Education tax increase could be 8.3% if surplus funds not applied
An increase in Vermont’s tax rate is on the horizon for the state’s upcoming fiscal year. The question early in this legislative session is by how much.
Public school advocates say religious school Supreme Court decision puts vouchers ‘at crossroads’
A new umbrella advocacy group comprised of four organizations of Vermont public school educators often at loggerheads was in the State House on Friday, speaking as one for ‘equity and accountability’ in any legislation responding to the U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring tuitioning towns to provide payments to religious private schools.
Scott urges Legislature to address zoning issues in 1970 law
Republican Gov. Phil Scott said the state has invested $500 million in housing over the past two years, but the state is being held back from advancing housing by regulations he said need to be addressed this year.
Vermont ACLU suggests regulating public tuition money in a ‘content-neutral’ manner
The House Committee on Education on Wednesday heard from legal and education experts concerning the implications of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions on public money going to religious schools.
State’s Attorney Sarah George seeks assault charge against cop for response to spitting suspect
The Shelburne Police Department has released footage of an incident for which State’s Attorney Sarah George wants assault charges brought against a police officer. The video release is the latest action in a year-long dispute between George and Vermont law enforcement over her allegation of police violence in the case.
BIPOC members accuse Climate Council of racial ‘tokenism’
The first meeting of the Vermont Climate Council of 2023 erupted with frustrated members of the BIPOC community accusing the council of racial tokenism.
ACLU lobbying to end school choice in Vermont
Rather than allow Vermont’s 14 approved independent religious schools to accept tuitioning students, many legislators would rather scrap tuitioning to independent schools altogether. It appears these lawmakers have an ally in the American Civil Liberties Union.
New Vermont prisons study shows decline in staffing, morale
The study says prisons in the state are understaffed, have low morale, poor mental health, and an overall lack of activities for inmates that promote well-being and build skills that will help them upon release.
YouTube censors doctors, Heritage Foundation expert for ‘medical misinformation’ on COVID-19
The panel, “Setting the Record Straight,” took place at the Restoring Our Faith Summit last October in Vermont. “We are shocked and disappointed that YouTube refused to post our video that featured some of the country’s leading scientists and physicians and high-level government officials,” a spokesperson for Restoring Our Faith Vermont told The Daily Signal.
Migration patterns indicate Vermont getting more wealthy and elderly people
Two new reports by moving companies indicate a migration trend of wealthier citizens coming into Vermont versus moving out, whereas lower- and middle-class populations are coming and going at about an even pace.
Paramilitary training ban, juvenile gun control, ‘Affordable Heat Act’ introduced into Senate
The bill’s gun control measures prohibit possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, straw purchases of firearms, possession of firearms by fugitives from justice and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons by persons under 21 years of age.
Vermont to be a small percentage when U.S. Medicaid roll tops 100M
The Foundation for Government Accountability has released a new study that illustrates that more than 98 million Americans are enrolled in the program. Vermont, as of June 30, has 210,010 enrolled in the health care program.