Expanding on his ambitious plan to combat climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced the Climate Protection and Justice Act, Dec. 10, to establish a price on carbon pollution. The legislation would cut total emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, fund historic investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies, return billions of…

By Matthew Cox, VTDigger.org A controversial federal visa program that offers permanent U.S. residency to foreigners willing to invest $500,000 or more in at-risk companies has helped Sugarbush Resort return to profitability, while also benefitting the 40 foreign investors who loaned the Warren, Vt., resort $20 million, both sides say. The 40 investors—from Canada, Mexico,…

Courtesy of  VTF&W, By Kris & Norm Senna Vermont Fish & Wildlife says some bears are still active and to wait for six or more inches of snow and colder weather before putting up your bird feeders. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is urging people to wait for colder weather and snow before putting…

On Dec. 8, Peace Corps announced that Vermont ranked No. 1 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps Volunteers per capita for the third straight year, with 52 residents currently serving worldwide in Peace Corps. With a ratio of 8.3 Volunteers for every 100,000 residents, the Green Mountain state has the highest per…

By Leonard Perry, UVM horticulturist, and Charlie Nardozzi, garden consultant Providing birds with water by means of heated birdbaths, starting herbs indoors, and choosing the best poinsettias are some of the gardening activities for this month. Keep birdbaths ice-free and filled with fresh water. Heated bird baths, and heating elements made to insert into bird…

Public-private partnership assures no cost to taxpayers Gov. Peter Shumlin, Department of Buildings and General Services Commissioner Michael Obuchowski, and Transportation Secretary Chris Cole Dec. 11 joined the partners of Maplewood LTD to sign an agreement and break ground on the state’s first 24-hour Vermont Traveler Services Center. The center will be built and operated…

It’s a formidable challenge to develop a syllabus for a college-level pharmacology course focused entirely on a drug that’s illegal to possess, use and even research under federal law. That’s the task that Wolfgang Dostmann, Ph.D., and Karen Lounsbury, Ph.D., have undertaken as they plan the University of Vermont’s first medical cannabis course in the…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org While Vermont’s congressional delegation has lauded the passage of new federal education legislation, leaders of the state’s schools are more cautious. After 14 years of federal mandates meant to help improve learning that often bucked up against Vermont’s more progressive policies, the Agency of Education and State Board of Education…

On Dec. 2, Sen. Bernie Sanders announced that a five-year, $305 billion transportation bill agreement reached Tuesday by House and Senate negotiators will deliver nearly $1.1 billion to Vermont to improve the state’s roadways. The passage of the new Federal Transportation Bill, known as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, promises to bring a…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Lawmakers got a preview of the budget struggles ahead in an all-day meeting at the State House Tuesday, Dec. 1. When legislators return to Montpelier in January, they’ll need to put together a budget for fiscal year 2017 that will make up for a projected gap between state revenues and spending…

In response to the urgent and growing demand for child protection services largely driven by the opiate addiction crisis affecting Vermont and other states, on Dec. 3 Gov. Peter Shumlin outlined a comprehensive proposal to enhance Vermont’s child welfare system. The package will add 35 new positions in the Department for Children and Families (DCF)…

Tips help parents shop safely Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund’s 30th annual “Trouble in Toyland” report. The survey of potentially hazardous toys found that, despite recent progress, consumers must still be wary when shopping this holiday season. The report…

Following the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called for sensible gun safety legislation at a press conference with his Democratic colleagues in the Senate. His remarks are transcribed here: “Here is the very sad truth and that is that it is very difficult for the American…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger.org The State Board of Education will revise rules for state approval of private schools in the coming year. The decision, made at a meeting earlier this month, caught the Vermont Independent Schools Association off guard. The recommendation for review was brought by William Mathis, a board member, who raised concerns…

By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog A poll of registered voters in Vermont, conducted by the Center for Regulatory Solutions, has found that most Vermonters oppose adding higher amounts of ethanol into gasoline. According to a survey of 600 registered voters taken earlier this month, 67 percent of respondents said they disagree with the federal Renewable…