News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
As we reach the quarter-century mark in the new millennium, it’s worth looking back on what the politics of this era have done for (or, spoiler alert, “to”) Vermont. First, some important historical context: The last time Vermont Republicans had a majority in the Senate was 1996. The last time Vermont Republicans had a majority … Read more
Numerous mainstream media outlets are deliberately lying to American parents about the law regarding COVID-19 vaccines. In August, Vermont’s Supreme Court that ruled a six-year-old boy administered a COVID-19 vaccine against his parents’ specific instructions that he not be jabbed has no state tort remedies and that the family’s sole recourse is a federal claim … Read more
You can call it the ‘Michael Reynolds Law,’ after the Burlington-area transient with more than 1600 police interactions since 2012 and still going strong this month with reported abusive, disruptive, threatening behavior. Or you could call it the ‘Abdirahman Mohammed Law,’ after the 22-year-old Burlington man with a mere 35 run-ins with law enforcement, 11 … Read more
This week, Bill and Mike discuss rising crime in Burlington, energy usage in the northeast, and the Matrix of Liberty. Follow The ‘Grok on Rumble.
A new report by the state’s Department of Health indicates that for young Vermonters age 25 and under non-fatal overdose visits to emergency departments have generally risen over recent years. Teenagers may be seeing the most concerning rate of increase. The 9-page report can be read here. Key findings include, “Between 2018 and 2022, unintentional nonfatal overdose … Read more
In 2024, the Green Mountain State saw education costs, aka property taxes, rise more than 13%. All while academic performance continued to decline. The 13% rise could have been higher had the tax rate not been bought down with one-time funds. The low staff/student ratio, increased compensation costs, the Legislature’s incentivizing local school spending, and … Read more
Vermont’s election season may not be over. Because John Rodgers unseated incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dave Zuckerman with less than 50% of the popular vote, the Vermont Legislature will determine which of the two candidates will become the next Vermont LG. It is worthwhile to consider what the implications are if the state’s progressive majority in … Read more
The State of Vermont is committed to ruining the lives of Vermonters to achieve arbitrary emissions reduction targets that are globally insignificant. The entire exercise is a punchline to a bad joke. To make matters worse, the State is arguing with environmentalists over whether or not they are achieving those meaningless planned reductions. To meet … Read more
This week, Bill and Mike discuss what we are thankful for this Christmas season: holiday meals, family gatherings, & a farmer’s independent spirit.”
Vermont’s largest abortion provider wants the 2025 Legislature to make up a projected $8.6 million, three-year shortfall. According to the Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Action Fund PAC 2024 candidate survey, the culprit is stingy, unsympathetic state and federal government services. “In recent years, Planned Parenthood patients’ access to care has been under attack … Read more
Act 183 establishing The Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont (a name almost as convoluted as the system it’s supposed to reform) is charged by law to, among other tasks, submit “a written report containing its preliminary findings and recommendations, including short-term cost containment considerations for the 2025 legislative session, [emphasis added] on or … Read more
While the question remains to be seen if a majority of elected legislators got the message on November 5th that Vermonters want nothing to do with home heating taxes or any other fees and charges that make life in our state more unaffordable than it already is, one entity assuredly did not get the message: the … Read more
In 2021, Leo Politella’s parents were specifically assured by their local Vermont public school officials that their 6-year-old son would not be vaccinated with a novel Covid-19 vaccine at an upcoming school clinic. Leo’s father visited the school the week before to ask whether he should keep his son home the day of the vaccination … Read more
Right Side Up is a weekly radio show/podcast covering local politics in Vermont and New Hampshire. This week, Bill and Mike discuss the Young Republicans, subsidies for healthcare premiums, and … pork pies for the Christmas holiday.” Follow The ‘Grok on Rumble. Donate to the ‘Grok to keep the content coming.
Vermont has a law that jacks the minimum wage up every year. Either 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, which makes you think the Dems running the place (for the most part) would want a bit more honesty when it comes to reporting inflation, and that’s not happening (maybe Trumps DOL will … Read more
While it’s recently been announced that Vermont will have to pay the highest premiums in the nation for health insurance for 2025, much of the tab for those struggling to pay will be picked up by taxpayers. “This year, many Vermonters will be eligible for better coverage plans at lower premium costs due to increased … Read more
Vermont’s unaffordability crisis is most visibly driven by high taxes that come directly out of our pockets: sky-high property taxes, above-average sales taxes, fees on our electric bills, the new payroll tax, etc. A “clean heat” surcharge on fuel bills would be easy to spot. But the mandates our legislators saddle local businesses with – … Read more
Montpelier’s Progressive-minded City Council repealed a ban on panhandling in 2018 and refused requests to ban loitering in 2019. In 2021, it adopted a “general non-involvement approach” towards emergency (read: homeless) encampments, except for those located in ‘high-sensitivity areas.’ In 2023, former City Councilor and newly elected House member Conor Casey argued on behalf of homeless city residents … Read more
An Instagram page has taken the initiative to publicize some concerning imagery and videos of the Queen City’s homeless and drug epidemics. The page is crudely titled “burlington_looks_like_shxt”, it has at least 36,300 followers and more than 300 posts. There are numerous public comments. Generally, folks are upset but not surprised. Some are ready to take this … Read more
Act 18, the Clean Heat Standard law, required the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to design the detailed rules for how the program’s carbon credit market would work in practice. That plan is due, and the PUC’s draft report indicates it doesn’t. Work that it. One main component of the PUC’s task is to determine who … Read more