Vermont news

• Lawmakers delay decision on advancing education finance reform

  23-02-2018 23:59 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Janet Ancel, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Lawmakers on the House tax panel decided on Friday to postpone a decision on whether to pursue a plan that would reform the state’s education finance system.
  If they do move forward with the proposal, they probably would delay its implementation by one year.
  House Ways and Means chair Rep. Janet Ancel, D-Calais, said the committee likely will decide by the end of the week whether to continu
  
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• Education finance reform ‘too much too soon’

  23-02-2018 23:59 via vtdigger.org
  Rep. Janet Ancel, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. File photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  Lawmakers on the House tax panel decided on Friday to postpone a decision on whether to pursue a plan that would reform the state’s education finance system.
  If they do move forward with the proposal, they probably would delay its implementation by one year.
  House Ways and Means chair Rep. Janet Ancel, D-Calais, said the committee likely will decide by the end of the week whether to continu
  
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• Sanders’s son may run for New Hampshire congressional seat

  23-02-2018 23:33 via vtdigger.org
  Bernie Sanders, cradles his son Levi, 2, at a Liberty Union organizing party at Goddard College on Oct 23, 1971. File photo by VT Freeman/Eric Borg, courtesy of Jennifer and Frank Kochman.
  Levi Sanders, 48, the son of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, may run for one of the four House seats in neighboring New Hampshire, according to a report in Vice News on Thursday.
  “Oh absolutely, I’m definitely considering it. I’m excited, motivated, and interested in the race,” Sanders tol
  
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• State deploys ‘rapid response’ to Hermitage Club layoffs

  23-02-2018 21:25 via vtdigger.org
  The Hermitage Club in Wilmington. File photo by Kristopher Radder/Brattleboro Reformer
  (This story by Chris Mays was published in the Brattleboro Reformer on Feb. 21, 2018.
  DEERFIELD VALLEY — The Vermont Department of Labor conducted a “rapid response” to the Hermitage Club, where jobs were terminated this week.RELATED STORIESMembers consider taking ownership of Hermitage ClubWhistleblower complaint filed against Hermitage ClubHermitage Club appeals water/sewer shutoffHermitage
  
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• LISTEN: Sec. of State Jim Condos On Securing Vermont's Elections dlvr.it/QHZNPG https://t.co/kPjxoznC30

  23-02-2018 20:26 via twitter.com
  
  LISTEN: Sec. of State Jim Condos On Securing Vermont's Elections dlvr.it/QHZNPG https://t.co/kPjxoznC30
  
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• YWP: ‘Simplicity’

  23-02-2018 17:30 via vtdigger.org
  Young Writers Project, an independent nonprofit based in Burlington, engages young people to write and use digital media to express themselves with clarity and power, and to gain confidence and skills for school, the workplace and life.Check out the most recent issue of The Voice, Young Writers Project’s monthly digital magazine. Click here.Each week, VTDigger features a writing submission – an essay, poem, fiction or nonfiction – accompanied by a photo or illustration from Yo
  
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• Police: Man stalked, flashed gun at woman, child in Dorset

  23-02-2018 17:09 via vtdigger.org
  Gerald Wright. Vermont State Police photo
  (This story by Ed Damon was published in the Bennington Banner on Feb. 22, 2018.)
  BENNINGTON — A Dorset man has denied multiple charges after police said he followed a woman and her young grandchild to the home where they were staying and flashed a loaded firearm at them multiple times.
  Gerald Brian Wright was arrested by Vermont State Police after the incident near Emerald Lake in Dorset on Wednesday afternoon.
  Wright, 53, pleaded not guilty in Be
  
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• Facing concerns over #election integrity both inside and outside the ballot box, how are Vermont officials keeping… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

  23-02-2018 16:55 via twitter.com
  Facing concerns over #election integrity both inside and outside the ballot box, how are Vermont officials keeping… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…
  
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• SCOV Law Blog: Exempt from Act 250?

