Editorial: Vt. education commission faces tough nuts to crack

The task for the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont is straightforward: devise a system that provides equitable, quality public education to all Vermonters — and make it affordable.

Today, while 60% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, three multi-billionaires own more wealth than the bottom half of American society.

Taxes have a bad rap. In part, this is because we never discuss who pays which taxes. Taxes have gone up for working people while wealthier people have gotten tax cuts. But taxes exist for important reasons, and we must make our tax system more fair and d … (read more)

This is a tough time of year. It’s the time when suicides increase and when people feel tremendous isolation and loss. It is when darkness creeps in, literally and figuratively. The holidays, for some, can exacerbate feelings of aloneness and as the days … (read more)

I’ve been glad to see robust local coverage of housing issues in the Addy Indy. I’d like to elaborate on a few pieces from last week.

While fears of imminent catastrophe caused by Artificial Intelligence may be overblown (at least in the immediate future), as suggested in your recent series, its impacts are already significant and representative of a worldview that is incredibly dehuman … (read more)

It seems that his most popular achievements are due to the over-riding of his vetoes.

We deserve to know if the Addison County Natural Gas Pipeline is safe. Vermont’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reviewing the Certificate of Public Good that allows Vermont Gas Systems (VGS) to operate a gas pipeline in Addison County.

At a recent meeting with colleagues, in which we were discussing how to engage a broader audience regarding services to unhoused people in our area, one person uttered the words “public safety.” This provoked strong reactions from the others.

Being thankful isn’t always easy. That’s the realization many Vermonters may have post-election with a man unfit for the presidency in so many ways assuming power again, supported by a political party ever-more adjoined to him.

Governor Phil Scott pulled off a trifecta win in the latest election. The “most popular” governor in the country, a non-MAGA, conservative Republican in a liberal state, was easily reelected to a fifth term.

My parents grew up in kosher homes, but didn’t continue that when I was growing up. I thought the kosher rules were silly, though I would never have said that to my grandparents or favorite uncle. They were traditional Jews who believed in the power of mi … (read more)

I had a revelation this week: I’ve been doing Christmas decorating all wrong.

Blanket bombing postal customers and hoping for the best with unsolicited advertisements filling mailboxes has long been an outdated, inefficient and costly endeavor.

I was born with a moderate physical disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. Basically, the muscles in my legs never developed correctly. Therefore, I am quite skinny looking and have a particular walking gate.