Sanders to push for drug re-importation in new Congress
Congressman Bernie Sanders says the passage of legislation allowing individuals to re-import drugs from Canada will be one of his top priorities for the new Congressional session. Sanders says he also wants to help mobilize grass roots support to defeat President Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security. (VPR)
Study finds wind turbines in path of bird migration
New research says that four wind turbines planned for a mountain in the Northeast Kingdom pose a potential risk to migrating birds. The study was done for the state Agency of Natural Resources. Officials there say they want to see more research before the project is built. (VPR)
Statehouse curator David Schutz on new legislative session
Today marks the debut of the 2005 legislative session at the Vermont Statehouse. Yesterday we spoke with Sergeant at Arms Kermit Spaulding about his tenure under the golden dome, and today we continue our behind the scenes look with David Schutz, who’s been the statehouse curator in Montpelier for the past 19 years. (VPR)
Drug re-importation in new Congress
Congressman Bernie Sanders says the passage of legislation allowing individuals to re-import drugs from Canada will be one of his top priorities for the new Congressional session. Sanders says he also wants to help mobilize grass roots support to defeat President Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security. (VPR)
Newport mobile methadone clinic
Newport’s City Council has approved hosting a mobile methadone clinic. Under the terms of the arrangements approved this week, the clinic will be parked in the city recycling lot beginning in April. (AP)
School harassment policy
School officials are investigating a case of student harassment at Windsor High School. The school also is adopting a new harassment policy. School Superintendent Brenda Needham wouldn’t provide any details about the alleged harassment. (AP)
Berlin man jailed for identity theft
A Berlin man has been sentenced to two years in prison on charges of identity theft. 24 year old Dung Tran is charged with using another person’s name and social security number to obtain a Vermont identification card. (AP)
Legislature set to convene
Lawmakers are returning to Montpelier for Wednesday’s start of the 2005 Legislature. A number of Democratic leaders were in the Statehouse on Tuesday as they prepare to take over the majority in the House and extend it in the Senate. (AP)
Burlington mayor wants a one cent sales tax
Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle wants a one cent local sales tax to help the city lessen its overdependence” on the property tax. Clavelle says the one cent local option sales tax would be added to the current state sales tax of 6%. (AP)
State employees’ union violated negotiation rules
The Vermont Labor Relations Board has sided with the Douglas administration in a dispute with the state workers’ union over contract talks. The board says the Vermont State Employees’ Association violated a provision of the ground rules for the negotiations. (AP)
Homeowner fined for kerosene fuel spill
The owner of a rental duplex in North Hyde Park has agreed to pay the Agency of Natural Resources $3,200 for an environmental violation. The agency says a storage tank at the rental unit tipped over and spilled between 36 and 160 gallons of kerosene into the ground. (AP)
Phish drummer relocating for wind turbine
The drummer of the now-defunct rock band Phish is giving up on plans to erect a 116-foot wind turbine at his Lake Champlain-side home in Shelburne. Jon Fishman now says he’s going to sell the property and move back to Essex where he can erect a tower. (AP)
Winooski considers expansion of smoking ban
Winooski officials are planning a public hearing for later this month on a plan to extend the city smoking ban to private clubs. The council banned smoking in bars last summer. But tavern owners say an exemption for private clubs gives them a competitive advantage. (AP)