  23-02-2018 16:50 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This piece from the SCOV Law Blog is by SCOV Law editor Andrew Delaney.
  In re North East Materials Group LLC, 2016 VT 87
  Sometimes it takes us a little while to get around to cases here at SCOV Law. This is a late-2016 decision, and for some reason it’s never been picked up by any of our writers. But it’s 2018 now, so we need to get 2016 wrapped up.RELATED STORIESSCOV Law Blog: A case of primary eligibilitySCOV Law Blog:A last minute pull-out from arbitrationSCOV
  
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• Mayor Weinberger responds to today’s announcements about gun reforms

  23-02-2018 16:36 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Office of Mayor Miro WeinbergerFebruary 22, 2018
  Contact:Katie VaneOffice of Mayor Miro Weinberger802-734-0617
  Burlington – Mayor Weinberger today released the following statement in response to Governor Scott and Democratic leaders’ announcements about gun reforms:
  “Today’s announcements represent a breakthrough after years of stalemate. This progress is a testament to the power of the many young Vermonters who made their voices heard loud and clear
  
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• Vermont Democratic Party calls on Governor Scott to support legislation addressing gun violence

  23-02-2018 16:32 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Democratic PartyFebruary 22, 2018
  Contact:Conor Casey, Executive DirectorVermont Democratic [email protected]
  Montpelier- Today, Attorney General TJ Donovan, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, Senate Pro Tem Tim Ashe, Speaker Mitzi Johnson and other elected leaders committed to supporting common sense laws addressing gun violence. The Vermont Democratic Party applauds them for doing so and will mobilize our members to help ensure these bi
  
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• FEMA hiring Vermont public assistance program delivery managers

  23-02-2018 16:28 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — FEMAFebruary 23, 2018
  Contact:Jadon [email protected]
  Manchester, NH — Calling all construction managers, building inspectors, and disaster recovery specialists. FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program is seeking well-qualified candidates in Burlington, Vermont, to fill Program Delivery Manager positions. These positions are considered as temporary local hires.
  Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]. Li
  
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• Vermont Conservation Voters names Lauren Hierl as Executive Director

  23-02-2018 16:22 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Conservation VotersFebruary 21, 2018
  Contact:Kinny Perot, Board ChairVermont Conservation [email protected]
  Montpelier – The Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Lauren Hierl has been named Executive Director. Hierl has served as the VCV Political Director since 2014. Prior to that, Hierl worked as Environmental Health Advocate at Vermont Public Interest Research Group, as an environmental advocate in Wash
  
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• ‘Art and the Truth-Tellers’ March 3 at Vermont Law School

  23-02-2018 16:17 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Law SchoolFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Maryellen Apelquist, Director of CommunicationsVermont Law [email protected]
  South Royalton – Activists and authors Bill McKibben of 350.org and Sherri Mitchell of the Land Peace Foundation will join artist Robert Shetterly for “Art and the Truth-Tellers” at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, March 3, in Chase Community Center at Vermont Law School. The program, designed to highlight the importance of a
  
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• International Women’s Day Burlington celebration will be held March 7

  23-02-2018 16:09 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Burlington City ArtsFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Louise [email protected]
  Burlington – March 8th is International Women’s Day, but in Burlington, we are celebrating on the eve of IWD on March 7.
  Wednesday, March 7, 20185:30–7:30 p.m.Burlington High SchoolBurlington, VermontFree and open to all
  We invite you to join us and the rest of the world in celebrating and honoring the women and girls of the planet. Let’s use this day to c
  
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• Vermont’s oldest sporting camp and family resort to begin 125th year under new ownership

  23-02-2018 16:04 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Quimby Country, Inc.February 20, 2018
  Contact:Dick [email protected] [email protected]
  Averill – Quimby Country, Inc. today announced that a Vermont couple has purchased a majority stake in the 125-year-old family resort and sporting camp in Averill, VT.
  Lilly and Gene Devlin of Cornwall, Vermont, will hold a 51% stake in the company that will operate Quimby Country and they will become General Managers for the 2018 season.
  
