Rep. Charles Wilson: Supermajority creates roadblocks for Vermonters
The supermajority are not respecting their constituents and are acting as a swarm driven by ideology instead of being representatives and protectors of the people.
Roper: Unrepresentative, under-qualified Legislature gives itself a massive pay raise
The Vermont House and Senate often disagree on what priorities should be or the best way to pay for a program, but on this point they heartily agree: they themselves deserve a lot more money.
Tom Evslin: Why artificial intelligence will lead to job growth
I don’t know how to solve the problems that rapid technological change causes, but we ignore them at great peril. We’ll need lots of intelligence — both human and the other kind — to use these resources wisely.
Town plans more user-, mobile-friendly website
The website can be a useful tool to find information on trail maps, selectboard agendas, meeting minutes and more. But it can be hard for residents to wade through.
Department of Corrections announces end of Community Restitution Program
Department officials state the program is no longer viable due to a substantial decrease in the judiciary’s sentencing to work crew in recent years coupled with reforms to the Department’s community supervision practices.
Despite governor’s plea of support, more House reps vote for Affordable Heat Act
When Gov. Phil Scott vetoed S.5, the clean heat standard bill, he needed to convince at least one senator to change his or her position or four or five more representatives. In the end, no senators switched, and four representatives did — only to oppose Scott, not support him.
McClaughry: Gun registration, the first step
A Democrat legislator has proposed a bill requiring mandatory licensing, registration and insurance of firearms in Vermont.
Proposed labor law would make Vermont one of few states to ban captive-audience meetings
Vermont lawmakers are seeking to give workers increased protections when it comes to collective bargaining and union organizing through a bill that has passed in the Senate with a number of changes since it was introduced.
McClaughry: Hydro-Quebec shorting Vermont?
While our climate-crazed legislature advances toward full decarbonization of Vermont energy and its replacement with electricity, our main source of electricity — HydroQuebec — is warning that it’s facing demand that may be more than it can provide.
All Republican governors except Gov. Scott ask Biden administration to rescind Title IX guidance
Twenty-five of the nation’s 26 Republican governors have asked the Biden administration to shelve its intent to expand Title IX protections to transgender athletes. The signature of Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott is not on the letter.
Covid housing turbulence triggers first Winooski reappraisal in years
When a town’s Common Level of Appraisal is less than 85% or more than 115%, Vermont law requires a reappraisal of property values.
McClaughry: EAI’s clean heat standard poll
In the week before the House vote, the Ethan Allen Institute polled 300 registered Vermont voters online and by telephone. Only 189 knew something about the bill but of those, 40% opposed the legislation, with only 27% favoring.