By Stephen Seitz WALLINGFORD—Democrat Ken Fredette is one if the three candidates vying for the two seats in the Rutland 2 legislative district, comprising Clarendon, Proctor, Tinmouth, Wallingford and West Rutland. The other two are incumbent Democrat Dave Potter and incumbent Republican Tom Burditt. “I ran for the House six years ago,” said Fredette. “I…

By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Gov. Phil Scott has named Dan French, a veteran Vermont schools superintendent, to be the state’s next education secretary. Scott has made cost-containment his hallmark education priority, and during a press conference Thursday, Aug. 2 announcing French’s appointment, he reiterated the need to create an education system that’s “sustainable and affordable for…

By Elizabeth Hewitt/ VTDigger From dairy farms to newsrooms, Vermont businesses are bracing for a crunch from trade tensions between the United States and other countries caught up in a tariff tit-for-tat. State officials say they do not yet have clear measures of how the escalation of tariffs between the United States and key trading…

By Xander Landen/VTDigger About 40,000 Vermonters who receive Social Security benefits will see more money in their pockets this year, after Gov. Phil Scott and lawmakers moved to slash the state tax on the benefits for low- and moderate-income earners. New tax exemptions for Social Security — which passed into law at the conclusion of…

By Stephen Seitz Springfield resident Randy Gray is one of three Republicans hoping to represent Windsor County in the next legislative session. The other two are Jack Williams of Weathersfield and Wayne D. Townsend of Bethel. They seek to replace incumbent Democrats Alice Nitka (Ludlow), Dick MacCormack (Bethel) and Alison Clarkson (Woodstock). Gray said, via…

The Vermont Department of Health will be providing for blood tests for some people who may have been affected by PFOA contamination of drinking water in Bennington and North Bennington, but who have not been previously tested. There is no cost to participants for the blood draw, laboratory analysis and report. The Vermont Legislature has…

By Stephen Seitz BETHEL—Democratic Sen. Dick McCormack is hoping to represent Windsor County in the state Senate once again. McCormack was appointed to fill an unexpired term in 1989 and has been re-elected ever since. He and fellow Democratic incumbents Alice Nitka of Ludlow, and Alison Clarkson of Woodstock, will face Republican challengers Randy Gray…

By Stephen Seitz BARNARD — Randall Szott has announced his candidacy for the Vermont House of Representatives seat in the Windsor 4-1 legislative district. The district comprises the towns of Barnard, Pomfret and Hartland. Szott, a Democrat, is running to replace Susan Buckholtz, who is not running again this year.  Szott is currently the director…

By Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger Vermont racial justice activist Curtiss Reed Jr. has a dream — a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream dream that the company create its first flavor in honor of a person of color — specifically, football quarterback and fellow advocate Colin Kaepernick. “Ben & Jerry’s has been talking the social justice talk for…

By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Gifting marijuana in exchange for another purchase is illegal under Vermont’s new legalization law, according to a guidance issued by the state’s top prosecutor Monday. Attorney General TJ Donovan’s office advised that sales of any kind are illegal under the marijuana legalization law that took effect July 1. “Any transfer of marijuana…

The heat wave is over, the numbers are in. Green Mountain Power’s innovative network of Tesla Powerwall batteries in homes and solar installations leveraged stored energy to accomplish the equivalent of taking 5,000 homes off the grid, creating savings for customers that could reach $500,000. GMP customer Mike Wheeler kept track on an app while…

Half of Vermont towns will pay higher property tax rate than last year. This chart shows towns with the highest rate in 2019 at the top. Pomfret has the largest increase (shown right); Middletown Springs the largest decrease. By Xander Landen/VTDigger The numbers are in. Two weeks after lawmakers and the governor resolved a budget…

Some Homestead State Payment adjustments have not been applied to mailed bills KILLINGTON—Tax bills have been mailed out and it has come to the town of Killington’s attention that some of the Homestead State Payment adjustments have not been applied. The Tax Department has held some Homestead Declarations aside for review, state officials have explained…

In an attempt to close a tax loophole enjoyed by operators of short-term rentals such as Airbnb, and to assure visitors and paying guests of safe and sanitary conditions, the Vermont General Assembly passed Act 10, requiring that certain conditions must be met. Effective July 1, all short-term rental operators must post a Vermont meals…

By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon With the conclusion of the Vermont legislative session, I will be taking a break from the regular updates until after the elections. I hope you have enjoyed the reports via email or in this paper. If elected to a new term, I plan to continue with…