Scott inks $7.35B state budget

MONTPELIER — Gov. Phil Scott last week signed an expansive $7.35 billion state budget that, buoyed by federal Covid-19 relief funds, invests heavily in broadband, affordable housing projects and measures to fight climate change.This year’s spending package benefited from a financial windfall produced by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, providing the state with more than $1 billion and the flexibility to use the money to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and fund infrastructure projects.The budget all … (read more)

VERMONT — As Vermont continues to grapple with an economic crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday pitched a state budget that preserves state government programs and makes major investments in affordable housing, broadband, … (read more)

When the Vermont Legislature convenes in early January, lawmakers will continue to tackle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and begin to craft a plan for the state’s economic recovery. The Legislature and the Scott administration will also look to buil … (read more)

With early voting for the Aug. 11 primary beginning Monday, the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office has already received nearly seven times as many absentee ballot requests as it did by this date in 2018.  As of  June 29, 15,663 voters had asked for early … (read more)

The Vermont House approved police reform legislation Friday that requires all state police to wear body cameras, prohibits officers from using chokeholds and other similar restraint techniques, while also mandating that the Legislature pass additional cri … (read more)

VERMONT — Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, taking action to limit the size of public gatherings and suspending some regulations to bolster the health care workforce.  The measure also restric … (read more)

Editor’s note: Addison Independent reporter John Flowers contributed to this report. MONTPELIER — After climate change protesters were cleared from the Vermont House chamber at the start of Gov. Phil Scott’s annual State of the State address this past Thu … (read more)