The Vermont Dept. of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living and the Dept. of Health released a report last month on progress made by Age Strong Vermont, the state’s dedicated effort to provide all people who live in Vermont the opportunity to thrive as they age.   Age Strong VT serves as a roadmap for building a…

The Vermont House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday, March 13, to outlaw the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers — a critical step in reducing Vermonters’ exposure to these harmful substances. According to the Vermont Dept. of Health, PFAS exposure can lead to reproductive and…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger A short new section to a 22-page bill focused on retargeting energy efficiency goals has given Senate Republicans what they have been seeking — with increasing insistence — for weeks: the end of any mention of a clean heat standard in Vermont law. “30 V.S.A. chapter 94 is repealed” was the key…

In recognition of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Charity Clark announced the top 10 consumer complaints received by her office’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024. In keeping with past years, the top complaints involved vehicles, home improvement matters, and retail, which collectively represent 48% of all complaints filed in 2024. Attorney General Clark…

By Erin Petenko/VTDigger Vermonters who work mostly from home earned 28% more than the average employee in the state in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau that was recently released.  Remote workers reported a median income of about $65,000 per year, well above the $51,000 median for all workers 16 and older, according to the…

By Habib Sabet/VTDigger State lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Institutions advanced a bill late last month that would put up guard rails for social media platforms designed to keep teens hooked. The bill, S.69 — known as the “Kids Code” by proponents — will land on the Senate floor for a vote this week after the week-long…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger Despite more than a year of political focus on the cost of Vermont’s education system, voters across the state by and large backed their local school budgets on Town Meeting Day. According to preliminary results compiled by the Vermont Superintendents Association, just nine school district budgets out of more than 119 statewide had…

VT Helplink, Vermont’s statewide resource for alcohol and drug use support services, is now available to connect with people in Vermont 24/7. For nearly five years, VT Helplink resource specialists have been available by phone and through chat at VTHelplink.org to provide information and referrals to people seeking substance use information and support services.  New this year,…

On Feb. 21, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont) reintroduced the Peer Education and Emergency Response (PEER) Mental Health Act. This legislation would support peer mental health training for teachers, school personnel, parents, caregivers, and students.  With an alarming 76% of public schools reporting concerns about depression, anxiety, and trauma in students since the start of the Covid pandemic,…

The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) is announced Jan. 27, the results of a study by Tourism Economics that finds visitors to Vermont in 2023 spent a record $4 billion on goods and services. Researchers also found that 15.8 million guests came to Vermont in 2023, showing a sustained return to pre-pandemic visitation.…

The Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) recently announced the establishment of the David R. Coates Fund for Vermont Disaster Relief—a permanent fund ensuring Vermont communities and individuals have a reliable, immediate resource to prepare, respond, and recover when natural disasters strike. “Rather than create a new fund for each disaster, we are establishing a permanent resource…

Last assessment of this depth was conducted in 2012 The Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) released the 2024 Fair Housing Analysis on Feb. 11. The report examines challenges when it comes to fair housing, progress made, and recommendations for improvement. “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live free from discrimination. That is one of…

By Klara Bauters/VTDigger A virtual town hall hosted by U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Congresswoman Becca Balint, D-Vt., drew roughly 34,000 participants Wednesday night as uncertainty over the future of federal programs took center stage. The live-streamed meeting featured a blend of pre-submitted questions — over 1,400 — and live call-ins…

Last Friday, Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark made a final offer of compromise to the issue of extending the winter rules for the hotel voucher program on behalf of the governor. The administration’s proposal, which was presented to the conference committee of House and Senate members working out differences in the Budget Adjustment Act, would…

To date, 160 towns, home to more than 79% Vermont residents, have adopted the Vermont Declaration of Inclusion (DOI), according to a news release last month. In addition, six other municipalities have adopted a DOI but have used language which differs from the original to such an extent that we were not able to list them with the towns…