Off Message

Facing Looming Deficit, UVM Considers Cuts in Pay, Hours

by Colin Flanders Posted on April 30, 2020 at 3:28PM

UVM's board of trustees adopted an interim, three-month spending plan in early April to give campus leaders time to better project the fiscal fallout. Administrators have since announced several cost-cutting measures, such as a freeze on all new hires.

Karen Scolforo, president of Castleton University

Castleton University President Announces She Will Resign

by Colin Flanders Posted on April 30, 2020 at 12:41AM

"So I guess with that, I should probably share my decision, because I have not shared it yet with anyone," Scolforo said. She went on to speak fondly of her tenure at Castleton, calling her staff the "most dedicated team of professionals" she has ever worked with.

Administration economist Jeff Carr, left, and legislative economist Tom Kavet

Vermont Faces 17 Percent Shortfall in Tax Collections Next Year

by Paul Heintz Posted on April 29, 2020 at 10:47PM

Kavet and executive branch economist Jeff Carr expect the state to bring in $146 million less in the final months of the current fiscal year than they had forecast just months ago. That doesn't include another $166 million in revenue that will arrive later than expected due to delays in tax due dates.

Vermont Pondering How to Move Homeless Out of Motels

by Kevin McCallum Posted on April 29, 2020 at 8:38PM

The current state of emergency ends May 15, and lawmakers and advocates alike are eager to hear how the administration plans to move from an expensive, short-term solution to a long-term one. “We needed to do the right thing, and we did it,” Rep. Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) said in an interview.

Slideshow: Essential Vermont Workers Getting Stuff Done

by James Buck Posted on April 29, 2020 at 6:15PM

As a photojournalist, my job is to get face-to-face with people to capture their images. During the pandemic, as public places are closed and people are sheltered at home, it's difficult to tell visual stories.

Scott Details Testing Strategy on Day With No New Vermont Cases

by Colin Flanders Posted on April 29, 2020 at 4:03PM

Kelso expects that new cases will require more legwork than recent ones, since patients likely will be coming into contact with more people as Vermonters return to work. The state has 53 people now working on contact tracing and can add up to 50 more if needed, Kelso said.

UVM Says Students Will Return to Campus in the Fall

by Sasha Goldstein Posted on April 29, 2020 at 2:14PM

In-person commencement ceremonies, originally scheduled for May 16 and 17, have been postponed, and the school’s summer session will be conducted remotely. But come fall, students will be back in Burlington.

VTDigger.org founder and editor Anne Galloway

Media Note: VTDigger Recognizes Newsroom Union

by Paul Heintz Posted on April 29, 2020 at 12:26PM

Three weeks after reporters at VTDigger.org went public with a union drive, the nonprofit behind the online news site has agreed to recognize the newly formed VTDigger Guild. In a statement posted to VTDigger.org late Tuesday, founder and editor Anne Galloway announced that the Vermont Journalism Trust had recognized the guild and was "prepared to engage in negotiations that will strengthen the mission of VTDigger."

Members of the Vermont Senate meet online Tuesday

Vermont Senate Meets in Private Before Meeting in Public

by Paul Heintz Posted on April 28, 2020 at 5:57PM

is that if you're doing a caucus you should probably have it open to the press," said Senate Secretary John Bloomer, who serves as the chamber's parliamentarian. "Do you have to by the Constitution?

Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding Plans to Resign

by Colin Flanders Posted on April 28, 2020 at 11:17AM

Vermont State Colleges System chancellor Jeb Spaulding plans to submit his resignation to the board of trustees Wednesday night, according to a press release. "I realize that a fresh perspective and new leadership is necessary to move the VSCS forward in its mission," Spaulding said in a release sent out Tuesday morning.

Seven Days