov. Scott’s choice for Secretary of Education.
Edmunds: Could stormwater regulations put Vermont State Fair underwater?
You can only self govern, if you maintain that structure of governance that allows it!
Evslin: The magical mythical equalized pupil
The Vermont legislature is playing an expensive shell game… and planning worse. The “equalized pupil” is the shell under which the pea is hidden.
Harrison: River corridor bill creates 15 new state jobs
Settle into a bumpy ride to scheduled May 10 adjournment.
STIMSON: Rogue prosecutors and the rise of crime
What happens when district attorneys — members of their states’ executive branches — refuse to execute the laws of the land?
Roper: A modest proposal for the homeless hotel debacle
Instead of dumping $30-$50 million every few months…
Bill would put speed cameras in work zones
If cameras catch you driving more than 10 mph over the limit, the rig takes a photo of your license plate and you’ll get a ticket in the mail.
Roper: More independent schools and more choice are the property tax solution
So, leftist legislators are, of course, trying to shut them down.
Senate holds Education Secretary confirmation hearings today
Senators to have hearing for new education secretary, $130 million for capital repairs, and more
Biz on the hook for fixing PCBs in schools
The bill says companies that distribute PCBs must pay for the testing and removal of the chemicals in Vermont’s schools.
After DUI charges, elected officials deal with consequences
Both state officials were driving to performed their elected duties when arrested for DUI.
House passes data protection bill with help from Harvard
Under the bill, companies would be barred from sale, lease, or disclosure of people’s biometric info unless necessary for the service or the person consents.
MacDonald: They made an environmental law so huge no one knows how to lift it
Vermonters don’t want to pay more to heat and cool their homes, but that’s what this does if they can figure a way to make it work, which is not a bad thing.
Dame: G.E.T. R.E.A.L! T: Transportation Infrastructure (Fix the Roads!)
Government is supposed to provide some basic, universal services and maintaining the state’s roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure is one of them.
Dawson: Fitness for all
Vermont’s approach to safer and happier work environments.
Roper: Clean Heat Standard too complicated to implement
Nearly a year after passage the most basic concepts around “the plan” remain unaddressed.
A message from incoming Education Secretary Zoie Saunders
“I know that when we come together as a community, our students’ potential is limitless. I look forward to earning – and keeping – your trust.”
Harrison: Now you see it, now you don’t
The House Ways & Means Committee proposed significant changes to Vermont’s education financing system, incl. limits on
future school budget increases.
Thayer: Make Vermont affordable!
Vermont’s current tax system employed by the Legislature needs a true, absolute overhaul!
Senate bill targeting drug dealers would delay ‘raise the age’ law
The bill would hold drug sellers responsible for deaths caused by their distribution of laced drugs, even if doing so was down to mere carelessness.
Police interrogation bill faces veto risk
The bill would limit Vermont police interrogators from lying to detainees. But lawmakers doubled down on details that got last year’s version shot down.
Tax troubles? Vermont’s taxpayer advocate wants to help
He can’t fly or shoot lasers out his eyes, but he can do what many dread and few understand: taxes.
Dick Mazza resigns from Senate
“The Conscience of the Senate” has stepped down.
Roper: Left-wing logic: Nothing in Vermont Is affordable, why should energy be?
The bizarre testimony of the Renewable Energy Vermont executive director.
Klar: New ‘green’ building code to dominate housing construction
Consumers and local governments must bow to more government overreach.
EB-5 scandal report sheds light on government failures
The report comes to defense of the state by suggesting they were deceived, but still acknowledges more could have been done to protect investors.
Roper: Another dumb Constitutional Amendment…
Our Constitution is leaning more to the Left… “Right to collectively bargain” would exacerbate our public pension crisis, tax crisis, and job flight.
Huff: G.E.T. R.E.A.L! Education reform
G.E.T. R.E.A.L. is a solemn promise and a positive path forward for our state by Vermont Republicans focused on improving the quality of life of our people.
United Nations references abound in House Agriculture Committee
The House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry has “United Nations” referenced in at least six committee documents.