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• Green Mountain Power named #1 on list of Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Energy by Fast Company

  23-02-2018 15:43 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Green Mountain PowerFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Mary Wible VertinFast [email protected]
  Kristin CarlsonGreen Mountain [email protected]
  New York, NY – Fast Company today announced its annual Most Innovative Companies (MIC) for 2018, honoring leading enterprises and rising newcomers that exemplify the best in business and innovation. As part of their rankings, they release the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in 36
  
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• Leahy, Feinstein, Cruz introduce resolution urging China to respect Tibetan human rights and religious freedom

  23-02-2018 15:37 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Sen. Patrick LeahyFebruary 15, 2018
  Contact:David CarleOffice of Sen. Patrick Leahy202-224-3693
  Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Thursday introduced a resolution commemorating the 59th anniversary of Tibet’s 1959 uprising against Chinese rule – March 10, 2018 – as “Tibetan Rights Day.” The resolution also addresses one of the most important issues for the futur
  
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• Labor unions, city councilors, state legislators, and students support Miro for Mayor

  23-02-2018 15:29 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Miro for MayorFebruary 19, 2018
  Contact:Jordan Redell, Campaign [email protected]
  Burlington – Today labor unions, City Councilors, State Legislators, and students stood with Mayor Miro Weinberger on the front steps of City Hall to show the broad support for his campaign to keep Burlington Moving Forward.
  Three of the four unions that negotiate contracts with the City of Burlington – the Burlington Police Officers’ Association (BPOA
  
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• Vermont counts medals as Olympics close

  23-02-2018 14:00 via vtdigger.org
  Jessie Diggins, the cross-country gold medalist who trains with Stratton Mountain School’s T2 elite team, is pictured (left) in an NBC Olympics tweet captioned “What. A. Finish.”
  As the 2018 Olympics draw to a close, three athletes with ties to the Green Mountain State will return home with gold.
  Vermont-schooled Mikaela Shiffrin, who became the youngest ever to top the slalom podium in 2014 and arrived in South Korea favored to win multiple events, won gold in the giant slalom
  
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• UVM students shut down Main Street in Burlington

  23-02-2018 11:49 via vtdigger.org
  No Names for Justice protest in Burlington. Screenshot of Burlington Free Press videoStudents holding Black Lives Matter signs blocked traffic during rush hour on the main artery into Burlington Thursday evening.They stood on the crosswalk at the Davis Center, which is not far from the I-89 exits and serves as the primary roadway into the city. Traffic quickly backed up. Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
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• Prognosis unclear for proposed state health insurance mandate

  23-02-2018 10:54 via vtdigger.org
  Should Vermonters be legally required to buy health insurance?
  Officials are struggling with that question, and legislative testimony on Thursday showed there is no consensus on how or when to enact a state “individual mandate.”
  The discussion is driven by last year’s congressional approval of a tax overhaul that took the teeth out of the federal government’s individual mandate. While the law remains on the books, the financial penalty for those who don’t buy insura
  
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• House to pass campaign ad disclosure requirements on Facebook

  23-02-2018 10:39 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont House advanced a measure Thursday that would clarify disclosure requirements for candidates and others who pay for online political advertisements.Bill H.828 would require individuals, candidates, political parties and committees who pay to distribute political ads on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to identify themselves and the candidates they support in the advertisements. Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headli
  
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• Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic receives national recognition

  23-02-2018 04:23 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Howard CenterFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Martie Majoros(802) [email protected]
  Burlington, VT—Howard Center’s Chittenden Clinic was recently recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Specialty Practice. The NCQA recognition indicates that the Chittenden Clinic has undergone a rigorous review of their standards of care and recognizes their commitment to patient care throu
  
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• Vermont Medical Society urges lawmakers to add health care professional to Green Mountain Care Board

