Haslam: It’s time to put people first!
The state budget is a moral document, indicating what our values and priorities are. The People’s Budget Campaign is about putting Putting People First. It calls for a transparent, participatory and accountable budgeting process that prioritizes resources to meet the needs of our communities and is based on human rights principles, including actions to protect our right to a healthy environment and a livable planet.
McClaughry: Unicorn power for Vermont!
The Lyons bill doubles the standard offer to 100 Mw, and levies a 3 cents/kwhr penalty tax on utilities that fail to meet the fiendishly complex requirements of the new Renewable Portfolio Standard (their ratepayers will pay it, of course). The tax proceeds will go directly into the Clean Energy Development Fund, now almost out of money since the Vermont Yankee cash cow will stop making forced contributions in March.
Schubart: Vermont must invest in working farms and forests
Vermont’s working landscape could well be lost within a generation without a plan for investment and stewardship.
Halkias: Tropical Storm Irene MIA on AP top story list
Creary’s roundup covered everything from the Greek economy to the Arab Spring and the Penn State sex scandal, with Osama bin Laden’s death winning top honors. Noticeably absent was the story of Irene.
Sanders: Where do we go from here?
The American people want action. They want their government to start representing the 99 percent, not just the top 1 percent.
Dunsmore: North Korea and President Newt — an explosive combination
Newt Gingrich, the other current leading candidate most likely to win the Republican presidential nomination, has a lengthy record of bellicose statements about North Korea.
Stannard: The Samaritans of River Road
“Need a hand?” he asked as he started looking around my trunk. My first impression was that he was a little too friendly. Was that a whiff of alcohol that I smelled emanating from this guy?
Halkias: A parent’s love is beyond measure
Parents are human too. They get tired. They get frustrated. They feel guilty when both of those things happen. It’s hard enough to raise children. But when dealing with special needs, you have to condition yourself to regular gut-checks or eventually go insane.
Keelan: A little boy’s Christmas wish
Taken aback by the little boy’s question, Santa asked the boy if there was there anything else he might want? Courageously, the youngster replied, “Can you make this happen, Santa?”
Kirker: State energy plan bad for economy
Besides producing nearly zero carbon emissions, Vermont Yankee is the single biggest instate generator of electricity, provides about 1,000 good jobs, millions in state and local taxes, and keeps our power bills as low as possible. That’s why it is so unfortunate to see so many people in Montpelier trying to shut down the plant, even while poll numbers show Vermonters elsewhere want it to stay open.
