Home confinement no longer an option - Rutland Herald
The Legislature is trying to reduce the prison population. But home confinement just isn’t working, lawmakers heard this week.
Read moreLawmakers want 1099 goof investigated - VT Digger
Lawmakers harassed by angry constituents last spring when Department of Labor couldn't process unemployment claims are getting an earful again, now that DOL has sent huge batches of 1099 to the wrong people. Everyone wants answers.
Read moreState must hire three employees to understand racism data, Legislature told - Reformer
A state racial equity official says Vermont needs to hire at least three more employees to better understand the scads of available data about systemic racism.
Read moreGOP: don’t channel Recovery $$ to mismanaged state programs - Sen. Randy Brock & Rep. Pattie McCoy
It’s happened - 2020 has finally ended, and a new year is upon us. Last year delivered a global pandemic that affected every Vermonter in ways that have not been seen in a century. As 2021 unfolds, dealing with the huge challenges that have emerged demands vision, determination and the recognition that hard work lies ahead.
Read moreBig Marijuana effort to bypass local voters not Guv's idea – True North
A new Senate bill seems to bypass local voter approval for marijuana retail stores that are part of integrated "seed to sale" marijuana operations favored by Big Marijuana. Gov. Scott doesn't seem enthused.
Read moreContrasts stark between Washington DC, Montpelier legislatures - Alison Clarkson
Last Wednesday, Jan. 6, we saw a sharp contrast between legislative life in Vermont and in the Congress in Washington, D.C. This contrast couldn’t have been more stark — one: unusually quiet, orderly and historic but subdued, and the other: noisy, chaotic and shockingly violent. One affirming and one rocking our firm faith in the sanctity of our democratic process.
Read moreVT Senate introduces three new gun control bills - VT Digger
Proposed gun bills include a 48-hour waiting period, notification of police of “extreme risk” gun owners, and prohibition of carrying semi-auto firearms at public gatherings.
Read moreNew chiefs of staff join new legislative leadership - VT Digger
The title “chief of staff” sounds bigger than it actually is in Vermont, as (for now) this position is the only full-time staff for the Speaker of the House, Senate Pro Tem, and Lieutenant Governor. Still, the new staff members will play an important role in drafting and implementing legislative policy.
Read moreResolution to condemn DC violence, Trump splits GOP caucus - True North Reports
When Republican lawmakers gathered to discuss the upcoming vote on JRH #1, condemning both the violence in Washington DC and the president, the caucus was divided. Was this just an outcome of the resolution - or its desired effect?
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