Peter Hirschfeld
ReporterHelp shape my reporting:
The Vermont Statehouse is often called the people’s house. I am your eyes and ears there. I keep a close eye on how legislation could affect your life; I also regularly speak to the people who write that legislation. The more I hear from you, the better I’ll be at my job. So, what issues do you want lawmakers to focus on? What info do you most urgently need?
I'm eager to hear from you. Get in touch using the form below:
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About Peter:
Peter Hirschfeld covers state government and the Vermont Legislature. He is based in Vermont Public’s Capital Bureau located across the street from Vermont’s Statehouse.
Hirschfeld is a Vermont journalist who has covered the Statehouse since 2009, most recently as bureau chief for the Rutland Herald and Times Argus. He began his career in 2003, working as a local sports reporter and copy editor at the Times Argus.
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Scott teased a plan that would overhaul Vermont’s byzantine school governance structure and see the state assume a direct role in deciding how much districts spend. -
Jill Krownski was elected to a third session leading the House of Representatives, defeating a independent challenger. The leader of the Senate, Phil Baruth, also retained his seat as president pro tempore. -
The road to getting anything big accomplished this year in Montpelier is going to require collaboration between Democrats and Republicans. Here are some of the key issues to watch. -
Where Vermont gets its energy, and how many tons of greenhouse gas emissions it generates, will be one of the most pressing policy questions for lawmakers and the governor when they return to Montpelier on Wednesday. -
Franklin County Sen. Randy Brock says the GOP has gotten short shrift from Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth when it comes to key committee assignments in the state senate. -
The new laws taking effect in 2025 include an annual minimum wage increase and several changes that are intended to increase the accessibility of health care. -
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas said Vermont, like the rest of the nation, has seen an uptick in the number of illegitimate companies that use corporate filings to perpetrate frauds against consumers and banks. -
An environmental group is asking a judge to force the state to come into compliance with a 2020 law that requires Vermont to hit a key emissions reduction mandate by Jan. 1. -
Heavy rains and melting snow are forecast for our region, and that could cause area rivers — like the Otter Creek at Rutland and the Winooski at Waterbury — to rise and overflow their banks. -
The Vermont Human Rights Commission is asking lawmakers and the governor to nearly double its annual budget to address a lack of capacity at the agency.
