By Michael Bielawski, Vermont Watchdog Lawmakers who heard Gov. Peter Shumlin outline his spending priorities in Thursday’s budget address on Jan. 20 had mixed reactions on how money should be spent. To fix Vermont’s $68 million budget deficit, Gov. Peter Shumlin […]
Category: State News
Vermont Health Connect backlog persists after Jan. 31 deadline
By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin’s health care reform team told the House Health Care Committee on Thursday, Jan. 28, about bigger challenges with Vermont Health Connect than were previously reported. Lawrence Miller, the chief of health care reform, […]
Gov. Shumlin drafts cautious but deliberate path to legalization
In a statement issued Tuesday, Jan. 26, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Richard Sears (D-Bennington) detailed legislation to cautiously and deliberately legalize marijuana in Vermont. The move comes after the governor announced in his State […]
How to win in Iowa
Keep talking, listening, moving By Jasper Craven, VTDigger.org At his fourth campaign stop of the day on a recent Friday, presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders’ voice was hoarse from hours of talking. His energy level, however, was hardly flagging. Eight more […]
Assumed legalization creates pathways for pot
Courtesy of VTDigger Green represents Vermont; red represents the U.S. Curbing health risks of marijuana now steers debate By Cory Dawson, VTDigger.org A major public health group is urging lawmakers to consider the health risks associated with legalizing marijuana. The […]
House Education Committee unanimously votes to raise spending caps
Submitted Vermont’s per-pupil expenditure continues to rise despite a decrease in student population, due to no corresponding cuts in teachers and staff. By Art McGrath and Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog If Tuesday night’s committee vote is any indication, then it […]
TDI New England approved for $1.2 billion transmission project ending in Ludlow
By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger.org The Public Service Board on Tuesday, Jan. 5, approved a $1.2 billion utility transmission project from Canada to Ludlow. TDI New England plans to build a 1,000-megawatt transmission line under Lake Champlain that will feed the […]
Legislative session preview 2016: Medicaid and Marijuana
By Mark Johnson, VTDigger.org The top two political leaders at the Vermont Statehouse share a concern about balancing the state budget while still protecting Vermonters and neither are high on the idea of legalizing marijuana but won’t stand in the […]
Lawmakers return to capitol hill, education spending cap at top concern
By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog As state lawmakers return for the start of the 2016 legislative session, a fight is already raging over the spending caps in Vermont’s new education reform law — and property taxpayers have a big stake […]
Gov. Shumlin appoints four new judges
John Pacht, Mary Morrissey, Michael Kainen, and Michael Harris appointed trial judges Gov. Peter Shumlin announced four judicial appointments on Monday, Jan. 4. Burlington attorney John Pacht will fill a judgeship recently funded to help address increasing caseloads related to child […]