Interview: Low-polluting Watercraft
Steve Delaney talks with Larry Wells, who s worked closely on an EPA effort to encourage the sale of low-polluting outboard motors and personal watercraft engines in Vermont. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Candidates File for State Offices
The line up of candidates for statewide office for Vermont’s three major political parties is now set. The filing deadline of Monday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. revealed a few surprises for the Fall elections. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Decommissioning Fund s Stock Exposure
The main obstacle to the sale of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant is a dispute over a $300 million fund that’s set aside to dismantle the reactor. The fund is now partially invested in the stock market, but it’s not as risky as some of investments on Wall Street. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Dean’s Fundraising
Governor Howard Dean says he’ll need to raise between $8 million and $10 million in order to run a competitive race for the Democratic presidential nomination. (VPR)
Gilman Paper Mill
The state has taken the unusual step of forcing a company to use profits from its Vermont operation to pay workers. A Rutland court has ruled that money the American Paper Company receives from a hydroelectric facility at its idle Gilman mill must be used to pay current bills and compensate a small number of workers who continue to staff the mill. (VPR)
Pearl Running for Governor
Brian Pearl has decided to run for Vermont governor as an independent. The forty-two-year-old Grand Isle man announced last fall that he would seek the office as a Republican. (VPR)
Department of Corrections
Vermont’s Department of Corrections will be receiving two million dollars to help reintegrate offenders into society upon their release. The Department plans to use the money to help the offenders find long-term employment, maintain stable residences and address substance abuse and mental health needs. Officials say the new grant money will be used to reintegrate people between the ages of 16 and 35 who have been sentenced to a minimum of one year in jail. (AP)
Dean Financial Statement
Governor Howard Dean says he and his wife are worth about $4 million. Dean released a financial disclosure statement yesterday detailing his holdings of stock, real estate and other wealth. (AP)
Jeffords Fundraising
Senator James Jeffords is raising campaign funds even though he’s not up for re-election for two years. Jeffords reported yesterday that he’s raised $465,000 since late last year. (AP)
Utility Rates
Citizens Energy Services customers will be paying nearly 17.5% more for their electricity. The Vermont Public Service Board approved the rates yesterday. The increase that the Board allowed is less than the company originally sought. (AP)
FAHC Building Permit
Fletcher Allen Health Care has won its state permit to build a $55 million parking garage. The hospital already has begun construction of the underground facility. State officials questioned whether Fletcher Allen should have gotten a permit for the garage, which is part of a larger project in which a new outpatient wing is being built. (AP)
Sorrell Against Using Tobacco Money
Attorney General William Sorrell says the state’s tobacco settlement shouldn’t be used to balance the budget. He says it’s a bad idea to spend funds that were originally set aside to be put in a trust fund. Governor Howard Dean has said he wants to use the trust fund payment to help reduce the state’s deficit. (AP)
Job Fair
There’s some help today for unemployed Vermonters. The Vermont Opportunity Expo is featuring potential area employers and it’s also offering people information on how to start their own business. The day-long event is being held in Essex Junction at the Inn at Essex on Tuesday. (AP)
Morrissey Retiring from Senate
State Senator Gerald Morrissey of Bennington will not be seeking a third term in the Vermont Legislature. Morrissey, who is a Republican, announced his retirement yesterday. He says that a battle with kidney disease prevented him from running. (AP)
Suspect s Mental State Questioned
A man facing murder charges in both Vermont and Arkansas will undergo mental examinations. An Arkansas judge has granted a request from Jason Hann’s lawyer that Hann be evaluated. Hann is accused of killing his infant daughter in Arkansas and his son in Vermont. (AP)