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.
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Vermont's independent senator said he thinks ICE can be reined in by stripping the agency of its recent massive funding increase and by passing legislative reforms. -
The bill under consideration in the Vermont Senate would require all towns to vote on allowing cannabis stores in their communities by the end of year. It would also increase potency caps on some products and allow cannabis to be offered at weddings and festivals, with a license. -
Vermont is just one of eight states in the country that still require annual safety inspections for all registered vehicles. Some lawmakers want to change that. -
Vermont started its online sports betting program in January 2024, and a new report shows that visits to the state’s recently-launched problem gambling website increased by just over 40% in the last year. -
Under the Scott administration's proposal, all of the state lottery’s games, including Megabucks, Powerball and even instant scratch-off tickets, would be available on a person’s phone. -
A new batch of laws takes effect Jan. 1, and this year’s list includes a ban on so-called “forever chemicals” in certain products, cheaper outpatient drugs and a higher minimum wage. -
The Vermont State Employees Association is seeking a court injunction to stop Gov. Phil Scott's administration from requiring most state employees to work in the office at least three days a week. -
While most of Vermont's Head Start centers won't run out of money in the short term, the state's largest program is dipping into reserves to stay open through November. -
Vermont's finance commissioner, Adam Greshin, said state agencies were instructed to draw down as much federal funding as possible in advance of the shutdown, but he's worried about the overall economic impact of a prolonged shutdown. -
The agreement, which still needs court approval, would lessen restrictions on advertising of cannabis products, which retailers have long argued are unfairly strict.
