By Morgan True, VTDigger.org WATERBURY CENTER — Gov. Peter Shumlin remains “cautiously optimistic” the state and its contractors will complete the needed functionality for Vermont Health Connect, the state’s troubled health care exchange, by the May 31 deadline. Shumlin said […]
Tag: VTDigger.org
Opinion
Shumlin signs death with dignity bill
By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law Wednesday, May 20, a bill that makes permanent a series of protections in the state’s death with dignity law, otherwise known as physician-assisted suicide. The law passed the Legislature in […]
State News
Elimination of philosophical exemption survives challenge
By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The House vote to eliminate a philosophical exemption to childhood vaccines at the time of school entry left a bad taste in the mouths of some lawmakers, but efforts to reconsider that decision failed Wednesday, May […]
State News
Lawmakers pass bill making it easier to clear criminal record
By Elizabeth Hewitt, VTDigger.org Lawmakers gave their final stamp of approval this week to a bill that provides a quicker path to scrubbing certain convictions from a person’s criminal record. Under the new law, individuals convicted of certain crimes they […]
State News
Vermont Health Connect insurers request premium increases
By Morgan True, VTDigger.org The two insurers participating in the Vermont Health Connect insurance exchange are seeking rate increases from state regulators for next year’s plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is seeking an 8.4 percent increase and MVP […]
News Briefs
Lawmakers adjourn tough, unprecedented session
New taxes and spending cuts explained By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org “It’s finally over,” said Rep. Brian Savage, R-Swanton, summing up the way many lawmakers felt about the legislative session, which adjourned a little after 11 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Legislators […]
State News
Deal struck on solar siting requirements
By John Herrick, VTDigger.org Towns and solar energy developers have reached a temporary compromise over how to better locate solar energy projects across the state. The Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee unanimously approved an amendment to the state’s renewable […]
State News
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., mothers square off on vaccines
By Morgan True, VTDigger.org As the House bears down on a potential vote to remove the philosophical exemption for the immunizations required to enter school, new voices entered the polarizing debate on Tuesday, May 5. The Senate-passed bill would not […]
Opinion
Senate Appropriations restores small schools grants
By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org The Senate Appropriations Committee late Wednesday, May 6, approved an education governance reform bill after preserving small school grants. Both the House and Senate versions of H.361 had called for phaseouts of state supports, which […]
Opinion
April’s record revenue boost won’t change grim budget outlook
By Anne Galloway, VTDigger.org Personal income tax receipts for April were the highest ever, according to the Vermont Agency of Administration. With two months left in the fiscal year, Vermont is $26.5 million (2.28 percent) above target, according to state […]