The Vermont House yesterday refused to vote on an amendment to allow noise suppressors for hunting, and instead sent the whole bill to the pro-gun control House Judiciary Committee.
Noise suppressor bill suppressed in House
Stahler: Devil in the details of Clean Heat Standard
The Clean Heat Standard is fraught with both unknowns and unrealistic goals, so the Legislature should wait for the March, 2023 report to answer important questions.
Hunter firearm noise suppressor bill goes to House floor today
They’re not really ‘silencers,’ but noise suppressors can save the hearing of people exposed to loud firearms, say both Republican and Democratic supporters of a bill before the House today.
Levine addresses vax injury concerns
Vermonters who suspect they’ve suffered vaccine injury should tell the CDC and keep seeking medical opinions, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said Tuesday.
Senate learns of Clean Heat Standard snafu: who gets the ‘credit’?
If the Senate doesn’t fix a big snafu in the Clean Heat Standard bill passed by the House, both electrical utilities and heating fuel dealers will be claiming clean heat credits for the same heat pump.
10 grand of remote control cars, parts stolen / child porn in Charleston / downtown Essex Jct. fire
Police are looking for thieves who stole remote control cars and equipment in Fairfax.
Chick-Fil-A cancelled at Randolph high school
A Chick-Fil-A fundraiser for the Randolph High School baseball team has been cancelled “because of the rancor this choice stirred in our communities.”
Criminal threatening bill advances without gun seizure
House Judiciary last week discussed, but didn’t act on, making the ‘criminal threatening’ bill a felony to allow easier gun seizure.
Secret Service agents bribed by con men
Eye-opening headlines you probably won’t read in the mainstream national media, compiled by CLG.
Police: Woman found growling under porch
A woman under the influence was first heard, then seen, growling underneath a porch in Montpelier.
Legislature considers Burlington prostitution decrim today
Burlington’s prostitution charter change comes before the House Government Operations Committee at 1 pm today.
Dogs on trails: leashed or unleashed?
High energy dogs hate to be leashed. That’s great for those dogs….not always so great for other dogs, or their owners.
Teenage voting veto upheld
Teenagers aren’t allowed by law to sign contracts – a fact that surfaced after the Senate yesterday upheld Gov. Scott’s veto of 16-17 year old voting in Brattleboro.
Editorial: Balint and Ram talk big about housing – but have no right to
Two Democratic senators who want to go to Congress say a bill they passed shows they care about creating affordable housing. The bill, and their voting records, say otherwise.
Bill would enshrine Abenaki use of state lands
H618 would grant Abenaki-specific rights to state-owned lands.
Cyberattack stops Hood, Booth Brothers milk production
Amid concerns about avian flu and global hunger, a cyberattack shut down Hood and Booth Brothers milk processing plants this month. They’re back on line – mostly.
Nolan backs Brown-Jackson for Supreme Court
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Christina Nolan publicly backs a Democratic president’s nominee for the Supreme Court – “politics should play no role in the confirmation process,” she explains.
Bottled mixed drinks coming to your grocery store?
Ready-to-drink cocktails will be sold in grocery stores next to beer and wine, if a bill approved by the House last week becomes law.
How did YOUR legislator vote on guns, Prop 5, illegal speech, etc.?
Vermont’s free market think-tank has assembled voting profiles on every Vermont lawmaker. In a few clicks you can find out how they voted on bills that matter to you – and then share that information with others.
More boring photos that tell a story
What photo could be even more boring than empty parking spaces reserved for legislative carpooling? Satellite photos of the homes of lawmakers generally opposed to land development.
Roll Call! House makes town withdrawal from school districts more difficult
Vermont public school mergers: easy to get into, hard to get out of. And harder still if a bill passed by the House March 17 becomes law.
Vermont officials highlight White House warning on Russian cyberattack
The White is warning state governments and industry against a possible Russian cyberattack. The State of Vermont’s chief information officer wants people to take it seriously.
Is the Electric Vehicle for you?
EVs require nickel produced in a Siberian slave labor camp and lithium mined from polluting Tibetan mines. Still feeling virtuous about buying one?
VT Digger admits mistake in $1000 advertising donation to pro-abortion group
VT Digger donated $1000 in pro-Prop 5 advertising the day before the Vermont House approved the constitutional amendment protecting unrestricted access to abortion.
