McClaughry: Our nanny in chief targets obesity
The report says that from 1999 to 2007 the adult obesity rate doubled – but it doesn’t say from what to what. A referenced Health Department data sheet says adult obesity rose from 20 percent in 2003 to 22 percent in 2007. If that’s skyrocketing, so is Vermont’s economy.
Racine will serve as secretary of human services
Doug Racine will be the Agency of Human Service’s next Secretary, Patrick Flood will continue in his role as Deputy Secretary and David Yacavone will serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families.
Sanders: Senate struck the right balance on FDA bill
Sanders supported a provision written by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) under which food producers who sell more than half of their goods directly to consumers and have less than $500,000 in annual sales would not be subject to the new requirements designed for industrial-scale food producers.
VTDigger.org merges with Vermont Journalism Trust
Vermont Journalism Trust will be the umbrella organization for VTDigger.org. The web site will continue to operate under the VTDigger.org moniker.
AllEarth Renewables hires Welch’s senior aide, Andrew Savage
Savage is currently Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) in Washington, DC. He previously directed communications and served as spokesperson for Welch, directed communications for President Barack Obama’s successful presidential primary campaign in Utah, and earlier served as Aide to the Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore for Welch. Savage, 29 and a native of Calais, Vt., is a graduate of Middlebury College. He will begin with AllEarth in January.
Vermont Agency of Ag assesses $16,000 in penalties to Price Chopper
The agency assessed the Price Chopper store in Derby a penalty of $3,750 and the Price Chopper store in Saint Johnsbury a penalty of $13,000. These penalties were assessed for overcharging consumers for items purchased in these stores.
On video: Shumlin taps Searles and Minter for transportation
Shumlin has selected Searles, the director of aviation at the Burlington International Airport to head the Agency of Transportation. Minter will serve as deputy secretary.
e-Vermont holds Citizens in Connected Age workshop
The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project is sponsoring a technology workshop on December 11, 2010, entitled, Citizens in a Connected Age. Located at Castleton State College in Castleton, Vermont, the full-day workshop will offer a variety of courses on topics such as Advanced Social Media, Troubleshooting Technology, Digital Storytelling and No Money Marketing.
Budgetwise: Finance duo lends expertise to transition team
Trautz: “The program needs are in large part a product of history. The budget didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, there’s a history and reason for expenditures over time.”
Scott to attend national lieutenant governor’s conference
Lt. Governor-Elect Phil Scott will travel to Omaha, Nebraska this week to meet with nearly half of the nation’s state ‘seconds-in-command.’ Twenty-four lieutenant governors are scheduled to attend the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) Executive Committee and New Member Meeting, December 1-3.
