Vermont

November 21, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today announced that 23 communities will receive grants to develop, strengthen and maintain substance abuse prevention services throughout the state.

The Governor said each community will receive up to $68,000 for this fiscal year, with the option of continuation funding based on project milestones. The grants will impact underage drinking and high-risk alcohol and marijuana use by Vermonters age 25 and younger.    » read more »

By Governor Jim Douglas

November 21, 2007 -- Over the last several years of working to expand affordable health coverage in our state, it has been my privilege to work with a remarkable, focused coalition of Vermonters who share my commitment to making health care accessible to everyone.    » read more »

Presents Research-Based Strategy for Addressing Climate Change and Sustainable Model for Funding Climate Change Initiatives

November 20, 2007 -- Burlington, Vt. – A new partnership between state government and the University of Vermont will look to develop a strategy that leverages the state’s green reputation into a leadership role in the emerging carbon credit market, while pursuing biomass research and enhancing environmental education in public schools, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today.    » read more »

November 16, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that a federal appeals court in California struck down a rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that had established fuel economy standards for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and light trucks for Model Years 2008-2011. In May 2006, Vermont had joined 9 other States, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York in challenging the regulations.    » read more »

November 14, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that Sonja J. White, age 43, of Chester, Vermont, was arraigned on November 13, 2007, in Vermont District Court for Windsor County on two felony counts of Obtaining a Regulated Drug by Deceit, two misdemeanor counts of Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, and one misdemeanor count of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.    » read more »

November 8, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that Vermont and 13 other States are seeking to join a lawsuit filed by the State of California to force the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action on California’s request for approval of its greenhouse gas emission standards for new motor vehicles.    » read more »

States Seek Authority to Implement Auto Emission Standards

November 8, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont will join a California lawsuit that contends the EPA has unreasonably stalled a decision that would force automakers to produce vehicles with cleaner emissions, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today.    » read more »

November 07, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

They died Nov. 5, in Tal Al-Dahab, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their Humvee during combat operations.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Carletta S. Davis, 34, of Anchorage, Alaska. She was assigned to the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.    » read more »

Proclaims November ‘Hire a Veteran Month’ in Vermont

November 6, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today signed an executive proclamation declaring November “Hire a Veteran Month” in Vermont and urged employers, organized labor, veterans’ organizations and government agencies to lend their support to this drive to hire qualified veterans.    » read more »

Governor Highlights Health Care Reforms, Says More To Be Done

November 5, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. — A non-profit health advocacy group, working with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, has ranked Vermont the healthiest state in the country, the office of Vermont Governor Jim Douglas announced today.

The ranking lists each state on 20 measures of wellness, including high school graduation, obesity and infant mortality rates, their focus on preventive medicine and wellness and the percentage of residents with health insurance.    » read more »

Catamount Health is Newest Program Under Green Mountain Care; Targeted Advertising and Outreach Campaign Planned to Reach Uninsured Vermonters

November 1, 2007 -- RUTLAND, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT) and members of the Vermont General Assembly today announced Green Mountain Care, the comprehensive family of low-cost and free health coverage programs for uninsured Vermonters. The newest program under Green Mountain Care is the much-anticipated Catamount Health which opened for enrollment on October 1, 2007. Other programs include the well-known Dr.    » read more »

October 15, 2007 -- After months of litigation, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC), along with its counterparts in New Hampshire and Vermont, will soon decide whether Fairpoint Communications will be allowed to own and operate Verizon’s network and become the major regional provider of telephone and broadband services in those three states. The Public Advocate, on behalf of Maine’s consumers, has been one of the most active parties in the case, which is undoubtedly one of the most important cases ever decided by the Maine PUC.    » read more »

October 10, 2007 - Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that his office has settled two claims of violations of Vermont’s Lead Poisoning Prevention law and Consumer Fraud Act. Newport landlords Douglas and Vivian Spates will take action to reduce lead risks in their properties in the Northeast Kingdom, including spending at least $150,000 replacing windows and other friction surfaces that create lead dust, and will pay $15,000 to housing programs and the State.    » read more »

October 4, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Governor Jim Douglas today highlighted health care career opportunities available to Vermonters and declared October as Health Care Career Awareness Month in Vermont.

Governor Douglas said career opportunities in health care provide excellent job opportunities.    » read more »

10/03/2007 -- Vermont’s Congressional Delegation – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), and Rep. Peter Welch (D) – issued the following reaction to President Bush’s veto of legislation renewing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The legislation protects insurance coverage for 6.6 million children currently enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and provides coverage for an additional 4 million children without insurance.    » read more »