By Kit Norton/VTDigger Hours after Joe Biden was sworn in as president, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., was sworn in as president pro tempore of the Senate, placing him third in line for the presidency. Leahy, 80, was escorted to the front […]
Category: State News
State News
Congressman Peter Welch listens to Vermonters at live ‘town hall’
By Julia Purdy On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Congressman Peter Welch hosted a live town hall meeting by telephone to take the public pulse on the takeover of the U.S. Capitol of January 6. Call-in “town meetings” are a service of […]
State News
Vermont Cavalry Squadron cleared to recruit women, first in Army National Guard
The 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), a.k.a. “the Vermont Brigade,” is now authorized to recruit women. This marks the first time in the National Guard’s 384 year history that a combat arms battalion sized unit […]
State News
2021 legislative session is off to a productive start
By Sen. Alison Clarkson Last week’s successful presidential inaugural celebration on Jan. 20 was a powerful reminder of how precious our democracy is. Central to its viability is the peaceful transfer of power. Until now, I am not sure I’ve […]
State News
Legislative update: the $$ forecast
By Rep. Jim Harrison Last week, state economists presented revised state revenue forecasts that will be the basis of next year’s budget. The good news is that the forecast was adjusted significantly upward from the one done last August. Total […]
State News
Economists say federal Covid-19 relief will boost tax revenues
By Xander Landen/VTDigger State economists had good news Tuesday, Jan. 19, for Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers who set Vermont’s revenue forecasts. Tax revenues in the state are expected to come in $254 million higher this year than fiscal analysts had projected […]
State News
Tax commission recommends replacing homestead tax with income tax to fund education
By Xander Landen and Lola Duffort/VTDigger A long-awaited report recommends wide-ranging reforms to make Vermont’s state taxes fairer and more resilient in a changing economy. The Vermont Tax Structure Commission proposes broadening the sales tax and expanding Vermont’s income tax base by promoting the state […]
State News
State expands high school sports practices, allows ski competitions
By Andy Kirkaldy Gov. Phil Scott eased some restrictions on school and recreational sports practices, effective Jan. 18. Among the changes, outdoor ski teams will be allowed to compete this winter, Scott said in his Jan. 15 news conference. Nordic […]
Featured, State News
Bernie Sanders wins the Internet
By Brooke Geery Kamala Harris made history as the nation’s first female, Black and Asian-American vice president on Inauguration Day in a politically unifying purple coat by rising-star designer Christopher John Rogers. So why was Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders […]
State News
Feb. 1 is Mental Health Advocacy day
Every year, advocates join together to raise their voice in support of Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. This year is no exception, everyone is meeting virtually on Monday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to call on Vermont leaders and legislators to support “Our Mental […]