Vermont’s Current Use Program reduces property taxes on agricultural and forest land by assessing enrolled parcels at use value rather than market value. As enrollment grows and more landowners—both resident and non-resident—post their prop
"The Decline of Constructive Climate Dialogue" calls out Vermont's climate "fear porn," comparing it to medieval responses during the Little Ice Age. It argues that alarmism damages public morale and stifles progress, while economic growth
Vermont towns are increasingly unsure where statutory planning requirements end and agency-driven preferences begin. Pittsford’s recent Selectboard discussion highlights this statewide tension, especially around Enhanced Energy Plans and id
Vermont’s housing debate is stuck on three incompatible goals: building far more homes, keeping them affordable, and maintaining strict environmental protections. Policymakers and advocates avoid acknowledging that the state can only achiev
A temporary expansion of ACA subsidies, extended twice since 2021, is now producing a steep policy cliff as the 2025 sunset approaches. Premiums rose faster under subsidy insulation, and the expiration exposes both the lost support and the
Vermont spends over $30 million a year on emergency motel housing, but new federal homelessness rules could shift those costs to HUD-funded treatment and transitional programs. With hundreds of thousands of square feet in vacant state-owned
Vermont’s land-use planning statute attempts to solve almost every development challenge at once, from housing and transportation to agriculture, energy, and even cultural enrichment. Its sweeping goals often contradict each other, leaving
One of Act 250’s original yes-votes spent the next five decades warning where Vermont’s land-use regime would lead: tighter permits, fewer homes, higher costs, weaker job growth. Today’s housing shortage and affordability crunch look less l
Vermont’s forests aren’t vanishing—they’re thriving. Yet a chorus of activist groups keeps pushing crisis narratives that turn private property into “shared heritage.” Backed by the legislature, they’ve converted rhetoric into regulation, l
Five powerful environmental lobbying groups — VPIRG, VNRC, EAN, CLF, and VCV — dominate Vermont’s State House, shaping laws from the Global Warming Solutions Act to the Clean Heat Standard. With nearly three lobbyists for every lawmaker, Mo
Maine’s harm-reduction programs are under fire after reports confirmed publicly funded “boofing kits” — rectal drug-use supplies — distributed through nonprofits receiving state and federal grants. The controversy exposes how “safer-use” mo
Vermont’s workplace drug-testing law prohibits random tests and requires employers to offer rehabilitation before firing workers who test positive. Strict procedures under 21 V.S.A. §§ 513–514 outline how tests must be conducted, making Ver
