On April 3, the Agency of Human Services announced the selection of the first seven Vermont communities that will participate in the new Promise Communities initiative. This initiative supports collaboration across the education, health care, human service, public, and private sectors to create an all-of-the-above, comprehensive approach to transforming communities to better support children with…

On April 2, the Vermont House of Representatives passed a comprehensive education reform package that proposes to address growing disparity in learning opportunities for Vermont’s students, and places firm restrictions on local education spending growth. “Vermonters want property tax relief and greater equity in education across our delivery system,” said Speaker Shap Smith. “Balancing what’s…

By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org As a bill that requires larger school systems works its way through the Legislature, a group of House lawmakers has formed a Small and Rural Schools Caucus to focus on issues that could affect their districts. The group has met three times in recent weeks, said Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-West…

By VTDigger staff Vermonters oppose taxes on carbon and sugary drinks and show less support for Governor Peter Shumlin, according to the annual Town Meeting Day poll conducted by Sen. Bill Doyle, R-Washington. The 11,000 returned surveys also show a drop in support for the legalization of marijuana, compared to last year’s Doyle poll. This…

HARTFORD — A project to replace the I-91 bridges over US Route 5 in White River Junction is underway, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) announced April 3. Thanks to the deployment of an innovative slide-in construction technique, the highway will remain open during construction except for two weekends, likely in late August depending on…

S.20, a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont, passed the Senate floor on an 18-8 vote April 3. This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Claire Ayer (D- Addison), Sen. Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden), and Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), will increase access to affordable, quality dental care for all Vermonters. Sponsor and Chair of the…

A new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) finds in New England electric rates for families and businesses went up an average of 9 percent last year. During that same time, GMP reduced rates by 2.46 percent. GMP has kept rates low for customers–as cost pressures increase–by finding efficiencies in operations and through…

On April Fool’s Day, a coalition of labor and human rights groups spoke out to say they’re “not fooled” by harsh austerity actions in the Vermont State House, arguing the budget crisis is in fact a revenue crisis which results from the failure to raise taxes in an equitable way--from those who can afford it.…

By Erin Mansfield, www.VTDigger.org The Vermont Senate rejected a last-ditch effort Wednesday to require photo identification at the polls as part of a same-day voter registration bill. An amendment delays implementation of S.29 until 2017 — after the next presidential election. Sen. Dustin Degree, R-Franklin, abandoned an amendment that would delay S.29 until the Secretary…

Dear friends, family and neighbors: At 6:15 p.m. on Friday March 28, the Vermont House of Representatives voted to pass the budget. It will now go to the Senate and be debated further before coming back to the House for final passage. While this year's budget is the result of a lot of hard work—and…

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my support for the Healthy Workplaces bill H.187, which is being debated in Montpelier. The bill establishes a minimum standard of earned leave which an employee can use to manage their health and the health of their families. Currently, almost 60,000 Vermonters don’t have access to any paid…

By Secretary Deb Markowitz, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources As I’ve been traveling around the state talking with Vermonters about the new universal recycling law, I have met many impressive individuals on the front lines of implementation. Trevor Mance, founder of TAM Waste Management, is one example. Mance got his start in the solid waste…

By Governor Peter Shumlin Since its inception in 2007, the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program (VEGI) has encouraged companies to relocate to or grow in Vermont, translating into well-paying jobs for Vermonters. In the eight years since the program was launched, companies approved for VEGI have created 3,038 new full-time jobs, added $187 million in…

SHREWSBURY — On April 3, at approximately 3:45 p.m. the Shrewsbury Fire Department responded to a fire on Cold River Road in Shrewsbury. Upon arrival the fire department located a fully involved structure fire involving a single family residence. One occupant who was in the house at the time of the fire was located during fire…

11-year-old Collie Shane rises to the occasion for handler Kelly Kirby at For the Love of Dogs variety show fundraiser for the Rutland County Humane Society Show held on Saturday, April 4 at the Rutland Intermediate School. The show raised just under $1,600 for the homeless animals at the shelter.