State News

State News section

Governor Scott Orders Restrictions On Travel and Lodging

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today ordered additional restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont and announced additional guidance for the lodging industry to enhance compliance with his Stay Home, Stay Safe order. 

The measures under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, effective March 25, were implemented in consultation with the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health to minimize all unnecessary activities outside the home to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the public. 

Governor Scott is taking additional action to encourage compliance with newly released CDC guidance around interstate travel from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which advised residents of those states to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days. 

The 2020 Census Windham County UPDATE

by Dselector | State News

Greetings iBrattleboro people,

My name is David Longsmith with the 2020 Census here in Windham County. I’m now a Census Response Representative and my job is to assist members of our communities with responding to the census questionnaire.

Signal Boosting for Vermont Legal Aid

by Wendy M. Levy | State News

Vermont Legal Aid Service Update:

Following the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration on March 14, 2020, Vermont Legal Aid will continue to serve its clients via telephonic and electronic means. While we have discontinued in-person access to our offices, clients may still contact our intake helpline at 1-800-889-2047 to receive assistance. Clients with a legal or benefits problem related to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak also may receive assistance by going to https://vtlawhelp.org/ .

Governor Issues Stay At Home Order

by Not Signed In | State News

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directed the closure of in-person operations for all non-essential businesses.

These restrictive measures are in place to minimize all unnecessary activities outside the home to slow the spread of this virus and protect the public. These actions were implemented in consultation with the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health and his evaluation of the latest data.

“I want to be very clear about this: We need everyone to limit activities outside of the home and to practice social distancing at all times to slow the spread of this highly contagious and potentially deadly virus,” said Governor Phil Scott. “We all must do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 to minimize infections – particularly for those who are elderly or have underlying chronic health conditions – and prevent it from overwhelming our healthcare facilities. The more Vermonters who take this seriously and stay home, the faster we can return to normal.”

Governor’s Executive Order: Declaration of State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 and National Guard Call-Out

by cgrotke | State News

From the Governor’s office:

“WHEREAS, since December 2019, Vermont has been working in close collaboration with the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and with the United States Health and Human Services Agency to monitor and plan for the potential for an outbreak of respiratory illness due to a novel coronavirus (a disease now known as COVID-19), in the United States; and

WHEREAS, this rapidly evolving global situation required the Governor to direct the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) to activate the Health Operations Center in February 2020 when VDH began to monitor and later, test Vermonters who may have been exposed to COVID-19; and

Vermont Companies Support Employees’ Call for Urgent Climate Action

by Not Signed In | State News

Burlington, VT, January 23, 2020 – Some of Vermont’s most iconic companies gave employees time off today to lobby policy makers at the Statehouse in Montpelier.  More than 100 employees met with elected officials and called on the Governor and the legislature to make climate change a priority in this legislative session and to pass a package of laws to ensure that Vermont meets its goals of a 40% reduction of GHG levels by 2030, and 80-95% reduction by 2050.

The employees warned that Vermont’s failure to reduce carbon emissions is damaging to the economy, environment, and their way of life.

Governor Scott’s 2020 Budget Address

by Not Signed In | State News

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

Governor Scott: 

Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Supreme Court Justices, members of the General Assembly and fellow Vermonters:

Less than two weeks ago, I came before you to report on the state of the state to share my vision for Vermont and some ideas on how to grow our economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable. 

Governor Scott’s State of the State Address

by Not Signed In | State News

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

Today, I welcome the opening of the legislative session with the same optimism I had as a freshman senator from Washington County nearly two decades ago. 

I come before you to report on the state of the state, to reflect on the work we’ve done and to share a vision and priorities for our future. 

Windham County Delegation Statement on Retreat

by Not Signed In | State News

The Windham County Delegation has been aware of ongoing financial challenges being experienced by the Brattleboro Retreat related to multi-year, inadequate medicaid reimbursements, unexpected census declines, and the increasing cost of contract RNs and MDs due to national and state-wide workforce shortages.

The Brattleboro Retreat is a 150 year old private mental healthcare institution providing quality, compassionate healthcare to the most vulnerable Vermonters.

As we see play out every day across the country and our state, adequate funding for public healthcare remains an unsolved challenge.

Construction Announcement – Guilford Welcome Center

by Not Signed In | State News

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) will be repaving the Guilford Welcome Center parking lot, including entrance and exit ramps. The center is located on I-91 Northbound.

Repaving will take place July 9 – August 23, 2019. When the car parking area is paved, visitors will use the truck/bus parking area. During construction, the Welcome Center will not be accessible to any truck, bus, or RV traffic.

