WVTK Local & State News June 10, 2014

Governor Peter Shumlin has signed a law that makes Vermont the first state in the nation to have a policy dictating how police officers use their stun guns. The bill calls for the creation of a policy determining how and when the weapon should be used and the adoption of that yet-to-be-written policy by police departments across the state. The new policy will only allow police to use the device if someone presents a threat to themselves or others and doing so is the only way to prevent injury.

Academics from across the country are at Middlebury College to learn about ways to encourage young people to be social entrepreneurs. The conference at Middlebury College began today and continues through Thursday at Middlebury's Breadloaf Campus in Ripton. The conference is the third such event to be hosted by Middlebury.

The New York Senate passed 23 bills recommended by the bipartisan New York State Join Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. A press release says the bills passed to help prevent drug abuse and overdoses; increase the availability and efficacy of addiction treatment; and enhance the tools provided to law enforcement to keep heroin off the streets. In May, the task force proposed a number of bills to target prevention, treatment, and enforcement of drug-related issues after holding 18 forums throughout the state. The bills have been sent to the Assembly.

The Vermont Public Service Board will hold its second and final hearing on the proposed Phase II of the Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project on Thursday at 7 PM at the Middlebury Union High School auditorium.

Vermont officials say state revenues from income taxes have been down over the last few months, but those losses are being made up by unanticipated revenue from estate taxes. Eleven months into the fiscal year, personal income tax receipts are off about $17 million, or 3 percent of projects. But Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding says the gains in the estate tax are more than making up for the losses in the income tax because a small number of wealthy people pasted away.