S.20, a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont, passed the Senate floor on an 18-8 vote April 3. This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Claire Ayer (D- Addison), Sen. Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden), and Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), will increase access to affordable, quality dental care for all Vermonters. Sponsor and Chair of the…

A new report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) finds in New England electric rates for families and businesses went up an average of 9 percent last year. During that same time, GMP reduced rates by 2.46 percent. GMP has kept rates low for customers–as cost pressures increase–by finding efficiencies in operations and through…

On April Fool’s Day, a coalition of labor and human rights groups spoke out to say they’re “not fooled” by harsh austerity actions in the Vermont State House, arguing the budget crisis is in fact a revenue crisis which results from the failure to raise taxes in an equitable way--from those who can afford it.…

By Erin Mansfield, www.VTDigger.org The Vermont Senate rejected a last-ditch effort Wednesday to require photo identification at the polls as part of a same-day voter registration bill. An amendment delays implementation of S.29 until 2017 — after the next presidential election. Sen. Dustin Degree, R-Franklin, abandoned an amendment that would delay S.29 until the Secretary…

LUDLOW – For more than a decade, Okemo Mountain Resort staff members have been celebrating Valentine’s Day by donating to the resort’s Have a Heart Program. The fundraising campaign began in January and ended on Feb. 14 to celebrate the “Have-a-Heart” theme. This year, staff donations totaled $3,343 and Okemo generously matched the donation amount…

By Morgan True, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin unveiled a new strategy to end much of Vermont’s homelessness by 2020 at a news conference Monday, March 30, announcing $580,000 in grants for affordable housing and a homeless day center in Burlington. “Even with serious budget challenges, we are fortunate in Vermont to have many of the…

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org The state’s unemployment rate dipped to 3.9 percent in February, marking its lowest rate since May 2007. The lowest unemployment rates were 3.0 percent and 3.3 percent in the Burlington-South Burlington and White River Junction areas, respectively. The highest unemployment rates were in Derby and St. Johnsbury, at 7.7 percent and…

By John Herrick, VTDigger.org More than 150 people attended a State House hearing Tuesday night, March 24, which was designed to help lawmakers draft policy to address concerns over the siting of the growing number of wind and solar farms in Vermont. The amount of wind and solar energy generated in Vermont has increased tenfold…

Vermont EB-5 Regional Center Executive Director Brent Raymond accepted an invitation from U.S. Ambassador Thummalapally to Belize and spoke at the two-day 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit Academy March 23-24 in National Harbor, Maryland. Raymond participated in the panel discussion entitled “EB-5: How Does it Fit with FDI Development?” The focus of the panel was to…

Part of federal effort to ensure high-quality educators for all The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) is pleased to announce seven regional meetings for public input in response to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) call that all states must examine the extent to which schools that serve students from historically underserved communities (poverty and…

By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org After spending 10 weeks erasing an massive budget deficit, the House gave final approval to two bills that will constitute the backbone of Vermont’s finances in the coming fiscal year. House lawmakers rejected a flurry of last-minute amendments before passing the FY 2016 state spending package, H.490, on a voice vote…

According to RE/MAX: the effects of record-snowfalls during the first two months of 2015 reverberated throughout New England’s housing market in February. Month-over-month, home sales again reflected the inclement weather with a decrease of 13.5 percent over January’s numbers. Year-over-year, home sales increased by 2.1 percent in the region with 7,817 recorded sales. Across New…

Photo by Everett Marshall Vermont Fish & Wildlife recommends taking down bird feeders by April 1 to avoid attracting black bears that are waking from hibernation. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department recommends taking down bird feeders from April 1 through Nov. 30 to avoid attracting black bears that will be coming out of their…

Fig. 1. Most important issue for the Vermont State Legislature to address in 2015 Fig. 2. Public support for legalizing marijuana in Vermont, by age Fig. 3. Vermonters following news about legalizing marijuana for recreational use PULL QUOTE: While 52 percent of those who supported legalization [of recreational marijuana] said that they felt very strongly…

By Stephen Goodhue, courtesy of vermontvacation.com A sugar-maker empties a bucket full of sap into a collection tank, pulled by draft horses. A Vermont time-honored tradition March 28-29 — STATEWIDE — Vermont’s biggest harbinger of spring, maple sugar season, kicks off in March. Vermonters know that spring has arrived when sugaring season starts. Warm days and cold nights mean…