Statehouse Headliners: Marijuana bill becoming ‘Christmas tree’ legislation
With only weeks left in the legislative session, S.54, the marijuana bill, is becoming a “Christmas tree” of additions and changes.
Attempt at smuggling illegal immigrants caught at northern border
Another attempt at smuggling illegal immigrants into the U.S. from Mexico was thwarted at Vermont’s northern border on Wednesday with help from local tipsters.
Statehouse Headliners: Gov Ops marijuana bill limits local control, allows high THC levels in gummies and cookies
The House Government Operations Committee Thursday night amended and approved S.54. The new version increases six-fold the permitted amount of THC in marijuana products, and does not allow towns to prohibit marijuana cultivation and production.
Governor’s two-state voluntary paid leave plan on life-support
The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs spent Thursday morning going over the two paid leave programs competing for approval in Vermont, and expressing a preference for the one that requires new taxes.
Chronicle: High school civics bill, record high volume of legislation, and more
In the May 2, 2019, issue of the Chronicle of the Vermont State House, a mandatory high school civics bill is proposed, a trophy buck returns to the Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife Committee room, and more.
Hundreds of youth gather at Statehouse to urge action against global warming
Hundreds of high school students from throughout the region marched on the capital Wednesday to let lawmakers know they want action to stem the tide of what they believe is man-made global warming.
Retirees, others feel the pinch of Vermont’s high property taxes
Vermont homeowners with professional incomes are well aware of the pain experienced when it comes time to pay the local property tax. The average effective property tax rate of 1.78 percent places Vermont at No. 8 in the top 10 highest in the U.S.
Vermont leaders, politicians and students promote Green New Deal
The Fletcher Free Library was packed with activists Monday evening as guests listened to public and private sector leaders advocate for Green New Deal-style policies for Vermont.
Green altruism or hidden profit motive? GMP rebate aims to put more EVs on the roads
A Green Mountain Power rebate spurring Vermonters to buy vehicles that use the utility’s electric power has company executives crowing — and at least one critic groaning about corporate profit motives.
Statehouse Headliners: Senate weatherization bill would tax heating fuel and electricity, too
Coming up this week, the Senate weatherization bill would double the heating tax and tax electricity, too, and one House chair is urging skeptical reps to “let the people decide” about Prop 5. Also, the Human Rights Commission wants power to investigate police.
Anthropologist says Christopher Columbus critics have their history wrong
Vermont is on the verge of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but the reasons for doing so are at odds with history, says a top anthropologist and author of a book about the voyages of Christopher Columbus.
One in seven drivers with kids in car test positive for THC, Washington state finds
As the the Vermont Legislature wrestles with the highway safety implications of marijuana “tax and regulate” legalization, a new study reports that in tax-and-regulate Washington state, one in seven drivers with kids in their cars test positive for marijuana.