Opinions

By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the owner and publisher of the Addison Independent in Middlebury, a sister paper of the Mountain Times.  As Senate Republicans wrestle to pass President Trump’s “big bill” by a self-imposed July 4 deadline, Vermonters should understand the policy changes that will impact their lives. At over 1,000…

Dear Editor, In their June 13 commentary, “The Achilles’ heel of Vermont education reform,” the Friends of Vermont Public Education state that, “Since the early 1990s, we have been operating two parallel educational systems — public and private.” The organization calls upon the Vermont Legislature to create “one unified educational system,” arguing that, “The current…

By Jim Lengel Editor’s note: Jim Lengel, of Duxbury and Lake Elmore, started teaching in Vermont in 1972, worked for the state board of education for 15 years, and retired back in Vermont after helping schools all over the world improve the quality of teaching and learning. Our executive and legislative branches have failed during…

Dear Editor, As a longtime anti-hunger advocate, a former SNAP recipient, and a proud Vermonter, I am deeply alarmed by proposals moving through Congress that would gut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known here in Vermont as 3SquaresVT. If passed, these cuts would devastate thousands of families across the Green Mountain State that rely…

By Sen. Ruth Hardy Editor’s note: Ruth Hardy, of East Middlebury, represents Addison County in the Vermont Senate. She wrote the following reflection (originally posted at ruthforvermont.com) on voting “no” on H.454, the eduction transformation reform bill that passed last week.  On Monday, June 16, the Legislature passed H.454, the education transformation bill that was…

By Sultana Khan Editor’s note: This commentary is by Sultana Khan of Randolph, executive director of YWCA Vermont and Camp Hochelaga. Right now, so many of Vermont’s small, wonderful communities are struggling to combat divisiveness, financial hardship, the impacts of climate change and so much more. During times of uncertainty, it often seems easier to…

By Jessica Savage Editor’s Note: Jessica Savage is the director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at the Vermont Council on Rural Development We almost missed the turn. Even though my GPS was telling me to take that right, it came up sooner than expected. The first thing I saw was a person standing outside a…

By Nicole Mace Editor’s note: Nicole Mace, of Winooski, is vice chair of the Commission on the Future of Public Education and vice chair of the Winooski School District board of trustees. She has previously served as the general counsel and executive director for the Vermont School Boards Association and the director of finance and operations…

Dear Editor, About H.454… As a college student, I’ve pulled many all-nighters. And I find that, oftentimes, I will look at my midnight scribbles a few days later and question my very sanity. Now, I’m worried that the Vermont Legislature is pulling all-nighter after all-nighter, and in a year when they look back, they will regret…

Dear Editor, I hear someone calling me, “Grandpa, where are you?” My heart starts beating faster. I hear them again, “Can you help us?”  I’m alert now; I call on my old bones to once again lift me out of my old chair; my Grandchildren need my help; I can’t get to them fast enough.…

By Patrick Flood Editor’s note: Patrick Flood, of Woodbury, is former commissioner of the Vermont Dept. of Mental Health and the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, and former deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. Because of failed leadership and misguided waste of Vermonters’ money, our health care system is on the…

Dear Editor, If and when the governor and Legislature agree on something they call “transformational educational reform,” it’s unlikely to be what most people expected or wanted. Vermonters won’t see the property tax relief they were hoping for because changes to the funding system will be a few years off. Instead, the first sign of…

By Ryan Heraty Editor’s note: Ryan Heraty is the superintendent of the Lamoille South Supervisory Union and a doctoral student at the University of Vermont, studying education finance and public policy. Most Vermonters agree our state is facing an affordability crisis, yet few suggest the solution is to raise taxes on low and middle-income Vermonters.…

Dear Editor, Vermont just took a bold, historic step toward solving one of the most urgent issues facing our state: the lack of affordable and attainable homes for Vermonters of all income levels and backgrounds. With the passage of the Community Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) during the 2025 legislative session, the state now has a…

By Bryce Sammel Editor’s note: Bryce Sammel, of Barnard, previously served on and chaired both the Barnard Academy and Mountain Views school boards. Vermonters are rightly worried about taxes. With rising costs across the board, including property taxes, health care and energy bills, many residents, especially those without school-aged children, are asking a fair question:…