For almost four years, Vermont Daily (under this and previous names) has provided fair, accurate, and relevant news and commentary about Vermont state government and culture. Readers have never been charged for […]
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MAGA-VT campaign endorses candidates to national convention
The following email was sent today by Chet Greenwood, MAGA Vermont co-chair, to Republican electors of delegates to this summer’s Republican National Convention. “Going to the Republican National Convention should be an […]
Gilbert announces run for Congress
Mystery candidate from Arizona also reportedly running to unseat Welch By Guy Page Edward Gilbert of Graniteville has joined Jimmy Rodriguez of Arizona (?) as an announced Republican challenger to incumbent Democratic […]
Despite fraud concerns, universal vote-by-mail could be approved this week
By Guy Page The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office hopes to reach an agreement with Gov. Phil Scott this week to institute universal voting-by-mail for the November 3 General Election. The SOS […]
‘Today, I saw something horribly dark in my county’
by Kate Bowen May 1, 2020 – Today was the first time since January we thought it would be a fun family treat, and a nice way to support a local Brattleboro […]
Guv reopens manufacturing
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ECONOMIC RE-OPENING STEPS Increases Safety Protocols, Allows More Employees Back to Work As modeling indicates continued progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19, Governor Phil Scott today announced a […]
Vermont sees third-slowest virus case growth rate in nation
Vermonters are used to reading news about our state’s slow growth rate. In the matter of Covid-19 positive cases, everyone can agree that growth is NOT a good thing. Now, how will […]
Senate plan: school districts without 2021 budgets may level-fund
by Guy Page April 29, 2020 – Many Vermonters have been wondering how towns that voted down school budgets, or had votes scheduled before social-distancing was required, will set their budgets for […]
GOP to vote for National Committeeman
By Guy Page April 28, 2020 – Two Vermont Republican Party leaders are vying for election this month as Vermont’s male representative to the Republican National Committee (RNC). Rick Cochran, a […]
“Common property” constitutional amendment dead for this year
By Guy Page April 28, 2020 – PR9, the proposed amendment to the Vermont Constitution declaring natural resources “the common property of all the people,” will not be taken up this year, […]
Ammo mag ban unconstitutional, bad policy, says amicus brief filed in VT Supreme Court
MONTPELIER (April 24, 2020) — Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and Firearms Policy Foundation (FPF) announced the filing of an important legal brief in the Vermont Supreme Court regarding the State of […]
Op-ed: Time to end Chittenden dominance of Legislature
by John LaBarge A recent announcement to close three rural Vermont State College campuses (since withdrawn, for now) raises the question, “does Chittenden County govern the rest of Vermont?” There is growing […]
Next wave: Lockdown or selective quarantine?
Amnon Sashua, Sachs Professor of Computer Science at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel, proposes a promising alternative to a pandemic lockdown: risk-based selective quarantine. The column below has been edited for brevity, […]
At 10 AM Today, House to vote remotely on remote voting
…Then will consider emergency borrowing bill. In Committee: medical ethics and crisis standards of care; foreclosure moratoriums; migrant workers By Guy Page April 23, 2020 – The Vermont House of Representatives is […]
State House rally prompts Guv comments on economic recovery, abortion funding
by Guy Page, Vermont Daily April 22, 2020 – Earlier this week, Jim Sexton of Essex Junction announced a protest gathering on the State House lawn today. In many ways it didn’t […]
Scott pulled plug on troubled UI upgrade – “then this pandemic hit”
Multi-state, three-year effort failed due to lack of collaboration by lead state Idaho By Guy Page April 22, 2020 – Distressed by the State of Vermont’s failure to promptly process pandemic-related unemployment […]
Legislative chiefs seek stay of execution for condemned VSC campuses
Johnson, Ashe ask state college trustees for one-year “bridge” budget By Guy Page House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe this weekend asked Vermont State College (VSC) trustees to […]
Vermont economy reopening begins tomorrow; college campus closure vote delayed
By Guy Page April 19, 2020 – Saturday, President Donald Trump announced at a press briefing Vermont and Texas will be the first two states to reopen for business, beginning this Monday. […]
Scott: Don’t close colleges or raise taxes. Legislature, innovate!
