The $2.5 million grant (plus $456K for staff) is “phase one of a two-phase funding opportunity aimed to support Vermont with climate change mitigation planning efforts.”
Feds spend big for Vermont climate mitigation planning
Vermont advocates renew push for single payer system
Critics say the proposal would add another layer of taxation to a state struggling to remain competitive by reducing the high cost of living.
Which state employees earn more than Phil Scott?
Ahead of Scott (#94) is a “who’s that?” roster of UVM deans, administrators and professors.
Despathy: Supermajority bills usurp parent rights over healthcare, local control of energy, schools
If big government ever earns a final epitaph, it will be this ‘Here lies a contrivance engineered by know-it-alls who broke eggs with abandon but never, ever created an omelet.”
Motel 6 ad pitchman Bodett gets grant to renovate Brattleboro arts center
The man who said “I’m Tom Bodett, and we’ll leave the light on for you” is renovating a Brattleboro arts building with a state grant.
Bill prioritizes minorities and illegal immigrants for flood reimbursement
A bill introduced Jan. 10 deprioritizes the majority of Vermonters for proposed flood recovery assistance.
Keelan: Efficiency Vermont just keeps growing
Efficiency Vermont is not different than most Vermont nonprofits that are, in effect, quasi-state agencies. They have substantial mission creep.
Director of Elections moving on
Secretary of State announces nationwide search.
Fired Woodstock coach loses first round in transgender lawsuit
The Woodstock Union High School coach, fired after he joined a private conversation last Feb. by two students on his team about transgender athletes, lost his first battle to win back his job.
Stevenson: Fish and Wildlife Department defies legislators
Vermonters have been trying to change how the Fish and Wildlife Board and Department treats wildlife and the public for decades but reach grid lock, every time — and here we are again.
Roper: Sen. McCormack: “Am I so out of touch? No, it’s my constituents who are wrong.”
Democrat does his best to paraphrase Principal Skinner.
State grant could help Waterbury brewery curb its wastewater
Last month, Freak Folk Bier brewery received a grant from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s wastewater management program.
Roper: VT Democrats open 2024 session with 10% income tax hike
Now it’s in the House, and you have a chance to let your Representatives know what you think about all this. Please do!
Smith: The MADCAP policies of the Vermont legislature
The Vermont Legislature has a modus operandi: “Make As Darn Complicated As Possible”
Miro: Building housing and ending homelessness
We are long past the time for more debate. It is time for comparable State action to address wasteful and exclusionary State land use and housing policies.
LaMarche: Vermont’s unpleasant New Year’s surprise
Instead of raising the fees on every Vermonter, why don’t state lawmakers draw their wanted revenue from their political paymasters?
Deal with it, Supreme Court tells Newbury about State juvenile facility
Over the locals’ howls of protest, the the Vermont Supreme Court affirmed a state permit to develop a secure youth treatment facility.
Education revenue up, General Fund and Transportation revenue down for November
State revenue for November failed to meet projections.
Roper: VT Climate Council can’t decide which gas/diesel tax it likes best
71 percent of Vermonters oppose any carbon tax/fee/surcharge on gasoline and diesel, 59 percent strongly oppose it. So, lawmakers, how about you listen to your constituents for a change?
Fish and Wildlife bucks lawmakers’ demands on trapping/coyote hunting rules
Lawsuit threatened as Fish and Wildlife professionals stood their ground against unreasonable legislative demands.
Staffing challenges persist for Sheriff’s Departments after pay cut by lawmakers
The Vermont Sheriffs’ Association held a press conference on Monday at the State House to call for the resignation of Franklin County Sherriff John Grismore regarding a use-of-force incident.
Roper: Shock poll (NOT)! Vermonters don’t want to pay ANYTHING for Democrats’ climate agenda
Presenting a cost/benefit proposal is really the only accurate way to gauge genuine support or opposition to a policy. Almost anybody will support almost anything if they think it’s free.
Vermont Attorney General signs letter calling crisis pregnancy centers “deceptive and unethical”
This flies in the face of public sentiment, but a deeper truth remains: To Planned Parenthood, CPCs are unwanted competition.
$7 million in gambling revenue next year could double in five years
Vermonters will not be allowed to vote on instate collegiate or high school games.
‘Catch and release’ Judge Jiron bumped from criminal court bench
Jiron has developed a reputation in the Northeast Kingdom for not consistently jailing suspects charged with violent crimes.
State Police name two new top leaders
The two new VSP leaders are Ron LaFond Jr. as director of the Vermont Intelligence Center, and Christian Pedoty as emergency communications director.
