Education

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Appropriations - Discussion of VAN’s FY26 Budget Request 02/14/2025

Discussion of VAN’s FY26 Budget Request at the Vermont House Government Operations and Military Affairs.

On Friday, the Secretary of State’s Office presented their FY26 budget to the House Appropriations Committee. Lauren Hibbert shared your request of $1.35 million, which the Secretary’s Office supports. Rep. Jim Harrison asked if some of VAN’s services might be redundant, since most legislative meetings are now broadcast live via YouTube for example. Rep. Stevens and Rep. Mrowicki made some nice comments about how important public access is to civic participation and democracy. Matthew followed up afterward with Rep. Harrison, who clarified he is just scrutinizing any/all increases in spending in the FY26 budget, and “there is no problem here.” He understands the importance of VAN’s work, and that the vast majority of VAN’s request is in the Governor’s recommended budget.

VAN’s FY26 budget request can be seen at the top of p. 2 of this Secretary of State Office memo to House Appropriations about their budget: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/3.%20Protection%20to%20Persons%20and%20Property/W~Sarah%20Copeland%20Hanzas~SOS%20FY26%20Budget%20Memo~2-14-2025.pdf

VAN’s 3-year budget plan/request can be found on slide 11 of the SOS presentation, here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/House%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/3.%20Protection%20to%20Persons%20and%20Property/W~Sarah%20Copeland%20Hanzas~SOS%20FY26%20Budget%20Presentation~2-14-2025.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations Committees - Public Hearing - Vermont Access Network 02/13/2025

Public Hearing - Vermont Access Network at the Vermont House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations Committees.

On Thursday, House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations held the first of two joint public hearings on the FY26 budget. VAN was represented by LG Davitian and Kurt Broderson in voicing your request to the Committees. Well done! Links to your oral and written testimonies are below.

LG’s written testimony is here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/Senate%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/Public%20Hearings%20and%20Letters/W~Lauren-Glenn%20Davitian~VT%20Access%20Network~2-13-2025.pdf

Kurt’s written testimony is here: https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Workgroups/Senate%20Appropriations/FY%202026%20Budget/Public%20Hearings%20and%20Letters/W~Kurt%20Broderson~Vermont%20Access%20Network~2-13-2025.pdf

Burlington School Commissioners' Corner: Kindergarten Registration 2025 02/10/2025

From Burlington School Commissioners' Corner:

Board Chair Clare Wool discusses how to register your child for kindergarten if you have a five year old. She gives an overview of the district's six elementary schools, a walk through of registration process on-line live, and provides tour dates for the schools.

For more information visit: www.bsdvt.org

Vermont Military Museum and Library: Vermonters Ahead: The 172nd and the Invasion of Luzon, Philippines 1945 02/08/2025

From VTNG Military Museum and Library:

Eighty years ago, the Vermont National Guard was deployed to the Pacific for World War II. They fought in New Georgia (Solomon Islands), New Guinea, and the Philippines. Living Historian Cori Rocco will talk about the 43rd Infantry Division (New England National Guard units) and specifically the Vermont troops in the 172nd Infantry Regiment as they participated in retaking of the Philippines and how their actions contributed to freeing the Philippines and retaking the city of Manila in January of 1945. Cori Rocco will also have military items representative of the Infantry for display and handling. We will open the museum to the public at 12 pm. The presentation is scheduled for 1-2 pm. The museum will stay open till 3 pm.

We hope you can attend and enjoy this forgotten story of Vermont's military history.

For more information visit: https://vt.public.ng.mil/Museum/Library/

Northern New England Poison Control Center: Chocolate Can Hurt Your Furry Valentine 02/07/2025

From the Northern New England Poison Control Center:

Increase awareness of the Northern New England Poison Center and available resources.

Contact the Northern New England Poison Control Center anytime you have questions or concerns.

Call: 1-800-222-1222

Text: "POISON" 85511

Chat: www.nnepcc.org

AI and Golden Dome with Tom Evslin 02/07/2025

Meghan O'Rourke, CCTV, hosts a conversation with Tom Evslin about artificial intelligence (AI) and Golden Dome. Golden Dome is a website that links to SmartTranscripts (searchable text with instant access to video clips) for meetings of the Vermont Legislature. SmartTranscripts are usually added within an hour after videos are posted by the Legislature.

For more information visit: https://www.goldendomevt.com

Neighborhood Media Internship Program: Roaming Cats in Burlington 02/06/2025

In this video, our interns go around the building to speak with community members about a potential roaming cat policy being considered in Burlington. They gather diverse perspectives, discuss the possible impact on pet owners and wildlife, and explore what this policy could mean for the neighborhood. Watch to hear what residents have to say and join the conversation about responsible pet ownership and community well-being!

Immigration & ICE: Rights, Responsibilities, and Support for Vermont Businesses and Non-Profits 02/06/2025

From the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR):

What do the new federal actions mean for your business or non-profit? Does your team know their rights and obligations should ICE come to your place of work? Join an expert panel of Vermont and national leaders to get your questions answered. This webinar is offered as a partnership of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and State Treasurer Mike Pieciak’s Task Force on the Federal Transition.

Panelists include:

Sue Minter, past Executive Director, Capstone Community Action, and former VTrans Secretary, State Representative, and State Director of Recovery after Tropical Storm Irene
Jill Martin-Diaz, Executive Director, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project
Kelli Deuhning or Eileen Lohmann, B.A.L Immigration Law Firm
Nicole Killoran, Vermont Law & Graduate School
Mike Webster, Association of Africans Living in Vermont
Jonathan Rose, State Attorney General's Office

PATH to Vermont Public Town Hall 02/05/2025

From the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development:

The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development produced a Town Hall event to introduce key concepts of the Administration’s omnibus housing bill also known as PATH: Pathway to Accelerate and Transform Housing. This Town Hall provided an opportunity to learn about the proposed legislation aimed at addressing Vermont's housing and infrastructure challenges. Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell, Department of Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein and other members of the Agency’s housing and economic development teams provide an overview of the bill, and how it supports the Administration’s Housing goals.

For more information visit: https://accd.vermont.gov/

Northern New England Poison Control Center: Be Wise - Add the Poison Center Number to Your Phone Today 02/05/2025