Gasoline prices will go up in Vermont
starting tomorrow, thanks to a new tax signed this week by the governor. Right now, there's a fixed state tax of 27
cents per gallon. Under the new law that
takes effect tomorrow, a 2 percent charge will be added to the total cost of
the purchase. Currently, that works out to about a 6-cent increase per gallon,
but that would fluctuate with the rise and fall of gas prices. Lawmakers are making the switch because
Vermonters have been using less gas, meaning less revenue collected for road
and bridge repairs. Governor Peter
Shumlin has stated repeatedly that he opposes any broad-based tax
increases. But he supports the new gas
tax, saying the additional transportation revenue is needed to leverage
millions in federal matching funds.
Fair Haven police say a liquor store clerk was apparently
helping herself to the till. 45-year-old
Denise Ballard is pleading not guilty to embezzlement charges, after
authorities say she stole more than 151-thousand dollars from the store. Ballard worked at Liberty Street Discount
Beverage for more than 9 years, and investigators say for an 18th month time
frame she voided sales and withdrew the cash from the register. Officers say she told them she was having
financial problems and a gambling addiction.
The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife are advising
motorists to be alert to avoid moose on the highway. A press release says moose are more likely to
be crossing roadways at this time of year, especially after dark or early in the
morning. If you see a moose ahead, slow
down or stop. Trying to speed past them
"before they can move" can be a serious mistake. Eighteen people have died in motor vehicle
collisions with moose on Vermont
highways since 1985.
Governor Shumlin is calling the new 31-million dollar
laboratory for the Health Department and University
of Vermont Colchester . The
new lab, which has been in the planning stages for about 10 years, will be
finished in about 18 months. It will
take the place of the old building near Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington .
The Vermont House will be debating end-of-life choice
legislation that would potentially allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication
to terminally ill patients who request it.
The measure has been the subject of two public hearings this year. A stripped-down version of the bill already
passed the Senate. If it gains House
approval, it would be up for final action tomorrow and then sent to a joint
conference committee.
A case of infant salmonella in Vermont
is now being investigated after the baby came in contact with baby chicks. The state health department says the infant
had the same strain of salmonella discovered in the chicks which had recently
been sold at a local feed store. Dozens
of people in several other states have been infected with the same strain,
according to health officials. One
suggestion now being made is to stop children younger than five from handling
young poultry.
