Pat Bradley

There's still no definitive word on how much Vermont can expect in federal help with recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

Deputy Administration Secretary Michael Clasen told a legislative committee on Thursday that it's expected to be January before the state can expect a firm answer.

Officials in the administration of Gov. Peter Shumlin expressed confidence earlier this year that FEMA would cover up to 90 percent of the estimated $120 million in costs tied to recovery from the storm in late August of last year.

The EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers want to expand the federal Clean Water Act by changing the definition of “Waters of the U.S.”.  A variety of groups in New York State are opposed to the move, saying it will harm New York’s economy and environment.

California has debuted a new cap-and-trade program that auctions greenhouse gas pollution permits.  While there has been a lot of attention regarding the California program, there has been a similar program in place in the Northeast for several years.

Burlington has received a grant from IBM that city officials hope will help them achieve sustainable energy goals.

Mayor Miro Weinberger and IBM officials  announced Wednesday that  Burlington will  receive an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant

It's official.

The Brattleboro Retreat psychiatric hospital is laying off workers.

Retreat officials say 31 positions will be cut due to projected deficits this year and next year.

Retreat Senior Vice President of Government Relations Peter Albert said Wednesday that the cuts will be to both administrative and clinical jobs and affect both nonunion and union positions.

Unionized workers held an informational picket on Monday over what the union calls deteriorating contract talks.

Vermont officials held the first Public Budget Forum Tuesday evening to get citizen input on the formulation of the statewide budget.  

In the last Legislative session, Act 162 was passed requiring the state of Vermont to “develop a process for citizen participation in the development of budget goals, as well as general prioritization and evaluation of spending and revenue initiatives.” The Vermont Workers Center had advocated for the law to be passed.  Executive Director James Haslam says they sought more transparency and greater needs assessment in the budget process.

This is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Hunger-Free Vermont has challenged Vermonters to eat this week, nutritiously, on a food stamp budget.  Among those who accepted is the mayor of Burlington and his family.

Governor Peter Shumlin will soon pick the person to fill the new position of Vermont secretary of education.

The state Board of Education on Tuesday approved the three finalists recommended by the board's search committee.

They are current Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca of Westford; Daniel French, superintendent of the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union in Manchester; and Brent Kay, superintendent of the Orange Southwest Supervisory Union in Randolph.

A teacher at the Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School in South Burlington is Vermont's 2013 teacher of the year.

Jay Hoffman, a technology education teacher, was honored Tuesday during a special meeting of the state Board of Education.

As teacher of the year, Hoffman will visit schools around the state and work with teachers. He is also a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award.

This spring, Hoffman will travel to Washington, D.C., for a reception at the White House.

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