A bill declaring a fetus a legal person during the third trimester has been introduced into the Vermont House of Representatives. Although unlikely to proceed in the pro-legal abortion House, H248 seems to have science on its side.
Fetal personhood bill introduced
Scammer “cops” threaten to arrest senior citizens
According to police, the scammer advises that they are a Deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department (Civil Warrant Processing Unit). The scammer subsequently requests monetary funds via Western Union. The victims are advised that Franklin County Deputies will arrest them in person at their residence if the fines are not paid.
Rutland boy became Civil War general, hero
Rutland-born Brig. General Edward Hastings Ripley attained the rank at age 25, and along with Gen. George Armstrong Custer, was among the nation’s youngest generals ever appointed in the War Between the States.
Commentary This Week: Race-based home funding, Town Meeting during pandemic, school tax reform, gun rights, and ‘defund the police’
This week, Vermont Daily has scheduled a lineup of five provocative commentaries written by thoughtful Vermonters about current issues.
Skin color no basis for home ownership help
In my experience, attempting to undo bad policies by instituting more bad policies is not an effective solution to anything. Study after study show that well-intentioned efforts like these do more harm than good especially for the people who are targeted for help.
Vermont Liberty Network launched Sunday
Founder John Klar said the Vermont Liberty Network celebrates free speech, the U.S. Constitution and traditional values of Vermont Liberty. “Nothing’s Sweeter than Vermont Liberty” is the slogan of the new network, which Klar hopes to bring together diverse groups including pro-Second Amendment, anti-compulsory vaccination, freedom of religion, property rights, and pro-life organizations. He also said he welcomes dialogue with other groups, such as Black Lives Matters.
Property taxes may hold steady, pension liability $5.7 bil and growing
Overall school spending is only up by 0.68%. Add to this the stronger than expended returns of the consumption taxes dedicated to the education fund and statewide average property taxes are now expected to hold steady in 2022. That’s the good news.
House committees tackle three R’s: Race, Relinquishing guns, Reduction of carbon
Committees in the Vermont House this week will review bills regarding three of the Legislature’s favorite R’s: race, relinquishing firearms, and reduction of carbon. They also will review three-acre runoff, redemption of beverage containers, reorganizing police under one state agency, and raising the standard for police use of force, and new regulations.
40-day vigil outside Barre Planned Parenthood began yesterday
The kickoff rally for the annual 40 Days for Life will be held 3 pm, Sunday, February 14 on the sidewalk right-of-way near the Barre Planned Parenthood clinic on Washington Street.
GOP-led Senate bill would fund school cops
Seven Republican senators have introduced a bill to expand funding for school resource officers (SROs), A/K/A armed police officers assigned to local schools. S76 was introduced yesterday, a week after four Democratic and Progressive senators introduced S63, to ban school resource officers.
Why do Dems insist on Trump ‘insurrection’ impeachment? See Section 3 of 14th Amendment
At noon on February 14, supporters of the U.S. Constitution will gather at the Vermont State House lawn for the third in a series of rallies to celebrate the Bill of Rights. Ratified in 1868, the fourteenth amendment secured liberties to newly-emancipated slaves, guaranteeing all citizens “equal protection under the law”.
More funding! More funding!
The Public Utility Commission, at the direction of the legislature, has “joined the chorus of voices seeking climate action”. Its all-fuels energy report takes note of the state’s ambitious carbon dioxide emission reduction goals, and almost screams what’s needed on every page: “More Funding!”
Trace of UK virus found in Burlington wastewater
Late yesterday afternoon, the City of Burlington received test results from its Covid-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program that detected evidence of two Covid-19 mutations that are associated with the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first detected in the United Kingdom. Though this finding will not be definitive until it is confirmed through genomic sequencing, it indicates that the B.1.1.7 variant is likely now present in Burlington at a low level. The B.1.1.7 variant has been found in 34 U.S. states according to the C.D.C., and has not previously been identified in Vermont.
