Don’t plant them, report them, VT Agency of Ag says July 28, 2020 -The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has been notified that several Vermont residents have received unsolicited […]
China sends unidentified, unsolicited seeds to Vermonters
Targeting Vermonters at “The racist pro-police rally in Vermont”
Directors of Radical street theater intentionally cast peaceful supporters of police as racist villains by Shannara Johnson August 1, 2020 – Last Saturday, I witnessed one of the great modern dramas that […]
No, Emily, Vermont does NOT need a state bank
To the editor: Re: July 31 letter by aide to GOP gubernatorial candidate Emily Peyton supporting a Vermont state bank: I looked up the Bank of North Dakota (BND) and with interest […]
Governor ready to take the wheel if Driver Ed cancelled
Also reveals reliance on Health Commissioner Levine for Covid decision-making By Guy Page July 31, 2020 – Gov. Phil Scott will do “whatever it takes” to ensure teens get driver education, he […]
Letter: Civil rights movement did little to help the poor – but public bank will
Emily Peyton, GOP candidate for governor, says state-owned bank will reduce huge wealth discrepancy To the editor: The systemic problem that Black Lives Matters should be addressing is not racist people who […]
Really affordable health care
For clean arteries at 1.6 cents on the dollar, go to southwest Asia John McClaughry In this election season almost every candidate is promising to deliver “more affordable health care!” Most of […]
Commentary: Windsor Selectboard refuses to say Pledge of Allegiance
Pro-BLM board won’t recite Pledge anymore because it’s aspirational – but so is “Black Lives Matter” By Guy Page July 30, 2020 – Black Lives Matter is an aspirational phrase. Supporters insist […]
School opening postponed two weeks; mask guidelines in place
Vermont home school advocate offers encouragement, information, Facebook chat page by Guy Page July 29, 2020 – Yesterday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the first day of school will be postponed two weeks […]
When disrupters attack pro-police rally on social media, what can you do?
by Guy Page July 28, 2020 – Attendees at Saturday’s Rally to Support Law Enforcement could hardly fail to notice the squad of camera-wielding friends of the rally disrupters, circling the gathering […]
Schools won’t have staff to open by late August, superintendent warns
by Guy Page July 27, 2020 – Lack of staff will render many if not most Vermont school districts unable to open as scheduled by the last week of August, a Washington […]
Anti-police disrupters can’t stop Vermonters from honoring the Blue
by Guy Page July 26, 2020 – At Saturday’s Rally to Support Law Enforcement at the Vermont State House, many heartfelt words and stirring stories honoring the men and women of Vermont […]
‘Systemic Paternalism’ column banned by VT Digger
Editor says column on systemic racism didn’t meet ‘good faith’ standard by Guy Page July 24, 2020 – VT Digger, Vermont’s most-read source of online news and commentary, on Tuesday removed a […]
Today’s mask mandate will spur retail business activity, Scott predicts
By Guy Page July 24, 2020 – Gov. Phil Scott doesn’t think the universal mask mandate he announced today will make Vermonters less willing to patronize businesses in-person. The opposite will be […]
Systemic paternalism
by Carol Frenier June 12, 2020 – Over half a century of serious effort to equalize opportunity for Blacks and Whites has failed in our inner cities. Many well-intentioned, politically conservative Whites […]
Hero cop dad kept promise to return home
Vermonters rally Saturday to honor police “heroes among us” – like Frank McCarty, the St. Albans detective who saved a life and kept his promise to his daughter Two days from today, […]
Another Flanders stands tall
66 years after Vermont senator’s heroic ‘Red Scare’ resolution, wife of grandson of Ralph Flanders opposes intolerance By Guy Page July 23, 2020 – In 1976, Alice Randall was a first-year physics […]
Right To Life: VT Planned Parenthood must join NY in condemning Sanger
The Vermont Right to Life Committee calls upon Planned Parenthood of Vermont to join with Planned Parenthood of Greater New York in denouncing their founder, Margaret Sanger, for her active involvement in […]
Vermont home school applications up 75%, to 1600
More parents staying home; public schools this fall to have stringent hygiene, social distancing, mask requirements for all students, staff and parents By Guy Page July 22, 2020 – Applications to home […]
Big Statewide media no longer print reader comments
VTWatercooler, others still publishing readers’ thoughts By Guy Page July 21, 2020 – VT Digger, Seven Days, and Vermont Public Radio (VPR) – three pillars of Vermont statewide news media – no […]
Rally to SUPPORT police planned; UVM to continue fossil fuel heat; self-serve coffee returns!
