For Addison Bowen of Wallingford, taking a pro-life stand has nothing to do with being religious or Republican. He’s neither. “Times change, people don’t. We’re always looking for some group to exploit,” Bowen said.
The chair of the Vermont Republican Party says she will not resign or sign a resolution calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump, but instead will remain aligned with the almost 113,000 Vermont voters who cast ballots for the former president.
There are no reported cases of any Covid-19 variants in Vermont, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said at Firday’s press conference. That’s the good news. However, a variant in California may be fueling the current Los Angeles epidemic, he said.
A bill sponsored by Sen. Philip Baruth, D-Chittenden, to prohibit carrying guns in some public places won’t prevent gun violence, is already covered by other laws, and could end up harming the people it’s meant to protect, Vermont Public Defender General Matthew Valerio told a Senate committee.
A bill sponsored by Rep. Brian Smith, R-Derby, would prohibit flags other than the U.S. flag and State of Vermont flag from being flown on public school property in Vermont. Also, a bill introduced in the House would reduce transportation carbon emissions by expanding public transportation.
About 25,000 National Guard troops were in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to provide security for the inauguration of Joe Biden, but first the members had to suffer the humiliation of being vetted by the FBI as potential security threats to the United States.
Recommendations proposed by State Treasurer Beth Pearce would reduce the pension fund shortfall and maintain defined benefits. However, the retirement payout for current employees would likely be smaller, while the shortfall would be reduced by “only” $2.2 billion. The entire pension fund shortfall is $2.9 billion.
The Vermont Department of Health can’t say when vaccinated Vermonters will be immune from Covid-19 and no longer a threat to transmit the disease to others.
Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday he did not recommend language in a Senate bill that would seem to allow Big Marijuana companies to bypass local voters deciding whether marijuana retail stores may operate in their town.
Vermont State troopers carrying semi-automatic firearms were joined by Capitol police and other law enforcement Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Vermont State House in Montpelier in anticipation of a rally of armed Trump supporters much-publicized by the FBI. But the protesters were a no-show.
Phase two of Vermont’s Covid-19 vaccination program — immunizing people 75 and older — begins next Monday. Here’s a quick look at Covid-by-the-numbers in Vermont.