The Republican governor highlighted using historic federal funding to invest in climate change mitigation, housing, economic development, community recovery, critical infrastructure such as broadband, and improvements to sewer and stormwater systems throughout the state.
The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and the Vermont Advisory Council on Historic Preservation announced that grant funds have been awarded to 22 projects, including municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and private barn owners in 11 counties.
The $8 billion 2022-23 budget approved by the Vermont Legislature yesterday just prior to adjournment includes itemized funding for many “new and ongoing initiatives.”
“I’m not here tonight because of the antisemitism that has confronted us; I am here because brave Jewish people — adults, students, people connected to campus and not — came together last fall and fought against the BDS revolution that was taking place,” Wiesel said.
Almost immediately, Rep. Bock reportedly experienced serious pressure from the House Democratic leadership to change his vote — something allowed under little-known House rules. “I cannot imagine why I would change my vote,” Bock told the Vermont Daily Chronicle.
The governor on Tuesday had the mayor of Vermont’s largest city and another housing policy expert on hand at his weekly press conference to tell Vermonters now is not the time for red tape when it comes to reforming the state’s land use law, Act 250.
H.715, a bill that would have mandated a switch of heating methods and fuels in an effort to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, fell one vote short of the two-thirds required for passage Tuesday in the Vermont House of Representatives.
When the pandemic struck, Vermont courts suspended all non-emergency proceedings. Statewide, it is estimated that just over 1,000 felony cases and nearly 2,200 misdemeanors have been pending for more than two years. While courtrooms have slowly reopened, the backlog has intensified.
While the legislative session enters into its final stretch, a handful of major political initiatlves are getting resolved and others might get decided this week.
The departure of chairwomen in the Vermont House of Representatives continues with Ann Pugh, longtime chair of the Human Services Committee, announcing this week she will not seek re-election.
On Thursday the Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a bill that would allow the the state to dictate mascots and other school branding over the wishes of local residents and school boards. The House on Friday passed the bill on third reading, sending it on to the governor.
On Wednesday, the Senate overrode the veto 30-0, sending the bill to the House for consideration. Senate President Becca Balint, D-Brattleboro, said “not a single member of any party” including the governor’s “voted against the bill.”