Financial education: teaching kids to invest
When it comes to handling money, Americans aren’t doing so well. Credit card debt is soaring, savings accounts are shrinking and bankruptcies are at near record levels. And we’re passing these poor spending habits on to our children. As a result, the responsibility for providing financial education is falling to teachers. (VPR)
Interview: League discusses meaning of voting
The League of Women Voters of central Vermont is posing the question, “Do our Votes Really Count?” The League is presenting a panel discussion Tuesday in Montpelier. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Paul Gillies, former deputy secretary of state and a specialist in Vermont municipal issues, who is one of the event’s panelists. (VPR)
Lt. gov. candidates focus on jobs at World Trade Day debate
The two candidates challenging Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie criticized the incumbent and each other during a debate on Monday. Dubie tried to stay above the fray and focused instead on his record over the past 20 months in office. (VPR)
Progressives’ write-in campaign
Unofficial results from last week’s primary election show that the Progressive Party has defeated an effort by leaders of the Liberty Union party to run as Progressives in the November election in several statewide races. A statewide canvassing committee will certify the results on Tuesday. (VPR)
Sanders opposes cuts to housing assistance program
Congressman Bernie Sanders says he plans to strongly oppose a Bush administration plan to reduce funding for a low-income housing assistance program. The president’s budget proposal for the new fiscal year calls for a cut of $4.3 million in federal housing subsidies in Vermont. (VPR)
Board accepting applications for three judgeships
A state board is working to fill three judicial openings around Vermont. The Judicial Nominating Board will review the applications and recommend nominees to Governor Jim Douglas. (AP)
Federal water cleanup funds may be cut
Environmental groups and public water quality managers are warning about funding cuts proposed by the Bush administration. They say the state of Vermont could be out $2.4 million in funding for efforts to clean the state’s lakes and rivers. (AP)
Kentucky prison warden replaced
The warden at the Kentucky prison where a riot involving Vermont inmates took place a week ago has been replaced. Corrections Corporation of America, which runs the prison, says it has replaced the warden who was in charge during the uprising. (AP)
Candidates’ personal income
A newspaper report shows Vermont’s gubernatorial candidates had personal incomes well above the state median. The Burlington Free Press reports that Governor Jim Douglas and his wife, Dorothy, reported an adjusted gross income of $134, 881 in 2003. Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle and his wife, Betsy Ferries, reported $231,181. (AP)
Homeless transition housing
Rutland will soon have transitional housing for the homeless. Housing Foundation has purchased an historic building that will be turned into four units of housing for people in Rutland who are living in shelters or motels. A(P)
Rutland courthouse art
The public will help decide what kind of art will be on display in the new courthouse in Rutland. Residents will be able to view the four choices at 6 o’clock on Wednesday night at the Rutland Free Library. (AP)
Regional airport attracts tourists
Rutland State Airport is the focus of a new effort to attract more tourists to the region over the next two years. The airport has been awarded a $240,000 grant, matched by $13,000 in local funds. (AP)
Williston smoking ban
Smoking has been officially banned in all taverns and restaurants in Williston. The town select board’s three-to-one vote in favor of a ban on Monday makes Williston the fourth community in Chittenden County to enact such a policy. Burlington and South Burlington imposed smoking bans this year. Winooski’s City Council approved an anti-smoking ordinance in July, but that law is on hold while the city hears appeals. (AP)
Barre tax collection
Barre City councilors are considering a series of charter changes that would change the way the city collects taxes. One of the proposed changes involves establishing local option taxes on sales and alcohol. Councilors are also pushing plans to target tax-exempt properties as a future revenue source for the city. And they would like to create a “per-nozzle” license fee for all motor fuel pumps in the city. (AP)
Cornish Colony closing
A collection of Maxfield Parrish paintings may be coming to Vermont. The Cornish Colony Museum in Cornish, New Hampshire, plans to close next month. The museum, which holds the world’s largest collection of Maxfield Parrish paintings, wants to relocate to Windsor. (AP)
Teacher sentenced in misconduct case
A former Milton High School has been sentenced to serve six months in jail on charges of sexually assaulting an underage student. Jaime Lee Rugg, a former drama instructor and athletic director, had pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student four years ago. (AP)