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 […]
Deb Billado: Legislature should practice ‘bill passing distancing’
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, […]
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 […]
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