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Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Monday netted two more awards for his use of the Internet in his Senate work. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) was also recognized.

In their latest report and citations for the current 113th Congress, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF), whose evaluations of congressional websites have become the standard, awarded Leahy a Silver Mouse Award for his website, and a Gold Mouse Award For Citizen Engagement On Social Media – the first time the group has assessed congressional use of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Leahy is one of only four members of the Senate or House to win awards in both categories.

In its report, CMF noted Leahy’s innovative use of Twitter during Senate action last year on the comprehensive immigration reform bill, in which Leahy created hashtags that he then used in posting real-time information and updates throughout the Senate’s legislative process:

by John Herrick vtdigger.org The House Ways and Means committee Thursday approved a bill to regulate toxic chemicals found in children’s products. The committee voted 8-3. The committee amended the bill, S.239, to require manufacturers to pay $200 every two years for each chemical they are required to report to the state health department. The previous reporting fee was set at a one-time $2,000.

The department will create a list of chemicals is determines could be harmful to public health. The department would then decide whether to require manufacturers to label or remove these chemicals from their products.

Governor Peter Shumlin on saturday addressed the 87 graduates of the Vermont Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Programs in electrical, plumbing and tramway trades. The programs are run in conjunction with Vermont Technical College under a grant from the Department of Labor. The ceremony was held at the VTC campus in Randolph Center.

"This program is a great example of how Vermont is engaging the workforce in training and development. The graduates will have a bright future in Vermont and earn good wages as skilled tradespeople,” said Governor Shumlin. He said Vermont will be seeking additional federal funding under the recently announced “American Apprenticeship” grant initiatives so that more Vermonters can participate in apprenticeships in new, high-growth fields, including health care, engineering, telecommunications, green energy, information technology, and advanced manufacturing --- all areas where Vermont needs workers.

Vermont Business Magazine After a long downward trend, new unemployment claims in Vermont increased for the third time last week to run past 1,000. For the week of April 19, 2014, there were 1,105 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is an increase of 201 from the previous week's total, and 106 fewer than they were a year ago.

Altogether 8,210 new and continuing claims were filed, an increase of 115 from a week ago and 595 fewer than a year ago. The Department also processed 47 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 9 fewer than the previous week.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org The House Appropriations Committee voted out the school district consolidation bill, on Friday morning. The committee supported H883 in a 7-4 vote. Two Republicans (Reps Bob Helm and Chuck Pearce) and two Democrats (Reps Ann Manwaring and Kitty Toll) cast dissenting votes.

The bill would eliminate 270-plus school districts and create 45 to 55 supervisory districts that would have unified management of personnel and coordinated best practices for teachers and district-wide curriculum. A design team would collect information from local communities and then create a redistricting plan for schools. The creation and implementation of the plan would take six years. School districts also have the option to voluntarily merge.

by John Herrick vtdigger.org House and Senate lawmakers reached an agreement Friday on a bill setting new permitting standards for shoreland development starting July 1. A conference committee unanimously approved H525, which is designed to preserve aquatic and shoreline habitat along Vermont’s lakes and large ponds.

“It will abate people from just clear-cutting and not paying attention to runoff that goes into the lake,” said Rep. Bob Krebs, D-South Hero, who served on the conference committee. “It will in some cases, I really think, help the aquatic biota, which is really the functionality, if you will, of our lake systems.”

by John Herrick vtdigger.org The Senate Economic Development Committee passed a Shumlin administration proposal to encourage growth in downtowns and limit urban sprawl. The legislation amends the state’s land use and development permitting process under Act 250.

The committee voted 4-1 Friday to approve H.823 with minor changes.

Committee Chair Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, voted against the bill. He opposed a provision that places new requirements on development in strip areas, such as Shelburne Road in Burlington or Putney Road in Brattleboro.

by Laura Krantz vtdigger.org The Senate Judiciary Committee is poised to compromise on a bill about driving under the influence of drugs after wrestling all week with how to keep unsafe drivers off the road without infringing on civil liberties. Although the committee did not vote, it plans to see a draft next week that sets the standard for drugged driving at a level that “interferes with safe operation of a vehicle in the slightest degree.”

Senators said they object to the House version of the bill, but have wrestled for several weeks with how to modify it.

The House version lowered the drugged driving standard to align it with the “under the influence” standard for alcohol.

James J Gozzo, PhD, President of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, has announced that Harry L Chen, MD, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, will be the commencement speaker at the second graduation ceremony of the school’s Colchester Campus. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 1 pm at the Champlain Valley Exposition.

“As someone who has served as a practitioner, an academic, an elected official, and now Commissioner of Health, Dr. Chen has a unique perspective on the practice of health care and the future of the U.S. health care system. His insights will greatly benefit our graduates as they prepare to begin their own careers in this rapidly changing field,” said President Gozzo.

Vermont Business Magazine Tiny bubbles and children's voices filled the air at the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center in Burlington today as the statewide campaign, Let's Grow Kids, officially launched. Business leaders, early childhood professionals, public officials and many others attended the event, which also featured several hands-on activities for children - who represent the very heart of the campaign.

"Giving our children a solid start in life is a value we all share," said Robyn Freedner-Maguire, campaign director for Let's Grow Kids. "These children will be our community leaders, our teachers, our doctors...we want all Vermonters to understand how very important the earliest years of our children's lives are not only to their future, but to our state's future as well."

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) has selected two vendors to complete projects that will significantly expand cellular coverage in unserved areas of the state. The expansion will include at least 450 miles of coverage along many state highways plus some well-traveled town roads. The VTA focus is on roadways with no cell service at all or where drop zones are significant.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org News spread quickly — within hours of testimony on Wednesday — that the Senate Finance Committee is considering an increase in the employer assessment. Nothing draws a crowd at the Statehouse quite like the rumor of a tax — of whatever size — on any item, service or income.

Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, is chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Photo by Roger Crowley/for VTDigger