In 2016, a short bill labeled “An act relating to timber harvesting” quietly rewrote Vermont’s land-use laws. A single sentence requiring towns to map “forest blocks” and “habitat connectors” became the foundation for the Vermont Conservati
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
Vermont keeps breaking ground on sweeping laws—the Clean Water Act, Three-Acre Rule, Global Warming Solutions Act, and Clean Heat Standard—before anyone knows how they’ll work or what they’ll cost. These “golden albatrosses” touch every pro
Vermonters can track every bill, hearing, and vote through the state’s official legislative site, goldendomevt.com, and YouTube. From live committee streams to searchable transcripts and daily schedules, it’s all open to the public — no pas
Vermont’s Administrative Procedure Act quietly gives citizens surprising power. Just 25 Vermonters can force a state agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule — or demand that an agency formalize or drop an unofficial policy. It’s
Vermont’s environmental policy loop has turned circular: the same advocacy lawyers who help write state rules are now suing farms and agencies for not enforcing them fast enough or good enough. Registered lobbyists for CLF and VNRC drafted
A new Clean Water Act lawsuit against a Panton dairy could redefine how Vermont farms manage water. Environmental groups claim pesticides are “spewing” from tile drains into Dead Creek, but data show common farm chemicals at levels typical
If you've ever wondered where Vermont's Progressive legislature gets its big ideas, look no further than the Center for American Progress (CAP). From costly energy mandates to contentious social policies, CAP's influence drives legislation
Vermont poured hundreds of millions of federal ARPA dollars into climate and housing projects while its court system buckled under record backlogs. With 60 percent of criminal cases tied to just 3,400 repeat offenders, the state’s choice to
The Second Amendment and Vermont’s Article 16 don’t grant the right to bear arms; they recognize an inherent right to self-defense that limits government interference. Understanding this distinction highlights the importance of responsible
Vermont's Act 59 aims to conserve 50% of land by 2050, but the economic fallout could burden taxpayers with higher taxes and reduced opportunities. The proposed 30 by 30/50 by 50 Reduction Act offers a bold solution: shrink government costs
Northwestern Vermont’s “gas towns” enjoy the cost-saving benefits of natural gas, while rural and southern communities bear higher heating costs without affordable options. Vermont’s renewable energy policies, shaped by these privileged reg
