We have a long way to go before the various tax and spending bills reach the Governor’s desk. The Senate may have different views on what taxes to raise.
Harrison: Lawmakers, governor making noise over taxes, spending
Keelan: Better philanthropy than government spending
Your contributions, not more taxes, will go further by giving directly to the NGOs.
Welch bill would use AI to monitor weather, enforce international law
“By requiring federal agencies to use AI in proactive ways, such as boosting grid resiliency and improving weather forecasts, this bill will allow us to better predict and respond to extreme weather events and mitigate their impacts,” Welch said.
Tracie Hauck provides a safe space on the road to recovery
Through her work with the Turning Point Center in Rutland, executive director Tracie Hauck hopes to support those in recovery from substance abuse.
Republicans expose supermajority housing, affordability failures
“We’re being told that we still don’t have enough money. Clearly we do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem,” Rep. Scott Beck (R-St. Johnsbury) said.
After losing jury trial, paralyzed skier demands multi-million $$ settlement
A federal judge has agreed to hold a hearing on a claim by a New York skier that he had accepted a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement minutes before a jury last month rejected all the legal claims he made about an accident that left him paralyzed at Okemo Mountain.
VT Headlines: UK nationals try to smash thru fence at border
Nine subjects of the United Kingdom tried to plow through a landowner’s fence at the Canadian border in Highgate.
High-tax Vermont to get even higher
The Legislature is opening a big bag of new and higher taxes.
Shorts: Documentary targets homelessness
Sigue ousted from VT/ Weird-Al class/ Distracted driving campaign
Paying you for your opinion about 50% conserved land by 2050
An environmental group is offering to pay $75 to ‘conservation advocates’ who will advance the U.N.-based State of Vermont plan for 50% conservation of total land area by 2050.
Staats: Bill 258 plea
Our own VTFW Department and the dedicated biologists who continue to do an excellent job managing our wildlife resources are opposed to this bill!
Roper: Democrats say, “Read My Lips: Yes! New taxes!” Republicans say, GET REAL!
Battle lines are drawn for November 2024 VT State House races.
Senate sends Fish & Wildlife changes, parental cut-out of library books, EV battery disposal bills to House
What will happen to EV batteries when they stop working?
House-approved Act 250 bill lacks veto protection
Touted as ‘pro-housing,’ the Act 250 reform bill gives a mid-2026 start date for Act 250 review-free housing, limits them to small areas of the state, and imposes a tight review process.
House rejects budget ‘transparency,’ then OKs $8.8 billion in spending
“I don’t think we should be voting on a budget that pretends a certain amount of spending,” Donahue said. “Transparency to our constituents is one of our most important obligations.”
Burlington honors Trans Visibility today
Burlington’s current mayor and Mayor-elect will raise a Burlington Trans flag sewn by a community member.
Newport man faces kidnapping/ Drug dispute stabbing arrests/ Catch & release/ Lock your car!
Police say Perry held people at gunpoint before fleeing the scene in a dark blue Dodge truck. He was nabbed after a high-risk chase.
VT Headlines: Jury draw for Grismore, diversion for beanbag cops
Kick or push? Jury being picked to decide the assault case against Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore.
Warner: Thank God It’s Good Friday
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Two years after veto, lawmakers angling for expungement reform
“You want to be able to understand … if somebody was involved in credit card fraud,” a spokesperson for Vermont bankers said.
Vermont’s Charity Clark among 12 AGs warning gunmaker Glock
AGs claim Glock had knowledge its guns could be adapted to become “machine guns.”
Fernandez: Hamas supporters buying brains on US campuses
Institutions that accepted funds from Middle Eastern donors experienced 300% more antisemitic incidents than those that did not accept such funding.
House Majority Leader Emily Long’s statement on “real affordability”
“We need to start talking about real fiscal responsibility and real affordability, and what that means.”
Gov. Scott upset over criticism of Education Secretary pick
“Frankly, I’m embarrassed by the message it sends, that a smart, extremely capable professional woman, who has dedicated her career to improving outcomes for kids and addressing inequity for impoverished communities and families, is being villainized simply because of the state she currently lives in.”
