On Jan. 15, the Vermont Women’s Fund announced that it is now accepting applications for its 2021 grant round from nonprofit organizations in Vermont that advance economic opportunities for women and girls. The 2021 competitive grant program will award grants of up to $10,000 for both specific programs and general operating support that: Make pathways…

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) has released its 2021 call for Partnership Grant program proposals. The Partnership Grant program funds projects that work in direct partnership with farmers to encourage innovative solutions to current sustainability challenges related to production, marketing and/or farmer and community wellbeing in Northeast farming and food systems.…

Mentor Vermont is excited to announce the awarding of four multi-year federal grants, totaling $755,000, to youth mentoring agencies serving rural communities in northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest Vermont. Funding for these grants comes from a $1.25 million three-year federal grant awarded to the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Mentor Vermont from…

Vermont Racial Justice Alliance releases its legislative priority list for 2021 The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance (VRJA) announced its top legislative priorities for 2021 last week, expressing deep concern surrounding the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 and systemic racism on Black American descendants of slavery (ADOS). The Racial Justice Alliance is calling on the Vermont Legislature…

Governor Phil Scott delivered his fifth budget address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 26, presenting a balanced budget that, with the help of federal stimulus, includes $210 million in bold new investments to strengthen the economy, create more and better paying jobs, and address big priorities, like downtown revitalization, infrastructure, broadband and climate…

By Kit Norton/VTDigger Hours after Joe Biden was sworn in as president, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., was sworn in as president pro tempore of the Senate, placing him third in line for the presidency. Leahy, 80, was escorted to the front of the Senate chamber by incoming Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Chuck Grassley,…

By Julia Purdy On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Congressman Peter Welch hosted a live town hall meeting by telephone to take the public pulse on the takeover of the U.S. Capitol of January 6. Call-in “town meetings” are a service of Congressman Welch and others to stay in touch with their constituents in a direct and…

The 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), a.k.a. "the Vermont Brigade," is now authorized to recruit women. This marks the first time in the National Guard’s 384 year history that a combat arms battalion sized unit can enlist women. “I am incredibly proud of the soldiers and senior leaders of our…

By Sen. Alison Clarkson Last week’s successful presidential inaugural celebration on Jan. 20 was a powerful reminder of how precious our democracy is. Central to its viability is the peaceful transfer of power. Until now, I am not sure I’ve fully appreciated this. After the attempted violent insurrection in Washington DC on Jan. 6 –…

By Rep. Jim Harrison Last week, state economists presented revised state revenue forecasts that will be the basis of next year’s budget. The good news is that the forecast was adjusted significantly upward from the one done last August. Total revenues in all funds are now expected to be only $20 million below pre-pandemic FY21…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger State economists had good news Tuesday, Jan. 19, for Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers who set Vermont’s revenue forecasts. Tax revenues in the state are expected to come in $254 million higher this year than fiscal analysts had projected in August. The boost is thanks, in large part, to the massive infusion of federal…

By Xander Landen and Lola Duffort/VTDigger A long-awaited report recommends wide-ranging reforms to make Vermont’s state taxes fairer and more resilient in a changing economy. The Vermont Tax Structure Commission proposes broadening the sales tax and expanding Vermont’s income tax base by promoting the state as a destination for remote workers. But the top-line recommendation is eliminating the homestead property…

By Andy Kirkaldy Gov. Phil Scott eased some restrictions on school and recreational sports practices, effective Jan. 18. Among the changes, outdoor ski teams will be allowed to compete this winter, Scott said in his Jan. 15 news conference. Nordic skiers from Otter Valley union high schools could begin to hit the trails soon. OVUHS…

By Brooke Geery Kamala Harris made history as the nation’s first female, Black and Asian-American vice president on Inauguration Day in a politically unifying purple coat by rising-star designer Christopher John Rogers. So why was Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders making all the fashion headlines? Among a sea of couture gowns, expensive sneakers and  designer…

Every year, advocates join together to raise their voice in support of Mental Health Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. This year is no exception, everyone is meeting virtually on Monday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to call on Vermont leaders and legislators to support “Our Mental Health in the Time of Covid.” The Covid pandemic will be the focus of this year’s Mental Health Advocacy…