Submitted Vermont’s per-pupil expenditure continues to rise despite a decrease in student population, due to no corresponding cuts in teachers and staff. By Art McGrath and Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog If Tuesday night’s committee vote is any indication, then it […]
Tag: Bruce Parker
Lawmakers return to capitol hill, education spending cap at top concern
By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog As state lawmakers return for the start of the 2016 legislative session, a fight is already raging over the spending caps in Vermont’s new education reform law — and property taxpayers have a big stake […]
Education spending cap could land districts in the tax “penalty-box”
By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog A limit on education spending is set to force Vermont school districts to reduce staff, but only if lawmakers don’t rush to stop it from happening. As part of Act 46, Vermont’s statewide district consolidation […]
Poll: Vters oppose putting more ethanol in gas
By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog A poll of registered voters in Vermont, conducted by the Center for Regulatory Solutions, has found that most Vermonters oppose adding higher amounts of ethanol into gasoline. According to a survey of 600 registered voters […]
Vermont state economist: labor market weak across many data points
Aging demographic trends help explain By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog The U.S. Department of Labor on Friday, Nov. 6, released an upbeat monthly jobs report showing the economy added 271,000 jobs in October. The number was well above the 185,000 […]
Lawmakers urge Vermont Board of Education to reverse school choice ruling
By Bruce Parker, Vermont Watchdog State lawmakers on Thursday, Oct. 29, sent a letter to Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe and State Board of Education Chair Stephen Morse, urging the board to reverse a ruling that prevents many districts from keeping […]