Meet Your Brattleboro State Representatives!

by Brooks Memorial Library | State News

At 10 am on Saturday, April 6th,  join your three Brattleboro State Representatives for a casual conversation about what’s been happening in Montpelier and beyond.  Mollie S. Burke, Tristan Toleno, and Emily Kornheiser offer you the opportunity to speak with them directly about issues that concern you.
Childcare is available upon request, and if you need it, please email emiliekornheiser@gmail.com.

Vermont Senate Committee on Finance – Vermont Telecommunications Plan

by rapjr | State News

If you want to learn how Vermont is going to have 100Mbps broadband available to most residents by 2020 (or actually why it very probably will not), which was the goal of Vermont’s 10 year Telecommunications Plan in 2014, watch this video. The second speaker, starting at around 50
minutes in, is particularly interesting and he provides a lot of researched results on the failings of the previous “plan” (which seems to have basically been a legal requirement to develop a plan, which was ignored due to a lack of legal enforcement and funding):

Effects of Government Shutdown on 3SquaresVT Benefits

by ESchwartz | State News

Hunger Free Vermont has issued this information. If you are applying or recertifying, documentation has to be in by Jan. 15 in order to get February benefits.

Here’s the full release from Hunger Free Vermont:

Because of the government shutdown, Vermont’s Department for Children and Families (DCF) will be issuing February 3SquaresVT benefits early, on January 20th. These benefits will be for the entire month of February, so it is important that participants budget accordingly.

Governor Scott’s Inaugural Address 2019

by Not Signed In | State News

GOVERNOR SCOTT: Mr. President, Madam Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the General Assembly, distinguished guests and fellow Vermonters:

I want to begin by thanking the people of Vermont for the opportunity to serve as Governor, and for their trust and support as we carry out the work ahead. It is the greatest honor of my life.

Public Hearing for the Final Draft of the 2018 Telecommunications Plan

by Brooks Memorial Library | State News

The public is welcome to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, December 19th at 6 pm, and offer feedback regarding the final draft of the 2018 Telecommunications Plan.

2018 Telecommunications Plan

In accordance with 30 V.S.A. § 202d, the Department of Public Service is tasked with drafting a Ten-Year Telecommunication Plan for Vermont, in coordination with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Public Safety, and the Department of Education.

Democratic Primary Candidates for Governor Citizens’ Breakfast

by RobertOeser | State News

Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast
Democratic Primary Candidates for Governor

That all power being originally inherent in and co[n]sequently derived from the people, therefore, all officers of government, whether legislative or executive, are their trustees and servants; and at all times, in a legal way, accountable to them. ~ Constitution of the State of Vermont ~ Ch I, Art 6

Four Vermont Towns on Preservation Trust Historic Places Watch List

by cgrotke | State News

Four Vermont towns – Royalton, Sharon, Strafford, and Tunbridge – have been placed on the latest list of endangered historic places.

“America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places is an annual list that spotlights important examples of our nation’s architectural and cultural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage” says their announcement.  Route 66, Mount Vernon, and other sites are on the list.

Save the Date(s)! Brattleboro Citizens’ Breakfast & Energy Resource Fair

by RobertOeser | State News

It all started when a supporter recently asked that a “candidate [running in the Democratic primary for Governor]… speak at the Brattleboro Senior Center. . . . [and added] …. I understand for equity all candidates must receive the same invitation”

As of this writing, James Ehlers, Christine Hallquist, Brenda Siegel and Ethan Sonneborn * have all agreed to attend a Candidates’ Forum at the Gibson-Aiken Center, Senior Meals, on Friday, July 6th at 8:00am (as always, “doors open” at 7:30am for informal networking).

Governor Phil Scott’s Statement on Gun Legislation Signing

by Not Signed In | State News

11 APRIL 2018 – Montpelier, Vt. –  Governor Phil Scott today signed bills S.221, H.422 and S.55, relating to violence reduction and gun safety. Below is a transcript of his address.

Governor Scott: On February 16, I was in my office preparing for the day ahead, when everything changed. That morning, I was handed a document containing charges against an 18-year-old, outlining his detailed plan to carry out a school shooting here in Vermont.

Just two days earlier, we had all witnessed the atrocity in Parkland Florida leaving 17 innocent people – Fourteen children and 3 teachers – dead.

As I read the 13-page affidavit, I was alarmed to learn just how close we came to the same tragic fate the people of Parkland faced.