As the screw turns: “Break their will” climate czar resigns
A high-ranking Massachusetts climate change official has resigned after he was caught on a January 25 video advising the Vermont Climate Council it must ‘turn the screws” on elderly fixed-income citizens and “break their will” in order to meet climate change mandates.
BIPOC home ownership, ranked-choice voting, Act 46 review bills intro’d into House
Legislation that would tweak state law about elections (non-citizen and ranked choice voting), climate change, home ownership, school mergers, sale of unpasteurized milk, and child welfare are among the bills introduced into the Vermont House this week.
Ericka Redic Show: Will Retail Marijuana Be Coming to Your Town?
On this week’s episode of the Ericka Redic Show, host/analyst Ericka Redic tells which towns will and won’t have the Retail Marijuana question on their March Town Meeting ballots. (Clarification: Londonderry will vote on the question this year but has not decided when to hold the vote.)
Border Patrol plans two video surveillance towers on border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is planning to construct two new video surveillance towers 120 feet high along the U.S.-Canadian border in Derby and North Troy.
State grant benefits Chandler Music Hall, gift of Abe Lincoln’s telegraph operator
Chandler Music Hall owes its existence to private philanthropy on a scale that might be difficult to imagine, according to chandler-arts.org. Chandler was a gift of Colonel Albert B. Chandler, a Randolph native, who kept up visits to his hometown of Randolph across his life. As a young man he served as a telegraph operator to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Meth on the rise in Vermont
Federal drug officials warn that methamphetamine trafficking and use is on the rise in Vermont.
Alleged shooter of firearms instructor to plead to Attempted Murder #2
Veronica Lewis, 36, of Worcester pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday, Feb. 9 to Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The woman who allegedly shot a Westford firearms instructor three times on June 29, 2015 also is scheduled to plead guilty Thursday to attempted murder in Vermont courts, US Attorney Christina Nolan said.
Racial justice, climate change advocates leave Hartford selectboard
Hartford Selectboard member Alicia Barrow has stepped down, saying in a letter to the editor that “I no longer feel safe nor welcome in a place I have called home for 15 years.” Ms. Barrow, an African-American, said “My life has been threatened and my children have been adversely affected by it.” (See link for news report, details.)
Senate bill would weaken patient safeguards for ‘aid in dying’
Senate bill S74 would eliminate several requirements included in Act 39, Vermont’s ‘aid-in-dying’ law, to protect patients against potential mistakes or abuses.
Senate delays Taiwan friendship resolution
A Vermont Senate resolution affirming the friendship between Vermont and Taiwan Tuesday, Feb. 9 was denied a floor vote, and instead was diverted into committee.
Cyber-insurance covers est. $7 mil loss from State’s 1099 goof
A cyber-insurance policy taken out by the State of Vermont in 2019 will save almost $7 million in projected losses from the inadvertent disclosure of many 1099-G forms last month, the Scott administration announced today. Thanks to the policy, the State of Vermont will owe only the $250,000 deductible, rather than an expected $7 million expense.
Guv won’t “turn the screws” on carbon-emitting citizens; prefers carrot to stick
Governor Phil Scott doesn’t want the State of Vermont to “turn the screws” on” Vermonters or “break their wills” when it comes to climate-change reduction policies. His position runs contrary to advice given to the Vermont Climate Council by a Massachusetts climate official.
Racist or entertainer? Either way, Steve Merrill’s still banned from press conferences
Northeast Kingdom TV news producer Steve Merrill was banned last week from asking questions at Gov. Phil Scott’s twice-weekly press conference.
To understand cancel culture, re-read “Chicken Little”
To create order from this confusion, to determine what is nonsense, to detect gaslighting and decide what is valid, we need to revisit three classic sources. These re-reads will remind us that we are capable as individuals of sorting out what is good for us and what is being foisted on us by the masters of group think.
