Vermont news

• As the state budget progresses to the House floor, fiscal debate between Scott and lawmakers comes to a head

  26-03-2024 23:58 via vtdigger.org
  
  Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, speaks during a committee meeting at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  With the annual state budget expected to hit the House floor later this week, tensions are running high in the Statehouse as the philosophical differences between Vermont’s legislative and executive branches appear increasingly prominent.A key legislative panel, the House Appropriations Committee, on Mond
  
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• Lawmakers will consider a new education funding formula. One already has a plan. 

  26-03-2024 22:50 via vtdigger.org
  
  Rep. Scott Beck, R-St. Johnsbury, explains his education funding formula idea on Tuesday. By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger.
  Rep. Scott Beck, R-St. Johnsbury, explains his education funding formula idea on Tuesday. By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger.
  Rep. Scott Beck, R-St. Johnsbury, explains his education funding formula idea on Tuesday. By Ethan Weinstein/VTDigger.
  When Vermont lawmakers last tinkered with education funding earlier this session, the president of the Senate called for “groundbreaking
  
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• Doulas push to make their services more widely available

  26-03-2024 22:34 via vtdigger.org
  
  Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, D-Chittenden Central, seen at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Jan. 04, 2023. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  When Maria Rossi started working with at-risk teens in Washington County almost two decades ago, she quickly spotted inequities that low-income pregnant people face in accessing prenatal and postpartum care.As a caseworker at Washington County Mental Health Services, she had pregnant clients, many of whom were covered by Medicaid, the joint federal and
  
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• Burlington City Council passes major zoning overhaul, paving way for more housing

  26-03-2024 20:31 via vtdigger.org
  
  Burlington and Mt. Mansfield seen from Lake Champlain on Aug. 27, 2019. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  Burlington and Mt. Mansfield seen from Lake Champlain on Aug. 27, 2019. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  Burlington and Mt. Mansfield seen from Lake Champlain on Aug. 27, 2019. File photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  BURLINGTON — At a marathon meeting Monday night, the Burlington City Council unanimously approved a sweeping rezoning plan meant to encourage denser housing developme
  
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• Alison Despathy: Homeschool civics at the Statehouse

  26-03-2024 13:47 via vtdigger.org
  
  This commentary is by Alison Despathy of Danville.Recently my homeschool civics class spent the day at the Statehouse. We prepped well. In class, we talked about political parties, the supermajority, constitutional republic versus democracy, inalienable rights, the Declaration of Independence, limited government, propaganda, the importance of bravery and integrity, and the significance of debate and asking questions. My students love debating and I made sure to squash the yelling and name-calli
  
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• Darla Senecal: Our communities are stronger when they can count on paid leave

  26-03-2024 13:01 via vtdigger.org
  
  This commentary is by Darla Senecal of Bristol. She works from home for the Building Bright Futures nonprofit, and just completed two two-year terms as a selectboard member in Bristol. She is also a board member for a local child care center and the Early Care and Learning Partnership, and is a mother of three and grandmother of three. Vermont caregivers need paid leave.In 2020, my fiance contracted long Covid. Since then, I’ve been his primary caregiver and our household’s sol
  
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• Commissioner Mark Levine and Interim Secretary Heather Bouchey: A statement on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth

  26-03-2024 12:01 via vtdigger.org
  
  Dear Editor,Last week, news media reported that transgender teenager Nex Benedict’s tragic and senseless death in Oklahoma was deemed a suicide. As details continue to emerge, one thing remains clear: the bullying and hate that led to Nex’s death is a call for all of us to stop physical and emotional violence against LGBTQIA+ youth, and to educate children and adults that all people are to be valued.Every young person deserves to feel safe and supported, especially at school. They al
  
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• Narain Batra: Nehru, Tagore and Frost

  26-03-2024 11:01 via vtdigger.org
  
  This commentary is by Narain Batra of Hartford. He is the author of several books including the most recent, “India In A New Key: Nehru To Modi.” He is working on a new book, “There’s Nothing Like The Indian Democracy.”Last June in a White House meeting, President Joe Biden gave India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi an extraordinary gift: an autographed first-edition copy of “Collected Poems of Robert Frost.” Frost is one of America’s gre
  
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• Community members protest Milton school board’s vote to take down Black Lives Matter flag

  26-03-2024 11:01 via vtdigger.org
  
  A group of people wave Black Lives Matter flags outside Milton High School on March 20. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  A group of people wave Black Lives Matter flags outside Milton High School on March 20. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerA group of people wave Black Lives Matter flags outside Milton High School on March 20. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger
  On a brisk Wednesday morning, a group of bundled-up residents waved a wide array of Black Lives Matter flags by the road leading to Milton H
  
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• John Lang

  26-03-2024 03:00 via vtdigger.org
  
  Born Sept. 21, 1935Essex, VermontDied March 14, 2024
  Lake Wales, FloridaDetails of servicesA celebration of John’s life will be held on April 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Garden Barn at Lang Farm, 45 Upper Main Street, Essex, Vermont.John Henry Lang, 88, of Essex, Vermont passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 14, 2024 at Vitas Hospice in Lake Wales, Florida surrounded by love and lilting Irish melodies.John was born September 21, 1935 on the family farm in Essex, Vermont. He was the fifth
  
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• VTDigger Spring Drive launches with goal to send 3,000 children’s books

  26-03-2024 02:00 via vtdigger.org
  
  I remember with such fondness the first book that had an impression on me, it was Richard Scarry’s “Best Word Book Ever” and as a toddler, I loved, to the point of memorization and perhaps the annoyance of my parents, the two-page spread on birds. A few years later, my obsession turned to “Charlotte’s Web,” and then to the “Choose Your Own Adventure” series. There are still moments, four decades later, where those early pages show up in my li
  
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• Ex-Addison County sheriff’s sexual assault trial faces new delay as he can’t pay lawyer

  26-03-2024 00:45 via vtdigger.org
  
  Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton speaks at a press conference at the department’s headquarters in Middlebury on Aug. 4, 2021. File photo by Alan Keays/VTDigger
  Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton speaks at a press conference at the department’s headquarters in Middlebury on Aug. 4, 2021. File photo by Alan Keays/VTDigger
  Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton speaks at a press conference at the department’s headquarters in Middlebury on Aug. 4, 2021. File photo by Alan Keays/V
  
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