Monday, April 20, 2015
So has the Vermont Agency of Transportation. A two-year, $11 million construction project has thrown such a wrench in the traffic pattern that the agency — for the first time ever — has a tow truck standing by during rush hour. Just in case.
“It’s a challenge,” said Kevin Marshia, deputy chief engineer for the agency. "It's a pretty unique project."
The configuration can look like an accident waiting to happen. One did occur early Friday afternoon. A northbound driver who was fiddling with his oxygen tank and driving faster than the speed limit flipped his car into the median, according to state police. Nobody was hurt. State police said the driver is likely to be ticketed.
Tags: Vermont Agency of Transportation , Interstate 89 , Waterbury , roadwork , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 16, 2015
“We’re keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals and out of the hands of the dangerously mentally ill,” said Rep. Willem Jewett (D-Ripton), vice chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
The vote represents a historic move for Vermont lawmakers who have long been loathe to consider any legislation that restricts gun ownership in the hunter-friendly state.
The bill, S.141, would make it a misdemeanor under state law for those convicted of certain violent felonies to possess a gun. That’s already illegal under federal law, but state prosecutors have been unable to file the charge. The bill also requires state courts to report to a federal database the names of mentally ill people deemed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Tags: gun control , Gun Sense Vermont , Ann Braden , Vermont legislature , Image , Web Only
Eighteen months after its launch, Vermont Health Connect continues to suffer from serious technological, operational and security problems, according to a new report released Thursday by state Auditor Doug Hoffer.
In a long-awaited look at the federally mandated health insurance exchange, Hoffer sounded a pessimistic note about the state's progress complying with recommendations made by its own consultants.
"While the State has taken steps to correct problems, gaps in VHC’s functionality have been patched by manual and time-consuming processes that have caused hardship for Vermonters," he wrote in an introductory letter.
Much hinges upon whether Gov. Peter Shumlin's administration can meet two fast-approaching, self-imposed deadlines, Hoffer wrote. Last month, the governor promised the system would be able to automatically process changes to account information by May and smoothly reenroll users by October. If the administration fails to meet either target, Shumlin said at the time, he would replace the state-based system with the federal exchange or a state-federal hybrid.
"Although the State has developed a high-level plan to correct IT shortcomings in 2015, significant obstacles and challenges remain to the successful implementation of the plan," Hoffer wrote. "The schedule for the [May] release is aggressive and the State does not yet have a defined scope of work or a contract with Optum, its current vendor, for a second major release in the fall."
Tags: Vermont Health Connect , Doug Hoffer , Peter Shumlin , Image , Web Only
Blasphemous, right? Especially here and now, as Vermont breweries have craft-beer fans from around the world drooling at their doors.
That's the point, said Pearson, a Burlington Progressive. "This is not something either of us support. It would be ridiculous," he said. It's just as ridiculous, he argued, to prohibit the sale and use of marijuana, a substance he argues is safer by many measures.
Tags: Cannabeat , Chris Pearson , Jean O'Sullivan , marijuana legalization , Vermont legislature , Image , Web Only
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
By a 23-5 vote, the Senate voiced its agreement.
But what will the resolution do? Everything and nothing seemed to be the answer.
“What is the net effect of passing this and the purpose for passing this?” Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland) asked Campion during the debate.
“I see this as an important step reaffirming the basis for policy. It will also send a really important, clear message to the really young people in Vermont,” Campion responded.
Tags: climate change , Vermont Senate , Brian Campion , Peg Flory , VPIRG , Image , Web Only
Among those surprised: Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell (D-Windsor), who said there's no agreement the bill will pass this session. “That was the first I heard the governor saying that,” Campbell said.
Shumlin offered his backing Tuesday, saying that the legislation under consideration now would be easier on employers than previous versions. “I believe that H.187 is well on its way toward addressing the needs of employers with those of their employees, providing this important benefit to Vermonters in a measured, thoughtful way,” the governor said.
Shumlin’s newly pledged support may give the bill momentum, but the notion that it will become law this year appears far-fetched. The bill has yet to pass either chamber, with only about a month remaining in the legislative session. It could theoretically reach the finish line this year if the House and Senate reached an agreement, as they did last year with a late-session bill to raise the minimum wage. But that doesn't seem likely with paid sick leave.
Tags: Paid sick leave , Helen Head , Peter Shumlin , Image , Web Only
Monday, April 13, 2015
The Democratic AG approached Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham) last Tuesday in the Statehouse cafeteria and urged her to update regulations governing public financing of state elections. Sorrell specifically requested greater flexibility in assessing penalties against those charged with running afoul of the statute.
"He said, 'Look, we're following the law exactly as it's written. You might want to think about changing the law, because [we're] getting a lot of flack,'" says White, who chairs the Senate Committee on Government Operations.
White says her committee expects to take testimony on the idea Tuesday, though she's hesitant to intervene in a matter currently being litigated.
Tags: Bill Sorrell , Dean Corren , Jeanette White , Peter Shumlin , Phil Scott , campaign finance , public financing , Image , Web Only
Friday, April 10, 2015
That was a sign of progress in the governor's search for $10.8 million in personnel savings to balance next year's budget. But as for the other $8.8 million?
The administration made a new push Thursday, asking the state employees’ union to agree to furloughs, wage freezes and other changes.
Keep looking elsewhere, said Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees' Association. “We’ve been very, very clear. We’re not opening the contract," he said. "I don’t know how many more times we can say it. The support is just not there.”
Tags: Vermont Stat Employees Association , Peter Shumlin , budget cuts , Image , Web Only
Thursday, April 9, 2015
The day before, a key amendment to make that happen fell short by just one vote on the House floor. Instead, it was replaced by a study — the traditional legislative tactic to kill a bill.
“I did toss and turn all night thinking about the one vote,” Wright said.
With the bill up for final passage Thursday, the Burlingtonian thought he might manage to reverse the result. Two Republican supporters had been sick Wednesday, and a third, Rep. Tom Terenzini (R-Rutland), who'd voted against the amendment, had changed his mind. Yet another, Rep. Patti Komline (R-Dorset), had strategically switched her vote from yes to no Wednesday, so that she could make a motion to reconsider the amendment the next day.
But Wright's hope proved short-lived.
Tags: teacher strikes , South Burlington , Image , Web Only
The Democratic state rep from Westminster West wears Birkenstocks to the Vermont Statehouse. His day job, as a river steward for the Connecticut River Watershed Council, presumably involves a lot of canoeing and fishing. Heck, the guy even chairs the House Committee on Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources.
But the dude does not listen to Phish.
"Nope, I never have," he said. "I know they've been around. You hear about their concerts and other stuff, so I know what they are. But no, I'm not a fan, particularly."
So when the band's drummer, Jon Fishman, asked to testify before Deen's committee this week, he recalled, "I had no idea who he was."
Nor, it seemed, did the panel's other bearded bros, who looked nonplussed Wednesday morning when the 50-year-old Charlotte resident rose to speak in a first-floor Statehouse hearing room.
Fishman, who typically wears a doughnut-patterned muumuu on-stage, apologized for his appearance.
"I didn't know I was speaking next," he said as he pulled off a black hoodie, revealing a slightly more formal green sweater. "This is as well-dressed as I can be."
Tags: Phish , Jon Fishman , ivory trade , elephants , Image , Web Only