Pension Task Force Bill Advances Despite Unions' Objections

By Kevin McCallum on April 14, 2021 at 7:03PM

A draft plan to begin closing Vermont’s $3 billion-and-growing pension shortfall sparked fierce protests from the state’s unionized workforce. The plan would have increased employee contributions and made employees work longer to receive less generous benefits.

Tim Ashe Lands Job as Deputy State Auditor

By Kevin McCallum on April 6, 2021 at 9:02PM

Ashe said the job in the auditor's office was the perfect marriage of big picture issues and policy details that fit his experience and interests. “I have the benefit of having been able to dive into virtually every corner of state operations,” Ashe said.

Scott Proposes Divvying Up $1 Billion in Aid to Housing, Broadband, and More

By Anne Wallace Allen on April 6, 2021 at 6:44PM

lodging, you’ve been pretty much shut down by virtue of the travel guidance for the longest time now, and restaurants have not been operating at full capacity,” said Austin Davis, government affairs manager for the Lake Champlain Chamber. “It’s difficult for these folks.

Vermont Lawmakers Shelve Pension Reform Plan

By Kevin McCallum on April 2, 2021 at 2:47PM

“We cannot ignore this situation any longer. We must act.

Vermont Senate Committee Turns Off Video During Public Meeting

By Kevin McCallum on March 31, 2021 at 5:34PM

The senators were well in the weeds on unemployment benefits when Sen. Alison Clarkson (D-Windsor) asked about the alignment of state and federal tax policies on the benefits. “Have we resolved the synching up of the feds and the state …” Clarkson began to ask before Sirotkin interrupted her.

Senate Passes Measure to Regulate and Inspect Short-Term Rentals

By Anne Wallace Allen on March 30, 2021 at 12:03PM

Drevik said he knows of property owners with a dozen short-term rentals in different towns. He noted conventional lodging is inspected for fire safety each year and required to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and safe exits from the bedrooms.

Scott Announces Picks for Vermont's Cannabis Control Board

By Colin Flanders on March 29, 2021 at 8:00PM

The governor, who personally interviewed all three candidates, said in a press release on Monday that he was "confident they will hit the ground running." And they will need to, should they hope to complete the many tasks and meet the many deadlines required under Act 164, the law passed last year that legalized recreational cannabis sales in Vermont.

Housing Bill Advances Despite Water Pollution Concerns

By Kevin McCallum on March 26, 2021 at 6:43PM

Currently, new water and wastewater hookups require permits from both the state Department of Environmental Conservation and most municipalities. The bill, S. 101, would exempt developers from having to obtain state permits if they receive proper local permits.

Vermont Panel Formed to Plan Semiquincentennial Celebrations

By Anne Wallace Allen on March 25, 2021 at 10:40AM

“There are tons of things we can learn about what happened in Vermont and on Lake Champlain that just hasn’t been documented: Who was building the boats, who was sailing the boats, how were Indigenous people involved along the way, how were African Americans involved in our area?” McClure said. “Those stories are often left out of history, and to me, this is a great way for us to shine some more light on them.”

Pension Reform Plan Would Cost State Workers More

By Kevin McCallum on March 24, 2021 at 6:30PM