By Guy Page

The State of Vermont has a flooded property buyout program with $15 million allocated this year, the Valley News (via VTDigger) reports.

The program, meant to supplement a federal flood buyout program, reimburses property owners at up to 120% of assessed property value. The extra 20% is meant to help property owners buy homes on low-flood risk parcels, which are typically more expensive.

Student racism poll results to be announced November 8 – In 2023, the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network and the Rutland NAACP sent out a survey asking about student experiences with racism in schools. “We got alarming – but not necessarily surprising – results,” network coordinator Addie Lentzer said. November 8 at Champlain College, the VSARN will release the survey results, host a panel discussion of students and administrators, and hear from national speaker Professor Loretta J Ross, talking about book bans and racial justice in America. 

Sanders demands supplemental billions at home, too – As Congress considers a huge supplemental spending bill to cover the costs of conflict in Ukraine, Israel, and at the U.S. southern border, Sen. Bernie Sanders yesterday said domestic spending also should be increased: “Congress cannot approve BILLIONS in a supplemental budget that only addresses critical emergencies around the world. We have crises here at home too — child care, health care, housing, opioid addiction — that need major funding now and must be included in the supplemental.”

Catamount Arts founder wins cash prize – Catamount Arts founder and filmmaker Jay Craven has been awarded the 10th annual Herb Lockwood Prize, a $10,000 cash award, recognizing his contribution to the Vermont arts scene. Todd Lockwood created the prize in 2014 as a tribute to his late brother Herb, a Vermont artist and musician.

Unions want to college chancellor’s office – The American Federation of Teachers and the Vermont State Employees Association are jointly calling on the Board of Trustees of Vermont State Colleges to eliminate the Office of Chancellor. “VTSU needs to cut the massive $13 million dollars in bloated management salaries and invest more funding closer to the students by retaining faculty and increasing the pay of frontline staff,” said Billie Neathawk, President of the VSEA VTSU Staff Federation. If eliminating the office is not feasible, the union wants their members on the search committee for the new chancellor as well as the Board of Trustees.

Federal grant creates Leahy legacy at UVM – The UVM Board of Trustees last week approved the naming of the Patrick Leahy Building and Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. The new institute was made possible by a $9.3 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “with leadership and support from Sen. Leahy,” UVM said. “The Institute for Rural Partnerships will empower Vermonters and Vermont communities with its research and millions of dollars in annual grants,” Leahy said in his remarks. 

Industrial wastewater treatment grants – The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing to fund eight potential awardees for industrial wastewater treatment. Municipalities will pass funds on to businesses to install or improve their wastewater pretreatment infrastructure. The eight potential awardees include:

City of Burlington – Edlund Company, LLC – Chittenden County – $342,125

Edward Farrar Utility District – Freak Folk Bier – Washington County – $23,896

Town of Fairfax – Runamok Maple – Franklin County – $424,660

Town of Lyndon – Ellipsis, Inc. – Caledonia County – $502,889

Town of Middlebury – Agri-Mark, Inc. – Addison County – $623,288

Town of Middlebury – WhistlePig Whiskey – Addison County – $130,645

Town of Stowe – Stowe Cider – Lamoille County – $408,595

Town of Williston – Burlington Beer Company – Chittenden County – $850,000