Vermont Statehouse

Vermont officials say a new battery system to provide backup power has been installed in the Statehouse in Montpelier.  It’s thought to be the first such system in a state capitol in the country.

The Vermont Statehouse is closed for about three weeks for maintenance work.

Two Vermont sculptors have been chosen to design and carve a new statue to sit atop the state's capitol building.

The 80-year-old wooden statue of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, has been taken down from the top of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier because it's believed to be rotting.

Vermont lawmakers are back at the Statehouse in Montpelier for the 2018 legislative session.

Vermont lawmakers are back in Montpelier this week to begin the 2018 legislative session.

This past week, Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott celebrated his 100th day in office and outlined his accomplishments so far.  Vermonters elect the governor and lieutenant governor separately. David Zuckerman is a Progressive/Democrat in his first term as Lieutenant Governor.  During a break in Senate sessions, he told WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley that during his first 100 days he’s worked to get more people, especially youth, involved in the political process.

Now that he has been in office for 100 days, Vermont Governor Phil Scott held a press conference this morning to outline what he sees as his successes so far.

The Vermont Legislature has reached the midpoint of its current session.  The governor’s weekly press conference at the Statehouse on Thursday included a look at what progress has occurred since the session began in January.

Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott met with reporters at the Statehouse in Montpelier today to discuss a number of issues facing the legislature and his administration.  One of the primary topics is a piece of legislation under consideration that would require any federal immigration actions in Vermont to be approved by the governor.

A bat was at the Vermont Statehouse just before the governor's budget address.

Environmental activist and writer Bill McKibben is among those testifying at the Vermont Statehouse Friday regarding state divestment of investments in fossil fuel companies.

Vermont legalized medical marijuana in 2004.  Now, some legislative committees are taking testimony on the controversial idea of legalizing recreational marijuana.  But there is considerable doubt whether the Legislature will actually approve a bill this session. 

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin delivered his last budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate Thursday. The Democrat says his plan will close a $68 million budget gap while not relying on one-time funds to pay for expenses.

Cleaning up Lake Champlain will take a joint effort between business leaders, environmental officials and politicians. That was the message yesterday in Montpelier, as WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports.

The Vermont Workers Center is coordinating Vermont’s ‘Health Care is A Human Right Campaign’. The group organized a protest at the statehouse in Montpelier Thursday that repeatedly interrupted inaugural ceremonies and speeches.

Single payer advocates first gathered at the entrance to the House chamber, chanting as legislators gathered for a joint session to hear Governor Peter Shumlin’s inaugural address.

The Vermont Legislature returns to Montpelier this week to begin a new biennium.

A new political action committee has been formed in Vermont. Founders of the bi-partisan PAC plan to support candidates who will promote and advocate for fiscal responsibility.

The Vermont House and Senate education committees heard an overview of federal education policy from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at the Statehouse Wednesday afternoon.

Law enforcement officers opposed to a proposal that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana will be at the Vermont statehouse Thursday asking legislators to reject the measure.