STATEMENT: GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ON THE FUTURE OF THE VERMONT STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement: “Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vermont State College […]
purpose of police informant tool “educational”
By Guy Page April 17, 2020 – More than 130 Vermonters have used the Vermont State Police “Executive Order Reporting Tool” (EORT) to inform police about other Vermonters’ alleged infractions of Gov. […]
Just Now: Gov Scott hints at drive-in churches
Gov. Phil Scott just hinted that Vermont may soon allow drive-in church services. Moments ago at his press conference today, he noted that as the State “reopens the spigot a quarter turn […]
Waiting for DOL
Another Vermont Daily Off The Cuff Editorial This morning a former lawmaker from the Islands asked me about the status of unemployment payments. In a VPR interview today, acting labor commissioner Michael […]
An uncertain budget for an uncertain time
With 2021 transportation revenue uncertain, House Transportation Committee hears idea to pass full-year budget but allocate $$ for just 3-4 months By Guy Page April 16, 2020 – In response to uncertain […]
Public transit drivers, ridership down due to covid-19
34 public transit drivers out, three test positive; ridership down 75%; Burlington riders less likely to wear masks By Guy Page April 16, 2020 – The House Transportation Committee Wednesday discussed several […]
Covid-19 order: disinfect water supplies
State orders disinfecting of all public water supplies to reduce threat to immuno-suppressed Vermonters By Guy Page April 15, 2020 – The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation [DEC] last month ordered Vermont […]
Father of murdered son will work for victims’ rights as lieutenant governor
Sharon businessman and other statewide candidates face challenge of campaigning in time of social distancing By Guy Page April 14, 2020 – Dana Colson is running for lieutenant governor on a slate […]
Klar: ‘Farms Close, Bureaucracy Grows!’
Saying it’s time for farmers to ‘make farmers politicians again,’ guv candidate issues economic plan, publishes slate of 10 candidates April 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ –In the midst of a crisis for Vermont’s dairy farms and […]
Big problems loom for legislature this week
Legislature gets updates, seeks solutions for milk dumping, education revenue shortfall, prison reform By Guy Page April 13, 2020 – Vermont farmers are dumping milk while shoppers worry about food supply. The […]
Vermont hospitals can handle virus peak, models show
By Guy Page April 13, 2020 – The State of Vermont’s latest computer modeling now shows Vermont hospitals will have enough beds to handle the hundreds of expected Covid-19 cases at its […]
JOHN KLAR URGES VERMONTERS TO CONTACT LOCAL CSA
April 10, 2020: GOP Gubernatorial candidate John Klar is urging Vermonters to contact their local CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) to order food early for the 2020 growing season. Also, Vermont’s dairy farms and craft […]
Scott extends State of Emergency through May 15
Extends State of Emergency and All Existing Mitigation Orders and Closures until May 15 Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the […]
Covid-19 bad news for newspapers
Virus takes toll on Vermont print media By Guy Page With the outbreak peak still yet to come, and the near-term future of the Vermont economy uncertain, already at least one newspaper […]
Former Cambridge lawmaker dies of Covid-19
by Guy Page April 8, 2020 – Bernie Juskiewicz, husband, father, dedicated local volunteer, and a Republican legislator who represented Cambridge and Waterville from 2013-18, has died of the coronavirus, according to […]
north troy man delivers 104 easter baskets to needy children
Reprinted from the April 7 Newport Dispatch, an online news publication. NORTH TROY — A North Troy man made it his mission during the current pandemic, to deliver Easter baskets to local […]
Single-use plastic bag ban to continue
Reusable shopping bags not a significant transmission threat, Health Dept. says – although they’re banned in NH, MA and San Francisco By Guy Page April 7, 2020 – The July 1 ban […]
Guv ok with remote voting – for now
By Guy Page April 6, 2020 – Gov. Phil Scott said today he is working “hand in hand” with legislative leaders on Covid-19 legislation and is fine with the use of remote […]
No ‘straight talk’ for big box shoppers
by Guy Page April 3, 2020 – The coronavirus this week hit Vermonters where they live – again – after the Berlin Walmart roped off access to the Straight Talk phone cards, […]
No virus problems for VT internet, power grid
