News That Affects You!
In January 2019 the commission to review and update Act 250 presented a well written report. Its recommendations are now the subject of 94-page bill (H.926) to dramatically reshape the state’s land use and development act. On the plus side, in light of its 50 years in force, Act 250 was certainly due, or overdue, Read More…
I was at the hearings in Montpelier on H.610, and this is what I witnessed. I saw victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse rising one by one to share their stories. Many of them were truly heart-wrenching. They described in vivid detail the kinds of things that those who have never experienced them Read More…
Last time I offered a sobering New Year’s assessment of the inevitable effects on our currency of steadily increasing national debt, and how this will cause inflation and increased interest rates. These twin mathematical villains care not for human comfort, let alone for the crushing blow this will inflict on struggling Americans. America is not Read More…
There is a push in Vermont to “decarcerate” in the name of “Restorative Justice.” Even some prosecutors argue that most people should never be incarcerated. This effort originates from the Left, which concurrently seeks to criminalize new categories of behaviors, and thereby threaten law-abiding citizens who have done no wrong with incarceration. Last fall in Read More…
Of course I wish that Americans will become more loving and tolerant toward one another in this new year’s time of renewal. But given the ongoing toxicity of our nation’s (and state’s) political environment, that hope — and it’s inherent optimism — may be unrealistic. Similarly, the reality of our current plight as human beings Read More…
Vermont aspires to be the first in the nation to try new things, even if it means turning common sense upside-down. Recent Vermont proposals to impose a carbon tax and legalize gambling, like legalizing cannabis, are unapologetically driven by thirst for more tax revenue, even as the state’s economy flounders under the crushing burden of… Read More…
It’s official: Vermont’s government has been usurped by elitist bureaucrats who have decided that Constitutions, and voting, are annoying impediments to their enlightened oversight. This is not an exaggeration. Bureaucratic agencies have swollen in costs (salaries) and powers in all areas of Vermonters’ lives: farms close, but the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Read More…
Over the past fifty years I have seen a lot of bills introduced into the Vermont legislature. Of all the bills over all those years, the absolute worst was just introduced in the House, with 87 co-sponsors (all Democratic and Progressive). It’s titled the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA, H.688). The Climate Action Coalition believes Read More…
Last June, Governor Scott vetoed S.169, a bill to impose additional gun restrictions on Vermonters, including a 24 hour waiting period to purchase a handgun. Now, the ball is in the court of the Legislature to decide whether to sustain or override this veto. As the Governor mentioned in his veto message, it’s imperative we Read More…
Most have heard the iconic threat (usually by a weakling, or braggart, in a comedy film) that “these hands are registered as deadly weapons.” As Vermont’s legislature moves to impose still more restrictions on firearms, citizens should pause to consider just how out-of-touch (though not at all comedic) are endeavors to take away their freedoms. Read More…
Among Vermont’s current plethora of new gun laws, is H 610. Masked in “domestic violence” language, this trash legislation is visibly unconstitutional. After watching initial House Judiciary Committee hearings on this bill, I was stunned that Vermont’s Office of Legislative Counsel (represented at the House Judiciary Committee by Attorney Erik Fitzpatrick) did not even address Read More…
All too often we hear people say, my vote doesn’t matter, or there is nothing I can do. Well last night in the small town of Pittsford,VT one man’s idea became a reality. During what was just a pleasant conservation between friends the concept of 2A, Article 16 sanctuary towns came up. One of the Read More…
VTDigger (Vermont Journalism Trust) is Vermont’s largest media outlet, and benefits from tax-exempt status (and solicits donations as tax deductible) as a qualified Sec. 501(c)(3) organization, stating yearly on its Form 990 that : “THE MISSION OF VERMONT JOURNALISM TRUST AND VTDIGGER IS TO PRODUCE RIGOROUS JOURNALISM THAT EXPLAINS COMPLEX ISSUES, HOLDS THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE Read More…
Dear Editor, On Monday, Jan. 13, I presented the following resolution to the Cavendish Selectboard. I requested that this resolution be placed as an article on the condition that we discuss and vote on it at the annual Town Meeting in early March. The Selectboard approved my request with the clear understanding that they are Read More…
An article on vtdigger by Grace Ellitson on January 21 was entitled “Halquist calls for Agri-publicans to condemn candidate’s ‘transphobic’ comments.” In response, Agripublican leader John Klar has requested that H Brooke Paige, the author of these facebook posts from his previous run(s) for office, disassociate from the agripublican campaign, and Mr. Paige has complied. Read More…
As readers may know, legislators recently finalized a mandatory Paid Family and Medical Leave bill (financed by a new payroll tax) that has been a year in the making. This effort has not been without contention; in fact, last May legislative leaders were unable to come to terms on what the final bill would look Read More…
