Gubernatorial candidates debate on environment
Vermont’s environment was the topic Monday night during a gubernatorial debate in Montpelier. Governor Jim Douglas said his administration has boosted spending to clean up Lake Champlain and will take legal action against polluters. (VPR)
Errors in Ready’s biography draw fire
Randy Brock, the Republican candidate for Auditor says incumbent Elizabeth Ready has misrepresented her academic credentials. Brock wants Ready to stop conducting state audits until she can explain how the inaccuracies occurred. Ready says she takes responsibility for the errors, but that she didn’t intentionally try to deceive the public. (VPR)
Clavelle says out-of-state prisoners should be brought back
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Clavelle says the state should cancel its contract to house hundreds of inmates at a privately run prison in Kentucky. Clavelle says allowing a for-profit company to operate a prison is flawed public policy that he strongly opposes. (VPR)
State benefits for Guard soldiers
The state of Vermont is planning to extend the pay and benefits for state employees who have been called to active duty in the National Guard or military reserve. Under the plan being implemented by Governor Jim Douglas, the state will make up the difference between a state employee’s pay and their military salaries for up to a year on active duty. (VPR)
Abenaki tribe recognition
A proposal is expected in the next session of the Vermont Legislature that would grant state recognition to the Abenaki tribe. (AP)
Vermont students improve scores on SAT
The College Board, which administers the SAT and other student assessments, has issued a report saying that Vermont students are doing pretty well on those tests. (AP)
Campaign fundraising
Governor Jim Douglas has raised more than $603,000 toward his re-election campaign, while his Democratic challenger has raised $355,000. So far Douglas has spent $378,000 and Peter Clavelle has spent $330,000. (AP)
Candidates’ financial worth
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Clavelle has decided to release a listing of his financial assets. Clavelle and his wife have a net worth of just over $1.2 million. Governor Jim Douglas called on Clavelle to do so last week after Clavelle complained the governor was being paid too much. Douglas released a listing of his assets on Friday; they showed that Douglas and his wife were worth just over one million dollars. (AP)
Lyme disease levels off
Public health officials across northern New England say Lyme disease appears to be leveling off after a decade of steady growth. So far this year, Vermont has had about 40 cases compared with 43 cases for all of 2003 and 37 in 2002. (AP)
FAHC gift
Fletcher Allen Health Care has received a $2.5 million pledge from a Shelburne couple to help with the hospital’s expansion project. Peter and Brenda Gartman established a trust fund in Fletcher Allen’s name to support the hospital’s Renaissance Project. (AP)
South Burlington housing development
A residential project of more than 300 homes is planned for the rural southeastern area of South Burlington. If approved and built, the project would be the largest in the city’s history. The Retrovest Companies wants to turn a 220-acre parcel with mountain views into a 334-house village-style neighborhood. It would surround a 35-acre organic farm. (AP)
Winhall murder trial
A Winhall man accused of killing his nephew is preparing for what is expected to be a five-day trial in December. Bruce Dodge faces life in prison if convicted on a charge of second-degree murder. The 45-year-old Dodge is accused of killing 37-year-old Peter Coffin at his home in Winhall. (AP)