Vermont

Two States Have Killed the ‘Tampon Tax,’ But Advocates Want More

Bans on taxing menstrual products are growing around the country. Advocates are cheering the victories, but they want legislatures to take faster action because of the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

Governors Promise Return to Normalcy Once States Hit Target Vaccination Rates

The announcements come as vaccination rates continue to decline nationwide.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

America’s Bluest State Loves Its Republican Governor

Vermont has weathered the pandemic better than any other state, making Phil Scott a surprising star in Bernie Sanders's backyard.

  • By Russell Berman, The Atlantic

Locals Worry Wind and Solar Will Gobble Up Forests and Farms

Some locals have argued that the project, which began operation in 2012, harms wildlife corridors and watersheds. Others have said it’s essential for providing clean energy and fighting climate change.

  • By Alex Brown

U.S. Covid-19 Testing Has Dropped Dramatically

Nationwide, COVID-19 testing has decreased by a third in the past two months, causing public health experts to worry they could miss future surges.

  • By Michael Ollove, Stateline

Women Hold Unprecedented Power in Vermont’s Statehouse. This Is How They’ll Lead.

Women hold the three top positions in Vermont’s legislature. With them they bring an understanding that to focus on economic recovery means to focus on caregiving.

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Citizens to Sue the State if Climate Change Goals Aren’t Met

Lawmakers say that the bill “ensures accountability” for the government to meet carbon emission reduction goals in a timely manner. But Republican Gov. Phil Scott is skeptical of the litigation provision.

  • By Emma Coleman

Vermont and Minnesota Now Recognize Grocery Employees as Emergency Workers

Minnesota and Vermont declared some food workers "essential personnel," giving them access to child care during working hours.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

A Vermont Lawmaker Calls for Cell Phone Age Limits

A new proposal, which points out all the other things young people aren't allowed to do, would restrict cell phone usage to residents over the age of 21.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Healthiest—and Unhealthiest—States

Reduced smoking rates, not much violent crime and low reports of sexually transmitted diseases make Vermont the healthiest state in the country, according to rankings released this week.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Customer Service, State and Local Partnerships Key for CIOs

The findings of NASCIO’s 2019 survey of chief information officers highlights areas of concern and evolving priorities among state information technology leaders.

  • By Andrea Noble

A City Moves Toward Letting Non-Citizen Residents Vote in Local Elections

In Burlington, Vermont, the city council passed a resolution in favor of allowing legal permanent residents and refugees to vote in local elections.

  • By Emma Coleman
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Vermont Needed More Workers. Moving Grants Are Drawing People from Out of State

Vermont officials report sustained interest in the state’s new program to pay remote workers to make a move.

  • By Emma Coleman

This State Official Would Like You to Mail Her Your Ticks

Patti Casey, an environmental surveillance program manager for the state of Vermont, oversees three tick-monitoring programs, including one where she collects ticks by mail from residents.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Vermont Lawmakers Move to Establish ‘Fundamental Right’ to Abortion

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | New York expands traffic cameras in school zones … Legislation for family caregivers considered in several states … Tennessee prepares for legalized sports betting.

  • By Emma Coleman

Using Augmented Reality to 3D-Map Underground Infrastructure

Several US Ignite cities like Burlington, Vermont are testing the tool to identify infrastructure like gas lines.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Climate Change Enters Its Blood-Sucking Phase

As winters grow warmer in North America, thirsty ticks are on the move.

  • By David Dobbs, The Atlantic

Vermont Governor’s Plan to Pay Out-of-Staters to Take a Job in His State

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Pennsylvania lt. gov.’s marijuana listening tour … Florida secretary of state resigns … and the cause of the 2017 Tubbs Fire is ID’d.

  • By Michael Grass

Can You Hear Me Now? In Quest for Federal Money, States Debunk Providers’ Coverage Claims

Rural states, from Kansas to Vermont, are challenging the contentions of cell phone providers that residents have access to high-speed mobile broadband in a bid to be eligible for federal funding.

  • By April Simpson

New State and City ‘Pay to Move’ Programs Attract People—Not Employers

New initiatives starting this month in Vermont and Tulsa are part of a larger trend aimed at attracting workers to places that need to grow.

  • By Marsha Mercer

Why Vermont Digital Services Kept Employees Embedded in Agencies

The agency is eying an April launch of its security operations center.

  • By Dave Nyczepir