Thursday, May 15, 2014

WVTK Local & State News May 15, 2014

A proposed FDA rule could cost farmers and breweries thousands of dollars. Currently, farmers are getting feed for their cows in the form of "mash". That is the left over malted barley combined with grains that brewers use in their beer making process. The FDA is proposing the grain instead be dumped in landfills. This would force farmers to find feed elsewhere and cost breweries to ship it off to landfills. Congressman Peter Welch says the FDA hasn't given a reason for the rule change.

The Shumlin administration is preparing to launch a study of what marijuana legalization might look like in Vermont. Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding says it likely will look at the two other states that have gone first on legalization: Colorado and Washington state. Lawmakers asked that the study be done by January. Spaulding says that can be achieved, but he says Colorado and Washington may not have had enough experience by then to provide good data. Legislation calling for the study said one focus should be on the potential revenue the state could collect if it taxed and regulated marijuana.

Vermont State Police, assisted by local law enforcement agencies, will conduct DUI sobriety checkpoints May 19-30 in the Rutland County area. Vermonters are urged to use a designated driver whenever necessary and to wear seatbelts.

Police in Burlington, Vermont, have arrested four people on a charge of selling cocaine following a two-month investigation. Police conducted three simultaneous search warrants at residences on Thursday. They seized cocaine, cash and a loaded firearm.

Voters in the Moriah Central School District will go the polls next week to decide on a budget for next school year. The 2014-15 spending plan adopted by the school board calls for a 4.5 percent increase in appropriations from $15-million this year to $15.6-million in 2014-15. Voters will also be asked to approve a proposition for the district to purchase two buses and one passenger van. Voting on the 2014-15 school budget will take place at the school from noon to 8 p.m. next Tuesday.