1. Omya Permit
A Swiss company that has extensive operations in Rutland County is fighting environmentalists over its state wastewater permit. Vermonters for a Clean Environment says the permit would allow Omya to use new chemicals without state review. (VPR)
2. Racine Against Education Funding Plan
Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine says he opposes Governor Howard Dean’s plan to level fund state aid to education next year. (VPR)
3. Credit Unions
Some of Vermont’s largest credit unions have recently opened their doors to community membership, allowing more Vermonters to join a credit union and providing the organization with new deposits and borrowers. The change is also seen as new competition for local banks. (VPR)
4. UVM President
The University of Vermont Board of Trustees may announce its new President today. They’ve been mulling over the three finalists since last weekend. (AP)
5. Budget Cuts
The House Appropriations Committee is looking for another $14 million to cut from the 2003 state budget. (AP)
6. Vehicle Fees
Lawmakers in Montpelier are considering raising the cost of motor vehicle registration from $43 to $50. The additional fees would increase the transportation fund. (AP)
7. Educator Shortage
There is growing difficulty in finding people to serve as school principals, superintendents and school board members. An expert says that’s because the jobs are becoming tougher. (AP)
8. Drugs in Schools
Drug use in high schools is up across the state and the Poultney School Board is moving to respond to the problem. They are considering a policy that would make it easier to suspend or expel students for drug possession and for selling drugs. (AP)
9. Wind Power
A company that wants to build a wind-powered electric supply source at Little Equinox Mountain is pushing its construction schedule back a year. They plan to measure the wind and weather conditions on the mountain more carefully. (AP)
10. Plane Crash
Investigators think icing may have contributed to a small plane crash that killed a Pennsylvania couple over the weekend. Their plane was found in a remote part of the Green Mountain National Forest. (AP)
11. C & S Grocers
Governor Howard Dean says he thinks the future of southern Vermont is linked to the continued presence of C & S Wholesale Grocers. Dean says he will work hard to keep the company in Brattleboro. (AP)
12. Dean and Civil Unions
Governor Dean told a national meeting of gay and lesbian organizations over the weekend that allowing civil unions in Vermont was an important milestone in his career. The speech was part of a series of national addresses for the Governor, who is openly considering a run for the presidency in 2004. (AP)
13. Zantops’ Memorial Service
Dartmouth College holds a memorial service today for the Zantops, the faculty couple murdered in their home a year ago yesterday. Two Vermont teens are charged in the case. (AP)
14. Controversial Article
A UVM professor is in the middle of a controversy for publishing an article entitled “Rearing Honorable White Children.” The dean of the College of Education and Social Services backs his right to publish unpopular ideas. (AP)
15. Quarry Compromise
A quarry operation in Calais has reached a settlement with opponents, to limit the hours and noise levels in its operation. There’s still an anti-quarry case pending in court. (AP)