By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Vermont’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.4 percent in October, according to a report released Friday by the Department of Labor. The leveling follows four consecutive months of increases in the seasonally adjusted jobless rate. Nationwide, […]
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Shumlin orders another $17 million in budget cuts
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org On Wednesday, Nov. 26, state agencies were directed to find another $17 million in cuts for the current budget year. That news comes on top of $31.3 million in summer rescissions after the state’s revenue forecast […]
Universal pre-K delayed one year
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org The implementation of Vermont’s universal pre-kindergarten mandate, signed into law with much fanfare in May, will be delayed for a year. State officials made the announcement Wednesday, Nov. 26, citing challenges with rule-making and school budget […]
VTC layoffs announced
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Eight full-time faculty at Vermont Technical College in Randolph received layoff notices Monday, Nov. 29. The action is part of a large-scale financial reorganization that could have major implications for the school’s course offerings. Additionally, senior […]
Chittenden East approves voluntary school merger
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Almost all school districts in the Chittenden East Supervisory Union will merge next summer, voters decided Tuesday, Nov. 4. In Bolton, Jericho, Richmond and Underhill, poll results showed overwhelming support for a voluntary unification. All schools […]
Shumlin, Milne go head-to-head in WCAX debate
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and his Republican challenger, Scott Milne, sounded familiar chords Wednesday evening, Oct. 9, in their first one-on-one live debate. None of the other five gubernatorial candidates, including Libertarian Dan Feliciano or Liberty […]
AT&T settles “cramming” case for $105 million
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org About 45,000 Vermonters stand to collect roughly $1 million from a national settlement with AT&T Mobility. The $105-million deal settles allegations that the company improperly charged customers for services they had not authorized. Known as “cramming,” […]
Sept. revenue holds steady
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Three months into fiscal year 2015, General Fund receipts are about $3.83 million, or 1 percent, behind revenue projections. The $327 million haul, however, exceeds General Fund receipts from the same period last year. “That is […]
Shumlin pushes for “right-sized” school districts this session
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org Secretary of Education Rebecca Holcombe has received her marching orders for the 2015 legislative session. In a letter dated Aug. 19, Gov. Peter Shumlin laid out his priorities for the state’s public education system and requests […]
Budget gap and spending cuts on the table
By Hilary Niles, VTDigger.org State agencies are being asked to stick to their strategic plans while drafting budget cuts up to 5 percent for fiscal year 2016, which starts July 1. Instructions from Gov. Peter Shumlin’s administration include notification that […]