Random white male

ROPER: “Equality of Rights” Amendment Is Racist

Next week, Proposition 4, a proposed amendment to our state constitution, will come before the full House of Representatives – the final hurdle in a four-year process before it goes to the voters this November in a popular referendum. What is Proposition 4? It is the so-called “Equality of Rights” amendment. Don’t be fooled. That … Read more

Taxes crushing vermont original Photo by Chris Andrawes on Unsplash

ROPER: The Thing Vermonters Can’t Afford Is Our Government

The Vermont Senate Republicans dropped a post earlier this week outlining just how out of control state spending is and has been for a long time. Though they cite a figure for FY27 spending of $9.1 billion (projected) and a 1.6 percent year-over-year increase, where I see a $9.34 billion number coming out of the … Read more

5-8-2026 Morning Update Spalsh Ep 167 Blue State Doom Loop

Morning Update: The Blue State Doom Loop

Today on the Morning Update, Blue States follow a predictable pattern. Take control. Increase spending, add regulations, increase taxes, add new ones, which eventually drive wealth and job creators away. Vermont wanted to be like California. Like New York. And so they are. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Perrigo’s Business Model01:26 Financial Performance and Challenges … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: Regional Planning, Land Use, And Climate

This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and Mike do a quick S.325 update (regional planning), discuss Acts 181 (Land Use) & 59 (Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act), who wasn’t included in the room & a WSJ op-ed on climate data. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. … Read more

Money flushed down the Public school toilet

ROPER: You Are Going to Pay More for a Failing Public School System

For the past two years, Vermont politicians have been telling Vermont property taxpayers that they heard us after 2024 and are working to reform our education system to provide property tax relief. It’s not happening. The debate today as we close out the 2026 legislative session is whether to pay for 4%-plus increase in spending … Read more

cupcakes

ROPER: “Let Them Eat Cake!” Literally, Say Lawmakers

A collection of Vermont legislators led by Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden SE) and Treasurer Mike Pieciak (D-VT) gathered in the Cedar Creek Room of the State House to decry and bemoan proposed reforms to the SNAP (Supplemental NUTRITION Assistance Program, aka Food Stamps) that would disallow taxpayer-funded EBT cards from purchasing junk … Read more

Cash money bills

MACDONALD: ‘Principals’ Made to Pay

People have been itchy, antsy, and downright belligerent about how long it takes to see some accountability at the federal level. I’ve been reminding everyone that’s listening that you don’t get there overnight. We’re not Democrats. We don’t just whip an indictment because someone rustled our jimmies. Angry tweets, sure, legal filings that could stick? … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: Disorderly Conduct

This week on Right Side Up, Alison and I discuss Chittenden County State’s Attorney not prosecuting disorderly conduct, Telecom siting, and new S.325 Regional Planning language. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Get More Right Side Up Here Check out all of our other podcasts. Get More Morning … Read more

Vermont Green Mountains

ROPER: The Land Use Law Isn’t the Only Attack on Rural Vermonters

Rural Vermonters have certainly woken up to the dangers of Act 181, the state land use law that threatens to basically steal the property rights away from landowners living outside the 2.5 percent of the state deemed to be “urban settlement.” The “Vermont Act 181” Facebook group has exploded almost overnight to 11,400 members, the … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: Clarence Thomas, Voter ID, and More

This week, on Right Side Up, Mike and Alison talk about Justice Clarence Thomas’s speech @ U of Texas at Austin, H.670, a voter ID bill, and RES siting.” Chapter List: Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent … Read more

democrat donkey on gas gaugae at empty

ROPER: Watch Democrat Leaderships’ Words Carefully

If there is one thing I’ve learned watching and often finding myself neck deep in Vermont politics over the past quarter century, it is that you have to evaluate every word that comes out of Democrats’ mouths for linguistic loopholes. This, after all, is the party of “it depends on what the definition of “is” … Read more

Aly Richards Vermont Democrat

ROPER: Poster Child for Failed Government

Many Vermont Democrats are giddy over the prospect of a genuinely competitive opponent to take on Phil Scott for the first time in 10 years: Aly Richards. All I can say is, it’s cute that you think that. While I’ll buy that Richards is likely to put up a better show than Esther Charlestin or … Read more

pickpocket-crime

KLAR: A Textbook Case of How Progressives Rob the Working-Class

Ken Lund The Green Mountain State is a textbook case of how progressives employ social justice causes to drain the wallets and dreams of citizens. A growing populist backlash against a land use scheme that will steal wealth from property owners without any compensation is just the tip of the Marxist iceberg that is sinking the once-Republican … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Public Safety, Health Care, and Green-Grabbing

This week on Right Side Up, Mike and Alison discuss public safety, a bit of health care news, and a bit about “Green Grabbing.” Note: This week, Segment two includes video and audio, not just audio. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their … Read more

Taxes crushing vermont original Photo by Chris Andrawes on Unsplash

ROPER: $100 Million Childcare Tax Is the Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back

The Vermont State House recently hosted “Manufacturing Day” to highlight the successes and concerns of a key – and it turns out declining – sector of our economy. Amy Spear of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce kicked off testimony before the Economic Development Committees, “Manufacturing employment in Vermont has declined 11.3% since 2020. And Vermont … Read more

kohls theft CCTV images of suspects - VDC

PAGE: Coordinated, Brazen Retail Theft Hits Kohl’s

Police are asking for help identifying three individuals involved in a brazen retail theft at Kohl’s in the Berlin Mall on Sunday afternoon. According to the Berlin Police Department, the incident occurred at about 3 PM on April 12, when three individuals entered the store, filled shopping carts with merchandise, and then exited without attempting … Read more

Right Side Up Splash with Mike T

Right Side Up: Geoengineering

This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and Mike discuss more Act 181, Geoengineering H.217 and H.955, an Education bill.” Listen on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or … Read more

Gov Phill Scott - Gov Page Screen Grab

PAGE: Gov. Phil Scott Laughs Off Dem Criticism That He’s to Blame …

…For high taxes, low affordability Democrats are pointing the finger at Vermont Governor Phil Scott for the state’s climbing tax, housing, health care and affordability problems. At a recent press conference, he said the Legislature’s majority party should look at the three fingers pointed right back at them. In an exchange with Vermont Public reporter … Read more

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