WVTK Local & State News February 23, 2010

Federal regulators have confirmed that the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant had leaked radioactive tritium years before the current leak that's being investigated. An earlier leak was described in whistle blower's report to a member of the Legislative Oversight Panel last week. Now the Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirms that leak happened.

Labor and business groups are pushing state lawmakers to put off a vote on a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The groups are pointing to Governor Jim Douglas' call for a time-out in the debate over the plant and citing Vermont Yankee's economic impact. The vote is planned for this week.

20 people have been indicted on drug and other charges in an alleged cocaine ring that operated out of a South Burlington auto detailing shop. Federal prosecutors say Michael Olsen of Milton ran the ring, saying it typically got the drugs from dealers in California and Arizona and would then pass them along to other locations across Vermont.

A new Sienna College Polls shows Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has a huge lead over Harold Ford Jr. in a potential Democratic primary matchup. But former Republican Governor George Pataki outpolls both Gillibrand and Ford in a general election race. Pataki has not said whether or not he will run.

Officials with the Village of Essex Junction are considering a local options tax. The town of Essex tried to pass a local option tax last year and it failed. Village leaders say the money is needed to help maintain village roads and the local fire department. A public forum will be held in Essex Junction tonight to inform the public on the local option tax.

Burlington city councilors say so far it looks like lenders are not holding the city in default after Burlington Telecom failed to make a loan payment. Last week, Burlington Telecom couldn't make a $386,000 loan payment. City councilors say they're open to all options right now, including the possibility of a private partnership.

New Yorkers have more time to take advantage of the “Great Appliance Swap Out”, a state-run program that gives rebates to consumers who purchase high-efficiency appliances. The program began on February 12th and was originally scheduled to end this past Sunday. The program is being continued until all available funds are gone. For more details go to NYApplianceSwapOut.com.

A 246-year-old border spat in Chittenden County is close to coming to an end. Arbitrators have signed off on the deal involving the towns of Shelburne and St. George. A lawyer says St. George gets a "slight advantage" as the border is settled, but it only affects one home.

The Adirondack Northway now has cell-phone coverage from Lake George to Canada. T-Mobile yesterday completed a major network expansion across the region, bringing 29 new cell sites online.

A Vermont Senate Panel is looking at a new tax to help prop up the state’s unemployment fund. The new tax would ask the employed to pay more to help the unemployed while keeping the maximum benefit at $425 a week. The Economic Development Committee passed the legislation by a vote of 3 to2.

A bill in the Vermont Senate and Vermont House are basically looking to do the same thing … consolidate school districts across the state. To learn more about the bills, the Senate and House Education Committees will be holding a hearing the proposals tomorrow night at 5 PM at the statehouse.