Vermont power grid, internet connectivity and IT strong – but weaknesses are exposed By Guy Page April 2, 2020 – Despite unprecedented internet use, Vermont’s connectivity remains stable. The state’s power grid […]
YouTube offers new window on the State House
Republished from the Ethan Allen Institute April newsletter If there’s a positive thing to come out of this COVID-19 response in regard to state government, it is the new policy of live-streaming […]
Highway $$ windfall coming
Federal ‘infrastructure’ bill will pay 100% of VT transportation project costs – scope, amount uncertain By Guy Page April 1, 2020 – State transportation officials expect a new federal infrastructure bill will […]
SEnate worries laid-off workers will stay idle to get $600 fed payment
PHOTO – Senate caucus this morning held on Zoom, uploaded to YouTube By Guy Page March 31, 2020 – A Senate committee will meet Thursday morning to address the looming problem of […]
Deb Billado: Legislature should practice ‘bill passing distancing’
http://www.truenorthreports.com/deb-billado-legislature-should-practice-bill-passing-distancing It’s almost too bad that author Deb Billado chairs the VT Republican Party and therefore everything she writes is likely to be discounted or ignored by the legislative majority, because what […]
vt Travel ban has teeth
STAY AWAY – Police are warning New Yorkers and the Vermont lodging industry not to make non-essential lodging bookings. They’re asking for voluntary compliance – now. But repeated non-compliance could lead to […]
Conservative, Christian Norwich Grad to help challenger for cummings’ seat ‘drain the swamp’
Jacqueline Tran, a Norwich University graduate and former Trump fundraiser, has been named as Finance Director for a black, conservative woman candidate running for the Maryland House seat held by Rep. Elijah […]
AOC breaks with Bernie on how to lead the left – POLITICO
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/30/new-aoc-divides-the-left-150767 Is it possible? AOC is going Establishment.
Latest vital statistics on Vermont pandemic
Click here to read the latest vital stats from the Vermont Department of Health page on the Coronavirus pandemic, which includes cases, deaths, and more.
What REALLY happened between cynthia browning and mitzi johnson Wednesday?
PHOTO: Rep. Cynthia Browning tells reporters why she made the controversial decision to request a quorum at the gathering of the House this week. Pool photo by Kevin McCullum, Seven Days Lawmaker/Journalist […]
ICE Air flying home US citizens from Central America during COVID-19 outbreak | ICE
Scott addresses School year cancellation, plastic bag ban
In-person school year cancelled to slow feared ramp-up of Covid-19 Out-of-state students should stay there Comcast still mailing cutoff notices Deaths blamed on senior home “outbreak” Only Legislature can postpone 7/1 plastic […]
In-person school CANCELLED for year
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT DISMISSES SCHOOLS FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION FOR REMAINDER OF 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR School districts to implement continuity of learning plans for remote learning by April 13 Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today […]
What “stay home, stay safe” means to shoppers and church-goers
By Guy Page March 26, 2020 – Vermonters are eager to learn how Governor Phil Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Covid-19 policy applies to their lives. Are they still permitted to walk […]
Vermont State Police clarify enforcement plans for grocery store piece of ‘Stay home, stay safe’
For people wondering if/how State of Vermont plans to enforce emergency rules requiring curbside drops/delivery only for groceries, the following is quoted verbatim from a press release issued today by State Police […]
covid-19 likely to mean more domestic abuse in vt; funding needed
Photo: Caledonia County Courthouse. Victims of domestic abuse face more challenges to getting relief-from-abuse orders and other services due to Covid-19 measures, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard today.. By Guy Page March […]
Scott orders: stay home, stay safe
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ISSUES A “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE” ORDER, DIRECTS ADDITIONAL CLOSURES Orders Vermonters to restrict and minimize activities outside of the home Directs non-essential businesses and non-profits to cease in-person […]
ASHE REPORT: 5 VTers dead from Covid-19; 75 positives; colleges on hook for dormitory refunds; GUV TO ISSUE STAY HOME ORDER
Details from Tim Ashe 5:30 Daily Briefing on Facebook: As of today: 75 Vermonters have tested positive for Covid-19 5 Vermonters have died of Covid-19 Vermont has 82,000 surgical masks and 78,000 […]
Remember when?
