By Lee H. Hamilton The most important function Congress serves is to debate and pass the federal budget. I know—it also levies taxes, imposes or relaxes regulations, and once in a while nudges our social, economic or political order in […]
Category: Op – Ed
Op - Ed
Three blind mice restore vision
By Frankie L. Trull Blind mice are famous in nursery rhymes—and maybe soon, in scientific laboratories. A team of Swiss scientists recently restored sight in blind lab mice by injecting new, light-sensing cells into their eyes. They’re working to develop […]
Op - Ed
Repeal Vermont’s Certificate of Need laws
By Rob Roper We need to lower the cost of health care in Vermont, and the state, dealing with a structural budget deficit, doesn’t have the capacity to raise more taxes. So, what can we do? One simple, cost-free solution […]
Op - Ed
Vermont leads at Climate Summit
By Governor Peter Shumlin Last week I traveled to Toronto to attend the Climate Summit of the Americas, which brought together Pan-American governmental, advocacy, energy, and climate change leaders to share ideas on how we can work together to reduce […]
Op - Ed
Vermont’s new preschool law creates unlevel playing field
By Bill Mathis Few education policy proposals have been adopted as widely and enthusiastically as preschool education. With near universal agreement, early education has been embraced across the political spectrum. This consensus was forged from “gold standard” research, conducted over […]
Op - Ed
Study will provide cover for higher property taxes
By Rob Roper Tucked away in the education bill just passed in Montpelier – the one that has everybody talking about consolidation – is $300,000 earmarked for a study. A Legislator familiar with the back-room horse-trading that goes into moving […]
Op - Ed
Supreme Court decision on equality
By Lee J. Kahrs Vermonters are generally known for keeping to themselves, not getting into their neighbor’s business, and respecting each other’s privacy. Gay Vermonters are no exception. For the last eight years, I have kept my personal life and […]
Op - Ed
Return to reasonable lending opens door to homeownership
By Dave Liniger Home-buying season is heating up. Homes sold faster in April than at any point in almost the last two years, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Existing-home sales are on pace to […]
Op - Ed
Our goal: zero deaths
By Vermont Transportation Secretary Sue Minter Another tragic bicycle fatality in our state this week–the third in one year–compels me to write to express my deep sorrow and to express a plea that we all drive more safely on our […]
Op - Ed
Why run for office?
By Lee H. Hamilton I spend a fair amount of time talking to students and other young people about Congress and politics in general, and I’ve noticed something. It used to be that I’d regularly get asked how one runs […]