Vermont news

• Vermont Legislature Passes Sweeping Gun Restrictions

  31-03-2018 05:05
  Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, has vowed to sign the measure, representing a remarkable departure from the state’s existing gun laws, some of the weakest in the country.
  
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• Senators float new opioid tax to fund fight against addiction

  31-03-2018 04:16 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  A Senate committee is pushing for a new tax on prescription opioids, the proceeds of which could serve as a financial weapon in the state’s fight against substance abuse and addiction.
  The Senate Health and Welfare Committee introduced the idea Friday after discussing addiction-treatment funding needs. Though many details have yet to be worked out, lawmakers — including Senate President Pro Tem Tim Ashe — believ
  
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• Senate stalwart Flory to leave Montpelier after 20 years

  31-03-2018 03:55 via vtdigger.org
  Sen. Peg Flory, R-Rutland, the chair of the Senate Institutions Committee, speaks during a hearing. File photo by Erin Mansfield/VTDigger
  This will be the 20th and final legislative session in Montpelier for longtime Rutland County lawmaker Sen. Peg Flory.
  Flory, a Republican, has decided that she will not run for re-election this fall.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.Daily
  Sundays only (Weekly Wrap) Email me stories
  
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• Gun rights group plans magazine handout in protest of law

  31-03-2018 03:43 via vtdigger.org
  Chris Bradley, president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, in the blaze orange vest, testifies earlier this month before the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to proposed gun legislation, including expanded background checks as well as other proposed restrictions on gun ownership. To his right, sits Rep. Martin LaLonde, D-South Burlington. Photo by Alan J. Keays/VTDigger
  A leading Vermont gun rights group says it will hand out 1,200 unloaded 30-round gun magazines on th
  
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• Vermont Town Seeks a Heart, and Soul (Also Milk and Eggs)

  31-03-2018 03:37
  The general store in tiny Ripton is up for sale. But it isn’t available to just anyone.
  
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• UPDATED: Governor to sign historic gun bill after passage in Senate

  31-03-2018 03:27 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Senate debates an expansive set of gun restrictions. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  A landmark bill that would make a series of significant changes to the state’s gun laws has received final approval from Vermont’s General Assembly.
  Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, says he intends to sign that bill as well as two others that introduce new gun control measures.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.D
  
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• Governor to sign historic gun bill after passage in Senate

  31-03-2018 03:27 via vtdigger.org
  The Vermont Senate debates an expansive set of gun restrictions. Photo by Mike Dougherty/VTDigger
  A landmark bill that would make a series of significant changes to the state’s gun laws has received final approval from Vermont’s General Assembly.
  Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, says he intends to sign that bill as well as two others that introduce new gun control measures.Get all of VTDigger's political news.You'll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.D
  
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• A Pale Smoke

  31-03-2018 02:59
  Fifty years later, what does the Vietnam War mean? And how should we remember the men and women who served in it?
  
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• Green Mountain Care Board to discuss hospital budget enforcement in April

  31-03-2018 01:51 via vtdigger.org
  GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE BOARD MEETINGS IN APRIL
  Unless otherwise noted, all Green Mountain Care Board meetings are held in the Pavilion
  Auditorium at 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT
  Wednesday, April 4th: Board Meeting (10:00 am)
  ·GMCB Statutory Duties Discussion
  Wednesday, April 4th: Board Meeting (1:00 pm)
  ·2017 Hospital Budget Enforcement Discussion
  ·GMCB Priority Setting & Statutory Duties Discussion
  Wednesday, April 11th: Advisory Committee Meeting (10:00 am – 12:
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott’s public schedule for the week of April 2

  31-03-2018 01:43 via vtdigger.org
  Governor Phil Scott’s Public Schedule: 3/31/18 – 4/6/18
  Saturday, March 31
  No public events scheduled
  Sunday, April 1
  No public events scheduled
  Monday, April 2
  9:00 – 9:30 AM
  Vermont State Forum on Public Safety
  Barre Auditorium, 20 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT
  7:00 – 8:00 PMMayor Weinberger’s Swearing-in and State of the City Address
  City Hall, Burlington, VT
  Tuesday, April 3
  10:00 – 10:45 AM
  National Work Zone Memorial “Respect and Remembrance: Reflecti
  
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• Gov. Phil Scott’s public schedule for March 31-April 2, 2018

