By Tom Brown, www.VTDigger.org Groups that support the legalization of marijuana joined forces Tuesday, saying that decades of prohibiting recreational use of the drug has failed. “No matter how you slice it, marijuana prohibition has not been an effective policy […]
Category: State News
State News
Governor Shumlin outlines agenda for term
Governor Peter Shumlin, who was sworn in for a third term as governor of Vermont on Thursday, Jan. 8, used his inaugural address to outline Part I of his Agenda For Progress, focusing on initiatives critical to working families, economic […]
State News
Universal healthcare advocates stage sit-in
Demonstrators demand legislators move forward with nation’s first universal healthcare law Dozens of universal healthcare supporters held a sit-in at the Vermont statehouse on the evening of Jan. 8, following a colorful rally drawing hundreds. Numerous times members of the […]
State News
Education Secretary presents stark contrast between schools as student enrollment declines
By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org Rebecca Holcombe, the secretary of the Agency of Education, presented two scenarios to lawmakers on Friday. School A has 300 students and a long list of science classes and several science teachers, including a few […]
State News
Senator Sanders welcomes relief for new homebuyers
On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Senator Bernie Sanders welcomed President Barack Obama’s announcement that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will cut mortgage-insurance premiums as part of an effort to expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers. Annual fees the agency charges to guarantee […]
State News
Shumlin elected governor in secret ballot
By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin was re-elected to a third term Thursday morning in a secret ballot by a joint assembly of the Vermont Legislature. Shumlin defeated Republican Scott Milne in a 110-69 vote. In the Nov. 4 […]
State News
Legislative votes for governor, Thursday
By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org On Thursday, Jan. 8, lawmakers will cast secret ballots to elect the new governor. Neither Scott Milne, the Republican candidate, nor incumbent governor Shumlin received more than 50 percent of the vote on Election Day, and […]
State News
Vermont minimum wage increased January 1
By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org The minimum wage in Vermont went up by 42 cents from $8.73 per hour to $9.15 per hour on Jan. 1. The rate is set to increase again in 2016 to $9.60 an hour, to $10 […]
State News
Secretary of State Jim Condos announces launch of new lobbying information system
On Monday, Jan. 5, Secretary of State Jim Condos announced the successful launch of the new Vermont Lobbying Information System. The new system allows lobbyists, lobbyist firms, and lobbyist employers to register, manage their information, and make payments online. Secretary […]
State News
Number of uninsured Vermonters cut in half
Governor says progress is good news but also highlights need for further health care reform On Monday, Jan. 5, Gov. Peter Shumlin welcomed news that the Vermont Household Health Insurance Survey shows the number of Vermonters without health insurance has […]