Artwork credit: seen on Vermont Emergency Management Facebook page, sourced from a Seattle woman who says her sister Annie is the artist Hey, Vermonters of the Covid-19 era! Remember when we….. Made […]
State publishes wi-fi hot spot map
The State of Vermont has published a map showing public “hot spots” of wi-fi availability. Broadband Internet access is an important resource for remote learning and working from home but may not […]
senate may soon meet, vote remotely
PHOTO: screenshot from Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe Sunday night Facebook message. Senate to vote Tuesday on meeting and voting remotely, expanding unemployment insurance and telemedicine, extending DMV renewal deadline By Guy […]
NH Governor bans reusable shopping bags
https://www.wmur.com/article/governor-bans-resuable-shopping-bags-10-new-coronavirus-cases-reported-in-nh/31855463 Will Gov. Phil Scott follow suit and ban reusable shopping bags during the State of Emergency? Will the Legislature rethink its plastic bag ban, set to take effect July 1? Stay […]
Vermont Climate Solutions Caucus leaders discuss Covid-19 pandemic impact on climate change legislation
Many Vermont Daily readers have been asking how the pandemic has impacted Vermont climate change legislation. The short answer is that I have asked that question of at least one climate change-leading […]
As pandemic grows, vermonters wonder about plastic bag ban, public transit, paid family leave
Graphic credit: Fox News By Guy Page March 19, 2020 – Some recent environmental and fiscal decisions made by Vermont State Government are being rethought, or at least second-guessed, due to the […]
The History of Pandemics Pan·dem·ic /panˈdemik/ (of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world. As humans have spread across the world, so have infectious diseases. Even in this modern […]
Changing How Vermont does democracy during Covid-19
Senate committee agrees to waive need for physical location of government meetings, allowing 2020 election ballots to be mailed to every registered voter. Secretary of State warns of C-19 return in fall. […]
VT House-Senate leaders discuss C-19 unemployment today
Covid-19 Teleconference Report Editor’s note: Rep. Anne Donahue reports on the takeaway from the Vermont House – Senate teleconference today. Reprinted from Berlin Front Porch Forum. ANNE DONAHUE, ADONAHUE@LEG.STATE.VT.US STATE REPRESENTATIVE, WASHINGTON-1 DISCUSSION CORONAVIRUS Today’s […]
VT Bars, restaurants to go to takeout only
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ANNOUNCES NEW GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 COMMUNITY MITIGATION MEASURES All Bars and Restaurants Must Close or Offer Takeout Only Gatherings are limited to less than 50 people or 50% of […]
C-19 brings eerie, unexpected Quiet to Main Street
by Guy Page MARCH 16, 2020 – It’s a quiet afternoon on Main Street in Montpelier. There are fewer people, cars, and places open for business, thanks to Covid-19. From a shortage […]
vermont Senate committees to meet this week by remote access: public welcome
Will discuss 100% renewable power, criminal offense reclassification, reducing student loan debt, state budget, health care reform, COVID-19 response etc. By Guy Page March 16, 2020 – As the old saying goes, […]
bill would give gov’t special powers during coronavirus crisis
If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott, H742 would: Prepay insurance claims to keep clinics from closing / reimburse for empty nursing home beds / waive […]
Vermont State Colleges to go remote starting next week
by Guy Page March 13, 2020 – Vermont State Colleges – all five of them – will transition to remote learning beginning next week, the VSC trustee board decided Thursday. The five […]