Anti-Trump activists persuaded Big Tech to censor pre-election conservative ‘disinformation,” Time Magazine reports
Staunchly liberal Time Magazine reported Feb. 4, approvingly and in great detail, how a shadow, progressive-led campaign to defeat the re-elect Trump campaign persuaded Big Tech to suppress conservative “disinformation.”
Senate bills: expel cops, not law-breakers
Taken together, three Vermont Senate bills would expel active-duty police from schools, limit suspensions of law-breaking students, and prevent off-duty cops and retired military from responding to a school shooting.
Religious schools soon may receive public tuition $$
The Senate Education Committee was briefed this week on the school choice policy impacts of Espinoza v. Montana in which the U.S. Supreme Court last year determined that religious schools shall not be excluded from public tuition dollars under federal law.
Snowmobile fire destroys Troy covered bridge
TROY — Authorities say a snowmobile was the cause of a fire that destroyed a covered bridge in Troy this morning, according to a report in the Newport Dispatch.
14th Amendment – equal protection under law – celebrated February 14
At noon on February 14, supporters of the U.S. Constitution will gather at the Vermont State House lawn for the third in a series of rallies to celebrate the Bill of Rights. Ratified in 1868, the fourteenth amendment secured liberties to newly-emancipated slaves, guaranteeing all citizens “equal protection under the law”.
“Turn the screws on….break their will,” Vermont Climate Council advised
Ismay’s said, “So let me say that again, 60% of our emissions that need to be reduced come from you, the person across the street, the senior on fixed income, right… there is no bad guy left, at least in Massachusetts to point the finger at, to turn the screws on, and you know, to break their will, so they stop emitting. That’s you. We have to break your will. Right, I can’t even say that publicly….”
Massachusetts climate czar tells VT climate leaders to “turn the screws on” and “break their will”
At the January 25 Vermont Climate Council meeting, members can be seen nodding their heads in apparent agreement as the Massachusetts climate czar tells them his plans to “turn the screws” on ordinary people, including senior citizens on fixed incomes, and “break their will.”
VT GOP starts petition to stop new Service Tax
Yesterday the VTGOP launched a petition to stop an expansion of the sales tax on to services like haircuts, auto repairs, home renovations, even child care and tuition payments, Party Chair Deb Billado said.
Scott, Dems smear conservatives in push for ‘unity’
Ron Lawrence: This calls into question our Governor’s support for the Party to which he claims to belong. It certainly calls into question his leadership and devotion to uniting the Party. And, it calls into question his personal character. What kind of person engages in this sort of smear tactic—except only silence his opposition?
Small businesses in Vermont face state, national threats
But the pandemic has not been kind to Vermont small businesses, especially the large hospitality sector. In the fourth quarter of 2019, economic growth in Vermont surpassed the nation’s. But due to the pandemic and its State of Emergency restrictions, by April 2020 unemployment was 15.6% – almost a point above the national average.
40-day vigil outside Barre Planned Parenthood begins 2/14
The kickoff rally for the annual 40 Days for Life will be held 3 pm, Sunday, February 14 on the sidewalk right-of-way near the Barre Planned Parenthood clinic on Washington Street.
New rep calls Benning pot bill “heavy handed”
A new Vermont House member disputes a veteran senator’s claim that communities should be able to decide by next March whether to ask voters if a retail marijuana store is a good fit.
Levine warns against Super Bowl super spreaders
This year, watching the Super Bowl could be more hazardous than playing in it. And a “super spread” no longer means a great snack buffet.
Southerners hated ‘carpetbagger’ Harvey Twitchell of Vermont
Vermonter Marshall Harvey Twitchell was the poster boy of “carpetbaggers” most Southerners loved to hate in the post Civil War years.
On Election Night, web traffic went from China to battleground state election centers. What does it mean?
In his second Deepcapture.com post about the 2020 General Election and concerns about election fraud, journalist and CEO Patrick Byrne posts a document that appears to show heavy internet traffic between China and election centers in the battleground states of Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Essex-Charlotte ferry to resume Monday
At a Feb. 1 meeting of the Essex County supervisors, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY21, said her office had been in touch with the ferry company and reopening the Essex route was a priority. She said the company would be eligible for another round of stimulus — a previous allocation had helpedAlong with reduced business, Stefanik said the company had also had trouble finding adequate help needed to run all its boats. it maintain its routes last year.
