Governor Phil Scott today detailed efforts to increase electric vehicle use in Vermont as part of the state’s emissions reduction goals. “Electrifying the transportation sector will help clean the air and keep millions of dollars within our economy,” said Governor Scott. “While more work needs to be done, Vermont has taken strong steps toward a renewable transportation sector. Accelerating vehicle electrification will continue to be a priority of my Administration.” The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont, accounting for about 45% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan establishes a goal of increasing the…

I recently spent some time asking people on the street two questions: Is health insurance too expensive? And if so, why? I am sure many readers have strong opinions about the answers to these questions. I heard answers like “greed,” “because they can,” “because there is no incentive to cut costs” and “because we have to pay the doctors.” No one told me that they thought commercial health insurance was affordable. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont has proposed to raise rates by 15.6% and MVP Healthcare has proposed an 8.5 % increase for next year in the individual and small group market. We all know that there are real problems with our current health care financing system. When this sys…

The Trump administration’s Title X gag rule takes effect today in every state but Maryland, after a ruling by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Just yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a spending package that would block the gag rule from being implemented because it’s dangerous, it’s unethical, and it’s illegal – and now the Senate must act. Planned Parenthood is the only Title X provider in Vermont. Trump’s gag rule makes it illegal for health care providers in the Title X program to refer patients for abortion, and also blocks access to care at Planned Parenthood by imposing cost-prohibitive and unnecessary “physical separation” requirements. Planned Pa…

Barre Unified Union School District is participating in the Summer Food Service Program.  Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.  Meals will be provided at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows: Highgate Apartment Complex, 121 Highgate Drive Barre, June 24 - Aug 16, Mon-Fri, Breakfast 8-9:00, Lunch 12-1 Green Acres Housing Barre, June 24 - Aug16, Mon-Fri, Breakfast 9010:30, Lunch 12-1:30 Barre Pool, 59 Parkside Terrace Barre, thru Aug 16, Mon-Fri, Lunch 12:30-1:30, Snack 2:30…

Thousands of amateur radio operators across the United States and Canada tested their emergency operating skills over the weekend by taking part in their annual Field Day. Several amateur radio groups participated this year across Vermont, including Radio Amateurs of Northern Vermont (RANV) by setting up camp on Redmond Road in Williston. Paul Gayet of Essex Junction, Vermont Section Manager for the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) explained the yearly exercise is critical to the group’s ongoing mission of providing emergency communications. Gayet said the event gives the amateur radio operators, also known as HAMS, the opportunity to set up in a remote location and boost their transmit…

I’ve been wrestling with a sentence that typifies the mission of our times, and have come to this: “We need to end the fundamental threat that climate change presents to our ability to provide for our children.” We can accomplish this by engaging two of the most wonderful features of common humanity: Our creativity and our neighborliness―our care for one another.  These Vermont attributes seem like a strong foundation for our collective commitment for mutuality in decision-making and action, and hence to our democracy.  Creativity, plus neighborliness, plus democracy, equals power. Some say we are too small to make a difference:  Any carbon reductions we make as individuals, towns, or the…