On Video: Smith talks about his leadership style, the session’s achievements
Speaker Shap Smith talks about the achievements of the legislative session — the passage of a groundbreaking health care reform law bill and resolution of the state’s $176 million budget gap without raising income or property taxes.
Inside the Golden Bubble: An anti-climactic end?
It was another day of hurry up and wait day at the Statehouse on Tuesday. Key lawmakers scurried from committee room to another and to the ceremonial governor’s office as part of the behind the scenes dealmaking.
The big three jockey under the boards
Early Tuesday afternoon, folks privy to the high-level tax talks under way reported that the green-eyeshade statistical mavens had figured out that the various sides were “about two cents apart.”
House, Senate set for final countdown
Legislative leaders seem confident they can avoid undue rancor, and Speaker Smith says he still plans to end the session a week from Saturday.
After late night histrionics, Senate OKs 53 cent cig hike
The headline today is: Senate approves tax bill, hits smokers with an additional 53 cent tax per pack. How they got there? That’s another story.
Senate kerfuffle leads to impasse on tax bill
Senate discipline broke down last night. Instead of voting out a final version of the miscellaneous tax bill out and reading through the health care bill as planned, members engaged in a floor fight and went home early.
RNC chair’s visit to Vermont GOP fundraiser draws ire of unions, Dems
More than 100 Vermonters marched through downtown Burlington Wednesday night to protest the appearance of Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
VDP shakes things up, executive director leaves
Change is in the air at the Vermont Democratic Party, as members figure out the party’s relationship to its new unofficial chief – Gov. Peter Shumlin.
As a prosecutor, Flynn, the new public safety commissioner, took a hard line on truancy
A hard line on truancy may have opened the door for Orleans County prosecutor Keith Flynn to become the state’s top cop. Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin appointed Mr. Flynn last month as his commissioner of public safety.
Digger Tidbits: Dentists blindsided by tax; Seniors see budget cuts; Battle of the Wilderness is over; Photo-op goes to the dogs
In all, seniors would be out $5 million worth of services. “All the fears we have had about statements of protecting the most vulnerable citizens turning into platitudes, are now being realized.”