As high court debates ‘expressive car honking’, Vermont already has law on the books
The US Supreme Court may consider whether someone honking their horn for a non-traffic-related reason is illegal.
Vermont already has a law on its books concerning the trend. It’s just not enforced.
Grismore’s lawyer calls impeachment ‘undemocratic attack,’ fellow sheriffs want him to resign
“The history of Vermont politics is littered with questionable characters who have held all manner of office, yet the sort of partisan hit-job the Impeachment Committee brings to our politics is unprecedented,” Kaplan said.
Scott asks lawmakers to delay juvenile offender law changes
In a report to legislative leaders, the Vermont Department for Children and Families asked for the “raise the age” reforms to be paused for “several years” until the state can improve the care system for young offenders.
Vermont to prioritize broadband access based on race
Who gets first dibs on this money will at least in part be determined by your race. Certain covered populations have been at an economic disadvantage compared to others, thus justifying the policy.
Sheriff Grismore’s law enforcement license revoked
Grismore given the boot after giving the boot.
Sibilia: About the December 1 Tax Letter…
The pupil weight changes mean that in the next fiscal year, some districts will increase school budgets and see tax rate reductions, while others might experience a tax rate hike even with flat spending. In addition, it has been nearly 16 years since Vermont provided school construction aid.
Towed in Vermont? You have few protections compared to most states.
If your car is towed in Vermont, you’re on your own.
McClaughry: Legislative preview for 2024
The 2024 Vermont legislature will convene a month from now and its members will have to laser focus on the shocking increase projected for education spending.
New public hearing on trapping and coyote hunting rules
Department of Fish and Wildlife stands its ground on trapping and coyote hunting
Lawmakers gather tomorrow for 2024 preview
Legislators and press will learn tomorrow about the state of the economy, the ‘budget context,’ federal aid, and the latest on the housing and flood crises.
State Prosecutor Sarah George rebuked by law enforcement over criticisms of traffic stops
When an impaired driver doesn’t get pulled over for a a non-moving violation, the next thing that happens could be far worse.
Juvenile holding center to open soon in Middlesex
The 2020 closing of Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Essex left a vacuum in care for Vermont’s most troubled children when they require full-time oversight
State kicks off Vermont Strong holiday campaign to raise $1M for flood recovery
Gov. Phil Scott today announced a six-week holiday campaign to raise funds for Vermonters and businesses impacted by summer flooding through sales of Vermont Strong license plates and socks.
Lawmakers question proposed Fish & Wildlife regs for hunting coyotes, trapping
Should dogs used for coyote hunting always be within eyesight/shouting distance? Is trapping as constitutionally-protected as hunting? These questions and others divide the more pro-hunting Fish & Wildlife Dept. and the more hunting-restrictive Legislature.
Public defender, family court judge among five Superior Court appointees
Gov. Phil Scott has named five appointees to sit on the Vermont Superior Court bench, where if approved by the Legislature they’ll pull down $250,000/year.
Vermont publishes roadmap for ‘age-friendly state’
Age Strong VT is intended to serve as a roadmap for building an age-friendly state.
VT police oversight board bans reporting illegals to ICE – or does it?
Illegal immigrant advocates want the State of Vermont to continue to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration officials. It’s unclear if a state criminal justice council agreed last week.
Langdon Street in Montpelier gets flood recovery $$
Funky Langdon Street in downtown Montpelier will get state funding to mitigate future flood damage and restore three commercial units and 16 apartments.
Anti-trapping, hunting groups seek last minute changes in proposed regs
Thursday a 3rd public hearing on new rules for trapping, coyote hunting will take place, 34+ speakers weighing in. A proponent of trapping says opponents want “death by a thousand cuts” for trapping.
VTrans resorts to chicanery to stop Smugglers Notch stuckages
The choice of chicanes followed lengthy brainstorming of many options and a driver survey that drew more than 300 respondents.
Roper: Survey says! Vermonters really don’t support state energy policy
DPS poll/focus groups will be spun the other way, but this is what people said.
Vermonters’ rate affordability over emissions reduction, State survey shows
The Vermont Department of Public Service (PSD) has released a new report that presents insights into the public opinion on renewable electricity in Vermont.
Roper: VT Renewable Energy Standard: A “shell game” of “picking winners & losers”
Winners: major donors to the Democrat and Progressive parties and their candidates. Losers: those who may supply better, cheaper, more reliable electricity but don’t support those politicians.
