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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…