Discover More from This Category: State News

Vermonters could reduce trash by half, report says

February 1, 2017
By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger A report on Vermont’s solid waste shows that more than half of what residents throw away could be recycled, composted or diverted from landfills. About 28 percent of Vermonters’ solid waste is organic matter, much of which could be turned into compost, according to state officials. The Biennial Report on Solid…

Report: Pre-k access has improved, but access to childcare is limited

January 19, 2017
By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger More children in Vermont have access to prekindergarten programs through a new law that gives families 10 hours of free instruction a week. Families, however, continue to struggle to find good quality child care, according to an advocacy group. Act 166, the Universal Pre-k law, gives parents vouchers to send…

Governor Phil Scott signs four executive orders on first day in office

January 19, 2017
Governor Phil Scott signed four executive orders on Inauguration Day, establishing his strategic priorities and creating teams in support his efforts to address the opiate epidemic and modernize state government, according to a news release Monday, Jan. 9. Executive Order 01-17, “Governor’s Strategic Goals,” directs all state agencies and departments to utilize their powers, duties…

Red Cross issues urgent call for blood donors

January 11, 2017
On Jan. 5, the American Red Cross reported a severe winter blood shortage and issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to make a donation appointment in order to help save patient lives. Hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December, 2016, than…

Sen. Bernie Sanders promotes Jan. 15 “day of action” against health care cuts

January 11, 2017
Poster board bearing a blown up Trump tweet goes viral By Kevin O’Connor, VTDigger Bernie Sanders may not have won the 2016 U.S. presidential race, but the Vermont senator — former presidential candidate turned chairman of his chamber’s Democratic Party outreach — can claim last year’s highest number of Sunday show appearances (70, double President-elect…

In first week of new congress, Vermont delegation comes out swinging

January 11, 2017
By Jasper Craven, VTDigger Perched on a podium on the U.S. Senate floor, Vermont’s Bernie Sanders suggested this week that Republican president-elect Donald Trump was a liar. Gesturing at a cardboard cutout of a Trump tweet in which the billionaire businessman promised not to cut federal health care programs, Sanders took aim. “I was the…

BROC assists with 3SquaresVT applications

January 4, 2017
RUTLAND—BROC-Community Action, located at 45 Union St. in Rutland (west of the railroad tracks) is offering information about the 3SquaresVT program and personalized assistance with applications. Staff are ready to help new users sign up for this benefit and access healthful meals. 3SquaresVT is an important nutrition program that provides benefits based upon income, expenses…

Gov. Shumlin issues 10 new pardons

January 4, 2017
Gov. Peter Shumlin issued 10 pardons last week to people convicted of various felonies and misdemeanors. These pardons were issued separately from the marijuana pardon program announced earlier this month. The pardons mark a total of 16 issued by the governor to date. “I believe in second chances, and I believe we as a society…

Shumlin issues nearly 200 pardons for minor marijuana charges

January 4, 2017
Gov. Peter Shumlin has pardoned 192 individuals convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana, according to a Jan. 3 news release. In December, the Governor announced that he would consider pardons for those with minor marijuana possession charges who did not have violent criminal histories. “A minor marijuana possession charge should not be an anchor…

USDA invests $225 million in innovative conservation partnerships

January 4, 2017
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that 88 high-impact projects across the country will receive $225 million in federal funding as part of the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, partners have proposed to contribute up to an additional $500 million to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance…

Governor Shumlin appoints two Superior Court judges; one is Rutland attorney Elizabeth Mann

December 28, 2016
Gov. Peter Shumlin has appointed Rutland attorney Elizabeth Mann and Addison County State’s Attorney David Fenster to fill two vacancies on the Vermont Superior Court. Mann is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen Manley. Fenster is filling a newly created position. “Both Beth and David bring strong legal backgrounds to these…

Manure spreading ban includes new stipulations

December 28, 2016
Winter manure spreading is a common practice in Vermont agriculture that enriches the soil for production and helps manage animal waste. Between Dec. 15 and April 1, no manure or other agricultural wastes (compost, spoiled feed, other wastes) may be spread on fields. This annual ban is part of an overall stepped-up strategy to protect…

Private higher ed “key driver” in state economy, study finds

December 28, 2016
The economic impact on Vermont of 18 private institutions of higher education in the state is $2.09 billion annually, and the colleges directly employ 7,100 people statewide, according to a new study released by the Association of Vermont Independent Colleges (AVIC) using data from the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Rutland County is home to Green Mountain…

Study recommends state move toward universal early child care

December 14, 2016
By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger Vermont spends about $130 million on early education and pre-K each year, but it’s not enough, according to a Blue Ribbon Commission tasked with studying how to create and pay for quality care and schooling for children from birth to age 5. It will take an investment of somewhere between…

Scott’s shares plan for working with president-elect Trump

December 14, 2016
By Jasper Craven, VTDigger.org In his first news conference in more than a month, Republican Gov.-elect Phil Scott shared updates Monday, Dec. 12, on his budgeting and hiring process, tiptoed around any talk of the recent controversial pronouncements and political appointments by Donald Trump, and outlined details about selling his ownership in a construction company.…