Vermont, N.H. AGs to board boat and “perambulate the border”
In 1935, a Special Master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the Vermont-N.H. border was the low-water mark on the Vermont side of the Connecticut River. Today, the AGs for both states will get on a boat and confirm the border – again.
Lunge reappointed to Green Mountain Care Board
A universal health care insurance advocate under the Shumlin administration has been reappointed to the Green Mountain Care Board.
Key House lawmaker would penalize gas-guzzlers
“The priorities have been so skewed,” Brattleboro Rep. Mollie Burke said. “People think they have the God-given right to go whenever they want to go.”
Vermont has given 3,534 electric vehicle rebates since 2019
State incentives are available for new vehicle purchases or leases of eligible EVs with a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $50,000 or less.
Former LAPD, Keene State cop named interim Capitol Police Chief
Williams managed a $20 million budget as a lieutenant in the L.A. Police Department, and has led five police departments.
Secretary of Education job posting is revealing
“The Secretary will be dedicated to reducing educational inequities in all schools, particularly in communities that have experienced the most substantial demographic declines.”
Roper: PUC stands for People Utterly Clueless
None of this speaks well of the competency with which this program will be managed. And it is going to be exceedingly complicated.
DEC report highlights distrust, waste and water concerns in three communities
Report also describes a sense of distrust with civil services and plans for a new app to make it easier to see alerts and records and file and follow complaints.
Roper: Conflicts of interest in the Renewable Energy Standard Working Group
These are the most egregious conflicts of interest on the committee, and you can count on them to shape policy in ways that funnel money to their doners through mandates and subsidies.
Future Generations Commissioner pushes no-car society, universal basic income
Investing in EV infrastructure is not the answer at all, Howe said. “We’re all still stuck in traffic, not talking to each other, in EVs rather than our diesel vehicles.”
Despathy: The need for independent spirit, representation and bravery
Bottom line: We need statesmen, not politicians.
Despathy: Echo chambers, social engineering and legal plunder
Elected legislators are there to serve the people so why do so many Vermonters feel attacked, ambushed and abused during the legislative session?
Keelan: Let’s bury the hatchets
Let’s put those hatchets away and get on with what we must do. Make it possible for young people to afford to live and work in Vermont.
Despathy: I’m an outsider inside the State House. Here’s what I see
New Democrat lawmakers join a party tribe while their constituents suffer.
At first Truth and Reconciliation Commission, participants identify their race, white privilege
The commission’s executive director was thanked for stating her white privilege.
State: Casella must remove flood control berm
Vermont’s biggest solid waste handler lacked proper permitting to build its post-flood berm in Montpelier.
Priest, former Burlington councilor named Franklin County State’s Attorney
Veteran prosecutor Bram Kranichfeld has been tapped to take command of the troubled Franklin County State’s Attorney’s office.
Hoffer: Dam safety revisited
Government can proactively take steps to mitigate the risks or severity of disasters, especially in terms of critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, prevention is often underfunded and unappreciated.
Impeachment committee shuts down Lavoie inquiry
The Vermont House Impeachment Inquiry Committee has ended its investigation into embattled Franklin County State’s Attorney John Lavoie in the wake of his resignation.
MacDonald: Vermont doesn’t have a sales tax holiday because …
The present make-up of the legislature is veto-proof Democrat majorities which means that if Vermonters want a break from rising taxes, any taxes, they will need to vote for new candidates.
State funds up to $11K for trading flood-damaged cars for EVs
“We hope these incentive changes will make a difference in curbing the worst effects of climate change,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Flynn said.
Vermont regulators approve double-digit health insurance hikes
“While we were able to reduce these rate requests, we know that Vermonters will still struggle to pay for their health care,” Board chairman Owen Foster said in a statement.
Vermont #1 worldwide in niche ‘captive insurance’ industry
As the global captive insurance industry meets this week in South Burlington, Vermont can rightly claim: We’re #1!
New disaster license plate says Vermonters are tough, too
Vermonters aren’t only strong – we’re tough, too. Or so the new license plate says.
$20 million just the start for business flood recovery, Scott says
When the program opens, businesses will be eligible for a grant of 20% of the net documented uncovered damage to their physical property up to a maximum of $20,000.
Scott administration considers flood-plain home buyout
The governor called on Congress to pass supplemental (additional) funding for buyouts in of homes in chronic flood zones.
Scott relaxes DMV, prescription medication, other state regs due to flood emergency
The State of Emergency has led to a temporary suspension of state government regulations, deadlines and requirements.
$20 million in quick flood aid to businesses
The Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program will be administered by the Department of Economic Development and provide $20 million in grants directly to impacted businesses and not-for-profits who suffered physical damage due to the severe flooding.
