Making a living from the land is something Vermonters value even if they’re not doing it themselves. But mill closings, globalization of the forest products industry and a decline in the number of dairy farms have raised concerns about keeping land productive. Last session lawmakers passed the Working Lands Enterprise Investment Bill intended to help [...]
VPR News Blog
From Vermont Public Radio
November
21 2012
The Canadians Are Coming!
Canadians are traveling to the U.S. in record numbers and as a border state, Vermont is one of the top beneficiaries – although perhaps not as much as you might think. It turns out that like Americans, Canadians like to flock to Florida for the sunshine or head to Las Vegas for what stays in [...]
November
7 2012
Vermont Democrats Respond To Close State Treasurer Race Results
The Associated Press has called the Vermont Treasurer’s race for incumbent Democrat Beth Pearce. Pearce defeated her challenger Republican Wendy Wilton of Rutland. In a statement, Vermont Democratic Party Chair Jake Perkinson commented on the results of the race: “We are incredibly proud that Vermonters voted to elect Beth Pearce for another term as State [...]
November
6 2012
Gracious In Defeat, Brock Concedes Race To Shumlin
Republican state senator Randy Brock has formally conceded the gubernatorial race to Incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin. In his concession speech at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Montpelier, Brock said that he’ll remain involved in public policy and that Shumlin will have his support. Throughout the campaign, Brock tried to make the case that Shumlin’s [...]
November
6 2012
UPDATE: Castleton Split On Town Hall Vote
Voters in Castleton are divided on whether to build a new town office or restore the old one. That means the plan will go back to the Castleton Select Board. Voters narrowly approved a $750,000 bond, 871 to 801. But they voted down the second bond, 810 to 844, which allocated an additional $210,000 for [...]
November
6 2012
Partial Tally Shows Burlington Supports Legalization of Pot
Early results in Burlington show voters in Vermont’s largest city approve the legalization of cannabis products. Burlington voters were asked Tuesday if it’s time to legalize pot. The non-binding question on the ballot asks city residents whether marijuana and hemp should be legalized, regulated and taxed. Joel Banner Baird of the Burlington Free Press writes [...]
November
6 2012
Waterbury Record Says Voters Refuse To Abolish Police Department
Waterbury Village has overwhelmingly voted against a plan that would abolish the village’s police department. The Waterbury Record reports: Waterbury residents voted 536-254 Tuesday to defeat a proposal to abolish the village police department. Village trustees asked for the vote to gauge support for the police force, now financed entirely by the village, which accounts [...]
November
6 2012
UPDATE: Rutland Water Bond Fails
In Rutland voters said no to a $5.5 million activated carbon water filtration system to help the city meet EPA drinking water standards. City residents were closely divided on the issue because the less costly alternative meant adding chloramine to their water which some worry poses health risks. Rutland Mayor Chris Louras says the good [...]
November
6 2012
UPDATE: Weinberger Says Burlington Voters Support Fiscal Bond
UPDATE: Burlington Miro Weinberger says unofficial election results show 72 percent of voters support a $9 million fiscal stability bond. Weinberger proposed the ballot item to essentially refinance the city’s debt. The bond needs a two-thirds majority to pass. The new mayor witnessed some opposition from the conservative super PAC Vermonters First, which said the [...]
November
6 2012
Bennington Clerk Says Shumlin Has 3-1 Margin Over Brock
The Bennington Banner reports Bennington’s town clerk says Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin is enjoying a 3-1 margin over Republican state Sen. Randy Brock. Shumlin has won a second term, easily defeating Brock.
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Kirk Carapezza, Vermont Legislature
Kirk blogs from the statehouse as part of VPR's news team in the capital. Follow Kirk on Twitter @kirkcarapezza and on VPR.net.
Vermont Legislature
Steve Zind, The Vermont Economy
Senior Reporter Steve Zind reports on the impact of jobs and the economy on Vermont. Follow Steve on Twitter and his reporting on The Vermont Economy at VPR.net.
The Vermont Economy
Amy Noyes, Public Post
Amy Kolb Noyes is VPR's Public Post reporter, using Vermont city and town government documents to source and research news stories and trends. Follow Amy on Twitter and at Public Post.