Interview: Human rights film festival
Friday is the opening day of the second annual “Mountaintop Film Festival” in Waitsfield. For ten days, the festival will showcase 25 films that address human-rights issues around the world, concluding on Martin Luther King’s birthday. (VPR)
Democratic response to Douglas’ inaugural address
Moments after the governor’s speech, Democrats crowded into their new Statehouse caucus room, the one reserved for the majority party. They were there to give their party’s reaction to the governor’s inaugural address. But it started out almost as a political pep rally. (VPR)
Douglas’ second inaugural address
This afternoon Governor Jim Douglas was sworn into a second term in office. Douglas challenged lawmakers to send him a health care reform proposal during the first year of the new session. The governor also made it clear that he’ll oppose any effort to raise taxes to help solve the state’s budget problems. (VPR)
Governor’s inaugural luncheon
Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean joined his successor today for a lunch honoring the second inauguration of Governor Jim Douglas. (AP)
Former legislator Gerry Morrissey dies
Gerry Morrissey, who rose to statewide notoriety when he defeated the legendary former speaker of the House in 1994 and then went on to serve in the state Senate, has died. He was 58. (AP)
Environmental Court appointee
Governor Jim Douglas has picked Brattleboro lawyer Thomas Durkin to serve on the state’s newly expanded environmental court. Durkin will begin his judgeship next month as part of an expansion of the state’s environmental court that was part of last year’s permit reforms. That law called for consolidating the various bodies that now hear environmental appeals into a single Environmental Court. (AP)
NH governor’s staff
In one of his first acts as New Hampshire governor, John Lynch will sign an Executive Order on Friday requiring everyone who works for his office to file a financial disclosure form with the state, regardless of their pay. Lynch, a Democrat from Hopkinton, was sworn on Thursday in to succeed Republican Craig Benson. Previous governors issued similar orders for high-ranking officials that didn’t include all staff. (AP)
Physician-assisted suicide
A new poll has found strong support for physician-assisted suicide in Vermont. Nearly 80 percent of respondents say they would support a bill allowing terminally ill patients to receive medication from their doctors to hasten their deaths. (AP)
Smoking in bars
The American Lung Association wants Vermont to ban all smoking in restaurants and bars. At least one bill that would ban smoking in such public locations is expected to be considered by the Legislature this year. (AP)