School districts would face spending caps under bill by Vermont Senate’s leader
S.220, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden Central, would put a cap on school district spending in fiscal years 2028 and 2029, based on districts’ spending in the prior year.
Rep. Casey Toof, Vermont House’s No. 2 Republican, to resign
The St. Albans Town representative has a new job, and a larger family, which he said contributed to his decision to step down.
Final Reading: House tax chair weighs potential revenue losses due to Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
“Our wealth divide has done nothing but grown,” said Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, who expressed particular concern at some corporate taxes loosening.
Citing damning report of police actions, attorney calls for release of suspect in crash that killed Rutland officer
“(I)t is now beyond dispute that the initiation and conduct of the pursuit leading to the fatal crash was unlawful and conducted in violation of applicable statutes, rules, and policies,” the attorney’s filing stated.
Final Reading: Has Burlington’s special accountability court worked?
State leaders told lawmakers some version of the model might help in the rest of the state, but Chittenden County’s uniqueness as an urban hub made it well-suited for the pilot.
Editors’ Picks
Our best stories, investigations, podcasts and more, as recommended to you by VTDigger editors.
Jewish group files ethics complaints against Vermont legislators who took paid trip to Israel
“As elected representatives of Vermont, they implicated our state in Israel’s atrocities,” one advocate said at a Statehouse press conference Tuesday.
Ethics complaints against senators with private school ties dismissed by Senate panel
The Senate Ethics Panel “did not find probable cause an ethical violation occurred” while Sens. Seth Bongartz and Scott Beck were negotiating education reform legislation last session.
Your starter kit for the 2026 Vermont legislative session
We’ve put everything you need to engage with statehouse lawmaking in one story, with links.
Final Reading: Here’s your indispensable tool for surviving the 2026 legislative session
What to expect this year from VTDigger’s daily insider guide to the statehouse.
Vermont Health officials reaffirm existing childhood vaccine schedule in light of federal changes
Many still fear future restrictions on access and are working with the Legislature to safeguard Vermont’s ability to buy and administer the vaccines to those who want and need them.
Lawmakers try to keep education reform on track as Gov. Phil Scott calls the issue Vermont’s ‘most critical challenge’
Legislators, without an agreed upon proposal to consolidate school districts, are working to find a new starting point. Lawmakers are also mulling how to hold education costs steady.
Vermont Conversation: ‘An act of war’ — Sen. Peter Welch on Trump’s Venezuela and Capitol insurrection
“What you’re seeing is that the president is completely acting beyond the authority of an executive. In my view, Congress has to stand up and resist that.”
‘We just need to do it’: In address to lawmakers, Gov. Phil Scott stays bullish on education reform plans
The Republican governor also threatened to veto key legislation this year if Democratic leaders don’t advance the framework laid out in last year’s Act 73.
Opinion
Commentaries and letters to the editor written by community members and regular contributors.
Stevie Paquette: When ethics are questioned, Vermonters deserve answers — not sponsored narratives
Palestinians have the right to exist, return, thrive and live with full human dignity.
Benjamin Brickner: Vermont’s cost crises are connected. Our solutions should be, too.
Vermont confronts each cost crisis separately, even as they amplify one another and squeeze budgets year after year. What Vermont needs now is a change in mindset.
Michael Long: Streamlining housing permits shouldn’t sideline the public
Leveraging a “housing crisis” to scrap environmental protection or other community values makes no sense at all.
Jerry Ward and John Bossange: Hijacking the abundance myth
Growth will inevitably continue in Vermont, but is growth something we want to promote or try to manage?
Final Reading: First day of the Vermont Legislature brings back-to-school feel. Just ask the kids.
While lawmakers gear up to chart the future of public schools, some school-aged kids trade the classroom for the chambers to watch the start of the session.
Clear theme emerges on opening day of Vermont’s Legislature: Tough choices ahead
The specter of rising property taxes, potentially declining tax revenue and unfinished work on education reform loomed over the first day of the session.
Obituaries
Death notices and celebrations of life.
VTDigger’s staff photographer looks back on his 15 favorite images of 2025
“I don’t remember why I had to take this photo on my phone, but it proves the maxim that the best camera is the one you have,” said staff photographer Glenn Russell.
