By Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org Vermont became the fifth state Wednesday, March 9, to require paid sick leave after Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law a bill that will affect some 60,000 workers. The signing ceremony in the House chamber was […]
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Lawmakers weigh suicide prevention measures at Quechee Gorge, eight in eight years have died
Lawmakers weigh suicide prevention measures at Quechee Gorge, eight in eight years have died By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Before Regina-Anne Cooper’s 21-year-old son died by suicide in 2011, he might have had second thoughts. The mother told lawmakers Tuesday, March […]
Let’s grow kids, not put them on a waiting list
Dear Editor, In response to the article “Budget Proposal Raises Worries of Waitlist for Child Care Subsidy” published by VTDigger.org last week, Let’s Grow Kids would like to issue the following statement to the media. Vermont cannot afford to place […]
Bill puts new formula, education fund surplus into play on taxes
By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org Lawmakers on the powerful House tax-writing committee have set homestead property tax rates for next year, using a new formula—the “yield” calculation — instead of increases in the penny rate. The bill also includes a […]
Dean enters Twitter flame war with Sanders supporters
By Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org In an Internet war of words over the weekend, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean defended his decision to vote for Hillary Clinton when he goes to the Democratic National Convention in July. Dean, a superdelegate, aggressively […]
Senate oks marijuana legalization bill
By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, reports the marijuana legalization bill before a packed Senate chamber Wednesday, Feb. 24. The bill, S.241, will now go to the House. By Elizabeth Hewitt and Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org The Senate OK’d a […]
After major drug enforcement operation, 31 facing charges
By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org RUTLAND—Dozens of Vermonters are facing drug-related charges after an operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies this week. In total 20 defendants have been arrested and cited to appear in Bennington or Rutland Superior Court facing a […]
School health insurer hangs hopes on overhaul of offerings, rules
By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org The nonprofit that provides health insurance for education employees and retirees in Vermont is making some significant changes to try to stay relevant amid calls from Legislators to move school employees onto the state health […]
Vt. group starts push for alimony changes
By Mike Faher, VTDigger.org In 2011, after years of work, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a major overhaul of the state’s alimony law. There was not a single dissenting vote, “and it’s very rare that happens,” said Steve Hitner, the man […]
Marijuana legalization bill heads to Senate floor
By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org After hours of wrangling Monday, Feb. 22, a Senate committee narrowly approved a bill to legalize recreational marijuana — paving the way for the legislation to come up before the full Senate this week. The Senate […]