Attempt at smuggling illegal immigrants caught at northern border
Another attempt at smuggling illegal immigrants into the U.S. from Mexico was thwarted at Vermont’s northern border on Wednesday with help from local tipsters.
Statehouse Headliners: Gov Ops marijuana bill limits local control, allows high THC levels in gummies and cookies
The House Government Operations Committee Thursday night amended and approved S.54. The new version increases six-fold the permitted amount of THC in marijuana products, and does not allow towns to prohibit marijuana cultivation and production.
Roper: How dumb is the plastic bag ban?
The objective of the plastic grocery bag ban, as stated by its supporters, is to force customers to bring their own reusable bags to the store, thus reducing litter and landfill waste. But, does it?
Flashback: Bernie asks group of young children: ‘Anyone ever seen cocaine?’
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a 2020 presidential candidate, once asked a group of children if they had ever seen cocaine and if they smoked cigarettes when he was the mayor of Burlington, while talking to kids as a part of his old television show.
Dialogues with Meg Hansen: Opioid carnage: A Vermonter’s story
Megan West, a 32-year old Sheldon native, became addicted to oxycodone at age 15. Since then, prescription opioids, heroin and crack cocaine have consumed her life.
McClaughry: Sneaking in the seat belt mandate
The Vermont House is, for the seventh time over 37 years, trying to enact a primary seat belt law for over-18 drivers. Worse yet, this time its backers are trying to slip their cherished bill through where it won’t be noticed. Fortunately, it’s been noticed.
John Klar: Disaster at the border is worth the votes to Democrats
Democrats who encourage illegal entry of refugees on our southern border — whether for supposed humanitarian compassion, or to enlist future Democrats on their voting lists — invite a potentially irreversible disaster for our nation.
Roper: Peter Shumlin’s good advice
Give Peter Shumlin credit. When he realized he was going to be the engineer of massive train wreck, he stopped the train and took it off the tracks lest more damage would be done.
This man grew up in Venezuela. Here’s his message to Americans who want socialism.
“What we try to tell others, having lived under a socialist regime, is that they sell it as a gamble; it’s a gimmick,” Pita said. “They will tell you this nebulous word of socialism, they promise you the moon, and then it never comes around.”
Podcast: This mom is fighting her kids’ school district’s LGBT indoctrination
Maria Keffler is a former teacher herself. But when she recently found out, by accident, about new LGBT policies her children’s school district was considering instituting, Keffler was shocked. Now she’s speaking out — and urging other parents to do the same.
Governor’s two-state voluntary paid leave plan on life-support
The Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs spent Thursday morning going over the two paid leave programs competing for approval in Vermont, and expressing a preference for the one that requires new taxes.
Opinion: Will mandating a $15 per hour wage benefit Vermont?
The legislation threatens to drive out of business the small shops and restaurants that cannot survive political manipulation of their costs. Their disappearance will destroy many entry level opportunities.