Interview: Vermont technology sector
Scott Kirsner is in Vermont Thursday speaking to the Vermont Venture Network on the state of the technology sector in Vermont and New England. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Electricity grid merger
Governor Howard Dean says the state of Vermont will actively litigate an effort by the federal government to link New England’s power grid with a similar system in New York State. Dean says the proposal will cost the region’s ratepayers more than $60 million and represents an abuse of power by federal energy officials. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
“No Child Left Behind” legislation
Governor Howard Dean says a controversy in Bennington over a new federal education law is just the beginning of public criticism over this legislation. (VPR)
Dean presidential campaign
Vermont Governor Howard Dean has dropped all equivocations about his presidential bid. Wedensday Dean said, “I am running for president.” (AP)
FAHC nurses union
A vote will be held next month on whether registered nurses at Vermont’s largest hospital should form a union. Fletcher Allen Health Care’s management says that the union election will be held October 1-2. (AP)
Prescription drugs
The pharmaceutical industry went to court yesterday over efforts in states like Vermont to lower costs. The industry doesn’t the states to use what are known as preferred drug lists. (AP)
Cheney may visit Vermont
Vice President Dick Cheney apparently will headline a fund-raiser next month for the Vermont Republican Party. The event also is expected to raise money for gubernatorial candidate Jim Douglas. (AP)
Gubernatorial race
Vermont Republicans are accusing the Democratic candidate for governor of Enron-style accounting for allegedly understating his net worth. But Democratic Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine says the GOP attack is just a sign that Republicans are worried that state Treasurer James Douglas’ campaign is lagging. (AP)
State travel expenses
The budget-cutting moratorium on out-of-state travel by Vermont state employees has been lifted. But a review of state travel spending since the moratorium was put in place in June shows out-of-state travel spending up, rather than down. (AP)
Escapee escapes
Authorities in Chittenden County are on the lookout for 23-year-old Kevin Donaldson who has three escape convictions. Donaldson was on his way to court to face a new escape charge when he escaped again. (AP)
Fall foliage
Experts say regional drought conditions should not dull the New England fall foliage season. In Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine the foliage season brings in millions of tourism dollars. (AP)