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This commentary is by Elayne Clift, who writes from Saxtons River. When my siblings and I were growing up and we did something untoward that got us into trouble, my mother would say, “Let that be a lesson to you!”  I’ve remembered that line whenever someone thinks I’m overreacting when I say the Trump administration…

This commentary is by Amelia Silver, a lawyer who lives in Pownal. As lawmakers return to Montpelier, one of their top priorities must be continued progress on police accountability and criminal law reform. In these areas, Vermont has made great strides in recent years — collecting more police data, limiting the authority of police to…

This commentary is by John McClaughry, vice president of the Ethan Allen Institute. On Jan. 5 Gov. Phil Scott delivered an upbeat State of the State message. He declared that though Vermont has many unmet needs — his leading example was a “desperate need for more people and workers” — “anything is possible.” Why is…

This commentary is by state Rep. Anne Donahue, R-Northfield. The importance of conscience protection for health care workers, most often in the context of permitting hospital staff to request to be excused from participation in abortions, has broad public support and is endorsed by the Vermont Medical Society.  Yet few have addressed the current risks…

This commentary is by Shabnam Nolan, executive director of the King Street Center; Christine Lloyd-Newberry, executive director of the Sarah M. Holbrook Community Center; and Tanya Benosky, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. As we find ourselves in another phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are faced with the reality that…

This commentary is by Lisa Jablow, a resident of Brattleboro. In recent years, numerous incidents in Vermont have chased the practice of hounding out of the shadows and into the light. Along with hunting and trapping, hounding is a sacred cow. Its advocates reverently refer to it as a longstanding “tradition.” Its opponents argue that…

This commentary is by state Sen. Corey Parent, R-Franklin County. Do you think the most wide-sweeping change to the Vermont Legislature should be rushed through in the first 72 hours of the legislative session? I don’t. Let me back up. Over the few years, we’ve heard about the importance of protecting our democracy — across…

This commentary is by Don Keelan of Arlington, a retired certified public accountant. Bennington County’s state senator, Richard “Dick” Sears, the Vermont Senate’s Judiciary Committee chair, has sold out to a left-wing political lobbying organization, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.  No one should even think of applying to become a Vermont law enforcement officer. …

This commentary is by Kurt Daims, a director and worker with Brattleboro Common Sense. Facing an angry public and the threat of a budget referendum after the murder of George Floyd, the Brattleboro Selectboard formed the community safety committee. This was to be a civilian committee composed entirely of residents, especially people at risk, and…