Lola Duffort

1 day ago | vermontpublic.org | Lola Duffort |Peter Hirschfeld

Legislative leaders sent rank-and-file lawmakers home for two weeks last Friday to give House and Senate negotiators more time to work out a deal on education reform. But one week later, those talks remain in a dysfunctional state of suspended animation. In this week's edition of the Capitol Recap, Vermont Public reporters Pete Hirschfeld and Lola Duffort discussed where things stand between the two chambers. This interview was produced for the ear. We highly recommend listening to the audio.

2 days ago | vermontpublic.org | Lola Duffort

Vermont may join a growing number of states attempting to enact guardrails on Big Tech in an attempt to protect minors online. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers have sent so-called “Kids Code” legislation to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk that would require technology companies to adjust certain product safety features for users under 18.

1 week ago | vermontpublic.org | Lola Duffort |Peter Hirschfeld

Bleary-eyed lawmakers left the Statehouse shortly before midnight Friday — but not with a deal on the education bill that’s dominated the 2025 legislative session. Marathon talks over a potentially historic reform package failed to yield a compromise, and Vermont lawmakers postponed adjournment until mid-June to give negotiators more time to work. Democratic House and Senate leaders say they remain committed to getting to yes, including with Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

2 weeks ago | vermontpublic.org | Lola Duffort

Senate Democrats have a deal on education reform — at least among themselves, and for now. It looked like reform efforts might implode completely earlier in the week, when Senate president pro tempore Phil Baruth announced Tuesday that a majority of Democrats would not support the bill that his chamber’s leaders had crafted. But Thursday morning, he gave members of his caucus an ultimatum.

2 weeks ago | vnews.com | Lola Duffort

E-Edition Advertise Newsletters Subscribe Home News Opinion Sports Photos Arts & Life Obituaries Classifieds Calendar Puzzles Sen. Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden, speaks after being nominated for Senate president pro tempore during a caucus of Senate Democrats at the Statehouse in Montpelier, Vt., on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.