Vermont Daily is on vacation today, sipping a well-earned cold beverage at Maine’s Wells Beach. We’ll return tomorrow. A rally to support Vermont law enforcement will be held Saturday, July 25, 11 […]
Vermont Daily Today –
More State House candidates join Klar Koalition The number of candidates for statewide office affiliated with the gubernatorial campaign of John Klar now totals about 25 – with more to come, Klar […]
More State House candidates join Klar Koalition
Number of candidates total almost 30, Klar claims By Guy Page July 17, 2020 – The number of candidates for statewide office affiliated with the gubernatorial campaign of John Klar now totals […]
Former Republican state auditor urges write-in campaign for Democrat
By Guy Page July 17, 2020 – A fiscal conservative and experienced auditor/CPA like Linda Joy Sullivan is a better choice for state auditor than incumbent Doug Hoffer (D/P) – even if […]
Who publishes “Vermont Business Daily?”
Liberal media think-tank publicizes conservative, computer-generated “Vermont Business Daily” By Guy Page July 17, 2020 – NiemanLab, a national, liberal-leaning media think-tank, has pegged the “Vermont Business Daily” as a conservative, partisan […]
Scott defends removal of anti-BLM graffiti, but concedes problem
Also says pension solution unlikely this year By Guy Page July 17, 2020 – At his press conference today, Gov. Phil Scott defended state highway workers’ removal of anti-BLM graffiti, but agreed […]
State of Vermont removes ‘BLM is racist’ graffiti, allows pro-BLM graffiti
Less than three weeks after protecting BLM graffiti, VTrans eliminates anti-BLM roadway messages in same town. Free speech issue? by Guy Page July 16, 2020 – Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) highway […]
Fossil fuel divestment, truck/bus carbon pledge, GWSA loom on Vermont energy cost horizon
by Guy Page July 15, 2020 – Yesterday, UVM trustees agreed to divest its endowment portfolio of fossil fuels. Yesterday, Governor Phil Scott committed Vermont to zero carbon-emissions buses and trucks by […]
News roundup – debates, bus/truck emissions, failing dairy farms, etc.
GOP Lt. governor candidates debating now Guv pledges zero emissions in trucks, buses UVM dings online students for $2600 facilities fee 25 dairy farms close since pandemic began No quarantine needed if […]
‘Liberty & Justice for All’ or ‘Black Lives Matter’ – which is more exclusive?
To the editor: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL.”. I suppose […]
Montpelier rejects “Liberty and Justice for All” street mural
Both sides allege partisan politics at City Council meeting By Guy PageJuly 13, 2020 – The Montpelier City Council Wednesday, July 8 unanimously rejected a proposal by Republican gubernatorial candidate John Klar […]
Gov. Scott signs racial bias, excessive use of police force bill
Governor Phil Scott announced actions on the following bills, passed by the Legislature. Bills with a corresponding message to the Legislature are noted below and messages are attached. On July 13, Governor […]
Legalizing prostitution in Vermont would increase demand for young prostitutes
Isolation caused by pandemic already putting young girls at risk from predators by Annisa Lamberton, M.A. July 9, 2020 – Last week in a small town in southern New Hampshire, Ghislaine Maxwell […]
Seven VT employers get $5-10 mil from feds’ Paycheck Protection Program
….and an op-ed by former U.S. Senate nominee Lawrence Zupan on zealots tearing down statues by Guy Page July 7, 2020 – Seven Vermont employers received between $5 million and $10 million […]
Op-ed by Lawrence Zupan: American history built over generations, torn down in minutes How oddly ironic that those who would destroy and rewrite our American history by tearing down our monuments, actually […]
College restrictions announced
Fall semester to end at Thanksgiving; masks, social distancing, behavior contracts mandatory By Guy Page July 7, 2020 – At Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference today, a Vermont higher education task force […]
