Vermont State Police emblem

OPINION: Anti-ICE Protester Charged With Driving Car at Cops

A South Burlington woman has been charged following an investigation into her conduct during a March 11 law-enforcement operation and protest on Dorset Street, according to the Vermont State Police. Police said Connie Anania, 53, of South Burlington, was cited Thursday, May 28, on charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and grossly negligent operation of … Read more

newspapers

OPINION: Local Print Newspapers Scaling Back Printing

One of Vermont’s beloved local daily newspapers will soon be only offering print newspapers three days per week.  The Newport Daily Express, serving Orleans County and the surrounding towns, has announced a series of changes to its news service with the expressed goal of better serving its readers.  The changes include a new three editions … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: End The Session, Please!

This week, on Right Side Up, Mike and Alison talk about bills still up for a vote on what we hope is the LAST WEEK of the session. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. More Right Side Up Check out all of our other podcasts. Get More Morning … Read more

masked officer or agent in riot gear

PAGE: House Lets ICE Put Their Masks Back On

With the help of dozens of Republicans and the grudging acceptance of progressive Democrats, the House on Thursday removed ICE from the police-masking bill (S.208). Of course, ‘requiring’ ICE to unmask was the point of the whole bill as sponsored by Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky (D/P Chittenden Central) and others.  The Senate dedicated repeated hearings and … Read more

VT Legislature- much ado about nothing

ROPER: Is This The Dumbest Bill of 2026?

A pathetic attempt to look like you’re doing something when actually doing nothing. So, the Vermont House and Senate both approved H.727 – An act relating to sustainable data center deployment, sending it off to the Governor’s desk for a signature or a veto. What this bill does is create a number of logistical hurdles … Read more

Vermont State House

ROPER: Republicans Win Big But Dems Try To Claw Some Back

Thirteen of seventeen Senate Democrats joined every Republican in repealing Act 18, the Clean Heat Standard, in a significant moral victory for the GOP. (For those wondering, the four colossally out of touch “no” votes came from Andrew Perchlik (D/P- Washington), Ann Cummings (D-Washington), Becca White (D-Windsor), and Tanya Vyhovsky (D/P -Chittenden C.) But it … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: Recap of the Biennium and Possible Vetoes

This week, on Right Side Up, Mike and Alison give a 2026 biennium recap of bills from the most recent session, as well as possible vetoes by Gov. Phil Scott, complete with commentary and analysis. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own … Read more

Children rain boots

ROPER: Kids Can’t Read, Democrat Politicians Don’t Care

There is a political spat brewing under the Golden Dome regarding a $700,000 appropriation – or lack thereof – for a childhood literacy program called Read Vermont. In a nutshell, the program funds “literary coaches” who train teachers how to use phonics, phonological awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension to teach kids how to read. This … Read more

I voted sticker question marks

ROPER: Voting Rights Bill Debate Exposes Major Problem with Elections

This is supposed to be an election integrity measure, protecting voters from “…bribery, intimidation, threats, coercion, or other means…” by those attempting to influence how — or preventing them entirely — from voting at a polling place. Sounds good. But here’s the problem: two-thirds of Vermonters no longer vote at a polling place. Since the … Read more

Right Side Up Podcast Splash updated 4-21-26

Right Side Up: School Bills

This week on Right Side Up, Alison & Mike talk about 2 school bills in the Senate and H.70, a bill that would amend a “bad” land preservation bill. This was accidentally published as private. You should be able to view it now. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the embedded video does not … Read more

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

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