Senate skips Brattleboro teen voting veto
Gov. Phil Scott may have the Senate votes to make his veto of teenage voting stick – at least for today.
Online crime against Vermont kids jumps 20% in 2021
During 2021, the first full year of the pandemic, reported online crime against kids increased 20%.
‘Doctor-Prescribed Death’ safeguard elimination to get House review
Patient safeguards included in the original ‘Doctor-Prescribed Death’ law in 2013 are no longer deemed necessary.
DNA source identified in Brianna Maitland case
DNA at the Brianna Maitland car site matches one of 11 ‘persons of interest.’
Replacement gun control bill passes House without veto-proof majority
In less than a week, the Vermont Legislature passed a gun control bill to replace S30. Will it too face a veto?
Human remains found in Cambridge fire rubble
A body was found in the aftermath of a fire yesterday in Cambridge. Identity as yet unknown, police say.
Big coke smuggler sentenced
A million-dollar cocaine smuggling deal was broken up by undercover DEA agents in Burlington.
EV’s awful, embedded environmental costs
Making a single EV auto battery requires 500,000 pounds of ore – including some mined by children in dangerous mines in the Congo.
Bill would prevent immigration busts at courthouses
A bill before the Vermont Senate would protect illegal immigrants from arrest while in a courthouse in support of a family or household member.
Gas prices dip slightly, still over $4
Hopes for a resolution in Ukraine have led to a small drop in the cost of Vermont gasoline in the last two days. But unless you’re in spitting distance of Quebec AND New Hampshire, you’re still paying over $4, Gas Buddy says.
Gun bill now on House floor new threat to property rights, senator says
For the first time ever, Vermont law would allow the government to seize a citizen’s guns without notification. The bill passed the Senate and goes to the House floor tomorrow.
Morrisville child porn dealer sentenced / Criminal threatening against DCF / Fatal crash
A Morrisville man with the user name “IncestKyle” has been sentenced for distributing child pornography.
How did YOUR rep vote on Scott veto of 16-year-old voting age in Brattleboro?
Vermont House members overrode Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of Brattleboro’s charter change to allow teenagers to vote.
Coyote, leghold trapping bills cross over, move to full Senate
With changes, bills restricting coyote hunting and leg hold trapping met the crossover deadline and will go to the full Senate. Same for bills on suing police, stopping development in 50% of all land area, and other ‘hot button’ issues.
Montpelier nixes volunteer police chaplain
A local Baptist pastor with experience working with the mentally ill, substance abusers, and veterans won’t be the volunteer chaplain for Montpelier PD, after all.
Spaulding and Montpelier square off at the Aud!
Being in “the Aud” for the big Montpelier-Spaulding semi-final last week brings it all back for a 1972 Northfield High cager.
Woman driver arrested for dragging cop 50 yards
The driver who allegedly dragged a state trooper at 20 MPH is now behind bars.
Even boring photos tells a story
Do as I say, not as I do?
$1.5 million State House cafeteria redesign panned
Should the Legislature spend $1.5 million in federal $$ to redesign the State House cafeteria? Gov. Scott thinks not but lawmakers say it will add much-needed space for committee rooms.
Big climate rally opposes Clean Heat Standard
Vermont labor unions oppose the Clean Heat Standard because it funds climate change programs “on the backs of the working class.”
“First in the nation” household waste bill goes to House floor today
Another of the Vermont Legislature’s ‘first in the nation’ bills may add costs and reduce availability of household goods containing hazardous chemicals.
Coyote hunting, leghold trap bans may wait a year
Three controversial anti-hunting bills won’t make crossover and appear headed to summer study.
Barre crack bust / 99 MPH on I-91 / Suicide on I-89
A traffic stop for a car registration violation in Barre led to a bust for possession of crack cocaine and fentanyl.
Statewide school mask mandate lifted
Starting a week from Monday, Vermont school students will no longer be “directed” to wear masks by the State of Vermont.
Scott doesn’t back legal prostitution
The legalization of prostitution, now being pushed mostly by Progressives, is not “what Vermont needs at this point,” Gov. Phil Scott says.
Grand Isle courthouse open full-time
A lack of police manpower kept the Grand Isle County Courthouse closed at least one day a week during the pandemic. It’s full-staffed now thanks to help from private contractors and sheriffs from nearby counties.