Planned Parenthood affiliate in Vermont netted millions thru Paycheck Protection Program
Small Business Administration, lawmakers say affiliates don’t qualify for program meant to help struggling small businesses, they want $$ returned By Guy Page Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) has received […]
Bananas, egg shells, and unintended consequences
Black bear binges on buffet in bin after Vermonter tries to comply with new composting law by Shannara Johnson July 3, 2020 – A couple of months ago, I said on our […]
LETTER TO EDITOR: Former VT state senator sees Klar as candidate of hope, opportunity By Mark Shepard July 6, 2020 – In the race for governor, Vermonters have three very different choices. […]
The Nation Makers I met this morning
by Guy Page July 4, 2020 – Howard Pyle’s 1903 painting “The Nation Makers” depicts a small line of determined Revolutionary War soldiers, tattered and bandaged, surging into battle. A Rockwell Center […]
New election law glitch leaves Secretary of State’s authority ambiguous, Guv says
Gov. Phil Scott lets S348 pass into law, but urges Legislature to fix problem when it reconvenes in August, says House Gov Ops didn’t fix problem when warned Hardwick couple receives absentee […]
“Liberty” street mural decision delayed, project criticized by Montpelier official
By Guy Page Due to a decision by the City of Montpelier, there will be no “Liberty and Justice for All” street mural painting party Friday, July 3, organizer and Republican gubernatorial […]
“All lives matter,” MLK niece tells Vermont radio audience
Dr. Alveda King counsels Vermonters, Americans to repent and “live together as brothers and sisters, not perish together as fools” By Guy Page July 2, 2020 – “The answer to violence is […]
Scott OK with ‘Liberty and Justice for All’ street mural
Montpelier mayor, councilor haven’t seen application; Scott concerned about funding, lawsuit parts of Global Warming Solutions Act bill; Guv questions Leahy’s furlough figure of 1111 immigration employees By Guy Page July 1, […]
“Liberty and Justice for All” painted next to “Black Lives Matter”?
In appeal for unity, guv candidate Klar asks Montpelier City Council permission to paint flag, words from Pledge of Allegiance in red, white and blue next to BLM street mural By Guy […]
Scott won’t veto universal vote-by-mail bill
Governor also backs racial reparations in concept, but questions process; says State will protect historic statues if threatened By Guy Page June 29, 2020 – Gov. Phil Scott said at his press […]
Opinion: Black Lives Matter….in election years
Google Trends analytics shows dramatic uptick in BLM during 2016, 2020 election years, political science doctoral student shows By Tyler-Joseph Ballard Over half a century ago, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, much better known […]
Berlin hospital to scan body temp of every entrant to facility
Hospital Entrants’ Body Temperatures Now Read by Thermal Camera Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin announced today that patients, visitors, and staff entering its main hospital will now have their body temperature […]
Global Warming Solutions Act passes Senate, but without $1 million budget
House gives itself new pay raise; pro-lifers, others suggest new ‘legal’ graffiti messaging By Guy Page June 26, 2020 – This paragraph reprinted from today’s The Fuel Line, VT Fuel Dealers’ Association: […]
AOT won’t remove messages painted in highway right-of-way
After receiving guidance from governor’s office, Agency of Transportation officials say “We are in ever changing times…..these voices need to be heard.” Profane, grotesque, dangerous-to-traffic messaging still must be removed By Guy […]
Scott OK with voting-by-mail, unless….
By Guy Page June 24, 2020 – At his press conference today, Governor Phil Scott left the door open – but only just a tiny crack – for a veto of S348, […]
Desecrated Vermont statue?
The sword has been taken from the statue of General John Stark at the Bennington Monument by Guy Page June 23, 2020 – Don’t look now, but the Battle of the Statues […]
Where do the children play?
