Interview: new Public Safety commissioner
VPR’s Steve Delaney talks with Major Kerry Sleeper, the incoming commissioner of the Public Safety. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)
Dean receives warm reception
Vermont Governor Howard Dean delivered a warm goodbye Wednesday to the state he’s led for 11 years. The Democrat leaves office this week to step up the pace in his presidential campaign. In his farewell address to a packed House chamber, Dean said the rest of the country could learn valuable lessons from how Vermonters resolve their differences. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Freed elected speaker
Wednesday morning at the Statehouse, incumbent Republican House Speaker Walter Freed was re-elected to a second term in office on the first day of the new Legislative session. Freed defeated Democrat John Tracy by a vote of 82-68. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Racine steps down
In the Vermont Senate Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine relinquished his gavel. Racine is stepping down after losing last November’s gubernatorial election. (Listen to the story online or read the transcript.) (VPR)
Metzger Guard duty
Milton Representative Doran Metzger told his colleagues that he’ll miss the first year of the session because his Vermont National Guard Unit has been called up for active duty. (VPR)
Welch officially elected
Senator Peter Welch was sworn in Wednesday morning as president pro tempore of the State Senate. (AP)
Dean’s farewell address
Governor Howard Dean delivered his farewell address in the well of the Vermont House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon. Listen to speech online. (Listen to the speech and VPR news analysis online.) (VPR)
Interview: Speaker Walter Freed
VPR broadcasted this live interview from the Statehouse Wednesday at noon. Walter Freed was elected speaker of the House Wednesday morning when the Vermont Legislature convened for the 2003-2004 biennium. (Listen to the interview online.) (VPR)