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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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. -
GOP leaders say they want to extend Trump tax cuts enacted in 2017, and they are targeting Medicaid and several food assistance programs to help pay for the cuts. -
The mountain town of Ripton has been trying to keep its small elementary school open for years, and now risks losing one of its classes unless the community can recruit a handful of extra students for the coming school year. Plus, Gov. Scott and Democratic lawmakers are at odds over budgeting for Vermont’s motel housing program, Green Mountain Transit is seeing better-than-expected ridership numbers after reinstating fares, Vermont has a shortage of child psychiatrists, and some overlooks and cliff tops are now closed to protect nesting raptors.
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Vermont needs more basic municipal infrastructure in order to build more homes amid a massive shortage, but putting water and sewer systems in the ground can get political. Plus, Essex Westford School District is proposing steep cuts, a strong winter season may be benefiting Vermont’s betting industry, Vermont Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck speaks out against a proposed tariff on Canadian goods, and Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Vermont for a ski trip.
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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.
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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.
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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.