ST J shooting: cops find CT vehicle, questioning occupants
Police are questioning the occupants of a silver Jeep with Connecticut license plates linked to yesterday’s shooting outside a St. Johnsbury hospital.
Samantha Lefebvre shows other legislators how informing constituents is done
Every week, a freshman lawmaker tells her constituents how she voted on every bill that comes up on the House floor. Her report is a treasure trove of up-to-date information.
Mental health worker embedded with state police arrested on warrant for sex assault of child
A mental health worker embedded with the Vermont State Police until Dec. 3 was arrested at his Concord home Friday for the ongoing sex assault of a child in Texas.
One dead in 30-car crash on I-89
A Highgate man died in a 30-car crash on I-89 in Milton Friday afternoon.
Mascot nondiscrimination bill gets passing grade from Senate Education committee
School districts will have to eliminate repressive, discriminatory mascots, if a bill approved by Senate Education becomes law.
Another Vermont conservative speech venue ‘canceled’ – and a new venue found
Opponents are trying to ‘cancel’ outspoken conservatives in Vermont by pressuring their venue hosts.
Tebbetts & Kurrle: VT farms need workers, capital, local food outlets
To emerge strong from the pandemic, Vermont farmers needs more workers, capital, and local outlets for their products.
Guv, Legislature mum on DHS ‘domestic threat actor’ bulletin
Neither Gov. Phil Scott nor the Legislature have much to say as yet about the Feb. 7 Department of Homeland Security bulletin promising action against online critics of government policies.
Roper: Oops! Big part of Climate Plan unconstitutional
The dormant commerce clause in the U.S. Constitution forbids the State of Vermont to make out-of-state fuel wholesalers buy clean heat credits.
Bucknam: State of Vermont ‘white supremacy’ training perpetuates Dred Scott racism
Mandatory ‘diversity’ training for state employees actually perpetuates the vicious stereotype of blacks as helpless victims.
Rutland school district, Chittenden high school go mask-free
A southern Rutland County supervisory union and a parochial school in South Burlington are going mask-free. Others are waiting for more info from the State.
NEK driver charged for two deaths / Grand Isle ‘rent to own’ forgery / Hosting out-of-state drug dealers
Police Roundup: charges follow crash that killed two teens. Forgery leads to Grand Isle County man’s arrest. And Johnny, Rachel and “Danger” busted for (among other things) providing a base of operations for out-of-state drug dealers.
By 28-2 vote, Senate OKs ‘Criminal threatening’ bill
Only two senators voted against a bill allowing prison sentence of up to two years for threatening public officials.
Senate Finance chair eyes fed $$ to keep jails and prisons funded and safe
The chair of the Senate budget committee would earmark millions of federal Covid relief money to fund the state’s jails and prisons.
Lawmaker’s store robbed by heroin user
A convenience store owned by a Northeast Kingdom legislator was the victim of an armed robbery by a man with heroin in his possession.
House Speaker postpones contractor registration veto vote until April 22
Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski appears to be at least one vote shy of overriding Gov. Scott’s veto of a contractor registration bill.
‘Endemic’
The latest political cartoon by VT Underground.
Redic runs for Congress
Ericka Redic of Burlington announced today she will run for Congress.
Colchester rep rips 30-day gun purchase waiting period
Rep. Pat Brennan says the Legislature wouldn’t bend on the 30 day waiting period it added to S30, which he calls a “gun grab.”
Police ID two teens dead in NEK collision
Two 18-year-olds from the Northeast Kingdom are dead after a car crossed the center line and struck their car head-on.
$100 mil ticketed for rural internet
The Vermont Legislature is poised to spend $100 million of federal money to spread internet service statewide.
Condos won’t seek re-election
Longtime Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos will not seek re-election.
Connecticut man with drug rap sheet busted for attempted murder / Arson arrest / Jeep plunges through ice
Police say Jan Michael Valverde of New Haven, Connecticut shot two people in a New Year’s Day drug-related dispute. He’s in custody, but alleged accessory to the crime Jessica Robishaw of Orleans County is still at large.
Four months after suspicious fire, Putney garage reopens
The owner of a Putney garage destroyed by fire in October has rebuilt and reopened the business started by his grandfather in 1967.
Governor won’t back EUA mandatory school vaccines
Phil Scott is no fan of requiring students to accept vaccines under Emergency Use Authorization.