  23-02-2018 04:18 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Medical SocietyFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Jill Sudhoff-GuerinPolicy and Communications Manager at Vermont Medical [email protected]
  Montpelier – Along with twelve key Vermont health care organizations, the Vermont Medical Society sent the House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Committees a letter today urging them to pass legislation requiring a currently or recently-practicing health care professional get a seat on the Green Mo
  
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• Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore invites public to discuss key environmental issues

  23-02-2018 04:13 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Agency of Natural ResourcesFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Elle O’[email protected]
  Vermont’s iconic landscape, including its mountains, woods, water, and wildlife, are some of the many reasons people choose to call the Green Mountain State home. This spring, Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore invites the public to join her for a series of conversations about Vermont’s land and water.
  “I come to work every day ready to
  
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• Montpelier community and arts grant opportunity

  23-02-2018 04:06 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Montpelier AliveFebruary 21, 2018
  Media contact:Nate HausmanPhone: 802-779-3756, Email: [email protected]
  Montpelier Alive, the downtown community association for the City of Montpelier, invites applications from individuals and entities for a community and arts grants opportunity. These grants will be awarded and administered under the direction of the Montpelier Alive Board of Directors.
  Funding will be granted to individuals and/or entities for development and implem
  
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• Dartmouth-Hitchcock awarded $2.7 million grant to treat pregnant women who use opioids

  23-02-2018 04:02 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Dartmouth-HitchcockFeb. 21, 2018
  Contact:Rick Adams(603) [email protected]
  Statewide program to build services for at-risk mothers and babies
  LEBANON, NH – Dartmouth-Hitchcock (D-H) has been awarded a $2.7 million federal grant under the 21st Century Cures Act to provide support to obstetrical practices across New Hampshire in implementing effective screening and treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorders.
  In 2015, 7.8 percent of newborns to
  
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• VHCB awards $9.3 Million for housing construction and rehabilitation

  23-02-2018 03:59 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Vermont Housing & Conservation BoardFebruary 21, 2018
  Contact:Gus Seelig802 828 3251; [email protected]
  VHCB Awards $9.3 Million to Construct and Rehabilitate Housingin Brattleboro, South Burlington, Randolph, and Hartford, and toConserve Land in Orange and Chittenden Counties
  In January, the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board committed $9,359,800 for the construction and rehabilitation of 133 homes and for the conservation of 152 acres of land. The Board awarded $6,795
  
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• Renovation of historic building means quality living for Putney residents

  23-02-2018 03:54 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Windham & Windsor Housing TrustFebruary 20, 2018
  Contact:Lissa HarrisMarketing and Outreach Coordinator, [email protected]
  The historic Noyes House has been given a much needed renovation thanks to a collaboration between two non-profit organizations, Putney Cares Inc. (PCI) and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (WWHT). The home was originally occupied in 1846 by John Patrick Noyes, who went on to found the internationally known Oneida silverware compan
  
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• Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund pushes passage of H.869

  23-02-2018 03:47 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Planned Parenthood Vermont Action FundFeb. 21, 2018
  Contact:Lucy Leriche, Vice President of VT Public [email protected]
  Paige Feeser, VT Public Affairs [email protected]
  Last week, Planned Parenthood Federation of America in conjunction with state lawmakers, advocates, and fellow advocacy groups, unveiled a sweeping plan to push initiatives that expand access to reproductive health care in all 50 states.
  In Vermont, that push
  
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• Isabel Wilkerson to give Middlebury College commencement address

  23-02-2018 03:40 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Middlebury CollegeFebruary 21, 2018
  Contact:Sarah RayDirector of Media RelationsMiddlebury CollegeO: 802-443-5794M: 802-989-3403
  MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Isabel Wilkerson, author of the bestselling The Warmth of Other Suns and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, will deliver the 2018 Middlebury College Commencement address on Sunday, May 27.
  A National Humanities medalist, Wilkerson spent 15 years working on her book, interviewing more than 1,200 people to tell one of the gr
  
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• In wake of Russia indictment, confusion over knowledge in Sanders camp

