Over 500 rural homes and businesses in Vermont that are currently unserved by high-speed internet service could get connectivity in the near future, according to a Feb. 20 news release. These homes and businesses are in unserved areas of Vermont eligible for financial support from the next phase of FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF), which…

 By Rep. Jim Harrison, R-Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon Education funding Leadership in the Vermont House made it a priority earlier this session to address the way we fund K-12 education. The current system, which was born out of Act 60 about 20 years ago and later amended with Act 68, when the sales tax…

Key issues emerging By Rep. Jim Harrison (Bridgewater, Chittenden, Killington & Mendon) Jim Harrison The key issues of the 2018 legislative session are now becoming evident. The Senate approved a minimum wage hike to $15 last week, while at the same time, downplaying a proposal for a new paid family leave bill passed by the…

On Feb. 7, the Office of the Health Care Advocate (HCA) released a report demonstrating the affordability crisis that Vermonters face when purchasing health insurance and health care. In the report, “The Cost of Health Insurance: Quantifying the Vermont Affordability Crisis,” the HCA assesses the affordability of health insurance on Vermont Health Connect and shows that many…

By Tiffany Danitz Pache, VTDigger Vermont students needing special education could be better served for less money, according to two studies commissioned by the Legislature. Lawmakers will use the studies to craft new approaches to delivering and funding special education services. The studies were conducted by the University of Vermont and by the District Management Group,…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger House Minority Leader Rep. Don Turner is proposing a bill that would allow for drug testing of people receiving financial assistance through a state program for low-income families. If a test comes back positive for an illegal substance, a person in the state’s Reach Up program could continue to receive state…

By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger A panel of lawmakers voted in favor of a bill that would allow law enforcement officers to use saliva testing to detect the presence of drugs in motorists. The House Transportation Committee approved the bill, H.237, on Friday, Feb. 9, by a vote of 10-0-1. Before it is taken up by the…

With cryptocurrencies continuing to attract headlines, the state Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) reminds Vermont investors to be cautious about investments involving cryptocurrencies. “The recent success of cryptocurrencies has drawn considerable interest from the investing public and the media; however, Vermonters should educate themselves about the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, including high volatility and limited…

By Kevin O’Connor Kelly Clark used to be the only American snowboarder to compete at four Olympics. That record was broken Monday when Clark was selected to represent the United States in the sport for the fifth time. Clark, a 34-year-old who grew up in West Dover and who won gold in 2002 and bronze…

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to 23 jurisdictions, demanding documents that could show whether each jurisdiction is unlawfully restricting information sharing by its law enforcement officers with federal immigration authorities. All 23 of these jurisdictions were previously contacted by the Justice Department, when the department raised concerns about laws, policies, or…

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) has received $200,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grants from the federal USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to enhance the competitiveness of Vermont specialty food crops, including honey, hops, and maple syrup, and nursery crops, including Christmas trees and floriculture. VAAFM plans to award grants in 2018 through…

H.624 was introduced on Jan. 16, proposing increased protections for Vermonters’ sensitive and personal data contained in the statewide voter checklist. H.624 is sponsored by Rep. Dylan Giambatista of Essex Junction, Secretary of State Jim Condos and Attorney General TJ Donovan have underscored the importance to legislators of ensuring that Vermonters’ most sensitive personal data…

The Vermont House unanimously approved H.593, the consumer protection bill, on Jan. 17. This legislation addresses automatic contract renewals, retainage for construction materials, credit protection for vulnerable persons and use of credit info for personal insurance. House Speaker Mitzi Johnson supported the legislation, stating that “one important feature of this bill is the provision that…

By Mike Dougherty Gov. Phil Scott signed into law a bill legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, making Vermont the first state to pass a legalization measure through legislation rather than a voter initiative. In a letter notifying the Legislature, Scott expressed “mixed emotions” about signing the bill, which allows possession of specific amounts of marijuana by…

By Evan Johnson Local business and community leaders came out early Monday morning for a legislative breakfast that featured updates and discussion on bills progressing through the state legislature in Montpelier. Rep. Butch Shaw (R - Rutland 6) said recent bills concerning paid family leave, a carbon tax, increasing the minimum wage and simplifying Act…