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Connecticut River Joint Commissions Receives Grant from State of Vermont

by Not Signed In | State News

The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $40,000 grant through the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation. This grant funds CRJC’s work program for November 2025 to October 2026.

These funds enable the CRJC to continue its grassroots, locally focused work to preserve and protect the visual and ecological integrity and sustainable working landscape of the Connecticut River Valley through implementation of its river management plan. The CRJC focuses on the key issues facing the Connecticut River watershed of Vermont and New Hampshire and plays the vital bi-state role of convening, catalyzing, and leading dialogue on these regional issues.

Engage with State Rep Ian Goodnow (Windham 9)

by fidel | State News

All are invited to a community dialogue with featured guest Brattleboro (Windham District 9) State Rep. Ian Goodnow on Wednesday October 15, 2025 – 6:30 pm in the Community Room at Brooks Memorial Library
While there is no formal agenda for this meeting, one might say it is divided in three parts:

• What happened in the last legislative session?
• What can we expect in the session starting January 2026?
• What legislative issues are front of mind for you?

Save the Dates – October 15, September 21

by RobertOeser | State News

SAVE THE DATE: October 15, 2025 – 6:30 pm – Community Room – Brooks Memorial Library

A conversation with State Representative Ian Goodnow

While there is no formal agenda for this meeting, one might say it is divided in three parts:

◘ What happened in the last legislative session?
◘ What can we expect in the session starting January 2026?
◘ What legislative issues are front of mind for you?

Solar for All Program Terminated

by cgrotke | State News

The Clean Energy States Alliance has a statement about the (at-least-for-now) termination of the Solar for All Program, of which Vermont was participating:

“The Environmental Protection Agency’s careless and unlawful termination of the Solar for All program destroys a critical effort to expand electricity production at a time when the country desperately needs more power.

The 60 Solar for All awardees—mostly state government agencies—have spent the past two years working creatively and diligently to design and roll out cost-effective low-income solar programs in both red and blue states. Ending this popular bipartisan program squanders both their hard work and valuable federal dollars.

Vermont Afghan Alliance Statement on Trump Travel Ban Targeting Afghan Nationals

by Not Signed In | State News

Burlington, Vt – Executive Director Molly Gray of Vermont Afghan Alliance released the following statement tonight in response to President Trump’s Executive Order banning Afghan nationals from traveling to the United States:

“Citing ‘foreign policy, national security and counterterrorism objectives’ and concerns for a lack of ‘appropriate screening and vetting measures’ by the Taliban, starting ‘12:01am eastern daylight time on June 9, 2025’ entry into the United States by nationals of Afghanistan is ‘fully suspended’ according to the order.

Exceptions to the travel ban include ‘lawful permanent residents’ (green card holders) , ‘Afghan special immigrant visas’ and ‘immediate family immigrant visas’.

The order suggests, although does not confirm, special immigrant visas will be processed for the wives and children of Afghan special immigrant visa holders here in the United States. The U.S. told thousands of soldiers who supported U.S. military and intelligence efforts to leave their wives and kids behind on the promise reunification would happen within a year. This August marks four years of separation.

Vermont Community Radio Funded By State Legislature

by cgrotke | State News

Here’s the announcement from the Vermont Association of Broadcasters of new state funds for community radio. This means that Brattleboro’s WVEW will be able to apply for these new funds eventually.

….

“VT Community Radio Network,

I have news that is too good to wait until our monthly ZOOM meeting May 15th. Without further ado…

the state legislature committed $150,000 to the Vermont Community Radio grant program!!!

I cannot express enough just how significant and incredible this is for so many reasons:

Vermont Delegation Statement on Mahdawi Arrest in Colchester

by cgrotke | State News

Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch and representative Becca Balint issued a statement on the arrest of a green card holder going for a naturalization interview. Mohsen Mahdawi was in Colchester when detained by ICE agents.

“BURLINGTON, Vt., April 14 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement on the illegal detention of Mohsen Mahdawi by the Trump Administration:

Governor Scott’s 2025 Inaugural Address to Vermont

by cgrotke | State News

“There’s no doubt many communities, businesses, and families are struggling. But it’s not hard to see that Northwest Vermont is doing BETTER than all the others. It’s not to say this region doesn’t have challenges, but, for the most part, it’s where you see a lower percentage of kids in poverty, lower energy costs, higher median incomes, higher home values, and more new housing being built. And while we’re desperate for workers across the state, the size of the workforce in Chittenden and Franklin counties is the highest it’s been in recent history.”

Regional Emergency Medical Services Coordination Study

by RobertOeser | State News

** Virtual Meeting – October 30, 2023 **

The State of Vermont, Department of Health, Division of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Injury Prevention has engaged Emergency Management Matters, LLC (EMM,) to design and implement a Regional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordination study culminating in a written report to be submitted to the Vermont State Legislature.

