Racial Equity Office says enough with all the equity task forces
The Vermont Climate Council is currently mired in controversy over accusations it is really just another embodiment of “white privilege” that only pays lip service to social justice.
Rep. Charles Wilson: The supermajority are headed for a cliff
Your future financial well being may not be as bright as you might have hoped for. Where legislative solutions are sought, many have moved in to take your future stability as that is the way socialism works.
Alison Despathy: S.5 is rotten to the core
S.5 and its clean heat standard forces the thermal sector into the emissions trading trap — a game where big business and bogus environmental justice win.
Senate committee begins its review of sports wagering bill
As one chamber of the Vermont General Assembly signs off on a sports gambling bill, the second is taking the baton in the race to legalize it and put in place a new revenue source this legislative session.
Private school tuition House vote postponed until Wednesday, sources say
Sources at the Vermont State House say the vote on H.483, restricting public school tuition to private schools, has been delayed until at least next Wednesday. It is uncertain why voting on this bill, pushed strongly by a coalition of public school education groups, has been postponed after being placed on the House agenda this week.
Rep tells ANR secretary to ‘lighten up’ on informing citizens about cost of clean heat standard
Now that the Clean Heat Standard bill has passed the Senate and moved to the House, Moore is back defending her math, this time in the House Energy & Environment Committee — and once again she is incurring ire.
Graphic description by House member of son’s suicide sets tone for gun control vote
Rep. Alyssa Black, D-Westford, made an emotionally-charged, first-person appeal to her House colleagues during a lengthy floor speech Wednesday afternoon in support of H.230, the suicide prevention/gun control bill.
John Klar: Vermont child care bill hurts child care
Perhaps Vermont should pay parents to stay home and care for their own children. Many of them would earn a higher wage than they earn in their out-of-home jobs, there would be no need for state regulations and oversight, and fossil fuels would be saved — the parent will stay home from work; the child not be driven to hard-to-find daycare.
Statement from Gov. Phil Scott on House paid family leave bill
“The House of Representative is considering a bill that, instead of being voluntary, would impose a mandatory and regressive payroll tax on Vermonters, costing an estimated $117 million every year.”
DPS director of planning: S.5 goals are ‘impossible’ to meet
“With the current workforce I would say it’s impossible,” TJ Poor, director of planning for the Department of Public Service, said. “I don’t think 700 people could do this many weatherization union units.”
Chris Bradley: More gun ownership doesn’t mean more suicides
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.
Steve Thurston: The Affordable Heat Act – A wolf in sheep’s clothing
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.