Virtually every newspaper that responded to a Vermont Daily inquiry said they have experienced layoffs. Many others that didn’t respond have instead informed their readers directly of staff cutbacks caused by Covid-19.
Bernie Juskiewicz, husband, father, dedicated local volunteer, and a Republican legislator who represented Cambridge and Waterville from 2013-18, has died of the coronavirus.
Gov. Phil Scott said Monday he is working “hand in hand” with legislative leaders on COVID-19 legislation and is fine with the use of remote voting “during this point in time during this crisis.”
A Senate committee will meet Thursday morning to address the looming problem of Vermonters choosing to receive the $600 federal unemployment payment rather than go back to work.
Gov. Phil Scott and Attorney General TJ Donovan said Monday’s ban on all online booking of lodgings are absolutely necessary to limit deaths from the virus. The ban expresses concern that visitors from hot-spot states like Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey are attempting to come to Vermont.
Gov. Phil Scott on Friday acknowledged the pain of closing in-person schools for the rest of the year but said the step was necessary to mitigate the effects of a growing statewide pandemic.
Vermonters are eager to learn how Gov. Phil Scott’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Covid-19 policy applies to their lives. Are they still permitted to walk into a supermarket and shop? What are their options?
Committee Chair Sen. Dick Sears today called domestic abuse “Vermont’s number one crime problem.” Covid-19 will make it worse in several ways, Judiciary learned. Solutions will require more state spending.
Senate will vote Tuesday on meeting and voting remotely, expanding unemployment insurance and telemedicine, and extending the DMV renewal deadline.
Safe to say the Legislature is only thinking COVID-19 right now. Too soon to say if or when that will change. The Senate plans to reconvene Tuesday but apparently only to address emergency climate change legislation passed a week ago Friday by the House.
Legislation discussed and agreed upon during a Senate Government Operations Committee teleconference today would waive the state’s Open Meeting Law requirement for government bodies to meet in one physical location.
Despite this week’s closure of the Vermont State House, most Vermont Senate committees are scheduled to meet this week via remote access. The public is welcome to attend remotely as well.