41 towns decline retail marijuana vote
On Town Meeting Day, March 2, voters in 20 Vermont cities and towns will decide whether to allow retail marijuana. The new state law says local voter approval is needed before a marijuana store can open. But what about towns that don’t want to vote on retail pot? 41 towns won’t even have the question on the Town Meeting ballot.
State sues OneCare for hiding payroll
Attorney General T.J. Donovan has filed a lawsuit on behalf of State Auditor Doug Hoffer against OneCare Vermont after the accountable care organization breached its contract with the State by repeatedly refusing to provide accounting records to the State Auditor.
Voices on left, right want Phil Scott to leave the GOP
Would Phil Scott – lifelong Republican – pull a Jim Jeffords and leave the GOP? Ericka Redic discusses why voices from the left, right and media are talking about the Vermont governor leaving his party.
Gov. Scott, why aren’t ski tourists following Covid rules?
Vermonter’s are doing what is asked of us. We are wearing masks, not gathering, quarantining if we leave the state, limiting our children’s ability to go to school full time, etc. We are doing this all because you said we need to protect fellow Vermonter’s. It seems to me, you are asking a lot of us while turning the other way when it comes to protecting us from others.
Baruth says gun carry ban not needed if problem solved by current law – and it is
Police have a tool they can use to immediately correct the problem of a person carrying a firearm into a prohibited place; it allows them to remove that person; it allows them to cite or arrest and at that point they can confiscate weapons. That’s current law today. To quote the lead sponsor one more time: “… if in fact there are other laws that do what S.30 purports to do, then I would say it is a strong argument for not passing it.”
VT public transit gets $26 mil in fed Coronavirus money; bill proposes riding bus for free
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has received more than $26 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to support public transit across the state, Gov. Phil Scott said today.
New advocacy group fights Burlington ‘burner ban’
Opportunity Vermont has released a petition calling on the Mayor and City Council to abandon any proposal that taxes residents who need gas for heat, hot water, or cooking.
Schools give unequal discipline based on race, gender? Senate wants to know
A bill under review by the Senate Education Committee today at 1:30 pm seeks more data on whether Vermont schools unfairly discipline racial minorities. Sponsors want this information to “understand what strategies are effective and to encourage the adoption of these strategies at the local level.”
5-year economic plan, sentence reduction, contractor registry, firearms seizure bills get review
In February, Vermont House committees turn from January’s “welcome back, here’s what happened when you were gone” reports from state officials and lobbyists, settle into their seats, and begin to look at bills. This week, several bills of interest will come “off the wall” of introduction and get a serious look by committee members.
Don’t let small businesses suffer for following emergency rules, NFIB says
When Governor Scott declared a state of emergency on March 13, 2020, a whole new world of “small business challenges” landed on the backs of those small business owners from which they may not recover.
Vaccine recipient describes the Day After
Vaccination Day +1: I planned on some cross-country skiing but didn’t have much energy. “What’s going on?” I asked my Chief of Intrapersonal Security.
Memphremagog Winter Swim goes v-v-virtual
Many of the cold-water swimmers in this month’s Seventh Annual Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival have been swimming in socially distanced “pods” regularly through the fall and winter as the sport of Winter Swimming has spread across the country and blossomed.
New House bills tackle immunization, cannabis, fishing access use, rent control, police use of force – and more
With a mortality rate rivaling that of baby sea turtles crossing the sand to the ocean, most bills proceed no further than introduction. For a list of all House bills, see the Vermont Legislature website. To contact media and lawmakers about legislation, see Vermont Daily media/legislator contact list in article and Google Doc formats.
