By Dr. Michael Shank Many things in life are easier when done together. Whether it’s education, economic development, everyday chores or even emergency response, when you have more hands and more help, the work is more efficiently executed and more […]
Category: Commentary
Commentary, Opinion
Who will pay the price for the state’s ability to sell marijuana?
By Catherine Antley MD and Spencer Smith After decades of fighting Big Tobacco, is the Vermont Legislature unwittingly inviting Big Cannabis into our state, our towns and our schools? Creating a retail cannabis market is not about decriminalization or social […]
Commentary, Opinion
Bernie is not wrong
By Angelo Lynn Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is right about the shortcomings of Joe Biden’s campaign for president against Donald Trump. He is not focusing enough on what he will do differently to help Americans regain their economic footing. “We […]
Commentary, Opinion
Balanced budget can’t make up for lost federal aid
By Jack Hoffman Dithering in Washington has left a lot of states scrambling to figure out how to pay for the support and services their citizens desperately need. In Vermont, Washington’s paralysis means the Legislature will have just over a […]
Commentary, Opinion
American democracy more fragile than ever
By Haviland Smith Editor’s note: Haviland Smith, a long retired CIA operations officer who has watched democracies fall. During the Putin era it has become clear that the Russians are in the process of trying to reestablish themselves among the most […]
Commentary, Opinion
Gov. Scott’s budget proposal is responsible and prudent
By Rep. Pattie McCoy A few months ago, the Legislature adjourned without passing a full fiscal year’s budget. The hope by the majority party in Montpelier was Congress would come to the rescue and appropriate more money to the states […]
Commentary, Opinion
Poor Census marketing could cost Vt. federal funds for a decade
By Lisa Loomis There has been considerable recent discussion about why Vermont’s response rate to the 2020 census form is so low. Several possible excuses have been floated, but one explanation is frequently overlooked when discussing why 43% of Vermonters […]
Commentary, Opinion
Cheap money and a financial revolution
By Fred Baser Editor’s note: Fred Baser of Bristol is a Vermont Housing Finance Agency commissioner. He is a member of the District 9 Act 250 Commission and an Addison County Home Health board member. He was a Vermont state legislator […]
Commentary, Opinion
There’s still time for policies that will strengthen Vermont
By Lauren Hierl Like so many aspects of our lives, the 2020 legislative session in Vermont has been unprecedented. For the first time, lawmakers figured out how to do committee work and hold votes virtually. Instead of adjourning before the […]
Commentary, Opinion
Interfering with mail voting through the Postal Service is a disgrace to democracy
By Jim Condos Dismantling the U.S. Postal Service during a pandemic will suppress the voting rights of American voters and is a disgrace to democracy. During any election year, and especially during a pandemic when voters are increasingly turning to […]