School unmasking just for 80% vaxxed schools
The State of Vermont won’t advocate universal masking in schools after February 28 – but only in schools with 80% vaccination.
Lobby groups push ranked-choice ‘instant runoff’ voting
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans in the Legislature appear very interested, but the Progs and two influential lobby groups are pushing hard for Ranked Choice Voting.
With pregnancy centers under fire, 40 Days for Life kicks off Feb. 27
With non-abortion pregnancy centers under fire from the Vermont Legislature, 40 Days for Life prepares its spring prayer and vigil at the Barre Planned Parenthood.
Vermont, the Beckoning Country
Vermont, the Beckoning Country. Cartoon by JB.
House to take up Scott veto of contractor registration
Gov. Scott says creating a state contractor registry will harm small businesses. The House will consider his veto of H157 tomorrow.
Gunfire riddles Burlington home with children inside
The first ‘gunfire incident’ in Burlington this year left holes in exterior walls and a window of an occupied Riverside Avenue home.
Out-of-staters busted for mischief in Addison County
A jilted lover from Maine and a Connecticut couple are cited for crimes committed in Addison County.
Ram demands ban on police ‘no knock’ warrant
A state senator running for Congress wants to take away the court-approved ability of Vermont police to execute ‘no knock’ arrest warrants.
Legislature gives non-taxpaying Brattleboro teens power to tax adults
The Legislature is poised to give Brattleboro teens the right to vote, run for office and levy taxes. The voting margins appear veto-proof.
Biden’s Inflation Problem is everyone’s problem
Joe Biden may be blowing up the cost of living. But it’s more than just his party’s problem. It’s affecting everyone.
Petition: End required masking in schools
A mask freedom advocacy group is asking other Vermonters to petition the Agency of Education to end its ‘guidance’ requiring masks in schools.
Marxism vs. Americanism subject of symposium Saturday
A symposium on Americanism & Marxism will meet Saturday morning in Rutland.
Meg Hansen podcast ‘drops’ Feb. 21
A free-market think tank has launched a new podcast featuring host Meg Hansen interviewing informed guests about vital Vermont policy issues.
Smuggs ski patrol member dies in car crash
Two men died in separate highway accidents this week. And a starving dog has been rescued from her owner, who is charged with animal cruelty.
Richardson: Allow early, off-label Covid-19 treatment
Let doctors prescribe the medicine they think their patients need.
House honors Tuskegee Airman, 95
The Vermont House of Representatives today honored Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Woody Woodhouse.
Senate presses pause on police lawsuit bill
It’s not about systemic racism, Sen. Joe Benning told fellow senators during discussion of a bill to allow the public to sue police officers.
Flag wave for truckers today, new show debuts tomorrow
Vermonters supporting Canadian and American truckers will hold a flag and sign wave this afternoon in Stowe 3-5 pm. Tomorrow morning, Barre flag raiser Brian Judd will debut a new radio show on Facebook.
McCoy: Tax break for $203,000 earners, but not military retirees? No way
The Legislature has a choice: help military retirees, debt-loaded college grads, and the poor – or give a tax break to people earning $203,000.
Judiciary bill downplays drug-dealer amount of cocaine, heroin as ‘personal use’
30 grams is a lot of coke. But the Vermont House Judiciary Committee wants to treat it as a ‘personal use’ misdemeanor. Not so fast, law enforcement officials say.
Roper: Potentially deadly consequence of Clean Heat Standard
Driving small fuel dealers out of business with no immediate replacements could have deadly consequences.
Prop 5 serves interest groups, not parents, kids or taxpayers
Prop 5 is sweeping and vague – fodder for interest groups to get the courts to do whatever they want, bypassing the good of parents, children, and taxpayers.
Scott: new housing IS workforce development
The worker shortage and the economy won’t get better until we get serious about building new housing, Phil Scott said.
State moving towards lifting school mask mandate – but for all schools?
On February 28, the State of Vermont will announce its new ‘direction’ for school masking.
Peterson: Would Prop 5 legalize CNN producer’s alleged sexual ‘training’ of minor?
Why wouldn’t a nine-year-old with Prop 5’s constitutionally protected right of ‘reproductive autonomy’ have the right to be ‘trained’ to have sex? A legislator asked the question on floor of the House yesterday.