Satcowitz: Updating Act 250 to meet the changing times
This cherished landscape is going away. We are blotting it out bit by bit, and once those bits are gone, we can’t get them back
VT Senate declares overdose state of emergency
Senators look to address police Code of Conduct, declare overdoses an emergency, new protections for the homeless, and more
Gov. Scott allocates $29.25M grants to curb sewer overflow pollution
“These investments support economic development, a cleaner environment, and have public health benefits.,” says Governor Scott.
Stack: When the taxpayer just stops paying
When Rep. Brian Cina (P-Burlington) told the House to “Read My Lips: Yes! New taxes!,” he proved that “belligerence is the truest sign of lack of ability.”
Paying you for your opinion about 50% conserved land by 2050
An environmental group is offering to pay $75 to ‘conservation advocates’ who will advance the U.N.-based State of Vermont plan for 50% conservation of total land area by 2050.
House rejects budget ‘transparency,’ then OKs $8.8 billion in spending
“I don’t think we should be voting on a budget that pretends a certain amount of spending,” Donahue said. “Transparency to our constituents is one of our most important obligations.”
Two years after veto, lawmakers angling for expungement reform
“You want to be able to understand … if somebody was involved in credit card fraud,” a spokesperson for Vermont bankers said.
Gov. Scott upset over criticism of Education Secretary pick
“Frankly, I’m embarrassed by the message it sends, that a smart, extremely capable professional woman, who has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for kids and addressing inequity for impoverished communities and families, is being villainized simply because of the state she currently lives in.”
Vermont-born businesswoman warns Legislature, “these taxes are killing us”
“We don’t want to sit at home. We don’t want to collect from the system,” said the woman who overcame severe dyslexia and ADHD to found a growing leather products business now threatened by high taxes.
Gov. Scott opposes land use changes
Gov. argues that the changes will create new layers of bureaucracy and make it harder to build new housing.
Gogo: The true cost of flavored nicotine
The health costs of flavored nicotine products far outweigh the tax revenues generated.
Lawmakers ponder fossil-fuel divestment, paying for new schools
This week lawmakers in the House are set to look at divestment from carbon fuels, new funding for school construction projects, and more.
Galfetti: The cost of Renewable Energy Credits
The Floor Report: 03/21/2024.
Vermont farmers urge senators to not chicken out of passing poultry inspection bill
By meeting a slew of conditions, producers wouldn’t need inspections to sell raw chicken products from the farm, at farmers markets or to restaurants in VT.
Restorative justice referral bill could see ‘a much slower starting process’ with uncertain position funding
The bill would codify the practice of pre-charge referrals so the process is the same regardless of county.
Roper: House passes Renewable Energy Standard amidst cloud of baloney
Sponsoring Rep. deploys word salad to avoid stating truths about the bill.
An ostrich approach to mental health truth
Office of Public Guardian with its head in the sand
Smith: Inequitable, un-environmental illusion
The unrealism of the Renewable Energy Standard grows.
Revamped bill aims to stem sexual violence on campus
The bill went nowhere last year but was passed out of committee at Friday’s crossover deadline.
LaMarche: Paternalist policy puzzle
We should examine the twisted ways this legislature has “shielded” children from danger.
Except in Burlington, no interest in temporary shelters
Apart from Burlington, use of the proferred temporary shelters was low – but that doesn’t mean the transition out of ‘homeless hotels’ was easy for everyone.
Despathy: Homeschool civics at the State House
These homeschoolers give me hope for the future and I believe they will continue to stay informed.
Vermont Legal Aid and parents’ Black hole
Vermont residents can and should expect more from publicly funded organizations than the Blacks received.
State seeks to suspend state’s attorney charged with DUI
Vekos had issued an email to law enforcement in Addison County saying she did not feel safe round them and would no longer meet with them.
Roper: Senate President Pro Tem’s disgraceful anti-small-“d”-democratic rant
Baruth tells senators to ignore voters and dictates to media how to report.
Wilson: What I learned at the Vermont State House
“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”
Huff: It’s time to G.E.T. R.E.A.L. about Vermont’s future
We cannot afford the crushing tax burden the majority is placing on our household incomes. State spending is out of control.
Racial equity office worries Act 250 bill’s wording is exclusionary
The bill requires board applicants have “a record and reputation for excellent character and integrity,” off-putting language for someone not from a traditional Vermont background, an equity official says.
Some cliff tops and overlooks closed to protect nesting Peregrines
Also, be alert for frogs and salamanders while driving.
