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 […]
C-19 brings eerie, unexpected Quiet to Main Street
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, […]
Blissfully ignorant about antisemitic attacks on George Soros
By Guy Page February 20, 2020 – Did you know marijuana legalization financier George Soros is Jewish? I didn’t. And did you know he is the object of ongoing antisemitic invective and […]
National pro-pot group pushes legalization poll
Lobby group with funding ties to George Soros, etc. publishes pro-legalization poll – House discusses paying for marijuana abuse treatment, prevention – Municipalities denied local pot sales tax – Breakfast, lunch, dinner […]
News alert: H610 would jail people who “refuse to assist” in gun confiscation
NEWS ALERT – this email was just received from a reliable gun rights advocate at the Vermont State House: “House Judiciary Committee Bill H. 610 now declares a new crime to jail […]
Legislature may ban genital mutilation – but would law violate Prop 5 ‘reproductive autonomy’?
Legislature may ban genital mutilation – but would law violate Prop 5 “reproductive autonomy?” By Guy Page February 18, 2020 – Does H83, banning female genital cutting of minors, violate the spirit […]
“Right to clean air and water” latest proposed change to VT Constitution
At least two of nine proposed amendments – “reproductive rights” and ban on slavery – likely to appear on Election Day 2022 ballot. Photo credit Pat Bradley WAMC.org. by Mary Daly and […]
100% renewable power would cost $1.2 billion, at least
Converting Vermont to 100% renewable electricity would cost $1.2 billion, and that’s just the beginning, power transmission officials tell Senate committee By Guy Page February 14, 2020 – For years, renewable electricity […]
“Deplorable” floor speech aimed at House Speaker highlights problems facing leadership
Analysis: House leaders seek solutions to rank-and-file recalcitrance, now and maybe in November by Guy Page February 13, 2020 – The failure of House Speaker Mitzi Johnson and House Majority Leader Jill […]
Poll: 70% of Vermonters oppose commercial cannabis
A new poll conducted by Emerson College finds that 70 percent of Vermont voters do not support the commercialization and taxation of marijuana. Only 30 percent believe the state should move toward implementing a […]
Central police agency gets hearing this week in House Judiciary
By Guy Page February 10, 2020 – the plan to centralize all state and county police under a new Agency of Public Safety will be discussed Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee. […]
Under GWSA, lawyers can sue State into carbon compliance
If Legislature passes Global Warming Solutions Act, TCI carbon tax likely will follow – without legislative approval By Guy Page February 7, 2020 – Supporters of the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) […]
Ban on carrying guns in public to be discussed Senate this month
Senate committee to discuss semi-auto public carry ban; homeschool background check dead; no local tax $$ for commercial cannabis; cloud tax counterproductive, CEO says By Guy Page February 5, 2020 – Sen. […]
Dorset Democrat runs for auditor, wants oversight of climate change regulation
by Guy Page February 4, 2020 – The Vermont State Auditor of Accounts should be empowered to pump the brakes on climate change regulation, according to a bill sponsored by Rep. Linda […]
Cutting edge energy project, free lunch on agenda of ISO-NE meeting March 12 at Woodstock Inn
The cutting edge “frozen-air” power storage facility proposed for Vermont will be one of the subjects at the ISO-New England Consumer Liaison Group luncheon at the Woodstock Inn Thursday, March 12. Chad […]
Rent control on House committee agenda
Also on this week’s House committee agendas: eugenics apology, contraception, homeless bill of rights, commercial cannabis, ‘good cause’ for firing employees, global warming solutions, legal prostitution, EV subsidies for bicycles, captions in […]
5-minute video: Kai Penn of National Geographic describes ‘perfect storm’ that makes Vermont the most drug-infested state in U.S.
