Author of the bill cites lowering abortion rates among its goals Vermont will become the first state in the nation to make free condoms available in public middle and high schools next year. Gov. Scott signed a bill on Oct. 5 that expands access to contraceptives. Some of the country’s largest school districts have free…

On Oct. 8, legislative leaders released a proposal to address climate change in the 2021 Vermont Transportation Bill. As the transportation sector makes up nearly half of Vermont’s carbon emissions, these key proposals will produce results to immediately begin achieving the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act. Historically, members of the House Committee on…

The Vermont Department of Labor announced Thursday, Oct. 1, an increase to the state’s minimum wage. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the state’s minimum wage will increase $.79, from $10.96 to $11.75 per hour. The calculation for this increase is in accordance with Act 86 of the 2019 Vermont General Assembly. This adjustment also impacts the…

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) invites Vermonters to write their own highway safety message to get drivers’ attention and help keep travelers safe. The winning message will appear on the light-up message boards on highways and interstates around the state this fall. The messages must focus on highway safety and be tasteful and non-offensive.…

By Andrew Martin News & Citizen/VTDigger The number of fatal car crashes on Vermont’s roads has risen substantially this year. “We are up significantly from last year, more than double,” said Mandy White, spokesperson for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Though theoretically fewer drivers are on the road because of the pandemic, the number of…

The Vermont Dept. of Labor announced Oct. 5 that the state is set to “trigger off” of the High Extended Benefits program, as of Oct. 10. This determination by the U.S. Dept. of Labor follows Vermont’s unemployment rate decreasing from 8.3% in July to 4.8% in August. A state’s unemployment rate is what drives its…

Dr. Devborah Birx said she was impressed with student, community response to pandemic during campus visit, Saturday By Alek Fleury/Vermont Cynic On a visit to the University of Vermont campus Saturday, Oct. 10, White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx praised UVM and the state for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the…

Gov. Scott announces laws on cannabis regulation, police force Governor Phil Scott announced on Oct. 7 action on a range of bills, including the Legislature’s bill to create a regulated cannabis market in Vermont, which will be allowed to go into law without his signature. The new law establishes a cannabis control board that will…

Governor Phil Scott waited until after 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 to officially announce action on a range of bills, including the Legislature’s bill to create a regulated cannabis market in Vermont, which will be allowed to go into law without his signature. The new law establishes a Cannabis Control Board that will be responsible…

The ruffed grouse is an iconic game bird of Vermont that is widely recognized and enjoyed by hunters and non-hunters alike, but wildlife biologists are concerned that grouse populations across the Northeast have declined over the past 30 years. This trend has prompted ruffed grouse research on potential causes, including emerging disease threats and habitat…

Food distribution sites break attendance records statewide, Farmers to Families likely to end after October After a summer of record-breaking food distribution by the Vermont Foodbank, many people throughout the state are facing hunger this winter — intensified by the coronavirus pandemic. While the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program has helped to supplement…

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced on Sept. 30 that the federal government will provide $574 million in emergency relief (ER) funds to help 39 states and Puerto Rico make repairs to roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, and other unexpected events. “This $574 million in federal funding will help states repair…

Vermonters may claim a property tax credit or receive a renter rebate to help offset the cost of housing, but those claims must be filed by Oct. 15. The Vermont property tax credit and renter rebate programs help make housing more affordable for thousands of Vermonters, and the Department of Taxes has seen a marked…

Signs executive order to manage recreational trails Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.926, an act relating to changes to Act 250, and signed executive order to provide regulatory certainty for recreation trails on Monday, Oct. 5. In his veto letter to the Legislature, Governor Scott noted that at the start of the legislative session, there was broad support for…

The Vermont School Boards Association (VSBA) has arranged for delivery of nearly 40,000 face masks to Vermont schools during the first weeks of classes. “As a member of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), we were able to offer free face masks to our members through the Masks for Kids Program,” explained VSBA Executive Director…