Snow goose hunt starts March 11
“The breeding population of greater snow geese has grown from approximately 50,000 birds in the mid-1960s to 714,000 birds today,” said David Sausville, Vermont’s waterfowl project biologist. “This increase has resulted in damage to agricultural crops and marsh vegetation in staging and wintering areas from Quebec to North Carolina. Hunting pressure to date has aided in reducing the population from its high point of just over one million birds during the period of 2000-2010. The Atlantic Flyway has established a goal of 500,000 greater snow geese to bring populations in balance with their habitat and reduce crop depredation.”
Worker’s Comp rates drop 5th consecutive year
Governor Phil Scott today announced that Vermont businesses will see another rate decrease in workers’ compensation insurance in 2021. This is the fifth straight year workers’ compensation rates have decreased, and when combined with decreases from 2017-2020, Vermont employers will pay an average of 36% less in workers’ compensation premiums than they did in 2016.
Youth worker sees differences between secular, churched kids
Many secular-minded parents have no interest in having their kids attend evangelical churches. Well, I have had the chance to get to know some of these young people at my church. I also had the chance to get to know some secular young people with whom I worked with at a store awhile back. I offer the following observations.
Welch responds to election fraud petition
Rep. Peter Welch responds to election fraud petition: “The court system, members of Congress, and the former President should respect the American people’s decision. Undermining the results of the election with false claims of voter fraud is deeply irresponsible and damages the core of our democratic system honoring the will of the voters and the election outcome.”
Gamestop speculation risky, State warns investors
The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) cautions Vermonters about the significant risks associated with investing in publicly traded companies that are experiencing extreme price volatility due to stock speculation.
Scott might agree to taxing more services and products, if overall burden reduced
Gov. Phil Scott would consider expanding sales tax on services, products, but only to reduce the overall burden. Asked about a plan to reduce the percentage of the sales tax but expand the scope of taxable products and services, Scott said: “This isn’t the time to increase taxes on anyone….if the Legislature is talking about reducing the burden, I’m all ears.”
Gun carry ban opponent to senator: “It must be nice to have guards”
A bill sponsored by Sen. Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) to prohibit carrying guns in some public places lacks support in the Senate Judiciary Committee, committee member Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia) confirmed yesterday.
Writer admits unfair criticism of Benning, Billado
Ms. Billado: There is no need for you to respond to my request for confirmation of certain FB posts. They have been exposed by the full force of John Walters’ Vermont Political Observer, who, like so many others, if not burning Hester Prynne (I mean Ellie Martin) at the stake for witchcraft, are forcing upon her, and those who dare associate with her, the Scarlet Letter R, for Republican.
Patrick Byrne: election fraud investigation failed due to incompetence, not lack of evidence
The following blog post by journalist/entrepreneur/cybergeek Patrick Byrne was posted January 27. It provides the first “insider” look at the president’s election fraud investigation handled (Byrne would say mishandled) by key top aides of President Trump.
Proposal would tax haircuts, private school education – almost everything
The Vermont Tax Structure Commission released its 180 page draft report to the legislature, and one of the major recommendations it makes is to expand Vermont’s 6% sales tax, currently limited to goods and a few singled out services such as ski rentals, to everything but healthcare, and to reduce the overall rate to 3.6%.
Flying elephants aren’t pretty
Friedman is complaining – correctly IMO – that much of what is sold as recession relief is actually socialism for the rich at the expense of everyone else and at great long-term danger to the economy.
Construction jobs down 25% last year, worst in 50 states
“Down 25 percent from the end of 2019, Vermont had the largest drop in construction employment out of all states,” Construction Coverage’s Brian Medina reported.
Health Choice VT urges PCR test caution
There can be large-scale test kit contamination, as both the US and the UK (and several African countries) discovered during the early phase of the pandemic.
21,000 signed up for vaccine on Day One of Phase 2 – despite logjam
21,000 Vermonters signed up Monday for Covid-19 vaccination on the first day of the 75 and over registration. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
U.S. House, and Welch, focused on Trump removal
All but two votes cast thus far by Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives have addressed the removal of office and/or impeachment of President Donald Trump, according to a review of the Vermont congressman’s voting record on http://www.clerk.house.gov. In each case he has voted against Trump and with the Democratic majority.