New State website helps flood recovery efforts
“We will have a forward-facing application that they can file an initial claim through, and the difference between today and Wednesday will not change the timeliness,” DOL Commissioner Harrington said.
Newly-created job will prepare budgets for Legislature’s staff offices
The 12 separate offices in the Vermont Legislature will soon have their very own budget development staffer.
EB-5 investors accept four cents on the dollar
The settlement “removes the State’s exposure to financial risk,” Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark said.
Vermont revenue comes under target in several categories
While revenue did fall short for the general fund, Secretary of Administration Kristin Clouser said the transportation and education funds met their monthly targets as $197.5 million was collected.
Scott bemoans one-party rule, but says answer isn’t necessarily more Republicans in Legislature
After hearing Scott explain what a governor couldn’t do, WCAX reporter Calvin Cutler asked the popular incumbent Republican governor what he could do.
IT outages, performance issues challenge state agency charged with expanded cybersecurity role
Yesterday, key state websites were down for 10 hours due to a vendor mistakenly cutting a fiber-optic cable in Washington D.C.. Tomorrow, the Chief Information Officer retires. Today, Gov. Scott answered questions about the state IT agency’s performance.
483-ton power transformer to clog I-89 traffic this weekend
The Vermont Agency of Transportation wants you to know that traffic will be very, very slow on I-89 South between Milton and Barre for about eight hours this weekend.
Legislature’s Impeachment Committee continues to exclude public from hearings
A legislative committee charged with deciding whether to impeach two elected county officials has barred the public from its inquiry meetings – much to the dismay of the Vermont press corps.
Scott signs biggest transportation budget bill ever
The “T-Bill” calls for pavng 450 miles of the state’s highways, and also spending big on public transit, rail, bike and pedestrian paths, and charging stations.
‘Equity’ state’s attorney named Superior Court judge
Northfield’s police chief strongly disputes Thibault’s charge of ‘disparate treatment’ of two Black and Hispanic men arrested on drug charges over the white women driving the car.
‘This guy is still a judge!?’ senator fumes about easy-bail jurist
The $200 bail for DeGreenia wasn’t the first controversial catch-and-release of Jiron’s brief judicial career.
State of Vermont advertises for permanent bureaucrats to plan, implement S.5
A help wanted ad placed by the State of Vermont says, “The recently enacted S. 5 requires the establishment of a clean heat credit evaluation program, a technical advisory group, an equity advisory group, a credit tracking and trading system, and a registration system.”
UPDATE: Spray painting at lawmaker’s residence says, “It must be nice to have a home”
A South Burlington lawmaker appears to have been targeted with spray-paint vandalism for not doing more for the homeless.
Voluntary paid family leave begins Phase One July 1
The benefits of the voluntary program will provide up to six weeks of paid family and medical leave benefits at 60% of an employee’s average weekly wage.
As budget battle looms, Scott administration says revenues are down
The Legislature wants to spend $8.5 billion next year. The Scott administration says revenues have fallen two months in a row.
Legislature adds $1200/household spending this year, Scott warns
“We share the same goals. We both support making historic investments in shared priorities. But we must do it in a way Vermonters can afford,” Gov. Phil Scott said.
State bans TikTok on state-owned devices
Digital services secretary Shawn Nailor cited U.S. intelligence agencies assessments “about the potential for Chinese intelligence and security services to use Chinese information technology firms as routine and systemic espionage platforms against the United States and allies.”
Funding door closes on homeless hotels
The State’s pandemic-era ‘homeless hotel’ program will end July 1, barring any last-minute deal if the governor vetoes the budget.
House launches impeachment investigation against Franklin County Sheriff, State’s Attorney
The House announces beginning of impeachment proceedings against two Franklin County elected officials.
Truth and reconciliation commissioners talk plans and new hires
The commission has three years to gather testimony from Vermonters and research past and current harm done by the state. It will then present a report to the Legislature in June 2026.
New spending would raise state, local tax burden to 14.6%, Scott tax man tells Ways & Means
Vermont will take the bronze medal in the High Tax Olympics if the Legislature gets all it wants in increased spending, Gov. Phil Scott’s lead tax man said today.
VT Headlines: Franklin County State’s Attorney asked to resign over alleged misconduct
Newly elected Democratic State’s Attorney John Lavoie should resign, the state office overseeing sheriffs and state’s attorneys says.
Defense lawyer, prosecutor picked for Superior Court
The high-profile defense attorney who defended Ariel Quiros and the driver who killed five Harwood Union High School students has been named a Superior Court judge.
