In considering the intersection of suicide and firearms, it is has been suggested that more firearms in circulation would mean an increase in suicide by firearm. This does not prove to be true in Vermont.
As the House Energy Committee begins its review of S.5, the committee would be well served by reviewing the PUC’s 2021 Report to the Legislature where the issue of affordability was analyzed in great detail.
During the second reading of S.37, Sen. Lyons made an attempt to make a case that “sexual ambiguity” was a historical example of “gender dysphoria.” With just a google search Lyons could have easily accessed better information than she received from her list of committee experts.
The Vermont House on Wednesday preliminarily approved H.230, a bill that would place restrictions on gun storage and require a 72-hour waiting period on gun purchases. The House will vote for final approval on Thursday.
Combined, fiscal 2023 through February, agents apprehended 284 known or suspected terrorists — with the majority apprehended at the northern border. In just five months, agents apprehended nearly as many KSTs as they did at northern border ports of entry in fiscal 2022 — 313 — up from 54 KSTs apprehended at them in fiscal 2021.
Since the Feb. 7 announcement of the VSU “all-digital” library, responses from students, faculty, staff and community members have flooded Vermont. The message is clear — this decision does not serve the people and will bring collateral damage to the campuses.
Exposing young people to perpetual fear campaigns — especially when they are captive audiences in public schools — knowing as we do that it leads to adverse mental health outcomes, should be equally banned.
On Friday the House Committee on Education passed a bill by a 7-4-1 vote that could make it more challenging for independent schools to receive public support.
Unfortunately, there will be many other opportunities to fritter away the remaining federal COVID windfall on band aids rather than tackling problems which will be with us when the federal dollars are gone. It’s time to watch legislators closely and speak up loudly.
Ted Brady, executive director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, said the legislation “ignores the largest obstacle” when it comes to housing creation, the state’s decades-old Act 250. The act is known as the state’s land and use act.
“So, it’s with mixed emotions that you think, ‘Well, am I taking land away that could be used to house somebody?’” Tony Hall asked rhetorically as he left the polls. “On the other hand, we need to have open spaces … for our life.”
The bill, introduced by Rep. Tiffany Bleumle, D-Chittenden, calls for the creation of a technical advisory committee that would be charged with updating the methodology the state uses in determining how much money families need to earn to live in the state.