Kai Penn of National Geographic describes in this 2015 video how a shortage of cops, no shortage of oxycontin and heroin, and our interstate highway system’s ease of access to major drug […]
Phil Scott, the Rock
Analysis: Climate absolutists running into a rock in the governor’s office Photo caption: Gov. Phil Scott hopes emerging technology like home battery storage will help Vermont meet its carbon-reduction goals without sacrificing […]
New bill: all game wardens, sheriffs, state police etc. to work under one new agency
Committee chair’s bill would place state police, game wardens, sheriffs, Corrections, etc. in one centralized Agency of Public Safety By Guy Page January 30, 2020 – The Vermont Legislature – already seeking […]
VIDEO – Term Limits Convention of States seeks support at Vermont State House
Congress will never impose term limits on itself, so it’s up to a Convention of States to make it happen, Ericka Bundy Redic of Burlington said during a visit to the State […]
School choice helps students, parents, the Vermont economy, advocates say
Also, Vermont homeschooling enrollment is up even as public school enrollment declines Photo: Brad Ferland (right) declares that “school choice should be expanded, and not taken away” at a National School Choice […]
In Committee this week: VT House considers apology for eugenics and sterilization, and expanding access to contraceptives
About 100 years after the heyday of the Vermont eugenics movement led by UVM Professor Henry Perkins (photo above), the Vermont Legislature this week is preparing an official apology to Abenaki, French-Canadians […]
Vermont Legislature ‘bill mill’ update:
907 bills in House, 334 the Senate, including bias training for school bus drivers, high-capacity mag ban, state collection of racial, gender info of business owners, repatriation of Abenaki lands, EV mileage […]
Conservatives push back
Vermont conservatives organize in George Aiken’s hometown, call for Second Amendment sanctuary towns, introduce bill to hold public schools accountable, and call out media bias By Guy Page January 23, 2020 – […]
Home schoolers, private schoolers invited to National School Choice Week free luncheon in Montpelier Jan. 29
Event also features State House visit, group photo, contest awards presentation Students, staff and parents from home schools and private schools are invited to participate in National School Choice Week observations on […]
In budget speech, Gov. Scott cites demographics, regional inequality as biggest challenges
The Governor points to a demographic crisis and regional inequity as state’s biggest challenges; Offers agenda and vision for addressing them The following is a press release issued by the office of […]
Ongoing Act 250 revision focuses on climate, forests, ridgelines, and the dreaded ‘permit process’
By Guy Page January 22, 2020 – Reading about the Legislature’s ongoing effort to revise Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law, is both intimidating and important. And that’s a problem. […]
Global Warming Solutions Act in House Energy all week
Required movie captions in theaters, police use of force, prescription drug costs, nuclear first strike, Homeless Bill of Rights, wandering livestock on House committee agendas By Mary Daly and Guy Page January […]
Right-to-Lifers fill Hall of Representatives at State House
by Guy Page January 19, 2020 – Hundreds of Vermont Right-to-Life supporters filled the floor and galleries of the Hall of the Vermont House of Representatives at the annual Rally for Life […]
Barre-Montpelier commuter rail upgrades would cost $97 mil, take 5-6 years
By Guy Page January 17, 2020 – Upgrading almost eight miles of railroad track between Montpelier and Barre to handle commuter rail would cost up to $97 million, VT Agency of Transportation […]
Fetal personhood at 24 weeks proposed in House
Rejected by Legislature last year, fetal personhood resurfaces in bill this year By Guy Page January 16, 2020 – A bill to establish the legal personhood of a human fetus at 24 […]
Democratic lawmaker warns other D’s about retail marijuana: “we are going to rue the day”
By Guy Page January 15, 2020 – A Democratic member of the Vermont House of Representatives told fellow Democrats yesterday he strongly opposes S54, the legalization of commercial cultivation, production, sale and […]
State Colleges seek legislative support
Vermont State Colleges seek $5 million more in funding to maintain tuition freeze, programs, innovation by Guy Page January 15, 2020 – A $5 million spending hike would allow the four Vermont […]
