State News

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, Governor Phil Scott presented his budget proposal to Vermont’s General Assembly. Read the full text of his address below.

Vermont has just become the first state to eliminate penalties for possession of limited amounts of marijuana by adults. Governor Phil Scott signed H. 511 today.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott is still desperately searching for an excuse to NOT sign the new marijuana legalization Bill in Vermont.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott has 5 days,  from Jan. 10, 2018,  to sign the new Marijuana Bill – will he do it? 

“2018 State of the State Governor Phil Scott January 4, 2018

Open enrollment for health insurance plans through Vermont Health Connect runs until December 15, 2017. If you don’t have coverage or if you want to change plans, you need to do so by December 15.

One of the topics covered by Senate Government Operations is public safety. As Chair of that committee I realize that over the past years, many studies have been done concerning law enforcement/public safety in the State of Vermont. A few of the recommendations have been implemented but the more controversial aspects of each study have gone untouched because many would be unpopular with various segments of both the population and law enforcement agencies.

 Big ideas for solar power

The Windham Regional Commission is assisting VTrans with getting word out about traffic safety this July 4th holiday.

Other news wrongly reported that the bill is dead. It is not dead. It is waiting upon the Vermont State Legislature to decide whether or not to over-ride Governor Phil Scott’s veto of the recreational marijuana bill. 

This is the Marijuana bill we are waiting to see if Vermont Governor Phil Scott will sign or veto. The legislature could overcome a veto. It says Fentanyl, but it gets around to the marijuana, keep scrolling down!

Brattleboro In an effort to answer quality of life questions people of color may have regarding a relocation to Vermont, Vermont Partnership for Fairness & Diversity has redesigned www.IAmAvermonter.org to capture the experiences of Vermonters of color throughout the Green Mountains.

Transportation Board holds Brattleboro Forum on Rail

The Vermont Transportation Board at 6 p.m. on November 9 will hold a public forum in Brattleboro on transportation policy associated with trains, both passenger and freight. The Board wants to discuss railroad related issues with the public – including rail-side economic development and the possible initiation of commuter rail service to Massachusetts – to determine how future policy can be shaped to best position Vermont’s rail interests to meet the needs of the state residents.

The forum, which will be held at the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center at 10 Vernon Street, is one of seven such public conversations the Board is holding around the state. Topics the Board plans to discuss include:

Vermont will be recognizing Indigenous People’s Day. Governor Peter Shumlin made it official:

“State of Vermont Executive Department A Proclamation

WHEREAS, Indigenous People’s Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, a growing number of cities and towns in the United States have recognized the second Monday of October as “Indigenous People’s Day, re-imagining Columbus Day as an opportunity to celebrate indigenous heritage and resiliency; and

Early and Absentee Voting Started Today in Vermont! Please vote your conscience!

I’m voting for myself, Cris Ericson for U.S. Senator; and I will also vote for Randy A. Gray for State Senator in Windsor 3-1, Dan Feliciano for Auditor of Accounts, and Rosemarie Jackowski for Attorney General.

I can honestly say I have met Rosemarie, Randy and Dan in person and have spoken with them, and trust them to be very good people. I am also facebook friends with Galen P. Dively III of St. Johnsbury, Vermont area, and he is on the ballot up there for State Senator. I would vote for him if I lived up in the North East Kingdom.