Gov. Scott budget address includes $210 million in new spending
Governor Phil Scott Tuesday delivered his fifth budget address to the General Assembly, presenting a balanced budget that, with the help of federal stimulus, includes $210 million in bold new investments to strengthen the economy, create more and better paying jobs, and address big priorities, like downtown revitalization, infrastructure, broadband and climate change. All without raising taxes or existing fees or cutting essential services.
Leahy to preside over impeachment trial
Being the Senate’s president pro tempore, Leahy is now third in line to the presidency. The president pro tempore has historically presided over Senate impeachment trials of non-presidents.
Women inmates transitional housing, sentence reform bills introduced
Bills related to prison sentencing and transition have been introduced into the Vermont Legislature.
Should Phil Scott leave GOP?
He’s hearing it from the left and from the right: Phil Scott should leave the Vermont GOP.
$78 million in new taxes to pay for carbon reduction proposed
The State of Vermont should tax fossil fuels to fund carbon reduction programs required by carbon reduction mandates, a Jan. 15 report by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recommends. Estimated annual revenue from three proposed revenue sources would total $78 million.
Ericka Redic Show #2: gun carrying ban won’t prevent crime
In the second week of the new Vermont Daily video production, “The Ericka Redic Show,” host Ericka Redic reports on S30, a bill to ban carrying firearms in some public places. Its sponsor says it’s more necessary than ever because of more and more gun-toting citizens don’t want to wear masks and are intimidating those who ask them to do so.
VTWatercooler: January 26, 2021
Today’s headlines from Vermont media.
McClaughry: Feds gave VT 2nd most money per person in 2020
The feds sent little Vermont $4.8 billion dollars. That comes to $7,729 per person. That sum puts Vermont second among the 50 states, trailing only New York, which got $7,840 per person. Even so, the state budget department is projecting a $180 million General Fund shortfall for next year.
100+ VT communities get election $$ from Facebook/Zuckerberg group
112 Vermont communities received ‘coronavirus response grants’ from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, a not-for-profit formed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan to provide assistance to local election officials.
Mayor Miro warns Burlington Council about cop shortage
In June 2020, the City Council voted to reduce the number of police officers in Burlington from 105 to 74, without a plan in place for how the City would respond to the full range of calls with 30 percent fewer officers. Already, as a result of this vote, the Police Department has had to curtail services that include: the Community Affairs Officer who helped coordinate the City’s response to graffiti, the Emergency Response Officer who helped manage the innovative strategies that the Department uses to respond to acute mental health crises, the street crime team that responded to patterns of open-air drug activity and robbery, and foot patrols on Church Street.
Women bear workplace burden of pandemic, commission says
73% of the unemployment claims made in Vermont are from women. That does not include individuals who have been pushed out of the labor force due to the shutdown of schools and closures of childcare facilities.
To survive, Vermont media must court conservatives
Who are the paid conservative editorial writers in Vermont media? What programs at public radio/tv speak deeply, intensely to conservatives? Where are Vermont media’s weekly paid conservative columnists? Conservatives say that you are more likely to find two unicorns mating in your backyard then a paid conservative news/editorial employee at any large Vermont media company.
Secular Democrat protests abortion as injustice, bad science
For Addison Bowen of Wallingford, taking a pro-life stand has nothing to do with being religious or Republican. He’s neither.
VT election chief: ballot fraud hard to stop, impossible to reverse
The only real clue that something is amiss is if the real voter shows up on election day only to find out that a ballot has already been cast in their name. Senning testified, “We had instances of that this year.” We need to know exactly how many instances!
Vermont Daily publishes media/legislators contact list
As a free service to our readers, Vermont Daily has assembled an online spreadsheet presenting, on one page, the names and email addresses of most Vermont media accepting letters to the editor and op-eds, and the email addresses and districts of all legislators. The list can be accessed from the Vermont Daily home page menu, by clicking on Media/Legislator contact list.
