
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 using the form below.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.
-
A Middlebury retail cannabis shop is suing the state, saying its cannabis advertising regulations violate freedom of speech protections in the Vermont Constitution. Plus, the Scott administration wants the state to have much stronger oversight of schools, President Trump’s tax plans could make it more difficult for local towns and cities to fund infrastructure projects, Vermont is home to a number of health-focused startups, and Middlebury College has a new president.
-
A retail store in Middlebury, FLŌRA Cannabis, filed the lawsuit. It could have a large impact on the state's retail cannabis industry.
-
The Kohbandi family moved to Vermont after fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, and now hopes to grow deeper roots here with help from a new partnership intended to ease the path to homeownership for refugees. Plus, economists say Vermont’s economy is in great shape, several Vermonters have been announced as James Beard Award semifinalists, state officials are looking to nix an inspection requirement for motor racetracks, and authorities have released the name of the Border Patrol agent who was fatally shot on Monday.
-
Vermonters bet just over $140 million in 2024, the first year of legal sports gambling in the state. During that time, the state has worked to grow its resources for people with gambling problems.
-
People with incomes under $50,000 and couples with incomes under $65,000 do not pay state taxes on their benefits. A bipartisan effort at the Statehouse wants to raise those income exemption levels.
-
Rep. Becca Balint discusses her priorities around housing issues, as well as how she hopes to work across the aisle and be fearless as she enters her second term in the House of Representatives.
-
The governor is working remotely and was able to participate in Vermont Edition on Monday, but has canceled in-person appearances.
-
The state treasurer's office analyzed recent census data and found that on a per capita basis, Vermont had the highest net in-migration of any New England state, and the third highest rate in the U.S. last year.
-
The three-story federal building previously housed a post office and spaces for a handful of federal agencies, like the IRS.
-
Sen. Peter Welch says President Biden's decision to pardon his son Hunter of gun and tax convictions could affect people's confidence in the country's judicial system.