Attorney General T.J. Donovan today joined a multi-state coalition in filing a federal lawsuit challenging planned operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service’s sudden and unilateral changes deprived states of their procedural right to comment on such changes before implementation. The coalition argues that cuts at the Postal Service that impact mail…

USCIS is currently scheduled to furlough 67% of its employees on Aug. 30. On Aug. 21, Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19), House Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Buck (R-CO-4), Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE-1), Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-5), Representative Peter Welch (D-VT-At…

By Erin Petenko and Lola Duffort Gov. Phil Scott plans to spend about $12 million in federal relief funds to dramatically expand child care capacity for school-aged children, including establishing regional child care hubs for students on remote learning days. The state estimates 10,300 students K-6 will need care while their parents work on days…

The Dept. of Forests, Parks, & Recreation (FPR) announced Aug. 14 that long-time State Parks Director Craig Whipple is retiring. “Under Craig’s leadership, our world-class state park system has expanded, modernized, and become more accessible,” said Michael Snyder, commissioner of Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation, the department that oversees Vermont state parks. “And even as…

The Rutland County Sheriff and other agencies in Rutland and Windsor counties will be participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Aug. 21 through Sept. 7 (Labor Day). Drivers will see more law enforcement presence on the roadways during this time. Sobriety checkpoints will also be conducted to make sure drivers…

Governor Phil Scott announced Aug. 13 that the State of Vermont will distribute up to 300,000 cloth face coverings to the public, emergency responders and select agencies throughout the month of August. The state Emergency Operations Center procured the masks from those donated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Department of Health and…

On Aug. 10, 34 U.S. senators led by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy asked President Trump to restore full funding to states for the National Guard forces responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week the president reduced FEMA reimbursement for National Guard units from 100% to 75%, with no explanation, and with the unexplained exception of…

$10,000 for residents, $30,000 for businesses The Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF) announced a new program to help homeowners and businesses convert from old coal to new wood pellet heating. Beginning Aug. 12 the CEDF offers up to $10,000 to Vermonters still heating with coal and up to $30,000 for businesses. The new Coal Change-Out incentive is…

Enhanced rebates on products that help save energy and money while reducing carbon pollution will close at the end of the month. Green Mountain Power’s (GMP) popular “Go, Save and Share Green” initiative increased rebates on electric mowers, electric bikes, heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. To get the larger rebates, customers need proof of…

Unofficial results from the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office show that 170,586 people voted in the primary election, a 39% higher turnout than the recent primary record of 122,437 set in 2000. Historically, towns typically report 20% to 25% participation of their registered voters for primary elections, according to Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos.…

Staff report Governor Phil Scott announced, Friday, Aug. 14, that he was extending the Covid-19 State of Emergency by a month, to Sept. 15. Scott said the State of Emergency is a tool that is needed to be able to respond quickly and effectively to changing circumstances in order to protect Vermonters from a potential surge…

Bridgewater, Poultney, Proctor, Quechee and Rochester among them Governor Phil Scott announced Aug. 13 the recipients of $3.2 million in downtown and village center tax credits to support 30 projects in 27 Vermont communities. “I’m proud to see Vermont’s continued commitment to investing in their downtowns during these uncertain times - it is a testament to our sense of…

Program offers $3 in spending for every $1 of 3SquaresVT spent on local fresh foods Currently more than 68,000 Vermonters who receive 3SquaresVT benefits (known as SNAP nationally) to help them provide food for their families. Starting Aug. 1, Vermonters who spend some of their 3SquaresVT benefits at 28 participating farmers’ markets across the state will be…

The U.S. Census Bureau began following up in person with households in Vermont that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. The non-response follow up is one key way the Census Bureau is working to meet its goal of counting everyone once, only once and in the right place. Other efforts include: • Emailing households in…

On Aug. 6 Senators Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced a 60% tax on the windfall wealth increases of billionaires during this pandemic in order to pay for all out-of-pocket medical expenses for every person in America for a year. The Make Billionaires Pay Act would tax the $731 billion in…