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Don MacDonald Talks: Transportation 04/23/2024

Bobby Lussier, CCTV's Development Director, interviews community producer Don MacDonald about local transportation.

Team Yap: The Pokémon Podcast: Episode 3 - First Movie Review 04/22/2024

In episode 3 of Team Yap: The Pokemon Podcast, co-hosts Emily and Chris catch up on some Pokemon-related yapping (Bellsprout Community Day, Facebook group drama, a furry convention, and more!), then review Pokemon: The First Movie and Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution.

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Masonry in Early Vermont 04/21/2024

From Ethan Allen Homestead:

Masonry has always been a presence in the Green Mountain State. From the first settlers to the present, Vermont Masons have made a difference in their communities. Ira Allen, Thomas Chittenden, and other Vermont founders were members of this fraternity. Join Robert Grandchamp, historian and past Master of Mt. Mansfield Lodge #26 for a riveting talk on this fascinating subject and how Masonry helped shape the early history of the Green Mountain State.

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

Third Annual Earth Day Celebration on Church Street 04/20/2024

From the Church Street Marketplace:

Our newest tradition, Earth Day on the Marketplace, is a celebration of the community’s work to help protect our planet. Enjoy interactive activities, educational games, food, and music as you connect with local organizations and learn about their environmental work.

This event takes place the weekend nearest to Earth Day each year.

For more information visit: www.churchstmarketplace.com

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Testimony of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 04/19/2024

Testimony of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Friday, the Cmte heard from the Department of Taxes, who discussed the challenges inherent in conducting an inventory of the various properties and items in H.657 that would be assessed for fees. This includes the telephone property tax, the Universal Service Charge, and the Right of Way fees. The Cmte asked Leg Counsel to strip out all of these items from the bill, and instead ask VTRANS to conduct a study on what it would take to complete their inventory of poles and wires in the state right of way, and what the cost-benefit analysis would be for completing that inventory, administering fees, and the revenue that would be generated.

H.657: As Passed by the House:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/Senate%20Finance/Bills/H.657/Drafts,%20Amendments,%20Other%20Legal%20Documents/H.657~Maria%20Royle~As%20Passed%20by%20the%20House~4-10-2024.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont House Republican Caucus - Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law 04/19/2024

Discussion of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Republican Caucus.

On Tuesday, Representative Higley gave a brief update on S.55 in the House Republican Caucus - the bill is currently in the House Government Operations and Military Affairs committee. Representative Higley said CUDs have concerns about having a physical location with the bill due to the large areas of land they can represent. Representative Parsons brought up that his town (Newbury) has one phone line and limited access to the internet which could complicate implementation of S.55 requirements. The committee does not plan to vote on the bill this week.

S.55: As Passed by the Senate:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/Docs/BILLS/S-0055/S-0055%20As%20Passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Unofficial.pdf

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Appropriations - Discussion of VAN FY25 Request 04/19/2024

Discussion of VAN FY25 Request at the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

On Friday, the committee finally revealed the language that will go along with your appropriation, which is great - it directs the Secretary of State to recommend the level of funding for VAN for future years as part of its budget presentation next year. This language might change a bit.

Both the base appropriation and this language will be items to be discussed in the Conference Committee on the Budget because, as you recall, the House only included $1m in base funding for VAN. That process should start up in about 2 weeks.

Education and Enrichment for Everyone: The Making of 1177 BC: A Graphic History of the Year Civilization Collapsed 04/19/2024

Presented by Glynnis Fawkes, Cartoonist.

For more information visit: eeevermont.org

Celebrate Life: Carol Ricciuti 04/19/2024

From Gary De Carolis:

Five words that describe Carol Ricciuti: grit, love, survivor, empathetic, and funny.

Community Media Public Benefit Bill: H.575 and S.181: Vermont Senate Committee on Finance - Testimony of H.657 Modernize Vermont’s Communications Taxes and Fees 04/18/2024

Testimony of H.657 a bill meant to modernize Vermont's communications taxes and fees at the Senate Committee on Finance.

On Thursday, the Cmte heard from the Controller of the Franklin Telephone and Independent Telephone Companies, one of two small telecommunications providers exempted from certain fees in the bill. They also heard a proposed 18-page amendment to H.657 offered by Sens. Wrenner and MacDonald, that would postpone the right-of-way fees in the bill until such time as an inventory of poles and wires in the state can be completed. And, that the inventory should be completed using specific GIS technologies. Steven Whitaker provided input on this amendment, and also testified along with Sen. Wrenner.

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!