Category: Uncategorized

Keelan: Vermont losing colleges and Catholics, gaining cannabis and tax collection

Two long-established state institutions, the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Veterans Home, are finding it difficult to fully carry out their missions. Why? Over the years, their staffing has been depleted and nearly impossible to fill. A long-time member of the VSP noted to this writer that their ranks are down approximately 60 troopers from an authorized strength of 328 to a force of 268 today.

Echoes from an Old Hollow Tree

You can turn off the news, the talking heads that demand your attention, your rage, and walk amid the hedgerows with their final berries of the season, under the leaves now reddening with a crimson blush. Everything about this time of year invites you to slow down and to reflect, to reclaim your sense of balance in an imbalanced world…

Bananas: The Cat’s Out of the Bag

Keeping up appearances, the two hated enemies who were meeting in person for the first time, exchanged a handshake with all the warmth and charm of a beach getaway in Greenland.  The moderators then laid out the ground rules:  absolutely no biting, kicking, or eye gouging will be tolerated.  Lying, back biting, pivoting, gaslighting, rambling, insulting and obfuscating were all fair game.  May the best man or person who identifies as a woman win! 

Rep. Sibilia: Doing Nothing is Not Going to Protect Your Pocketbook

But what’s really behind these rising heating costs? Global oil prices, which are completely out of our control. Big oil companies set prices that Vermonters have to pay. And while small, local heating oil companies are doing their best to help, six have closed this past year alone. These closures mean fewer choices for Vermonters and more dependence on big companies that raise prices whenever they want. 

Scott vetoes school tax bill

“Vermonters cannot afford a double-digit property tax increase. Especially while facing a historic eight-percent property tax increase last year, a 20% increase in DMV fees, a new payroll tax taking effect July 1, increased fuel costs to heat homes and businesses from the Clean Heat Standard, and increased electric costs if my veto of the Renewable Energy Standard is not sustained,” Scott said.