WVTK Local & State News May 28, 2014

Work is underway to find out how much damage a severe storm caused in Rutland and Addison Counties. It hit communities including Bridport, Cornwall, Shoreham, and Rutland yesterday afternoon. Numerous tree branches were knocked down, sometimes taking out power lines. Heavy rain caused storm water to rush down West Street in Rutland. The storm also included hail, some as large as two inches in diameter or the size of a golf ball.

3SquaresVT is holding an outreach and policy conference on Thursday. A press release says the conference will allow advocates to learn more about how the 3SquaresVT program works, hear from policy experts from the Department for Children and Families, and brainstorm new outreach ideas. More than 80 advocates from more than 40 organizations across Vermont are expected to attend the conference. 3SquaresVT provides benefits to over 92,000 Vermonters to buy more nutritious food at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced discounts at state campgrounds. The discount includes $5 off regular rates through June 26. The deal covers New York State Parks and Department of Environmental Conservation operated campgrounds in nearly every region. The deal excludes Hither Hills State Park, mooring buoys, walk-ins and previous reservations. To get the discount visit http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com and enter the promo code EARLYCAMP14 or call 800.456.CAMP.

Voters in Brandon will get a third chance to vote on a $3-million municipal budget next month along with the option to approve three separate funding line items. The Select Board last night set June 24 for the next vote on the budget. The budget approved last night is the same one that was soundly defeated by voters earlier this month. But unlike the last budget vote, voters will also be give the opportunity to approve additional funding for targeted purposes.

Gov. Peter Shumlin is signing into law a bill calling for every 3- and 4-year-old in Vermont to have access to at least 10 hours a week of publicly funded, pre-kindergarten education. Backers of the bill say it will add about $10 million a year in costs to the state's Education Fund by 2021. The bill also contains a provision allowing public money to follow a child from his or her home school district to another one, for example, where a parent works. Some critics of the measure say they oppose that provision.