  23-02-2018 01:56 via vtdigger.org
  Bernie Sanders endorses Hillary Clinton at a joint New Hampshire appearance July 12, 2016, as pictured on her Facebook page.
  In the wake of the indictment of 13 Russian nationals and three companies for alleged interference in the 2016 election, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., gave a muddled account of what his campaign knew of suspicious online activity.
  “We knew what we knew when we knew it, and that’s about all that I can say,” Sanders said in an interview with Vermont Public Ra
  
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• Vermont ski pioneer John Caldwell retains Olympic spirit

  23-02-2018 01:40 via vtdigger.org
  Vermonter John Caldwell is the father of U.S. cross-country skiing and grandfather of 2018 Olympians Patrick and Sophie Caldwell. Photo by Kevin O’Connor/VTDigger
  PUTNEY — John Caldwell is the Vermonter who literally wrote the book on cross-country skiing. His trailblazing 1964 how-to guide, simply titled “The Cross-Country Ski Book,” is what the Boston Globe calls “the bible of the sport.”
  Caldwell kept updating the text until the eighth edition 30 years ago.
  
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• Burlington School Board to investigate racial bias claim against one of its own

  23-02-2018 01:34 via vtdigger.org
  Burlington School Superintendent Yaw Obeng addresses reporters alongside members of the school board. Photo by Morgan True / VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — The Burlington School Board is moving forward with addressing charges leveled by city School Commissioner Mark Porter accusing a fellow member of racial bias.
  Following a lengthy executive session at a meeting on Tuesday evening, the board voted to launch an investigation into whether Superintendent Yaw Obeng’s civil rights had been violat
  
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• Jito Coleman: Governor’s phosphorus plan will never fly

  23-02-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jito Coleman, of Warren, who was chief engineer and president of Northern Power for 25 years and a renewable power consultant for 10 years after that. He was Act 250 District 5 chairman from 2012-17.
  The governor’s new phosphorus recovery concept appears to be the administration’s best effort to address the endemic problem facing Vermont’s waterways. As currently described, Gov. Phil Scott’s plan is to use “crowd sourcing&r
  
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• Peter Berger: No right is absolute

  23-02-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Peter Berger, an English teacher at Weathersfield School, who writes “Poor Elijah’s Almanack.” The column appears in several publications, including the Times Argus, the Rutland Herald and the Stowe Reporter.
  Five years ago in the wake of Sandy Hook, a plaintive headline begged, “Can we now talk about guns?” It was written in response to the perennial admonishment that the grief-stricken, furious aftermath of tragedy isn&rs
  
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• Haviland Smith: The NRA, gun ownership and mass shootings

  23-02-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Haviland Smith, of Williston, who is a retired CIA station chief who served in East and West Europe as well as the Middle East. He learned about guns and hunting in NRA programs in the l930s and ’40s. A lifelong hunter, he has been a life member of the NRA since 1968 and was a member of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board from 1989-1995. His other writings can be seen on rural-ruminations.com.
  The National Rifle Association’s basic poli
  
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• Rose Paul: The power of nature to clean waters

  23-02-2018 00:50 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rose Paul, who is director of Science and Freshwater Programs for The Nature Conservancy in Vermont. Vermont Clean Water Day is Feb. 22.
  In the outcry over bad water quality in Lake Carmi and the continuing drumbeat to improve water quality from the Connecticut River to Lake Champlain, there is one strategy often overlooked: smart investments in nature.
  Scientists know that wetlands and forests are naturally designed to filter sediment and pollutants su
  
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• UPDATED: Prison time struck from proposed ban on coyote hunting contests

  23-02-2018 00:00 via vtdigger.org
  A coyote in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Christopher Bruno/Wikimedia Commons
  A ban on Vermonters taking part in coyote hunting competitions cleared the House yesterday, but would-be offenders will no longer face potential prison time after the bill was amended ahead of the final vote.
  After lengthy debate on Wednesday in which a number of lawmakers said prison time was too harsh a penalty for the competitive killing of coyotes, an amendment removing that language was introduced and approved
  
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