Donovan and Peltz co-sponsored a bold bill at the end of last session that would do away with supervisory unions and consolidate the governance structures of the all of the state’s school districts into 30 new districts.
Author: Alicia Freese
Alicia Freese began her journalism career as a reporter with VTDigger. She later spent five years covering local and state politics as a staff writer for the Seven Days newspaper. Her work has won awards from the New England Newspaper & Press Association, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the Vermont Press Association.
Legislative preview: Paid sick leave, child care workers' union to be top labor issues
One proposed bill would grant seven days of paid leave each year for full-time workers.
2013 Politics Recap: Plenty of sparks fly in off-election year, thanks to health care reform and party infighting
Gov. Peter Shumlin was hit by a triple whammy this year -- the disastrous health care exchange launch, a soured land deal with a neighbor and the dismissal of several key policies by his fellow Democrats in the Legislature. Meanwhile, the GOP engaged in its own internecine battle over ideology.
2013 Health Care Recap: Exchange turmoil overshadows single payer plans
Over the course of the year, setbacks beset the rollout of the state exchange; the Shumlin administration and a business and health care group released dueling cost estimates for single payer; a health insurance cooperative unravelled and key players in the health care reform effort shuffled from government to consulting gigs and back again.
State offers 'flexibility' to those who missed Monday's health insurance deadline
Department of Vermont Health Access Commissioner Mark Larson said employees will work through the holiday week to process applications and invoices. But the call center will close at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Report: Brock major player in Vermont Health Connect records requests
Republicans have quietly been reaping fodder about the troubled rollout of Vermont Health Connect, while less quietly critiquing the Shumlin administration’s handle on the situation. Peter Hirschfeld of the Vermont Press Bureau reported Sunday that the 2012 Republican gubernatorial candidate and former state auditor, Randy Brock, filed roughly two-thirds of the 35 health care-related public […]
Vermont Foodbank aims to raise $1 million before year's end
The Foodbank has an operating budget of $6.5 million, and it depends on individuals and foundations to contribute roughly 70 percent of that.
Senate Democrats set legislative priorities
Senators see a lot to do in 2014 session beyond solving budget deficit, examining Vermont Health Connect and improving mental health system.
Open or closed, caucuses agree on curbing spending
House GOP leader promises to make party meetings more open, cites some room for cooperation with Democrats
Underhill drug rehab center trims staff, medical services
Maple Leaf Farm, a 41-bed treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction in Underhill, is laying off eight staff and shuttering its primary care unit to deal with a budget shortfall.
