News That Affects You!
A Stark Contrast that Will End All Abortions in the USA Someday! By Bob Orleck Georgia’s Republican Governor, Brian Kemp, signed legislation on May 6, 2019 that will take effect in July, banning abortions as soon as a fetal heartbeat can be detected. The new law that essentially ends abortion practice in Georgia will help Read More…
Over the past half century, our society’s views on sexuality have become more and more dissociated from reproduction. And nowhere is that more apparent than in the argument for unrestricted abortion. Recently the Vermont legislature passed not just a law supporting unrestricted abortion but a constitutional amendment as well. The amendment (Proposition 5) reads: “an Read More…
By John Klar The sudden urgency with which Democrats are flinging themselves like kamikazes with buckets of fried chicken at Attorney General William Barr reveals that they actually know what he has sniffed out, and their jig is about to be up. Having an out-of-control, ethical, and nonpartisan attorney general was not part of the plot to unseat Read More…
Heading into what will hopefully be the final week of the 2019 legislative session, we are entering the “hurry up and wait” period, as it is commonly referred to under the Dome. The key issues have typically passed both chambers at this point, however differences in the House and Senate versions often need to be Read More…
S.169 PASSED House Judiciary I am sorry to report that S.169 was voted on today in the House Judiciary Committee, where it passed on a 7-4 vote on the same version that left the Senate: A Waiting Period on Handguns only for 24 hours (plus the mag ban corrections). All 3 republicans voted against it, Read More…
As I understand it: The suggested need for a waiting period is as a way to help reduce impulsive acts done with firearms, specifically suicides or murders, with this being referred to as “reducing access to lethal means.” Regarding suicide by firearm: According to the Vermont Department of Mental Health, in 2016, there were 1,141 Read More…
By Guy PageTimber-r-r-r! Tax change would fall on rural woodlot owners A proposed Senate change to a House tax bill could make timber harvesting more expensive, with serious longterm impacts on Vermont forestland sustainability and the state’s $1.5 billion forestry products industry. H.541, a revenue bill, would (among other measures) boost capital gains taxes by Read More…
From Ethan Allen Institute Roll Call! House Advances Constitutional Amendment Guaranteeing Abortion from Conception to Birth (106-38), 2019 PROPOSITION 5 PASSED in the State House of Representatives on May 7, 2019, by a vote of 106-38 . Purpose: Proposal 5 would amend the Vermont Constitution to say that “an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy Read More…
by Rob Roper Even dumber than you probably think. Forget the arguments we’ve made regarding the constitutional appropriateness of legislators deciding “paper or plastic” for us citizens in what is ostensibly a free society, and let’s pretend for a moment this is a legitimate exercise of government force. Is it a smart idea? Is it Read More…
S54, marijuana bill, becoming “Christmas tree” of additions, changes By Guy Page S54, tax and regulation of marijuana, was not discussed on the House floor today despite appearing on Friday’s “notice calendar”. However it is scheduled for 1 pm review by the House Ways and Means (taxation) committee. It also may be reviewed by the Read More…
This week’s update that will appear in the Mountain Times and Vermont Standard. Not easy to say “NO” In contrast of my opposition to legalization of recreational marijuana last year, I indicated during last fall’s campaign and throughout this session that I was open to a “tax and regulate” system for marijuana if it could Read More…
Latest version of marijuana bill reduces local control, increases THC concentration By Guy Page May 3, 2019 – The House Government Operations Committee Thursday night amended and approved S54, taxed and regulated legal marijuana. The new version increases six-fold the permitted amount of THC in marijuana products, and does not allow towns to prohibit marijuana Read More…
In Legislature this week: Senate weatherization bill would double heating tax and tax electricity House chair urges skeptical reps to “let the people decide” about Prop 5 School merger bill conference committee disbanded $$ committee to ponder $28 million more in state costs from $15 minimum wage Human Rights Commission wants power to investigate local Read More…
