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Author: Lola Duffort

Lola Duffort is a political reporter for VTDigger, covering Vermont state government, the congressional delegation and elections. She previously covered education for Digger, the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire and the Rutland Herald. She has also freelanced for the Miami Herald in Florida, where she grew up. She is a graduate of McGill University in Canada.
 

House committee advances spending bill extending emergency housing through June

By Lola Duffort

Jan 30 2023January 30, 2023

The powerful budget-writing House Appropriations Committee has endorsed a $21 million plan that would give the 2,800 Vermonters living in motels a three-month reprieve from being kicked out at the end of March.


Gov. Phil Scott keeps new budget ‘lean’ despite historic revenues, bracing for tough times ahead

By Sarah Mearhoff and Lola Duffort

Jan 20 2023January 23, 2023

Scott and his administration acknowledged that Vermont has seen record revenues, “supercharged” in large part by an influx of federal cash to the state.


Child care overhaul would cost between $179 million and $279 million, new report estimates

By Lola Duffort

Jan 17 2023January 19, 2023

Consultants were given a two-fold mandate: Figure out how much it would cost to ensure that families receiving state help pay no more than 10% of their income toward child care — even as wages are raised to bring child care workers’ salaries in line with their peers in public education.


To tackle the housing crisis, Vermont lawmakers consider ending single-family zoning

By Lola Duffort

Jan 17 2023January 17, 2023

A growing coalition of lawmakers, planners, developers and housing experts argues the state will have to significantly pare back its local regulatory landscape if it hopes to meet its housing construction goals.


Shawn Nailor named secretary of Agency of Digital Services

By Lola Duffort

Jan 13 2023January 13, 2023

Nailor has held the post on an interim basis since September when his predecessor, John Quinn, departed for a private sector job. Denise Reilly-Hughes has been named deputy secretary.


Democratic bill would guarantee 12 weeks paid family and medical leave to all Vermont workers

By Lola Duffort

Jan 12 2023January 11, 2023

The proposal goes further than the voluntary program announced by Gov. Phil Scott last month. The governor has signaled that he would oppose any effort to fund a more expansive program through a payroll tax.


Final Reading: Waiting for the price tag on child care reform

By Lola Duffort, Sarah Mearhoff and Riley Robinson

Jan 11 2023January 11, 2023

Gov. Phil Scott has long called for additional investments in child care, but never on the scale that advocates have said will be necessary to make a real dent in the problem.


Sam Bankman-Fried and allies gave tens of thousands more to Becca Balint, Vermont Democratic Party than previously reported

By Lola Duffort and Sarah Mearhoff

Dec 19 2022December 19, 2022

Several affiliates of the now disgraced cryptocurrency mogul donated the maximum allowable sum to Democratic state Sen. Becca Balint’s successful congressional campaign, while Bankman-Fried and his brother gave directly to the state party.


Incoming attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer name their second-in-command

By Lola Duffort

Dec 18 2022December 26, 2022

Rob McDougall, Lauren Hibbert and Gavin Boyles are slated to serve as deputies to Vermont’s new statewide officeholders.


‘How long can I do it?’: Legislators with young children face realities of low pay and limited accommodations

By Lola Duffort

Dec 16 2022December 19, 2022

As Vermont’s policymakers grapple with debates about child care and paid leave, a handful of lawmakers next session will be living with the day-to-day circumstances of raising or bearing infants themselves.


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