Having a part-time citizen
legislature – rather than a full time professional one – is one of the
hallmarks of Vermont politics and culture. We look at the pros and cons of
having citizen lawmakers – and how it affects the atmosphere at the Statehouse.
Twenty-five years ago, Madeleine Kunin became the first woman to be elected governor of Vermont. She addressed an anniversary symposium this week at UVM. You can listen to her speech here.
2003 Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi has never been a favorite of
the authorities in her country. But in the past six weeks she’s come
under increasing pressure from both the government and its supporters.
Congressman Peter Welch says he supports the idea of allowing the Treasury Department to
take a partial ownership stake in a number of private banks to help
open up national credit markets.
Gaye Symington says more troopers should be transferred to
special units that investigate sex crimes; a Vermont
state senator says the Chinese government has tried to influence state law; artists
have been asked to help Vermont
tackle its future; some underground fuel tanks in New
Hampshire need to be inspected because they might
leak hazardous substances.
Green Mountain Power promotes solar system usage; a contingent of Vermonters is in Quebec
City to help commemorate the 400th anniversary of its
founding. Vermonters can apply for emergency unemployment benefits soon; the Douglas
administration says it can cut 150 government positions without harming public
programs.
The House
has overwhelmingly endorsed legislation that could clear the way for farmers to
grow industrial hemp.
Opponents
criticized the debate as a waste of time, since the federal government doesn’t
allow cultivation of the plant.
Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy has gotten more support for his proposal to strengthen the federal law that protects the public’s right-to-know. Over the weekend he reached an agreement with Republican Senate opponents. But the legislation still needs approval from the President.