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According to the American Association of University Women. Nationwide, women earn approximately 77 cents for every dollar a man earns. In Vermont, women make 85 percent of what Vermont men make.
“We are proud that Vermont is Number 1 among the states, but we can always do better, and we certainly can do better as a nation,” Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said in a joint statement.
“Pay equity should not be a partisan issue but instead an American issue of basic fairness. We are very proud that Vermont is a leader in this fight but more must be done to balance the pay between men and women.”
The only place where the gap is less than in Vermont is Washington DC, where women make 90 percent of what men make.

Related Company: Vermont Lake MonstersAfter unveiling a new logo last November, the Vermont Lake Monsters (single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics) unveiled their new team uniforms Wednesday for the upcoming 2014 New York-Penn League season.
With the help of branding and design firm Brandiose, and manufacturer Rawlings, the Lake Monsters will be sporting a new look with their home, road and batting practice/alternate jerseys. With inspiration drawn from their legendary mascot, CHAMP, the new uniforms remain the traditional home white and road grey, but with a modern touch.

Thousands of people donated blood at the Gift-of-Life Marathon in December – and on Wednesday the 180-member Vermont House and Senate honored them with a joint resolution.
Rutland’s annual blood drive collected a whopping 2,350 pints of blood Dec. 17, smashing the one-day national record of 1,968 pints, and creating a flood of goodwill that carried into the House Chamber Wednesday morning.
The resolution included praise for the City of Rutland and Rutland Town, the American Red Cross, and organizers Green Mountain Power, Castleton College and WJJR. It also highlighted the collaboration of donation sites including the Paramount Theatre, College of St. Joseph, American Legion, Elks Club and Holiday Inn.

Vermont is a national leader when it comes to government spending transparency, according to a new report released by the US Public Interest Research Group (USPIRG) and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). One of only eight states to receive an “A” rating, Vermont has made significant progress to increase spending transparency since 2010 when the state received an “F” on this same report.
The fifth annual report, Following the Money 2014: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, assigns each state a grade of “A” to “F” based on an inventory of the content and ease-of-use of states' transparency websites. Grading standards rise each year, so states need to improve transparency each year to be a leader.
Since 2010 when Vermont received a failing grade, the state has taken steps to increase both its score and commitment to financial transparency, including:

by Hilary Niles vtdigger.org The House on Wednesday committed to raising pay for the state’s lowest income earners by $1.37 an hour January 1, 2015, after defeating an amendment to spread the increase gradually over three years. The phase-in, which was supported by the Shumlin administration, failed by a 30-vote margin, 87-57. The Senate takes up the bill this morning.
SEE BILL AS AMENDED BELOW
About 20,000 Vermonters are projected to earn less than $10.00 per hour in 2015, according to legislative economist Tom Kavet. Their paychecks would grow by about $30 million under the proposal, Kavet predicts.
H552 will now go to the Senate. The bill will need to move quickly in the upper chamber to make the Legislature’s timeline of wrapping up the spring session in early May.
Senator Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland. File photo by Hilary Niles/VTDigger.org

by Laura Krantz vtdigger.org
House lawmakers are not convinced post-traumatic stress disorder should qualify a person to receive medical marijuana and are advocating for more research before they include that condition in a bill poised for a committee vote.
The House Human Services Committee is reworking a Senate bill that updates laws for pot dispensaries. There are 1,061 registered medical marijuana patients in Vermont, 705 of whom use the state’s four dispensaries.
Among potential changes in the bill, S.247, is a provision to include PTSD as a “debilitating medical condition” that qualifies a person to apply for permission to buy medical marijuana.
That provision of the original version of the bill was removed by the Senate.

by Anne Galloway vtdigger.org The Vermont Legislature will wrap up the second half of the biennium in the next four weeks, though it’s anyone’s guess just what day lawmakers will adjourn.
House Speaker Shap Smith says the session will be 16 weeks to 17 weeks, and will likely end between May 3 and May 10.
Though there is a lot of unfinished business at hand, Smith says, there are no lightning rod issues that threaten to push the Legislature into an 18th week (and the specter of paying lawmakers more than what is budgeted for the session).
The end game rides on how quickly lawmakers can work through dozens of bills that still need the approval of the House or the Senate. While most of the legislation now under consideration made crossover (two set dates when bills must pass out of committee), there are several bills that were carried over the deadline that are in last-minute mode.

Related Company: Cota & CotaBourne's Inc. Cota & Cota, Inc, of Bellows Falls, and Bourne’s of Morrisville, Inc, two Vermont suppliers of retail propane, settled claims that they violated Vermont consumer protection laws with regard to propane pricing, fees, and terms of service. Cota & Cota also settled a claim that the company retaliated against a consumer who complained to the Attorney General’s Office about the company’s propane practices.
“Since 1986, Vermont has regulated the business practices of propane suppliers to protect consumers and promote fair competition,” said Attorney General Sorrell. “Our propane laws require clear disclosure and fair implementation of pricing, fees, and terms of service. My office takes seriously any consumer complaint regarding an unfair practice by propane suppliers.”

Students and families now need 18 percent of the median household income in New England to pay average in-state published tuition and fees at a public 4-year institution, according to the New England Board of Higher Education's (NEBHE) recently released report on tuition and mandatory fees (not including room and board) at public postsecondary institutions in New England.
Analyzing trends in average in- and out-of-state tuition and mandatory fees rates at public 2- and 4-year institutions in New England from academic year 2008-09 to 2013-14, the report finds that tuition increases have slowed in recent years, but continue to outpace modest growth in median household income.

Related Company: Johnson State CollegeThree new academic programs at Johnson State College will prepare undergraduate students for careers in health and sport psychology, sport management, and physical therapy and other allied health professions, including chiropractic and physician assistants.
“These programs will prepare students majoring in business and the health and behavioral sciences at JSC for further study and careers in professions where the employment outlook is extremely bright,” says JSC President Barbara E. Murphy, adding, “They are an outgrowth of our continual and ongoing efforts to enhance our academic offerings to make sure we are providing what students need in today’s changing market, as we are committed to our students’ graduating with the greatest value for their degree.”
The three programs are:

The Data and Analytics division of Black Knight Financial Services released its latest Mortgage Monitor Report, looking at data as of the end of February 2014. The data showed that monthly mortgage originations dropped to the lowest level in at least 14 years. However, according to Herb Blecher, senior vice president of Black Knight's Data and Analytics division, real estate sales have remained relatively steady, buoyed by a substantial number of cash transactions.

Related Company: Efficiency VermontEfficiency Vermont has been named a 2014 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The award honors Efficiency Vermont’s Efficient Products program for its achievements in cutting energy use and associated pollution. Efficiency Vermont was one of only eight utilities nationwide to receive the Partner of the Year designation.
“Efficiency Vermont stood out among a highly competitive pool as demonstrating exemplary commitment and dedication, distinguishing them as an industry leader,” said Ann Bailey, Chief, ENERGY STAR Product Labeling. “Efficiency Vermont’s significant accomplishments demonstrate that improved energy efficiency can benefit American consumers and protect the environment at the same time.”