“Satisfaction guaranteed or your money Back”
George Robinson Thorne and the making of Montgomery Ward.
Shooting victim when brother killed is charged with federal drug trafficking
A Leicester woman and her longtime boyfriend, who was critically wounded when his brother was fatally shot last summer, pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon.
Advertise your business in VDC
Daily edition emailed Monday-Saturday, on track to reach 1.6 million views.
Former lawmaker: “drunk uncle Joe” in charge of education spending
“That is essentially like me having my job working five days a week, 9-to-5, whatever else, and my drunk uncle Joe having my checkbook,” Scheuermann said.
Burlington cop, demoted for inaccurate timesheets, hired by Shelburne
Lieutenant Delgado was quietly demoted to corporal last year after an internal investigation showed he filed 25 timesheets that were inaccurate or untimely.
Drought drying up Canadian hydro power
Like all renewable energy, hydropower is at the mercy of Mother Nature.
VT Headlines: Teen internet addiction discussed
Eclipse hopes and fears. Car catches fire after striking deer. And Spelling Bee contestants prepare for words like ‘Chanticleer.’
The Barre stoneworkers’ strike of 1933
Depression-era salary cuts and harsh working conditions led Barre granite workers to go on strike. The National Guard was called out.
MacDonald: A green revolution or all about that Green?
A wealth transfer from poor to rich that doesn’t reduce emissions.
Vermont-born businesswoman warns Legislature, “these taxes are killing us”
“We don’t want to sit at home. We don’t want to collect from the system,” said the woman who overcame severe dyslexia and ADHD to found a growing leather products business now threatened by high taxes.
Weak winter a boon to birdwatchers — but crowds could put rare species at risk
With this winter’s relatively weak snowfall, more people may have turned to birding as an outdoor activity for the season.
Vermont’s trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 13
Despite lingering snow cover in some areas, VT Fish & Wildlife says anglers can still have fun and be successful early in the season.
Gov. Scott opposes land use changes
Gov. argues that the changes will create new layers of bureaucracy and make it harder to build new housing.
Vekos suspended
A state’s attorney has been suspended for failing to answer questions about her DUI charge.
Senate considers House-approved safe injection sites, work licensing ‘regardless of immigration status’
Controversial bills that have already cleared the House are now being reviewed by Senate committees.
Armed home invader overpowered
A confrontation ensued between Suggs and the occupants, leading to Suggs being overpowered and detained until law enforcement arrived.
VT Headlines: ODs in construction industry
Octegenarian couple produces an original musical in Rochester. Vermont.
# of illegal immigrants since 2021 outnumbers population of 43 states
The number of foreign national who have entered the U.S. illegally since 2021 outnumbers the population of New York City.
Roper: Lies and the lying liars who legislate
The Democrat Assistant Majority Leader’s misleading, untrue spin about the Renewable Energy Standard.
Gogo: The true cost of flavored nicotine
The health costs of flavored nicotine products far outweigh the tax revenues generated.
Krowinski: H.289 provides ‘price stability and affordability’ for ratepayers
While Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions may seem modest on a global scale, our commitment to renewable energy serves as a beacon for others,” Rep. Amy Sheldon said.
Sanders “secures” $15.3 million in fed spending
$2 million for UVM’s Community Schools project. $1.9 million for the Agency of Education Global Leadership Program.$665,000 to establish the Youth Community Action Corps at the Vermont Folklife Center
Klar: The real threat to your way of life
Why famine and food shortages grow more likely each day…in America!
LaMarche: Time to GET REAL about democracy
We must confront the inherent risks posed by unchecked political dominance, but the GOP seems to be focused more on internal squabbles.
Senate slated to give final OK today to S.258, Fish & Wildlife bill
The Senate passed an amended bill that, although less restrictive than the original version, could be “the end of hunting as we know it in Vermont,” one senator said. The Senate retained the ban on baiting coyotes and hunting them with dogs.
Proposed $130 million in new taxes could mean veto session
The $130 million won’t provide property tax relief, but would pay for new and expanded programs.