  31-03-2018 01:43 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Gov. Phil ScottMarch 30, 2018
  Ethan [email protected]
  Governor Phil Scott’s Public Schedule: 3/31/18 – 4/6/18
  Saturday, March 31
  No public events scheduled
  Sunday, April 1
  No public events scheduled
  Monday, April 2
  9:00 – 9:30 AM
  Vermont State Forum on Public Safety
  Barre Auditorium, 20 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT
  7:00 – 8:00 PMMayor Weinberger’s Swearing-in and State of the City Address
  City Hall, Burlington, VT
  Tuesday, April
  
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• RECOIL magazine to give away free rifle magazines to Vermont residents

  31-03-2018 01:40 via vtdigger.org
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  March 30, 2018 5:57 PM
  Montpelier, VT – In anticipation of a legislative ban on standard capacity rifle magazines, the editors of RECOIL magazine have worked with MAGPUL Industries to facilitate the delivery and distribution of 30-round PMAG rifle magazines free of charge to the citizens of Vermont in an overnight operation dubbed the “Green Mountain Airlift.”
  In order to support the law-abiding gun-owners of Vermont and blunt the assault on their Second A
  
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• Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public appearance schedule for the week of April 2

  31-03-2018 01:37 via vtdigger.org
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  March 30, 2018Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public appearance schedule for April 2 – 6, 2018:
  Monday, April 27:00 pmCity Council Meeting and State of the City Address – Contois Auditorium, City Hall (Mayor’s annual State of the City address will be delivered after the swearing in of the Mayor and newly elected and re-elected City Council members)
  Tuesday, April 312:00 pm National Service Recognition Day Lunch – Old North End Community Center, 20 Alle
  
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• Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public appearance schedule for April 2-6, 2018

  31-03-2018 01:37 via vtdigger.org
  News Release — Mayor Miro WeinbergerMarch 30, 2018
  Mayor Miro Weinberger’s public appearance schedule for April 2 – 6, 2018:
  Monday, April 27:00 pm City Council Meeting and State of the City Address – Contois Auditorium, City Hall (Mayor’s annual State of the City address will be delivered after the swearing in of the Mayor and newly elected and re-elected City Council members)
  Tuesday, April 312:00 pm National Service Recognition Day Lunch – Old North End Com
  
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• A Reminder of a Simpler Life, The Ripton Country Store

  31-03-2018 01:31
  A Vermont country store that’s the heart and soul of the community goes up for sale.
  
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• Scott wins final ruling in negotiations with state employees

  31-03-2018 01:27 via vtdigger.org
  VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard. Photo by Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDiggerThe state Labor Relations Board has decided in favor of Gov. Phil Scott’s administration in negotiations that began last summer over the coming two-year contract with state employees.After failing to strike a deal at the bargaining table, and again after brining in a mediator, and then again after bringing in a fact finder, the dispute over pay increases was taken to the labor board with both sides offering their last
  
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• Bill Dunkel: Parsing the Second Amendment

  31-03-2018 01:05 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bill Dunkel, of Windham, who is a retired teacher, coach and high school principal.
  It is well known that the Founding Fathers opposed “standing” (i.e. permanent, professional) armies. History had shown over and over that armies often became the tools of tyrants. Instead, the Founders preferred to rely upon the militia to defend the state against its enemies, domestic and foreign. To cite but one example among many, Alexander Hamilton wrote
  
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• Skyler Bailey: The ineffectiveness of S.55

  31-03-2018 01:00 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: This commentary is by Skyler Bailey, of Burlington, who works in medical administration.
  I want to applaud the kids who went to the marches, without qualification, for their concern for the public good and for their involvement in politics at such a young age. Learning the value of political participation is among the most essential lessons that Americans can learn, especially in a state like Vermont where we have the distinct ability to really get our hands on our governmen
  
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• Student voices on school safety

  31-03-2018 00:55 via vtdigger.org
  Editor’s note: These commentaries are by Middlebury Union Middle School students ninth-grader Chloe Clark and seventh-graders Arianna Graham-Gurland and Narges Anzali. All three were organizers of the student walkout at their school on March 14 and testified before the Legislature’s joint Education Committee last week. These essays are based on their testimony.Chloe Clark: ‘This is our lives we’re talking about’
  I am Chloe Clark, a 14-year-old who goes to Middlebury
  
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• Alana Stevens: Wildlife policymakers pander to sport hunters

  31-03-2018 00:50 via vtdigger.org
  This commentary is by Alana Stevenson, a professional animal behavior specialist who has an master’s degree in biology education and a bachelor’s degree in biology. She is the author of “Training Your Dog the Humane Way” and is certified in Low Stress Handling for dogs and cats.The population of moose has drastically declined in Vermont due to winter ticks, brainworm, lungworm, loss of habitat and hunting. Yet the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Fish and Wild
  
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