Today’s News: December 1, 2020

Glass recycling laws flouted at cost to consumers, the environment

NEWS ANALYSIS BY JOHN BRABANT ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

The scandal involves the state’s largest municipal solid waste management entity, the Chittenden Solid Waste District, illegally dumping tens of thousands of tons of glass contaminated with plastics, organic materials and metal.

Scott: Restrictions to be lifted as vulnerable are vaccinated

BY GUY PAGE ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT )

Gov. Scott hopes to relax restrictions as Vermonters become vaccinated, he said at today’s press conference. And Commissioner Mark Levine insists a worshipper at New Hope Bible Church in Irasburg has tested positive – despite media reports to the contrary.
 

Nine school districts (at least) didn’t ask students about Thanksgiving

BY GUY PAGE ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) 

At least nine Vermont school and supervisory union districts reportedly held in-person learning Monday and did not ask children if they were part of multi-household gatherings over the Thanksgiving vacation.
 

17% of full-time two-year college students graduate on time

DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) 

Only 17% of fulltime students enrolled in Vermont’s two-year degree programs graduate in two years, according to a Vermont Student Assistance Corp. summer 2020 study.
 

State followed guidelines removing vaccine protest banner

BY GUY PAGE ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) 

A banner raised Sunday morning to protest liability exemption for the Covid-19 vaccine was removed by state workers this afternoon in accordance with state guidelines.
 

Government ‘feed the rich’ scams abound, new book reports

COMMENTARY BY JOHN MCCLAUGHRY ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) 

Not discussed are the huge – for Vermont – benefits shoveled out to the renewable industrial complex: feed in tariffs, standard offer, production tax credits, sales tax exemptions, bonus depreciation, free use of the highways by subsidized electric vehicles, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard that requires utilities to buy high-priced electricity from wind and solar producers.
 

Legislature to hear economic forecast, plan to conduct business Dec. 3

BY GUY PAGE ON NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ( LEAVE A COMMENT ) 

Vermont’s fiscal experts will brief all legislators on the state’s economic and fiscal condition at an all-legislators’ meeting via zoom 9:30 AM, Dec. 3, according to the Vermont Legislature’s website.