McClaughry: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The $38 million in “assumed” savings put forth by the highly overpaid consultants last January was apparently based on no analysis at all. Next January, when another $122 million in savings must be found, be prepared to hear that much of the “assumed” Challenge for Change savings failed to materialize, and it was the other guy’s fault.
Douglas tells Congress states may not bounce back from recession until 2014
In just over a year, more than 10,000 jobs have been lost in Vermont and last year median family income fell nearly $2,000 from the year before.
Challenges 2: House votes on sweeping changes to state government
The Challenges legislation is very broad – so broad, observers say, that it’s difficult to know what real impact it will have on state agencies and programs.
Lash: Be proactive, not reactive with residential electrical licensing bill
Electricity is dangerous stuff, let alone when messed with by those who don’t know what they are doing.
Elmer: Douglas administration has lack of respect for legacy of Vermont’s land use stewardship
The strength of planning in Vermont is at the regional levels because it best supports volunteers who are working on land use issues at the local level.
Honoring those who have come before us
Douglas has proposed cuts to services — Meals-on-Wheels, transportation and home health nursing– that allow elders to remain in their homes.
Senate leadership announces push for shut down of Vermont Yankee in 2012
Senate President Peter Shumlin: “It was designed to run 40 years, and the 40 years is up.”
School boards get first brief on budget restrictions
Education finance and policy may be subjected to far-reaching changes—with or without input from school officials.
Steve Terry: Elections have consequences
Vermont’s future has been fundamentally altered by bold and unexpected decisions on the part of its most important political leaders.
