Thursday, May 7, 2015

WVTK Local & State News May 7, 2015

Voters in the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union have defeated the VUHS multiple choice budget. On Tuesday residents said no to Article One, a $10.31 million proposal to fund the high school, and which cut $156,000 from the budget defeated on Town Meeting Day. The also said no to Article Two, which would have added that $156,000 back into VUHS spending proposal. Voters in Ferrisburgh and Waltham approved Article One while residents in Vergennes, Addison, and Panton said no. Residents in Waltham was the only town to approve Article Two.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin is not expecting a bill repealing the vaccine philosophical exemption to reach his desk this year. Shumlin's comments came yesterday as a legislative committee continued to receive testimony on the measure. The House and Senate both approved the underlying bill, but the Senate tacked on an amendment repealing the exemption. House Speaker Shep Smith is not sure if the bill will see a vote before the session adjourns May 15th.

Food industry groups are appealing a recent ruling that allows a Vermont law requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods. The groups want an appeals court to block the law from taking effect as their full legal challenge continues. Governor Peter Shumlin signed the law into effect about a year ago, and the labeling rules were finalized last month. The law will take effect on July first of next year if it withstands the legal challenges.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the Empire State will provide law enforcement agencies with devices to track children with autism and other disorders to assist in missing child searches. A press release says 50 agencies statewide will receive these transmitters. The transmitters, which are worn on the wrist or ankle, will emit a tracking signal that allows a child to be located quickly after going missing. A total of 596 transmitters will be sent to law enforcement agencies throughout the state including Essex County.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is calling for the breakup of some of the country's biggest banks. Sanders says no single financial institution should be so large that their failure could destabilize the economy without government assistance. The independent senator says he's concerned that taxpayers will need to make an even larger bailout if the big banks fail again.