This study will focus on identifying issues and provide recommendations for legislative considerations that will sustain and improve the provision of EMS for Vermont. This includes but is not limited to:

Governor Scott’s FY24 Budget Address (Full Text)

by cgrotke | State News

Vermont Governor Phil Scott gave his FY24 Budget Address. In it, he explained the enormous cash infusion coming our way from the Federal government, and what he thought would be the best way to handle all the money.

A full transcript of Governor Scott’s address is included below:

“Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Mr. Pro Tem, members of the General Assembly, and fellow Vermonters:

Two weeks ago, I asked that we focus on the fundamentals in order to seize upon the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity we have before us.

350 Vermont Climate SOS Rally in Montpelier

by Not Signed In | State News

On Friday, Feb 18, 350Vermont calls for a statewide rally on the State House lawn in Montpelier. Over the past year, our members worked hard  to ensure that the Climate Action Plan would be the catalyst that propelled us towards the change we need to see in our state.  Unfortunately, the Climate Action Plan didn’t go nearly far enough, or include enough input from frontline communities, and now it is up to the legislature to act. 

“This year, the Vermont legislature has the tremendous opportunity to make substantial progress on addressing the climate crisis,” says 350VT Organizer Jaiel Pulskamp. “We’re calling on them to enact real and just solutions that will improve regular people’s lives while slashing emissions – not more greenwashing and false solutions that put more money into the pockets of the utilities and their shareholders.”

Vinson/ACLU Files Lawsuit Against VT For Restricting Online Speech in Brattleboro

by Not Signed In | State News

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Brattleboro resident and Black Lives Matter supporter Isabel Vinson filed a federal lawsuit today challenging a Vermont law that prohibits “disturbing peace by use of telephone or other electronic communications.” Vinson was criminally cited by the Brattleboro Police Department in June 2020 for her online criticism of a local business owner’s derogatory Facebook posts about the Black Lives Matter movement.

The lawsuit asserts that the law at issue, 13 V.S.A. § 1027, unconstitutionally restricts online speech. Vinson is asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont to declare that the statute violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and to issue an injunction prohibiting its enforcement going forward.

Vermont Students Convene To Declare Their Priorities For The 2022 Legislative Session

by Not Signed In | State News

Vermont students representing the Vermont Youth Lobby and the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network united on Zoom at noon on Friday and declared their priorities for the 2022 legislative session. In this address they looked back to their calls to action for the state seen in the Climate Congress Declaration and the work of the Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, and they Youth highlighted the actions they have called for that have been left untouched, while they declared their priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session.

“Vermont legislators need to implement the Climate Action Plan, pass the environment justice bill, pass antiracism standards in education, pass the Bottle Bill and so much more,” said Jenna Hirschman, a student from Essex High School in Chittenden County, representing the Vermont Youth Lobby.

Vermont Governor Scott’s State of the State Address

by Not Signed In | State News

Madam President, Madam Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, members of the General Assembly, and fellow Vermonters:

It is our tradition at the opening of the legislative session to come together and chart our course for the work ahead.

Whether in times of peace or war, prosperity or depression, those who came before us felt the same hope and optimism we share today, ready to do the work to take on new problems and solve those that have eluded us for years.

Connecticut River Joint Commissions Receives Grant from State of Vermont

by Not Signed In | State News

The Connecticut River Joint Commissions (CRJC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $30,733 grant through the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation. This one-year grant provides funding to implement CRJC’s July 2021 to June 2022 work program. Additional funding is provided by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

These funds will allow the CRJC to continue its emphasis on the grassroots, locally focused work of its five local river subcommittees and the broader implementation of its river management plan. The CRJC focuses on the key issues facing the Connecticut River watershed of Vermont and New Hampshire and plays the vital bi-state role of convening, catalyzing, and leading dialogue on these regional issues.

Brattleboro Opioid Settlement – Executive Summary

by cgrotke | State News

Executive Summary

1. Settlement Approval Deadline: January 2, 2022
2. Recommendation: Approve Settlements
3. Total Funds to Vermont: Approximately $65 Million (assuming full participation)
4. Local Government Allocations: 15% of total Vermont share, to be allocated pursuant to Exhibit G to the Settlement Agreements.

Broadband Grants Go To Four Vermont Communication Union Districts

by Not Signed In | State News

Governor Scott Announces $9.9 million in grants to Accelerate Broadband Buildout in Four Vermont Communication Union Districts

Montpelier, Vermont – The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB), along with the Governor, Congressman Welch and other state and federal officials and representatives of many of the state’s Communications Union Districts, celebrated the awarding of $9.9 Million in Preconstruction Grants to four Communication Union Districts (CUDs) in an event in Montpelier Monday. The Districts represent 64 Vermont towns and villages.

Governor Scott celebrated the investment, “We all know how important broadband is to Vermonters and our economy. Connectivity is essential to our everyday lives, the way we do business, and how we stay connected with family and friends. Making investments in this critical infrastructure will allow us to grow in all 14 counties and help us retain and attract more workers, and I’m excited this work is moving forward.”