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Author: Sarah Mearhoff

Sarah Mearhoff is one of VTDigger's political reporters, covering the Vermont statehouse, executive branch and congressional delegation. Prior to joining Digger, she covered Minnesota and South Dakota state politics for Forum Communications' newspapers across the Upper Midwest for three years. She has also covered politics in Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, she is a proud alumna of the Pennsylvania State University where she studied journalism.
 

‘They were bad choices’: Balint votes reluctant yes on debt ceiling

By Sarah Mearhoff

Jun 1 2023June 1, 2023

A deal struck between President Joe Biden and Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy raised the nation’s borrowing limit, allowing it to pay its bills and avoid an economically catastrophic default — but also includes a laundry list of GOP policy demands.


Phil Scott allows gun control bill to go into law without his signature

By Sarah Mearhoff

Jun 1 2023June 1, 2023

“(K)nowing that my constitutional concerns will be addressed through the legal process, I will allow H.230 to become law without my signature, and await the judicial branch to decide the fate of waiting periods,” the Republican governor said Thursday.


Phil Scott vetoes bill that would double lawmaker pay by 2027

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 31 2023May 31, 2023

The governor said it seemed unfair “for legislators to insulate themselves from the very costs they are imposing on their constituents by doubling their own future pay.”


Phil Scott vetoes noncitizen voting in Burlington and voting for 16- and 17-year-olds in Brattleboro

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 27 2023May 27, 2023

Also on Saturday, the governor allowed H.508, which will expand ranked choice voting in Burlington, to take effect without his signature.


2 troopers cited on misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment after projectile incident

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 22 2023May 22, 2023

Sgt. Ryan Wood and Trooper Zachary Trocki of the Westminster barracks are scheduled to be arraigned on misdemeanor charges at ​​the Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro next Tuesday.


Vermont Democrats pushed through major firearms legislation this year. Will it hold up in court?

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 19 2023May 18, 2023

This legislative session saw three firearms bills cross the finish line. But with a new legal test throwing gun control laws — old and new — into question, will they stick?


Sen. Peter Welch calls for Supreme Court code of ethics, stops short of calling for resignation 

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 15 2023May 15, 2023

Welch, who’s on the Senate’s Judiciary Committee, has called on the nation’s highest court to establish a code of ethics for its justices in light of mounting scrutiny of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. But asked if he thinks the judge should step down or face impeachment, Welch answered no.


Marked by record turnover, a Democratic supermajority and 11th hour battles, 2023’s legislative session comes to a close

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 13 2023May 14, 2023

With a new biennium came a fresh crop of lawmakers, altered political dynamics, a historic Democratic supermajority in both chambers and a litany of major policy decisions — some solidified only after intense political debate.


Final Reading: On adjournment eve, a moment of sincerity

By Sarah Mearhoff

May 12 2023May 12, 2023

Throughout the past four months, your humble servants at VTDigger worked hard to follow state lawmakers’ every move, ranging from their hard-fought political battles and policy debates to deeply unserious shenanigans under the Golden Dome.


Final Reading: Legislature OKs another 2 years of to-go cocktails

By Shaun Robinson and Sarah Mearhoff

May 11 2023May 11, 2023

Thursday’s vote tops Vermonters off for another two years of to-go bevs, but the bill is still far from bottomless. It will require reauthorization once again come 2025.


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Commentary

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Walt Amses: The Pride battle that seemed over isn’t over

John McClaughry: Infusing science standards with political goals

Jane Fitzwilliam: Vermont Fish & Wildlife remains stuck in the 1950s

Robert Perschel: What will our carbon-neutral cities of the future be made of?

Stephen Terry: Truth to power (lines): underground

Peter Berger: With all that’s changed: Poor Elijah’s look at firearms

Robby Porter: We need a new value system adapted to the modern world

Letter to the editor: S.6 would have prevented police from threatening and lying to kids

Letter to the editor: On climate change, we must accept the facts and the responsibility

More commentary

Politics

This year’s count finds homelessness has climbed nearly 19% in Vermont

By Lola Duffort

Jun 7 2023, 6:30 PMJune 7, 2023

Gov. Phil Scott vetoes child care bill

By Lola Duffort

Jun 6 2023June 6, 2023

What Vermont can learn from its forgotten motel voucher crisis of 2013

By Kevin O'Connor

Jun 6 2023June 5, 2023

More politics



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