Birong works to legalize funeral pyres

Vergennes Rep. Matt Birong’s effort to make open cremation, or funeral pyres, legal in Vermont has roots in Star Wars.

Faced with widespread concerns about potential costs to Vermonters, authors of the proposed Affordable Heat Act have decided to pump the brakes on the sweeping bill.

No one has stepped up for forum connecting lawmakers with constituents in Addison County.

The Vermont governor echoed familiar calls for statewide economic recovery in the face of unprecedented opportunity.

Lawmakers say legal cloud over Sheriff Newton is too dark and he must resign.

Climate and energy activists say a Clean Heat Standard bill in the Vermont Senate doesn’t do enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Clean Heat Standard bill looks to regulate greenhouse gasses coming from biofuels, wood and electricity.

Former State Rep. Willem Jewett died last week after using a prescription obtained through Act 39, a “death with dignity” law that he helped establish and sought to improve, right up to his death.

The Vermont Legislature was called back into special session on Wednesday to try to overturn three vetoes issued by Gov. Phil Scott and also to possibly consider legislation that failed to get needed support before adjournment in May.There is no need for … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Addison County lawmakers will wield influence over issues ranging from COVID-19 relief to education financing, thanks to committee assignments recently handed down by House and Senate leaders. Four of the county’s legislators secured lead … (read more)

MONTPELIER — Leaders in the Vermont House of Representatives on Wednesday announced committee assignments for the 2021-22 Legislative session. Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, will serve the next biennium as chair of the House Transportation Committee, wh … (read more)

The Vermont House voted Thursday to override Gov. Phil Scott’s veto of the Global Warming Solutions Act, legislation that would legally require the state to meet carbon emission reductions targets in the coming years, and allow individuals to sue the gove … (read more)

The Vermont House on Thursday gave preliminary approval to a $7.15 billion budget bill that will fund state government for the last nine months of the fiscal year, and spends the remaining $223 million in federal funding the state received this spring to … (read more)

The Vermont House on Thursday approved a $95 million COVID-19 aid package that includes funding for housing assistance and broadband expansion. The approved package includes $43 million that would be used for internet expansion, financial assistance for u … (read more)

The Vermont House is racing to craft a roughly $600 million spending package using nearly half of the $1.25 billion the state received from the federal government in April to cover expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Thursday, House committee … (read more)