Biden admin announces new crackdown on gas stoves
The Department of Energy revealed a proposed rule Wednesday that would set a new “energy conservation standard” for gas stoves and electric cooking equipment, according to an announcement.
Vermont Border Patrol apprehensions in first 3 months of fiscal 2023 surpassed past two years combined
The Swanton Sector leads the northern border in illicit border crossings, whose agents continue to see a record number of foreign nationals illegally entering upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire after flying to Canada from at least 19 countries.
Burlington voters to decide ballot measures related to policing, ranked-choice voting, noncitizen voting
On March 7, 2023, voters in Burlington, Vermont, will decide on at least seven ballot measures — five of which were placed on the ballot by the Burlington City Council, and two which were placed on the ballot by citizen initiative.
Jay Eshelman: Warning — It’s time to examine school budgets
It’s time to read your town warning for this year’s annual meetings. As you do so, please consider what is certain to be the most expensive article you will be asked to approve: your school district budget.
U.S. Department of Justice to help Vermont youth recognize, report hate crimes
“We want everyone, including students, to understand that if they encounter what they believe is a hate crime that the FBI is here to investigate.”
McClaughry: Facial recognition a threat to privacy rights
Conlon’s experience, while bizarre, gives a glimpse into a future with abundant facial recognition devices — one where our personal information can be accessed and used against us at a moment’s notice.
Act 250 in the crosshairs as environmental groups prioritize forest loss
In the past environmental groups have tried getting multiple bills on the issue of forest fragmentation through the legislature, including last session’s H.606, which made it through the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott. At this point, forest advocates are bullish on their chances of changing Act 250 this session.
Rural towns seem optimistic, but cautious, about Phil Scott’s $3M plan
In both his inaugural and budget adjustment addresses this month, Scott placed a priority on closing the economic gap between Vermont’s more populated cities and its small, rural towns. The governor proposed $3 million in his budget to help Vermont’s least-equipped towns take advantage of funding.
Letter: House Bill 106 must be defeated
This bill will codify the right of educators, school boards, superintendents, teacher unions and activists to teach our children anything, in any way, with any props and tools that they chose and without regard or respect to your children, and without parental knowledge or permission.
Gun rights groups critical of Senate bill that wraps gun regs into a long list of measures
The bill would make straw purchases — when a person buys a gun for someone who can’t, already a federal offense — illegal in Vermont. And it would criminalize defacing a gun’s serial number and bar people under 21 from possessing semi-automatic firearms.
Roper: The $383 million Vermont child care proposal is not ‘for the kids’
Sen. Dick Sears is not going to argue if it’s better for the child to be home with a parent during the first five years because there is no argument. Except in extreme circumstances, it’s better for a child to be raised at home by a parent.
McClaughry: Senators consider 55 mph speed limits, gas guzzler tax and ‘saving the world’
Sen. Mark MacDonald suggests reimposing a 55 mph speed limit on all highways and a gas guzzler tax on pickup trucks and large SUVs. Confronted with the regressive impact of these proposals, MacDonald said: “We don’t do things based on helping poor people. We do things to save the world.”