Bob Kinzel
Senior ReporterCurious about the Vermont Legislature? Ask Bob.
Bob Kinzel has been covering the Vermont Statehouse since 1981 — longer than any continuously serving member of the Legislature. With his wealth of institutional knowledge, he answers your questions on our series, "Ask Bob."
Curious about how the Vermont Legislature works? Have questions about what's happened under the Golden Dome in the past, and how that affected our present? Submit a question for future exploration.
About Bob:
Bob is a veteran Vermont journalist, specializing in political reporting. He is based in Vermont Public’s Capital Bureau located across the street from Vermont’s Statehouse. Prior to joining Vermont Public full time in 2002, Bob ran the Vermont News Service for 21 years. The service provided daily local news for eleven stations, including Vermont Public. Bob started the News Service following a stint as news director for WNCS.
-
Simply taxing second homes at a higher rate is not so simple, in part because Vermont currently has no system for categorizing vacation homes. But lawmakers are trying to change that — with the House's sweeping education reform bill. -
The proposed Burlington charter change would ban guns in businesses that serve alcohol. The final vote from the Senate is scheduled for Friday. -
Rodgers, the only statewide official in the country who has a cannabis cultivator license, is urging his Senate colleagues to make some major changes to a cannabis bill that passed the House last month. -
23andMe this week entered the federal bankruptcy process and is looking for a buyer, which has raised questions about data privacy for those who participated in the company's genetic analysis. -
New University of Vermont research explores the surprising link between whale pee and healthy ocean ecosystems. Plus, the Vermont House advances legislation that could limit the number of new retail cannabis shops, lawmakers also advance a midyear budget adjustment bill opposed by Gov. Scott, new Social Security rules could make it more difficult to access benefits, and Vermont libraries may see major impacts from federal funding cuts. -
Learning how a Bristol tulip farm works, as workers gear up for the spring season. Plus, Vermont House lawmakers advance a midyear budget adjustment opposed by Gov. Scott, Brattleboro town meeting representatives reject a spending plan that would’ve raised taxes by more than 10 percent, an oral history surrounding the COVID pandemic in Vermont comes out today, and Burlington’s new interim police chief takes over.
-
The Vermont Senate has signed off on a bill that requires all campaign ads produced within 90 days of an election to disclose when artificial intelligence has been used. -
The Vermont Independent talks about the recent funding resolution votes in Congress, his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour and why he wants people to get involved in the political process. -
Two and a half years into Vermont's retail cannabis marketplace, lawmakers and other stakeholders are considering making changes to target oversaturation. -
Vermont poultry farmers take steps to guard their animals against bird flu, which has been spreading around the country. Plus, rank-and-file lawmakers are pushing Democratic leadership to exempt military pensions for state income tax, U.S. Rep. Balint denounces a budget plan that passed the House this week, several towns will mull whether to allow ATVs on town roads, and the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival won’t return this fall.
