Another school board in thick of a school mascot controversy
Last week the Green Mountain Unified School Board took on the controversial topic of school mascots and political correctness.
Eric Davis: H.230 would kill off Vermont gun shows, prevent self protection
H.230 has almost nothing to do with reducing suicides and everything to do with further restricting the rights of law-abiding Vermonters to obtain and keep a firearm for personal protection.
Waterbury’s newest dispensary is now open to the public
In the fall of 2021, Lynette Vallecillo and fiance Robert Owen purchased the former gas station known as Emery’s on Waterbury-Stowe Road. Now, they’ve opened GoodFire dispensary on the lot, adding another cannabis operation to the town’s offerings.
Not a single U.S. House Democrat votes to protect girls’ sports
“The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act” passed the U.S. House Thursday in a 219-203 vote. It would require that “school athletics comply with the Title IX recognition of a person’s reproductive biology at birth.” Not one Republican voted against the bill. Not one Democrat voted for it.
Experts warn increased rainfall and trail traffic can cause dangerous erosion
With mud season just beginning, experts warn that Vermonters should stay away from high-elevation trails for now to protect natural areas from erosion and further damage.
Top state economist on S.5 cost: ‘More is coming down the pike’
A controversial policy overhaul that seeks to tax existing heat sources while subsidizing new technologies had its carbon-credit trading scheme reviewed on Tuesday in the House Appropriations Committee, and a top state economist warned that the policy’s costs will “likely be greater” in future budgets.
Youth Opportunity Regional Forums to focus on climate and social justice
The Youth Opportunity Regional Forums begin this week, the first taking place at Oxbow High School in Bradford on this Thursday starting at 6 p.m. Organizations known to be behind politically left-wing climate and social initiatives are the primary supporters of the event.
Safe leave bill bumped up by $17M as backers anticipate veto
Vermonters are one step closer to receiving job-protected leave to deal with the fallout of sexual and domestic violence as part of Democrats’ major paid leave bill, which passed through the House and into the Senate last month.
Lawmakers cut small farmer grant by 30%
A bill to help small farmers diversify their products with a new grant program crossed over from the House to the Senate, but not without a significant cut in the money behind it.
Scott signs bills on expunging criminal records, post-employment state benefits
Under the new law, the court will be able to consider expunging adult and juvenile criminal cases that have been referred to diversion programs without a prosecutor dismissing the cases beforehand.
Scott appoints Fitzko as commissioner of forest, parks, recreation
Fitzko has served as interim commissioner of the department since January and has been employed with the department for 20 years.
Rep. Bartley: The process on reviewing S.100 housing bill is broken
What has been made abundantly clear to us is that there is a real threat that the House Energy and Environment Committee will strip S.100 of all Act 250 Reform — which negates the good work on the other 50% of the bill we were able to look at and discuss.