Anne | June 24, 2011
Protecting the health and safety Vermont’s children remains a top priority for all of us. In recent years, the number of children suffering from allergies and illnesses triggered by toxins in our environment has risen dramatically. In response, the legislature worked with school administrators, custodians, public interest groups, and health officials to craft a law [...]
Anne | June 24, 2011
The principal-mentoring legislation requires that at the time a school district hires a principal or technical center director who is new to the role, the district’s superintendent, in consultation with the Vermont Principals’ Association, shall work to ensure that the new principal or technical center director receives mentoring support during at least the first two [...]
Anne | June 24, 2011
The miscellaneous education bill addressed dual enrollment, cyber-bullying, technology and energy conservation in our schools. Dual enrollment: Secondary education programs were strengthened to allow students to enroll in college courses and receive high school credit. Known as dual enrollment, this legislation requires that schools implement a system to increase the continuum between high school and [...]
Anne | June 24, 2011
Many Vermont towns have eagerly awaited H. 155, or “PACE.” This is a law that enables voters of a municipality to establish a special “Property Assessed Clean Energy” district, in which residents can make energy-saving improvements to their properties with funds borrowed through the town. Participating property owners then repay those loans over a period [...]
Anne | June 24, 2011
The genesis of this bill came from a conference titled “Transporting the Public” sponsored by AARP-Vermont and facilitated by the Snelling Center in June 2009. It recognized the need to provide more transportation options and access for all citizens, making it possible for all citizens using all modes of transportation to get around safely and [...]
Anne | June 24, 2011
It is your right to know! Under the Vermont constitution, all government officers are accountable to the citizens of Vermont. One way that Vermont attempts to achieve this constitutional requirement for accountability is by providing open access to public records. This bill tries to address the balance between the public’s right to know and the [...]
Anne | June 23, 2011
Whether it allows students to use state-of-the-art learning tools, or individuals to make purchases from the comfort of their own home, or companies to communicate halfway across the world, the legislature and Governor Shumlin recognize broadband coverage as a vital need for all Vermont residents, businesses, and schools. In 2010, Vermont received $174 million in [...]
Anne | June 23, 2011
Vermont did it! One more time the wheels of our appropriations process arrived at a balanced budget, one that enables the civic life of Vermont, our citizens, our visitors and infrastructure to carry on for another year. Developing a balanced budget is always intense as there is a massive amount of work to do. Information [...]
Anne | June 23, 2011
For the past ten years midwives in Vermont have been licensed to perform all aspects of maternal childcare, however only those who chose hospital births could access insurance benefits. In contrast, clients who qualified for Vermont Medicaid could enjoy the benefit of home birth performed by a licensed midwife. During 2010 in Vermont, licensed midwives [...]
Anne | June 23, 2011
New laws will make communities safer and lower prison costs. The first bill addresses recidivism – repeat offenders. The new law will beef up research on recidivism to determine which programs work and which do not. It will increase the number of selected non-violent, non-felony offenders who will use home confinement, electronic monitoring (known commonly [...]