Proposed two-cent hike in heating fuel is back – along with four-cent gasoline “fee”
by Guy Page January 14, 2020 – A bill to double the home heating fuel tax and add four cents to the cost of gasoline and other transportation fuel was introduced into […]
In Committee, this week:
Prison rape culture. Who’s at Woodside and why? Social justice in schools. Pay hike for Speaker, Pro Tem, chairs? Contraception. Act 250 and slate quarries. Homeless Awareness Day. Vehicle registration fee hikes […]
Gender-neutral Constitution amendment, tax & regulate prostitution proposed
Random news, notes & observations from the State House on a Friday afternoon By Guy Page January 10, 2020 – A proposal to make the Vermont Constitution gender-neutral was introduced into the […]
Vermont should help women escape prostitution, not legalize it, human trafficking official says
By Guy Page January 10, 2020 -Vermont’s senior human trafficking official strongly opposes a bill to legalize prostitution, she told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday. H569, sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Maxine […]
Sell carbon-eating value of Vermont trees? Proceed carefully, working group says
By Guy Page January 9, 2020 – Fight global warming by growing more trees and selling their ‘carbon sequestration’ value to climate-conscious carbon emitters? Vermont should move forward – carefully. That’s the […]
Opinion: A tax is a tax is a TCI
By Guy Page The sun rises in the east, the emperor really is buck naked, and the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) really is a tax. Thank you, Dave Gram! Even a […]
Worker relocation program unpopular with people who already live here, Water Cooler survey says
The Remote Worker Program paying people to move to Vermont – celebrated as a success by elected officials and set for expansion in 2020 – is highly unpopular with Vermonters, according to […]
They’re back – ‘Bill mill’ resumes activity on first day of 2020 Legislature
By Guy Page January 7, 2019 – On the Legislature’s first day back, the ‘bill mill’ resumed at a rapid pace as House Democratic Caucus leaders gave members two minutes each to […]
Agri-publicans announce three more candidates for statewide office, many for local races
by Guy Page January 6, 2020 – Many new candidates for local and statewide office today officially joined gubernatorial candidate John Klar as “Agri-publicans.” “We must pop this bloated tick on the […]
2020 Vision: special ed, pre-K, future of State Board of Education on school menu
Latest in a series about the people and priorities of the 2020 Vermont Legislature. By Guy Page December 31, 2019 – House Education Committee Chair Kate Webb (D-Shelburne) a month ago emailed […]
Firearms expert: Senate gun bill would leave Vermont churches vulnerable
By Guy Page December 30, 2019 – This weekend’s shooting at a Texas church and stabbings at a New York Hannukah celebration demonstrate that houses of worship must be able to defend […]
Opinion: Big City carbon tax ‘incentivizes’ rural Vermonters
By John Klar (The author, a Brookfield farmer and former pastor and dairy farmer, is a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor. Republished from American Thinker.) Progressive legislators, interest groups, and government […]
In 2020, Be Your Own Media
BYOM – how to do it, and why By Guy Page December 26, 2019 – You’ve heard the usual complaints about the media. People say they are biased. Inaccurate. Lazy. They are […]
GMTA proposes free bus fare, paid for by car owners
By Guy Page Fact One: The Feebate report, funded in the 2019 House Transportation Committee’s omnibus bill and published this October, describes how the State of Vermont could charge a higher registration […]
NEW WORKER RELOCATION GRANT PROGRAM SET TO LAUNCH
12-23-2019 – for immediate release. For information contact Nate Formalarie, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, 802-522-7323 | nate.formalarie@vermont.gov Montpelier – The Agency of Commerce and Community Development is preparing for the launch […]
Twice this month, Trump and Welch work together
By Guy Page December 23, 2019 – Maybe it’s just the Magic of the Season. Not once but twice this month Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and President Donald Trump have collaborated to […]
Solar, wind-powered “frozen air” electricity generator proposed for northern VT
How does it work? Where would it be built? What will it cost us? By Guy Page December 20, 2019 – The first-in-the-nation “liquid air” power storage and generating plant announced Wednesday […]