BLM flag to come down from Milton school flagpole
AG will run again. Milton strikes the BLM flag. Huge gift stabilizes tuition at Dartmouth.
VT Headlines: Public transit $$ crunch could cut service
With the influx of federal $$ gone, Vermont’s public transit system is looking at cutting some service in order to meet budget.
Cannabis concentrates for teens/ Legislature wants more accountability to itself/ Guv says H.687 not housing-friendly
Plugging teens’ legal access cannabis concentrate. Housing slow-down bill. Why won’t State Government do what the Legislature tells it to do?!
California dreamin’ could become Vermont’s nightmare
In 2008, the Terminator decreed California ramp up renewable power. How’s that working out?
Headlines from the Vermont Giggler
Peter Rabbit sues State of Vermont for reparations due to suburban sprawl.
GPS tracking devices found on vehicles returning from Montreal
In the past month alone, two separate incidents have been reported by Burlington residents who stumbled upon these invasive trackers on their cars.
Burlington mayor: “I knew it was trouble” when Council defunded police in 2020
The mayor has always maintained that he was against the policy from the start.
Lawmakers ponder fossil-fuel divestment, paying for new schools
This week lawmakers in the House are set to look at divestment from carbon fuels, new funding for school construction projects, and more.
Galfetti: The cost of Renewable Energy Credits
The Floor Report: 03/21/2024.
Wilson: GOP unity?
Be vigilant, respectful, and honest. We need to resist bad government. A house divided against itself will fall.
Vermont farmers urge senators to not chicken out of passing poultry inspection bill
By meeting a slew of conditions, producers wouldn’t need inspections to sell raw chicken products from the farm, at farmers markets or to restaurants in VT.
Restorative justice referral bill could see ‘a much slower starting process’ with uncertain position funding
The bill would codify the practice of pre-charge referrals so the process is the same regardless of county.
Letters: Marxist madness and impenitent Presidents
Who is responsible for arresting a sitting president who is breaking the law?
Bossange: Elect Mr. Trump again?
Be careful what you wish for… You will likely just be trading one “deep state” for another.
Temporary homeless shelters cost $50K per night/ 20″ snowfall in Fairlee
The temporary shelters for a few cost more per night than the homeless hotels for the many – but that’s not the whole story, state officials say.
Vandals spraypaint ‘free Gaza’ on recruiting office/ Ski resort voyeur
Anti-Israel graffiti. A voyeur at Jay Peak. Catalytic converter suspect dies before trial. Police Welfare check on chronic suicide threatener goes bad for checkers and checkee.
VT Headlines: Sweet tooth in the Valley! Girl Scouts sell 3,200 boxes
Girl Scouts have been selling cookies since 1917. More than a century later, they’re not homemade anymore, but they’re still a delicious, popular fundraiser.
Roper video: Anti-fossil fuel lobbyist caught on hot mic moment
Behind The Lines columnist Rob Roper comes out from behind the keyboard to expose an anti-fossil fuel lobbyist’s hypocrisy.
Video: the path to 100% carbon free electricity the Legislature is ignoring – again!
Some things never change.
Roper: House passes Renewable Energy Standard amidst cloud of baloney
Sponsoring Rep. deploys word salad to avoid stating truths about the bill.
Bananas: Third semi-annual Vegas odds on the Antichrist!
As the world get’s crazier than a rainbow flag at a Hamas rally we turn our sights to the coming of the lawless one prophesied in holy writ.
Federal judge selections announced
A leading public defender, a law school professor and a longtime federal prosecutor are in the running to become the next U.S. District Court Judge in Vermont.
Holocaust education workshop draws over 50 teachers from across VT
Educators were provided novel tools and resources to help communicate lessons of history, intolerance with focus on Nazi Germany.
Victimized by transgender activism, some Vermonters pushed back
Christian school banned from competitions; Fired snowboard coach wins lawsuit; WCAX takes down report
Klar: Renewables threaten the US power grid
The crisis has regulators scrambling.
