Vermont Legislature targets pregnancy centers
The progressive push to protect abortion in Vermont now includes an effort to discourage pregnancy centers from supporting would-be mothers who might keep their children with helpful support.
Carlson: The truth about Jan. 6 ‘insurrection’ is on the videotapes
Fox News host Tucker Carlson fires back at critics who are outraged over his airing previously hidden footage of the January 6 Capitol breach on “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
Legislation looks to ban PFAS in tampons, cosmetics and more
A new Senate bill would prohibit the manufacture and sale of cosmetic and menstrual products and textiles containing PFAS and dozens of other materials dangerous for people and the environment.
Paid time off to vote for Town Meeting Day? A new bill would make it happen
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joseph “Chip” Troiano, D-Stannard, said he drafted the bill after years of hearing comments about lacking attendance for Town Meeting Day and other elections.
New $45 million grant program to assist municipalities with energy efficiency
Municipalities would be eligible to receive Community Capacity Building Mini-Grants for up to $4,000. The program also includes up to $500,000 for grants centered on energy efficiency and other improvements aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Stan Greer: Big Labor-perpetuated school lockdowns’ massive price tag
Removal of teacher union bosses’ government-granted power to codetermine how public schools are run should be the principal objective of education reformers in America. The urgency of this reform has become far greater since the 2020-22 educational catastrophe.
Gov. Phil Scott: Making the most of historic funding requires a clear vision, strategic priorities, pragmatic leadership
Elected officials need to remember that the decisions we make during these volatile and inflationary times have real life consequences on people who can’t carry more financial burden. And because the silent majority are at work, trying to make ends meet, they’re counting on us to protect them and their pocketbooks.
Bill Young: Failures in the VT child protection system demand action
Vermont’s child protection system is in real trouble, as demonstrated in a recent study by the Vermont Parent Representation Center. The problems have only gotten worse in the last five years.
Bill would give $500K to help small farmers switch up their products
The bill, H.205, would appropriate $500,000 for the project in 2024 to be administered through the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Each grant would be capped at $15,000 to boost the number of farmers able to access the program. Recipients would have a year to complete their projects.
Universal pre-K bill would give tax breaks to child care providers — but they doubt it’s enough
As lawmakers evaluate a bill focused on universal public preschool, they are also considering ways to strengthen Vermont’s fragile network of private child care providers. One proposed way is through a property tax exemption.
25,000 children might be experiencing ‘food insecurity’; study warns of pitfalls of universal school meals
Last week the House Education Committee heard from college students who presented a study on universal meals programs around the country, and the House Ways and Means Committee continued discussing the challenge of funding a proposed program in Vermont.
Burlington residents say no to citizen-led police oversight body, yes to noncitizen voting
Burlington residents on Tuesday rejected a movement pushing for a citizen-led police oversight body with disciplinary powers, and they did so with 63% of the vote. However, voters approved noncitizen voting and ranked-choice voting.