On the heels of America Recycles Day—a national celebration of recycling held each Nov. 15—the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its first “Universal Recycling Status Report,” according to the Dec. 5 news release. The 16-page report summarizes the status of recycling, composting, and food donation across the state. Vermont’s Universal Recycling law (Act 148)…

Commissioner of Taxes releases FY2018 Education Yield The commissioner of taxes has released her forecast related to education tax yields and rate for the upcoming fiscal year, FY2018. The statutorily required forecasts are a joint effort between the Agency of Education, Department of Taxes, Department of Finance and Management, and Joint Fiscal Office. This year’s…

On Nov. 21, Gov. Peter Shumlin highlighted the success of an energy loan program that helps Vermonters retrofit their homes, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and save money. The governor pointed to the program as an example of what is to come under a new law set to go into effect in January that will expand such energy…

By Stephen Seitz KILLINGTON—Though a Rutland County jury awarded Nadine Price $750,000 in damages in her lawsuit against Killington Mountain Resort last week, there are still a few loose ends. Price herself was not available for comment, but both her attorney and longtime partner used the same word to describe how she felt: “Vindicated.” “The…

By Kevin O’Connor, VTDigger The problem began last summer, when one of two black members of the Vermont Legislature received racially charged emails and tweets, and has continued as late as this week, when a Middlebury Jewish congregation found a swastika on its front door. Now an alliance of Green Mountain State religious congregations wants…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger Fears and concerns after the national presidential election prompted the state Board of Education this week to a issue a statement about the need to ensure the safety of all students regardless of race, class or immigration status. Without elaborating, Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe said there have been incidents recently…

By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger.org The Public Service Board has finalized new rules that it says are meant in part to slow the pace of solar development under the popular electricity net metering program. The changes could make the program less lucrative for small-scale producers and may largely prevent the use of undeveloped land for larger…

UVM study shows down-the-drain disposal is not a major source of pharmaceutical pollution Nearly 60 percent of American adults now take prescription medications—from antidepressants to cholesterol treatments—and, among other things, there is growing concern about how many drugs are flowing through wastewater treatment facilities and into rivers and lakes. Research confirms that pharmaceutical pollution can…

On Aug. 31, the National Endowment for the Arts released new research that, for the first time, offers a complete state-by-state perspective on how American adults participate in the arts, including activities in Vermont. The new research comes in the form of an “arts data profile,” an NEA collection of statistics, graphics, and summary results…

By Mike Polhamus, VTDigger.org Vermont’s largest electric utility has committed to purchase 14 hydroelectric dams in New England and to get power from two others—a buy that will net Green Mountain Power an added 17 megawatts of energy production for just over $20 million. The dams will help the company, a subsidiary of Canadian-owned Gaz…

By Adam Federman, VTDigger.org The family-owned Rutland Herald has entered into an agreement to sell the Herald and its sister paper the Times Argus, according to a story posted on the Herald’s website late Wednesday night, Aug. 10. The story, written by the paper’s Editor-in-chief Rob Mitchell, said the paper would be sold to MaineToday…

On July 13, gubernatorial candidate Peter Galbraith announced a $220 million plan to provide free primary and preventive care for all Vermonters. The plan has no deductibles, co-pays or premiums and is financed by a 2 percent payroll tax on employers. Galbraith was joined by supporters, singe-payer advocate Dr. Deb Richter and Grace Cottage Hospital…

By Jasper Craven, VTDigger.org Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sue Minter announced a plan Tuesday, July 5, that would expand outdoor recreational opportunities in the Green Mountains. Minter’s plan—VT-Outdoors—prioritizes Vermont’s bucolic landscape as a key asset in attracting people and business to the state. As governor, Minter would create the statewide position of outdoor recreation director, a…

On Friday, July 1, the Vermont Right to Know GMOs coalition joined Governor Shumlin, U.S. Senator Leahy, U.S. Representative Welch, and supporters from around the country in celebrating Vermont’s first-in-the-nation GMO labeling law taking effect. The celebration took place on the State House lawn, where Governor Shumlin signed the bill into law a little over…

On June 30, Gov. Peter Shumlin celebrated a law that guarantees access to pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds in Vermont. The law, which the governor signed in 2014, went into effect July 1 and will ensure all Vermont kids have access to pre-k this coming school year. Vermont is the first state in America…