John Walters

Jan 14, 2025 | chestertelegraph.org | John Walters

The Chester Telegraph | Jan 14, 2025 | Comments 0 By John Walters©2025 Vermont Political ObserverLast week, the Vermont House Ethics Panel issued its annual report — and provided its annual reminder that the Legislature’s ethics process is meant to serve its members, not the public interest. The entire report occupies less than half a page of copy. Three paragraphs, 11 lines, 123 words.

May 15, 2024 | chestertelegraph.org | John Walters

The Chester Telegraph | May 15, 2024 | Comments 0 By John Walters©2024 Vermont Political ObserverFor all of Gov. Phil Scott’s tough talk about the budget and how tight we’ve got to be with our money, you might not guess that he and his top officials are due to get some very healthy raises in the new fiscal year. The Pay Act, H.889, had been floating serenely through the Vermont legislature to little to no public notice.

Apr 22, 2024 | thevpo.org | John Walters

Tuesday is the big day. Zoie Saunders, Gov. Phil Scott’s pick for education secretary, goes before the Senate Education Committee in the first step toward Senate confirmation of her selection. In advance of the occasion, here are some questions I would ask if I were, saints preserve us, a member of that committee. In preparation for this post, I listened to Saunders’ interview last week on “Vermont Edition,” and I have some questions about that program as well.

Apr 17, 2024 | chestertelegraph.org | John Walters

By John Walters©2024 Vermont Political ObserverGov. Phil Scott’s administration is acting as if Zoie Saunders’ nomination as education secretary is a fait accompli. On Monday, the Agency of Education issued a press release that trumpeted Saunders’ first day on the job. Nowhere did it mention that her appointment must be approved by the state Senate, which won’t even begin considering the matter until sometime next week.

Mar 12, 2024 | thefp.com | William P. Barr |John Walters

It’s been a little over a decade since cannabis was first legalized recreationally in the United States—in Colorado and Washington state in 2012, and as of today in 24 states and the District of Columbia—and Americans have never been more pro-weed.