Vermont was awarded $7.3 million in what is expected to be a $33.4 million, four-year federal grant for pre-kindergarten programs at public schools and Head Start agencies throughout the state. The latest award is in addition to $37 million Vermont […]
Category: State News
State News
Permit sought for Canada-to-Ludlow transmission line
By John Herrick, VTDigger.org A company seeking to build a high-voltage power line beneath Lake Champlain applied for a state permit Tuesday. TDI New England is asking the Public Service Board for a certificate of public good to build a […]
State News
Report recommends fundamental changes to education spending
By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org A report released on Friday proposes three changes to Vermont’s property tax system. The changes include: a “renovation” plan that would lead to reductions in school spending; a “variable income tax” proposal that would replace a […]
State News
Snow-covered vehicles create a hazard
The Vermont State Police wants to remind the motoring public to clear all snow and ice from the roofs and windshields of their vehicles. Snow dislodging from a moving vehicle creates an extreme driving hazard for all motorists. In addition, […]
State News
Vt. ranks ninth in jobs lost to China
America’s surging trade deficit with China has cost more than 3.2 million U.S. jobs, 8,200 alone in Vermont, or 2.51percent of Vermont jobs. This ranks Vermont as ninth in the nation. The overwhelming majority of jobs lost are in manufacturing, […]
State News
Statewide property tax increase pegged at 2 cents
By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org The Shumlin administration has recommended a 2 cent increase in the statewide property tax rates for residential and commercial property for fiscal year 2016. Last year, property tax rates increased by 4.5 cents for homestead and […]
State News
Vt. unemployment steady at 4.4 percent
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Vermont’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.4 percent in October, according to a report released Friday by the Department of Labor. The leveling follows four consecutive months of increases in the seasonally adjusted jobless rate. Nationwide, […]
State News
Shumlin orders another $17 million in budget cuts
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org On Wednesday, Nov. 26, state agencies were directed to find another $17 million in cuts for the current budget year. That news comes on top of $31.3 million in summer rescissions after the state’s revenue forecast […]
State News
Outside report criticizes DCF handling of child deaths
By Laura Krantz, VTDigger.org The Department for Children and Families failed to follow its own policies and moved too quickly to reunify two children with their families when it was not safe, an outside report released Friday, Nov. 21, found. […]
State News
Auditor questions state’s role in liquor sales
By Tom Brown, VTDigger.org State Auditor Doug Hoffer is questioning why the state is in the business of selling liquor, a substance that it also regulates. Hoffer’s office issued a report Monday that examines the impact of privatizing the state’s […]