Lawmaker: Prop 5 puts abortion above all other rights
A Republican lawmaker is making known her opposition to Proposal 5, a constitutional amendment that would make abortion until the moment of birth the most protected right in Vermont.
Senate to hear House bill that would stimulate Vermont’s workforce development efforts
H.703 would use $41.9 million to establish several workforce development programs with the goal of increasing workforce participation rates, training and retaining nurses and mental health care workers, and focusing on providing training to youth and adults.
$2.83 million allocated to support Vermont brownfield clean-up in the state
“Economic revitalization has been a top priority of my administration since day one and cleaning up brownfields – sites that once helped support their communities but have become unusable – and turning them into opportunities once again is an important piece of that work.”
Winooski City Council votes to rescind mask mandate
Winooski City Council voted Monday to rescind the city’s mask mandate. Councilors Bryn Oakleaf, Jim Duncan, and Thomas Renner all voted to rescind the mandate, with Councilor Aurora Hurd abstaining from the vote.
Foot patrols down by half, plus morale issues challenge Burlington Police
“What this means, unfortunately, is that the total number of officers available for patrol for the uniformed services bureau is 24,” Police Chief Jon Murad said. “That is less than 50 percent of what our normal numbers are for patrol in the past.”
‘Big tent’ philosophy rules in GOP platform vote Saturday
Vermont GOP State Committee won’t require tighter adherence to the party platform, voters decided 48-24 Saturday at the quarter meeting held Saturday in South Burlington.
Bill restricting half of Vermont’s land use advancing through Senate
A bill that would substantially increase the amount of state-protected lands was advanced through the Senate chamber last week and is now on to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
Replacement gun control bill passes House without veto-proof majority
Now, S.4 faces a possible veto threat of its own. It passed the House by a 90-42 margin: 10 votes shy of the 100 needed to override a gubernatorial veto, should it occur.
Vermont governor praises removal of testing requirement at Canadian border
The governor announced the Canadian government is dropping testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers at the border beginning April 1. Canada said testing won’t be required for fully vaccinated travelers entering the country by air, land, or water.
Vermont House, Senate pass bill calling for multiple amendments to FY 2022 budget
Federal COVID-19 relief funds and other factors have prompted Vermont lawmakers to propose a series of amendments to the state’s fiscal year 2022 budget that runs through June 30.
Gun bill now on House floor new threat to property rights, senator says
Stifled so far in their effort to override Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of S.30, this year’s gun control bill, the Vermont Senate Friday passed a replacement bill that one senator says is even less constitutional.
Climate scientist says Biden’s electric car proposals will cause ‘humanitarian abuses’
A Canadian climate scientist is warning that President Joe Biden’s ambitious electric car proposals could exacerbate human rights abuses around the world where materials for these cars are mined.