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

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance committee had their first walkthrough of the bill.

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

For more information on current procedures and meeting dates for the Williston Selectboard, please reference the agendas at town.williston.vt.us/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC={70C5470F-A23D-438B-BE53-58C272DBEDFE}.

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

On Wednesday, Senate Appropriations discussed the $1 million one-time appropriation for VAN in the FY25 budget as passed by the House. Sen. Kitchel noted that the Senate has passed S.181, which would provide an ongoing funding source for VAN, in which case the one-time funds would not be needed. She wants to keep this line item open for the time being. She said that the goal is to maintain current levels of service, but how much money that will be is to be determined.

The Committee returned to the topic a bit later in the meeting, with a somewhat informal conversation about the streaming tax - which Sen. Sears is not a fan of, despite supporting public access television - but reiterating their commitment to the solution of funding VAN’s ongoing needs out of revenue that would be generated by S.181. 

Provided by ORCA Media:

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Questioning Community presents local and national news. Recorded on April 9, 2024.

For more information on the Williston Development Review Board and their current procedures and meeting dates, please reference the meeting agendas at town.williston.vt.us/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC={115D5C91-98A1-4712-8C54-031C4200C06D}.

For more information on the Colchester Selectboard and their current procedures and meeting dates, please reference the meeting agendas at clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt.

Testimony of S.55 Update to Open Meeting Law at the House Committee on Government Operations.

On Tuesday, the House Government Operations and Military Affairs committee continued taking testimony on the bill - the committee heard from the Vermont School Boards Association, Vermont Press Association, VCUDA, and the Secretary of State’s office. Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of the Secretary of State, testified the "working group is where all the unresolved issues go". The majority of the committee’s questions centered on definitions, they found many items were not defined and the committee wanted to ensure there is an appropriate definition for each. For example, the difference between formal findings vs announcements, how long is notice and can a meeting itinerary change without groups having time to give notice, are there repercussions for missing an email( is an email even written notice), who is doing the training, etc

S.55: Senator Hardy's Open Meeting Law Report:
https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2024/WorkGroups/House%20Government%20Operations/Bills/S.55/Witness%20Documents/S.55~Ruth%20Hardy~Open%20Meeting%20Law%20Report,%203-19-2024~3-28-2024.pdf

Town Meeting TV coverage of the historic total eclipse from Burlington's Waterfront Park. Includes remarks from Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and other City of Burlington officials.

Town Meeting TV's raw coverage of the historic total eclipse.