Corrected version: Senate passes S.258, Fish & Wildlife bill
The Senate passed an amended bill that, although less restrictive than the original version, could be “the end of hunting as we know it in Vermont,” one senator said. The Senate retained the ban on baiting coyotes and hunting them with dogs.
Breaking: Bray proposes softer version of S.258
Changes to S.258 on Senate floor now.
Guv appoints Education secretary
Vermont’s new Secretary of Education comes from Broward County, Florida.
Senate passes flavored tobacco ban, youth crime tweaks,
The Senate banned flavored tobacco, approved a flood safety bill, and adjusted youth criminal justice laws.
Burlington Police Chief: “Court inexplicably released” attempted murder suspect
“This is beyond bewildering, and beyond frustrating for the men and women of patrol who responded to a bar-closing shooting in the heart of our downtown, for the detectives who spent their weekend investigating and assembling a case for arraignment, and, most of all, for the victim who had a firearm pointed at his chest at close range and was shot in the arm,” BPD Chief Murad said.
Shorts: One celebrity doctor reprimanded, another gets big State job/ Bernie, AOC housing Green New Deal
An expert in pandemic-related mental health problems will lead Vermont’s Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living.
VT Headlines: Students home on Eclipse Day
Schools say it’s safer for students to be home on Eclipse Day.
An ostrich approach to mental health truth
Office of Public Guardian with its head in the sand
Man with 1600 police interactions has one more
Drunk, spitting on and headbutting cops after (again) refusing to leave, police say.
H.289 ‘shoved down our throats,’ lawmaker says on floor
A Northeast Kingdom legislator tells her colleagues on the floor just what she thinks about their plan to get Vermont to 100% zero carbon emissions for electricity.
The path to 100% zero carbon emissions the Legislature is ignoring
Both the Legislature and the governor have a plan to get to 100% zero emissions from power generation by 2030. One will cost $110 million over 10 years – and the other is far more expensive.
School district promoting political activism with public funds
It calls students to organize “civil resistance” and “establish and maintain a Racial Justice Student Alliance,” in the “Racial Justice: PBL Challenge” class.
Smith: Inequitable, un-environmental illusion
The unrealism of the Renewable Energy Standard grows.
Banyai pepper sprayed by constable, jailed on ‘protected persons’ assault charge
Banyai was a passenger in a car stopped for speeding by the town constable. An altercation ensued.
VT Headlines: Judges consider suspending prosecutor’s law license
What to do with a prosecutor who (police say) drove drunk to a crime scene then wrote an angry, embarrassing letter about the cops she works with?
FBI Albany, Vermont State Police announce $40,000 reward in Brianna Maitland case
No tip is too small, the FBI said of the 20-year-old cold case.
‘State of Lake Fisheries’ March 23/ Priest named state’s attorney/ Flood kitchens to Gaza/ Pharmacy cyberattack over
Priest named state’s attorney. How’s the fishing in Lake Champlain? Kitchens that helped Barre-Montpelier flood victims go to Gaza. Etc.
Money problems, attempts to leave preceded JetBlue’s departure from Burlington
‘It was a constant battle’ to keep JetBlue in the Green Mountain State — a conflict that started long before the airline pulled out in 2023.
Maynard: Will it liberate?
A critical look at the new bondage promoted by Critical Race Theory.
In downtown Burlington, two attempted murders
Two attempted murders in Burlington: one by car, another by gunfire. Suspects are in custody.
Taking away parents’ right-to-know goes to Senate floor today
If the Senate says so this afternoon, parents will be one step closer to being in the dark about what books their children are reading.
Senators consider education board power shift, government meeting in private, illegal drug law overhaul
How much of the Truth & Reparations process be shielded from public view?
VT Headlines: Obama picks Cat March Madness upset
Former president and hoop junkie Barack Obama picks the UVM men’s team to upset Duke Friday in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Doctor challenges Senate incumbent
A Democratic candidate for Congress in 2022 has set his sights on running for a state senate seat in the district where Sen. Ginny Lyons now holds a seat. His platform: changes in Vermont’s health care system.
Page: Aral Sea catastrophe a warning for geoengineering
A cautionary tale against climate engineering.
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