Unpublicized Covid-19 variants may resist vaccine, Levine says
There are no reported cases of any Covid-19 variants in Vermont, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said. That’s the good news. However, a variant in California may be fueling the current Los Angeles epidemic, he said. Also, relatively unpublicized variants in Brazil and South Africa may not respond to the current vaccine, he said.
Don’t worry about trillions in national debt, say “Modern Monetary” theorists
As the United States uses deficit spending to stimulate our economy, supporters of unprecedented borrowing refer to a relatively unknown economic doctrine called Modern Monetary Theory [MMT]. Here’s how it works – or, at least, how they say it works.
Neurologists’ review asks: is Gun Control really about People Control?
With this background of multiple factors leading to the commission of violent crimes against others, the focus has been concentrated on banning firearms from public ownership rather than understanding the reasons for this criminal behavior. Why? There is the overwhelming evidence that disarming the public from using firearms will not reduce violent crimes and will render people defenseless.
Rally for Life gathers tomorrow
Vermont Right to Life will hold its annual Rally for Life Saturday, January 23 in Montpelier.
GOP: don’t spend Recovery $$ on mismanaged state programs
Republicans are committed to doing everything in our power to hold the line that our caucus did last year to make sure that as much money as is legally possible goes into the hands of those Vermonters who have been affected. We will avoid the temptation of some to use COVID funding as a way to channel that money back into existing state programs that have struggled because of prior financial mismanagement, not because of COVID and the response.
Bill: only fly US, VT flag at school
A bill sponsored by Rep. Brian Smith (R-Derby) would prohibit flags other than the U.S. flag and State of Vermont flag from being flown on public school property in Vermont.
Scott tests negative for Covid
Governor Phil Scott has tested negative for COVID-19. As his most recent potential exposure occurred at Tuesday’s briefing, in accordance with Vermont Department of Health guidance, he will continue to fulfill his duties while in quarantine and will be tested again on Tuesday, January 26.
Bill would make public transportation free, require electric buses
A bill introduced this week into the Vermont House would reduce transportation carbon emissions by expanding public transportation, incentivize electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and require some employers to take steps to reduce internal-combustion commuting.
Baruth gun carry ban won’t stop crime, Defender General says
A bill sponsored by Sen. Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) to prohibit carrying guns in some public places won’t prevent gun violence, is already covered by other laws, and could end up harming the people it’s meant to protect, Vermont Public Defender General Matthew Valario told a Senate committee.
Vermont Daily launches video news program, “The Ericka Redic Show”
The first episode of “The Ericka Redic Show,” a Vermont Daily online video news program, is now available on YouTube. “We’ll be covering the news out of Montpelier and around the state, and why it matters to you,” host Ericka Redic of Burlington announced in the opening moments of Episode One.
Pearce plan cuts pension shortfall, keeps defined benefits – but it’s not pain-free
Recommendations proposed by State Treasurer Beth Pearce would, if successfully enacted, reduce the pension fund shortfall and maintain defined benefits, she said in a January 15 report.
South Burlington felon convicted of deer poaching
Robert Verrastro, 47, of South Burlington, has pled guilty to the charge of possession of illegal big game among other crimes in connection with a deer poaching investigation in Starksboro that took place in November of 2019, state Fish & Wildlife officials say.
Guv, Levine quarantine after press conference Covid contact
This afternoon (January 19), Governor Phil Scott, Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D. and other administration officials were informed that a contractor who provided services at the Governor’s coronavirus briefings on Friday, January 15 and Tuesday, January 19 has tested positive for COVID-19.
Journalist describes Antifa, as he sees it
When I saw that Guy Page had republished some of my reporting in The Commons on Northeast Antifa (NEA) and the antifa movement in general, I offered to do a piece for him, since I recognize that there is a lot of mystery about the movement and it can seem threatening to people who believe in law and order and hold centrist or conservative views.
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