Legislative leaders set to recess Legislature next week
By Guy Page March 13, 2020 – The Legislative Joint Rules Committee voted unanimously this morning to prepare a resolution to recess for all of next week, due to coronavirus concerns. The […]
Legislative leaders ponder week-long recess of Legislature
by Guy Page March 12, 2020 – The Vermont Legislature Joint Rules Committee decided late this afternoon to ask staffers to prepare a resolution for its review tomorrow to recess the Legislature […]
Senate refuses House changes to commercial cannabis bill, wants conference committee
CAPITOL CARPOOL UPDATE – for the second time in the last three days, two of the three prime parking spots reserved for carpooling legislators are empty. Today in House Transportation, committee members […]
Second Amendment advocate today asks Sgt. Of Arms, Capitol Police to remove sponsors of H610, gun seizure/domestic violence bill
Jim Sexton of Essex Junction today visited the Vermont State House to ask the Sergeant of Arms and Capitol Police to remove sponsors of H610 from the State House because they “violated […]
Coronavirus: The Case for Canceling Everything – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-cancel-everything/607675/ Panic or prudence? Some startling stats in this Atlantic Magazine article suggest the movement toward coronavirus-caused cancellations may be the latter.
Non-essential gatherings to cease at Vermont State House
By Guy Page 6:07 pm, March 11, 2020 – Beginning Friday, all non-essential meetings at the Vermont State House will be cancelled due to the coronavirus, Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe told […]
Lawmakers to consider sales tax on candy; Burlington mayor, legislator feud over idling enforcement
By Guy Page March 11, 2020 – The House Ways & Means Committee is scheduled to discuss a sales tax on candy tomorrow morning, according to its weekly agenda. According to a […]
VT health insurers will cover C-19 costs – but will needy workers call out sick?
UVM, Champlain to go to remote learning classes only – only medical school will continue onsite Guy Page March 11, 2020 – To reduce Covid-19 transmission, state health officials more than ever […]
Middlebury College goes to remote instruction only; UVM planning for it
State Agency of Education releases guidelines for Covid-19 public school closures By Guy Page March 10, 2020 – Today, Middlebury College announced it will send students home on spring break early this […]
Middlebury College to hold remote-learning classes only for rest of semester
Due to coronavirus, Middlebury College has decided to start its spring break early this Friday, and resume classes by remote-learning only thereafter for the rest of the semester. The details are explained […]
Today in the
In brief, headlines and excerpts from all news and opinion posted today by the Vermont Daily Chronicle Coronavirus causes cancellation of State House reception Concerns about the coronavirus have led to the […]
Coronavirus causes cancellation of State House event
by Guy Page March 9, 2020 – Concerns about the coronavirus have led to the cancellation of a reception scheduled to be held Tuesday at the Vermont State House, State House service […]
House committee wants employers to reduce single-person ‘pleasure car’ commutes by employees
By Guy Page March 9, 2020 – The Vermont House Transportation Committee is shelving – for now – a plan to require Vermont employers to participate in “the statewide reduction in single-occupancy […]
Pupil weighting to help rural schools: Just. Not. Complicated
Photo: Rep. Laura Sibilia (left) discusses broadband for rural towns with Sen. Ann Cummings (D-Washington) and Travels with Charlie host Charlie Papillo in episode 18 of the acclaimed Vermont policy video series. […]
Cynthia Browning for Speaker?
