These were some of the voices in the news this week....

Court Rules Against State In Vt. Yankee Federal Preemption Case

(Vermont Law School professor Pat Parenteau) “If you keep nuclear safety issues completely out of the consideration, out of the record, out of the rationale, out of any way shape or form the basis for your decision, you’re okay. If you stick to economics, you stick to need, you stick to other environmental impacts, you build a decision on those grounds, you’re free to decide the fate of Vermont Yankee.”

Appeal Challenges State Tax Levy On Compost

(Rachel Schattman, Bella Farm) “The possibility of taxing compost while other agricultural inputs including chemical fertilizers are not taxed feels very much like conventional agriculture is being incentivized while organic agriculture is being penalized.”

Convicted Sex Offender Case Prompts Call For Civil Commitment

(Hyde Park resident Antonia Kontos) “Likely to re-offend means they likely will re-offend and that is a terrifying thought especially when an individual lives within 1.5 miles of our schools. That’s a problem and it’s a flaw in the system.”

(Burlington Rep. Suzy Wizowaty) “We believe that if you commit a crime then you’re tried and if you’re found guilty you serve time if that’s the appropriate response. I would never want to see in this state locking people up preventively. It makes no sense whatsoever.”

New Immunization Survey Shows Varying Compliance Rates

(Health Commisioenr Harry Chen) “In some schools the culture of those parents who make the decision not to be vaccinated is even higher. That’s an area we can focus some of our … in education on that population and those parents.” 

Revenue Report Includes Some Surprises

(Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Finance and Management Susan Zeller) “So what’s the explanation for that? People are still going out to dinner, they’re comfortable enough to go back out to dinner. But maybe they’re still a little conservative with going out and buying bigger ticket items.”