Kevin McCallum

Burlington

Political Reporter at Seven Days

Statehouse and investigative reporter for Seven Days

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Articles

Vermonters Turn Out to Protest Trump, Musk

2 weeks ago | sevendaysvt.com | Matthew Roy |Kevin McCallum

click to enlarge This post will be updated. Pam Bell leaned on her walker and stood among hundreds of people lining Route 7 in historic Shelburne. Like those in the crowd who were waving signs to protest President Donald Trump, the 89-year-old woman was undeterred by pattering rain on Saturday afternoon. What brought her out? "The threat to Social Security," she said. "The threat to the environment.
Scott Vetoes Budget Adjustment Bill Over Motel Spending

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

Gov. Phil Scott on Friday followed through on his threat to veto lawmakers’ mid-year budget tweak, calling the additional spending it contains "irresponsible" in the face of looming federal cuts. He also disagreed with lawmakers' decision to include money in the bill to extend a program that has housed homeless people in hotels and motels around the state since the pandemic.
Vermont Bill Seeks to Limit State Cooperation With ICE

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

Vermont lawmakers concerned about President Donald Trump’s mass deportation rhetoric want to strip local law enforcement agencies of the right to work directly with federal immigration officials. They argue that only the governor, in consultation with the state attorney general, should have the ability to strike agreements that would provide federal agents with local help to find, arrest and detain immigrants.
Some Think Scott Should Do More to Stand Up to Trump

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

click to enlarge Cate Starmer rolled her eyes when Gov. Phil Scott said in November that Vermonters should give President Donald Trump the "opportunity to do better" than in his first term.
Bill Would Explore Creating an Office of New Americans

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

Sen. Martine Gulick (D-Chittenden Central) told colleagues that there is an urgent need to coordinate services for immigrants as the federal funding picture looks increasingly bleak. “I think there is a real existential worry that our refugee office could be in jeopardy depending on what happens with funding from the federal government," Gulick told members of the Senate Government Operations Committee.
Balint Says She Will Skip Trump's Address to Congress

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

Instead, U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said she will take part in an online effort with other lawmakers to fact-check the president in real time. “I watched as the President swore an oath to uphold and protect the constitution. I won’t sit and watch him lie to the American people again,” Balint said in a statement on Tuesday morning. U.S. Sen.
Sanders to Kick Off Round Two of His 'Fight Oligarchy' Tour

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

The 83-year-old senator’s latest trip follows unexpectedly large rallies he held in Omaha and Iowa City last weekend. Sanders urged attendees to pressure Republican members of Congress to oppose federal budget cuts and what he calls the nation’s rapid move toward authoritarianism. “The time to fight back is now!" Sanders told an overflow crowd in Omaha. After the event, Sanders told Seven Days he was inspired by the turnout and enthusiastic response, and he vowed to press on with the tour.
Vermont's Congressional Delegation Vows to Fight On Against Trump

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

Sanders joined Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) to field questions from Vermonters. They sought to reassure callers that they are doing everything they can to protect residents from threats to democracy and cuts to federal programs. As Sanders did on his trip to the Midwest last weekend, the senator warned that Trump is pushing the country toward authoritarianism and oligarchy as billionaires seize control of the government.
Bernie Sanders Leads a Renewed Fight Against Oligarchy

1 month ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

click to enlarge Help us pay for in-depth stories like this one by becoming a Seven Days Super Reader. Bernie Sanders took the stage in downtown Omaha, Neb., last Friday night and surveyed the roaring crowd. "Whoa!" Vermont's senior senator exclaimed. The turnout was far larger than Sanders' team had expected. It forced a last-minute move from a modest union building to a larger 2,600-seat venue at a Marriott hotel.
Vermont Democrats Rally to Save Universal School Meals

2 months ago | sevendaysvt.com | Kevin McCallum

The federal government pays about $17 million for the program, which allows all school kids to eat breakfast and lunch for free regardless of their family’s income level. The state education fund picks up the balance, or $18.5 million this year. Scott says while the program is well intentioned, it seems wrong for families who can afford their kids’ lunches to get a free ride. The result, he argues, is that property tax payers are subsiding free meals for rich kids.