By Emerson Lynn Editor’s Note: Emerson Lynn is editor emeritus at the St. Albans Messenger. If the state of Vermont accepted the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for airborne polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], Burlington would not be on the hook for a $190 million rebuild of its high school and the administrations of most of Vermont’s other…

As the session moves along, it seems increasingly clear, at least to this observer, that with increased majorities in the House and Senate this year, legislative leaders do not feel a real need to compromise or listen to objections raised by the Governor. Senate leader Phil Baruth, D-Chittenden County, essentially said that this past Thursday,…

By Peter D’Auria/VTDigger Vermont State University president Parwinder Grewal has resigned after less than a year in the position and less than three months before the university is set to officially launch.  Controversial changes to libraries and sports programs will also be paused at the direction of the Vermont State Colleges board of trustees, officials said…

In April we begin the season of rallies and political gatherings on the front lawn of the Statehouse. This past week alone we had two big demonstrations, one supporting our work on childcare (S.56) and one on reducing climate change (S.5). On Wednesday, hundreds of families and caregivers came to lend their voices in support…

In a unanimous vote, the Vermont Senate passed VT Saves, a program championed by state treasurer Mike Pieciak and Senate Democrats, and designed to create greater retirement security for all Vermonters.  In Vermont, 45% of employers do not offer retirement benefits. For small businesses with 20 employees or less, 55% do not offer retirement benefits.…

In an effort to reduce Vermont’s recidivism rate and support workforce development, the Community College of Vermont (CCV) is partnering with the Vermont Dept. of Corrections to deliver the Corrections Post-Secondary Education Initiative (CPSEI).  Supported by a federal grant from the Dept. of Justice, the program provides tuition-free college courses to Dept. of Corrections staff…

Rolston Rest connects more than 140,000 acres of protected land CHITTENDEN—Trust for Public Land (TPL) has transferred Rolston Rest, the largest private unprotected inholding remaining in Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest, to the U.S. Forest Service for permanent protection. Adding the property to the Green Mountain National Forest will shield the land from the threat…

During mud season, which can run until Memorial Day in upper elevations, hiking and biking trails are extremely wet and muddy due to the combined effects of snow melt, thawing ground, and seasonal rain. FPR asks the public to avoid muddy, soft trails to protect sensitive vegetation and ensure trails are in good shape for…

By Katy Savage Parents and community members sounded off at an Otter Valley Unified Union School Board meeting April 11 over safety concerns in the wake of a series of unrelated violent threats made from two students and a teacher in addition to a School Board member’s transphobic remarks.  The lack of transparency around the…

Recently during a late evening floor session, our committee had the unenviable task of explaining the 258-page budget that touches virtually everything the state does. All 12 committee members took turns explaining their sections, which took over two hours. So, when it was my turn, I started off with: “Madam Speaker, we often start each…

The Vermont Senate, last week, advanced legislation (S.25) that restricts PFAS and other toxic chemicals from cosmetic and menstrual products, and bans PFAS from textiles and artificial turf athletic fields. The vote passed unanimously on April 5 and has headed to the House. “Thank you to the Senate for the overwhelming support for advancing S.25…

On Monday, April 10, state treasurer Mike Pieciak stood with state and local leaders in Rutland to announce a substantial expansion of the “10% in Vermont” local investment program. The program authorizes the treasurer to invest up to 10% of the state’s average daily cash balance for economic development in Vermont.   The state’s average daily…

EPA announces $62.2 million for Vermont drinking water infrastructure upgrades On April 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $62,283,000 for Vermont to fund essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). Thanks to the $6 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is increasing the investments…

By Sarah Mearhoff/VTDigger In her first trip to Vermont since her husband assumed the presidency in January 2021, first lady Jill Biden visited Beta Technologies in Burlington on Wednesday, April 5, where she and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona touted the White House’s efforts to fund workforce development and technical education. As she walked…

By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger CHESTER — Local residents, affirmed by a state Natural Resources Board decision, say three quarries run by a pair of Connecticut brothers are operating illegally. Through photos and videos, the citizens have shown sediment polluting a nearby stream, rock fragments blasted onto a roadway and railroad tracks, and noisy hydraulic hammering. Those residents…