“I know we’ve come a long wayWe’re changing day to dayBut tell me, where do the children play?” – Cat Stevens, ‘Where Do The Children Play?,” from Tea for the Tillerman album, […]
School board slowdown
Mt. Ascutney School Board taking time on discipline of Principal Tiffany Riley, for comments skeptical about Black Lives Matter by Guy Page The Mt Ascutney School Board seems to be moving slowly […]
Juneteenth resolution author responds
Original resolution was much stronger condemnation of Trump Editor’s Note: Rep. Kevin “Coach” Christie (D-Hartford), the sponsor of the “Juneteenth” resolution to be considered today by the Vermont House of Representatives (see […]
“Juneteenth” resolution calls Trump tweets “racist”
Resolution sponsored by Vermont House Democrat likely to be introduced tomorrow By Guy Page June 18, 2020 – A proposed Vermont House resolution honoring “Juneteenth” also describes recent tweets by President Trump […]
“It feels very Orwellian”
Windsor residents and House candidates disagree on school board action against principal for BLM comments; governor, national legal pundit weigh in By Guy Page June 17, 2020 – Windsor residents and House […]
Two deadly lists
Since early 2019, four Vermonters have been killed by police; 14 people are victims of murder By Guy Page June 16, 2020 – Vermonters are grappling with emotionally-charged issues of policing and […]
Gov. Scott: school board may have violated Windsor principal’s free speech rights
Windsor school principal put on leave, threatened with job loss after questioning some BLM tactics By Guy Page June 15, 2020 – Gov. Phil Scott is concerned about the constitutionality of the […]
New police chief promises ‘woke’ Montpelier social justice ‘at a responsible pace’
Editor’s note: June 4, after a lengthy job search and interview process, the City of Montpelier announced it had hired former U.S. Air Force, Chicago and New Mexico police officer Brian Peete […]
Vermont’s governor, top cop unaware of ‘no-cops’ territory takeover in Seattle
Scott also calls painting “Black Lives Matter” on street in front of State House “a positive statement” By Guy Page At a press conference today, Governor Phil Scott and Department of Public […]
Listen…..
By Guy Page June 11, 2020 – America sucks at listening. My America. Your America. “Their” America. Me. You. Black. White. Liberal. Conservative. Poor. Rich. We’re caught in a full-blown pandemic of […]
Business as usual In Legislature today:
Voting on vote-by-mail fraud, role of Fish & Wildlife, surface water, ivory trafficking, recovery home guidelines, streamlining probation and parole, ban on little plastic bottles in hotels; Homeless Bill of Rights dead […]
the union-crushers are coming for Vermont cops
Vermont progressives would defund, disband unionized police departments and start over by Guy Page June 9, 2020 – In his latest blog post, Kevin Ellis – former Burlington Free Press reporter, former […]
Deadline Friday to apply as ‘public member’ to racial equity task force
Panel to consider legislation to “clarify the path” for prosecuting harassment, hate speech and other bias motivated crimes JUNE 9, 2020 – Governor Phil Scott today announced the opening of the application for appointment […]
Scott on not enforcing social distancing at protests: “how we have handled this has led to more safety”
By Guy Page June 8, 2020 – At his press conference today, Gov. Scott spoke highly of the nonviolent police brutality protests conducted statewide, at which most people wore masks. He lauded […]
Former rescue volunteer proud of “her” police officers
Have “defund police” activists considered what society would be losing? By Rebecca Bushway Bissonnette During my years of service as a volunteer EMT, I worked closely with law enforcement. My crew at […]
Crowd fills State House lawn to protest police brutality
Police defunding discussed, social distancing not observed By Guy Page June 7, 2020 – Hundreds of people protested police brutality against black people at the Honour Their Names rally Sunday afternoon on […]
GoV. Scott: “We just can’t” enforce social distancing at protests
One rule for worshippers, another for protesters? By Guy Page June 5, 2020 – Does Vermont have one rule for worshippers, and another for protesters? Since March, almost all of the estimated […]
pandemic recovery plan: AId for homeless families, childcare, small businesses, ‘Buy Local,’ broadband
Editor’s note: The headlines this week have focused on deficits, the November election, protests, and pandemic-related restrictions – and rightly so. But sometimes the “if it bleeds it leads” media mentality leads […]
City of Montpelier mandates masks
Other news: Three month State Budget proposed; Drug legalization advocates seek high bailiff election; Fish & Wildlife asks you to protect pollinators By Guy Page June 4, 2020 – In Vermont’s capital […]
In towns bordering Vermont, Massachusetts State Police watch for Antifa
By Guy Page June 3, 2020 – Massachusetts State Police are looking for Antifa activity in small towns in Berkshire County on the Vermont border, according to a memo from the Pittsfield, […]
Branagan, Milne toss hats into ring for statewide office
By Guy Page June 2, 2020 – Last week saw a trifecta of announcements for statewide office on the Republican side of the ballot for the 2020 election. In the general election, […]
Analysis: Five big stories most Vermont media and politicians don’t talk about
By Guy Page June 1, 2020 – After a while, the big stories ignored by Vermont media and elected officials pile up so high that anyone with eyes can see them. Unless, […]
Municipal clerks speak out on vote-by-Mail plan
Support mixed, concerns expressed about cost, fraud Senate to consider Scott decision carve-out Tuesday By Guy Page As the standoff between Gov. Phil Scott and Secretary of State Jim Condos over […]
voting by mail will spawn endless recounts
Former legislator-turned-reporter recalls how just 12 mailed-in ballots were enough to prompt recounts and suspect ‘investigation’ of 2016 election by Bob Frenier I have to laugh when I hear Progressive/Democrat members of […]
After Covid-19: how much government?
