Governor Peter Shumlin gave his annual budget address at the
state house today. The proposed budget
for 2015 increases state spending by almost 3½-percent. Shumlin says a projected $70 million budget
shortfall can be made without any new broad-based taxes with about $30 million
in one-time funds. The rest of the gap
will be made up with savings in debt costs and technology costs, increases in
special and federal funds and a 0.8 percent tax on health insurance claims. Shumlin is also calling for $10 million in
new spending to combat the state’s opium and heroin abuse problem.
If you are a hunter of ducks or any other waterfowl, you
need to pull your blinds in. The Vermont
Department of Fish and Wildlife says those waterfowl blinds need to be removed
from Lake Champlain before February 15th. Taking away the blinds and any posts which
may be below the surface of the ice is very important because of the danger
they pose for boaters on the water come spring.
The inland waters have more leeway, with the removal date there being
May 15th.
Vermont State Police say a sinkhole on the southbound
Interstate 89 in Milton has forced
road crews to close the travel and breakdown lanes. Police say the sinkhole was discovered at
about 6 o’clock this morning. Police say motorists should expect delays as
individual travel lanes will be temporarily shut down to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate
routes. There’s no immediate word on
what caused the sinkhole to form.