Making Headlines: news & analysis of Vermont media
Newsies to hawk Times Argus on sidewalk Vermont town clerks part of Russian electoral plot? Mark Steyn doubts it State employee union head bashes Digger over Woodside coverage by Guy Page December […]
Opinion: Madame Speaker, I vote No – and here’s why
by Guy Page December 19, 2019 – Today or tomorrow, every Congressional Tom, Dick and Harriet will vote on impeachment. Some will explain their votes. I invite We the People to do […]
Klar advises incumbent Phil Scott to join Gov. Sununu of NH in rejection of TCI carbon tax
By John Klar New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu’s announcement that New Hampshire will not join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a promising sign for Vermonters. It is expected that Phil […]
2020 Vision: House Judiciary bills include gun restrictions, prison for profiling cops, fines for racist intimidation
Fourth installment of 2020 Vision, a look at Vermont House committees and the legislation they may consider next year. by Guy Page December 17, 2019 – Members of the Vermont House Judiciary […]
Meg Hansen announces run for lieutenant governor
PRESS RELEASE December 17, 2019 Contact: Meg Hansen info@hansenforvermont.com, 802-622-4165 MEG HANSEN ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR LT. GOVERNOR Manchester, VT – Health policy expert and entrepreneur Meg Hansen formally announces her campaign for Lt. […]
Lawmakers, judge ask: If Woodside closes, where will delinquent youth stay?
No answers yet, but DCF seeking proposals for 5-15 beds By Guy Page December 17, 2019 – As the State of Vermont plans to close Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, no plan currently […]
Editorial: with Act 46, whole lotta hoodwinking going on
By Guy Page December 16, 2019 – A lawmaker who championed Act 46 now says he’s dismayed the 2015 school merger law is being used to shut down community schools. As chair […]
As hard-working Vermonters age into retirement, shortages in workers and revenue a concern
By Guy Page December 16, 2019 – The percentage of Vermonters in their prime working years of ages 25-64 will drop below 50% by 2030, a Dec. 6 demographic study says. In […]
Harvard study decries $64 billion ‘cost of the car economy’
Investing in public transportation a bargain, Kennedy School of Government reports says By Guy Page December 13, 2019 – A new report from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government […]
Former Vermont Yankee plant owner to donate historic home to Vernon
Entergy to Donate Historic Governor Hunt House to Town of Vernon Non-Profit Entergy, former owner of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, has announced it will donate the venerable Governor Hunt building to […]
November poll: Only 29% of Vermonters support unrestricted abortion
December 12, 2019 – for immediate release. For more information contact Guy Page, editor of Vermont Water Cooler, at 802-505-0448, pagecommunicationsvt@gmail.com Less than a third of Vermonters support unrestricted abortion through all […]
2020 Vision: Will Legislature consider Homeless Bill of Rights, again?
Today’s installment of 2020 Vision, a Vermont Daily Chronicle series being published this month about the upcoming session of the Vermont Legislature. by Guy Page – December 11, 2019 – Democratic gubernatorial […]
Vermont Water Cooler today…..
Vermont Libertarian Party now recognized in Vermont
photo: JT Dodge of Newbury, seen speaking at carbon tax protest at Statehouse, has been elected vice chair of Vermont Libertarian Party. PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY VERMONT LIBERTARIAN PARTY:December 10, 2019 We […]
‘Travels With Charlie” #12 bangs away at pension liability
Sometimes all it takes to understand one of Vermont’s most perplexing economic problems is a room full of drums. It’s not every day you see two gray-haired economic experts like Art Woolf […]
‘News Done Right’ Spoof video: Bernie Sanders hawks his Geezer Dream Sheets
Sure, you think ‘My Pillow’ inventor Mike Lindell is a fascist. But you’ve always hankered to buy a pillow from an infomercial. Check out “Geezer Dream Sheets” by News Done Right. It […]
Vermont faith-based communities “powerful” to help struggling veterans, VA says
by Guy Page December 5, 2019 – Vermont’s faith-based communities can help the VA help suicide-prone veterans, Dr. Brett Rusch of the VA Medical Center said today. In 2017 alone, 10 Vermont […]
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