News
For the twelfth time since 1991, U.S.News & World Report has ranked Vermont Law School's environmental law program as the best in the nation. The program, run through the school's Environmental Law Center (ELC), offers the largest selection of environmental law courses in the nation.
As a member of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), Vermont has been recognized for leadership in reducing emissions responsible for global warming. The EPA recognized the RGGI states for building a cap-and-trade program, which limits emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-fired power plants.
Vermont State Auditor, Tom Salmon, is attempting to find more ways for Vermont schools to save money on supplies. In a report released on April 20, Salmon said that schools are missing an opportunity to take advantage of the State s competitive bidding, estimating that they spend at least $60 million a year on supplies such as paper and computers.
Farmers may apply immediately for the new agricultural stimulus financing available through VEDA s farm lending program, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC). VACC has up to $6 million in low-interest financing available, made possible by $1 million in federal economic stimulus funds from Vermont s share of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Is it time to look at Vermont s transportation system or the lack of one? That is a question being explored by AARP and a number of other groups around Vermont. An AARP report released today shows that significant groups of Vermonters are unable to get where they need to go particularly older and lower income residents.
The House has passed the Renewable Energy and Green Jobs Bill, H.446, to promote in-state renewable energy development and create well-paying green jobs for Vermonters around the state. The bill will encourage community-scale renewable energy developments and expedite the delivery of $21 million in stimulus funds for green energy projects.
A wildly fluid package of tax increases that crossed party allegiances was passed by the Senate Wednesday by a thin 18-12 vote. The slew of tax changes would result in a increase of $26.1 million in new revenues. A $4.55 billion budget then breezed through the Senate on a 27-3 vote.
Week Ending April 18, 2009. There were 1,598 new regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance last week, an increase of 160 from the week before. Altogether 18,991 new and continuing claims were filed, 499 more than a week ago and 8,233 more than a year earlier.
Governor Jim Douglas has welcomed a Quebec-based transformer manufacturer opening a factory in Vermont. The firm estimates it will create 16 jobs this year and up to 43 workers by the end of 2011.
March contracts for future construction in Vermont and New Hampshire soared in March 2009 as the federal stimulus package brought hundreds of millions of dollars into the two states for highway and bridge construction, according to the McGraw Hill Construction reports.
The US House of Representatives passed a resolution Wednesday morning honoring Captain Richard Phillips of Underhill, his crewmembers aboard the Maersk Alabama and the United States Navy personnel who secured his release.
The resolution was authored US Representative Peter Welch and was cosponsored by 87 Members of Congress. It passed on a voice vote.
The Vermont State Legislature passed the Clean Energy Assessments District bill (S.54) on April 21. The passage of this bill reflects the growing want and need of Vermonters to individually help move the state forward by finding new ways to save energy and to create renewable resources and alternatives for energy in order to combat climate change.