Home › Legislative ›

Legislative

Under the Dome: Party Leaders Respond to the 2024 Governor's Budget Address 01/23/2024

As part of Town Meeting TV's coverage of the 2024 legislative session, Emily and Bobby traveled to the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier to interview attendees about their response to Governor Phil Scott's 2024 Budget Address.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Ops and Military - Discussion H.140 Updating State Grant and Contract Requirements 01/19/2024

Updating State Grant and Contract Requirements at the House Committee on Government Ops and Military.

On Friday, the House Government & Military Affairs committee continued their work on H.140. The committee had a walkthrough of the updated bill from legislative counsel and took testimony from various agencies as well as the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.

H.140 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/H-0140/H-0140%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Operations - Testimony of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 01/17/2024

Testimony of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Committee on Government Operations.

On Wednesday, the Senate Government Operations Committee heard testimony on H.55 Wednesday, which is a bill to make changes to Open Meeting laws. Lauren-Glenn Davitian testified at the very end of the meeting for about 15 minutes. Lauren-Glenn read an abbreviated version of her testimony and took a few committee questions. Notably, Chair Hardy asked if VAN would like to be a part of providing consultation with the Secretary of State, League of Cities and Towns, and School Board Association to help develop best practices - LG agreed.

Lauren-Glenn Davitian speaks. State Archivist speaks.

S.55 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Democratic Caucus - Chair Priorities 01/16/2024

Chair Priorities at the Vermont Senate Democratic Caucus.

On Tuesday, the Senate Democratic Caucus had brief presentations from committee chairs to hear about priorities for the coming session. Senator Cummings, Chair of Senate Finance, brought up S.181 as something the committee is looking at - with the caveat that the main focus this year will be finding ways to lower the property tax rate. Senator Hardy, chair of Senate Government Operation & Military Affairs, mentioned her committee would be taking testimony on open meeting laws as a priority this session.

Senator Cumming and Senator Hardy speak.

S.181 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0181/S-0181%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Testimony of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill 01/16/2024

Testimony of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Finance.

S.181 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0181/S-0181%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Senator Peter Welch: Introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act 01/12/2024

From the Office of Senator Welch:

Welch to Unveil Bill to Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, Convene Broadband Leaders to Discuss Closing the Digital Divide in Vermont

On January 12, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joins broadband leaders from across Vermont at Burlington City Hall to discuss the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, which will provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program helps provide affordable high-speed internet to qualifying households in Vermont and across the America. The program, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is projected to run out of funding by April without action by Congress.

Guests include: Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Christine Halquist, Vermont Community Broadband Board; Paige Hartsell, NEK Community Action; Christa Shute, NEK Broadband

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Government Ops and Military - Walkthrough of H.140 State Government Grant Reform 01/11/2024

Walkthrough of H.140 State Government Grant Reform at the House Committee on Government Ops and Military.

Lauren-Glenn Davitian speaks at around 00:01:21

H.140 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/H-0140/H-0140%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Committee on Ways and Means - Walkthrough of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 01/11/2024

Walkthrough of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the House Committee on Ways and Means.

H.657 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Ways%20and%20Means/Bills/H.657/H.657~Maria%20Royle~As%20Introduced~1-11-2024.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Walkthrough of S. 181 Community Media Public Benefit Bill 01/10/2024

Walkthrough of the Community Media Public Benefit Bill S.181 at the Senate Committee on Finance.

S.181 as introduced:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0181/S-0181%20As%20Introduced.pdf

Policy Forum on Baby Bonds: Supporting Economic Security for All 12/19/2023

From the Office of State Treasurer Mike Pieciak and the organizers:

Join us for a panel discussion covering the Vermont State Treasurer's legislative priority for the '24 session - Baby Bonds.

Baby Bonds is an innovative program to address intergenerational poverty, rural economic development & retention of young people in Vermont.

The conversation, featuring Dr. Darrick Hamilton, Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell, and State Senator Kesha Ram-Hinsdale, delves into Dr. Hamilton’s research on Baby Bonds' ability to address the racial wealth gap and enhance economic security for all. The event also examines Connecticut's first-in-the-nation statewide Baby Bonds program and its' comparison with a similar proposal from the Vermont Treasurer's Office.

Syndicate content

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!

Read more...

More News from the Center for Media and Democracy