Critic of House Speaker Mitzi Johnson says she may run for the job By Guy Page March 6, 2020 – A independent Democratic legislator who last month on the floor of the […]
10 takeaways from today’s coronavirus press conference
Public Health officials: Masks don’t keep healthy people safer, no plans to enforce quarantines (for now) Photo: Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine advises press on what the State is doing to fight […]
Unilever – owner of Ben & Jerry’s – to stop targeting food ads to kids over childhood obesity concerns
Worried about turning too many kids into Chunky Monkeys, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever, said it won’t advertise food to children under 12. It’s concerned about the epidemic of […]
Commercial pot will mean more traffic stops of minorities, Montpelier Democrat warns
Lawmakers explain why they voted as they did on S54, commercial cannabis, and H926, Act 250 revision By Guy Page March 4, 2020 – Lawmakers’ explanations of their votes of S54, commercial […]
Rep. Cynthia Browning: I may be running for Speaker of the House | True North Reports
http://www.truenorthreports.com/rep-cynthia-browning-i-may-be-running-for-speaker-of-the-house
Elected leaders today live in I-89 corridor – but they haven’t always
100 years ago, political power was decentralized By Job Tate If rural Vermonters feel unheard, misunderstood and largely forgotten, it might have something to do with I-89. Over the past 100 years, […]
Top Trump Campaign Spokesman: Marijuana Must Be ‘Kept Illegal’
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2020/02/19/top-trump-campaign-spokesman-marijuana-must-be-kept-illegal/#2097b73b762b A spokesman for the Trump 2020 campaign said the President favors keeping marijuana illegal at the federal level.
Coronavirus leads to some shortages in Washington County
No masks for sale in Berlin drug stores, Staples out of Acer Chromebook model by Guy Page March 2, 2020 – Central Vermont residents appear to be either unaware or uncaring of […]
Stop the presses!
With newspaper circulation in decline and communication going digital, the last newspaper to print in-house finally surrenders By Guy Page February 28, 2020 – The Burlington Free Press called me yesterday afternoon […]
Saying no to Town Meeting delay, House OKs new Act 250
Concern about new Act 250 review for development next to ‘land trust’ property left unaddressed By Guy Page February 28, 2020 – Deciding to not wait after Town Meeting, the House today […]
VIDEO: Forester Ed Larson describes how Vermont forests sequester carbon and employ 18,000 people
by Guy Page Feb. 27, 2020 – Ed Larson, professional forester and lobbyist for the Vermont Forest Productions Association, describes in this Vermont Daily Chronicle video about the powerful economic impact and […]
Kingdom lawmaker vocal on carbon, prostitution, American flag
Mild-mannered Derby lawmaker speaking his mind about American flag, hookers, and global warming $$ By Guy Page (This column appears in today’s Chronicle of the Vermont State House, a newspaper published twice […]
Lawmakers override Guv’s veto on minimum wage bill
By Guy Page February 25, 2020 – The latest round in the legislative battle between the Democrat-Progressive Legislature and Republican Gov. Phil Scott went to the lawmakers Tuesday noon, as the House […]
Trump beats Sanders in ‘red’ northern Vermont
Six northern Vermont counties back Trump over Sanders in VPR favorability poll By Guy Page February 25, 2020 – Voters in six of Vermont’s 14 counties have a more favorable view of […]
Senate bill would add jail time to crimes perpetrated against immigrants
S316 would add ‘immigration status’ to hate crime protection list, gives state courts say in juvenile immigration By Guy Page February 24, 2020 – A bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee would […]
TCI point person named to lead VT Dept. of Environmental Conservation
TCI point person named to lead DEC #vtpoli
The day GWSA stood for “God Wants Solar Arrays”
by Guy Page February 21, 2020 – Yesterday the Vermont House of Representatives approved H688, the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), by a seemingly veto-proof margin of 105-37. If it becomes law, […]
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