By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org The Senate Education Committee unanimously passed H.361, the education reform bill, after taking testimony Wednesday evening, April 22, from dozens of Vermont parents, teachers, school board members, administrators and citizens. The Senate version of H.361 […]
Category: State News
Spring snow geese flock
By John Hall, VTF&W Vermont is one of eight eastern states opening a spring snowgoose hunt this year to help control damage by the birds to agricultural crops and marsh vegetation from Quebec to North Carolina. “The breeding population of greater […]
Seven communities selected for comprehensive approach to supporting children with high needs
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 […]
House passes comprehensive education bill to reduce spending, expand learning
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 […]
Small and Rural Schools Caucus forms in House
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 […]
Annual Doyle Poll shows drop in marijuana support
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 […]
VTrans to utilize innovative slide-in construction on I-91 bridges
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 […]
Legislation to improve access to dental care passes senate floor
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 […]
Green Mountain Power bucks regional trend with lower rates for customers
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 […]
Human rights groups say “we’re not fooled” on budget and healthcare bills
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 […]