by John McClaughry A year from now Vermont state government will almost certainly look quite a bit different than it does now. We will hopefully have worked through much of the […]
Benning predicts battle over new vote-by-mail bill
Senate Gov Ops chair unaware of extensive litigation nationwide By Guy Page May 28, 2020 – The transcript of yesterday’s Senate discussion of the universal vote-by-mail bill reveals misunderstandings by a key […]
GOP candidates for Legislature introduced
The following Vermonters are running for the Vermont Legislature as Republicans and are endorsed by the campaign to elect John Klar as governor, according to a press release from the Brookfield resident’s […]
Browning running for re-election as independent
Rep. Cynthia Browning of Arlington will be running for re-election to the Vermont House as one of the two representatives for Arlington, Manchester, Sandgate and Sunderland. But this time around she will […]
Vermonters crowd-source legal support for Rutland gym owner
By Guy Page May 22, 2020 – A crowd-sourced funding page for Club Fitness, the Rutland gym embattled in a legal tussle with Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan, had raised $3,060 as […]
Under threat from AG, open-air gym throws in the towel
Today, Vermont Senate committee considers bill to expand police powers of state to reduce carbon emissions by Guy Page The news out of Rutland last night is chilling. The State has won […]
Did Vermont planned parenthood get Paycheck Protection?
Questions asked, no answers given yet on Vermont affiliate involvement in nationwide Planned Parenthood misuse of economic recovery $$ By Guy Page May 20, 2020 – The news that 37 Planned Parenthood […]
Senate committee not excited about Act 250
Due to virtual format and lack of time, in-depth review of revision of 50-year-old land use law seems unlikely By Guy Page May 19, 2020 – During a May 13 meeting, the […]
commercial cannabis would increase budget deficit
Weekend’s LA marijuana production explosions highlight use of explosive products in VT hemp, marijuana extraction process By Guy Page May 18, 2020 – As the Vermont Legislature looks past Covid-19 legislation to […]
Towns can mandate wearing masks in public, Scott says
Also: / Scott wants second Town Meeting / Spread of virus slows / “Recovery” petition published / SOE can be extended as long as emergency exists / Church, hair salon re-openings coming […]
Senate returns to climate change legislation today
By Guy Page May 14, 2020 – Today, for the first time since adjourning in March in the early days of the pandemic, the Vermont Senate will consider a slate of non-pandemic […]
8% budget cut under review
Scott administration asks state departments, agencies: can you live with 8% budget cut? By Guy Page May 13, 2020 – The Scott administration wants all agency and department heads to consider an […]
Nevada ex-prostitutes expose life in legal sex trade
House bill approving state-funded study to “modernize” Vermont prostitution laws now in Senate Judiciary Committee by Guy Page May 13, 2020 – Is a legal “sex trade” (a/k/a prostitution) a safer sex […]
Ashe: ‘tell us the program you want to get rid of”
Senate Pro Tem doubts budget cuts can eliminate $400 million deficit, but asks constituents for suggestions By Guy Page May 12, 2020 – Can the Vermont Legislature cut its way out of […]
Q & A about ‘Big Brother’ in Vermont
People are wondering about drones, snitches, and bills numbered 666 By Guy Page Concerns about “Big Brother” watching Vermonters have been popping up in social and traditional media ever since March 13, […]
State revenue down 57% in april
Receipts down by $141 million in a single month – delayed tax payments main culprit May 8, 2020 – Thanks to the Covid-19 economic slowdown, April revenues for the State of Vermont […]
Columnist questions ‘Welcoming’ Hartford’s treatment of summer folks
Town that won’t tell feds about illegal immigrants now keeps tabs on second-home owners Guy Page A Windsor County town adopted a “welcoming” ordinance for illegal immigrants now wants all second-home owners […]
Planned Parenthood under scrutiny
Media outlet, candidate for governor launch separate requests for paper trail between state government and Vermont’s largest abortion provider by Guy Page May 6, 2020 – In separate actions, Vermont Daily and […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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