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Governor's Calendar
9:00 a.m. Vermont Sheriffs’ Association and Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference, Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee
3:00 p.m. Lund Family Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Glen Road, Burlington
4:00 p.m. Groundbreaking Ceremony for the James M. Jeffords Hall, University of Vermont, Burlington
10:00 a.m. Green Mountain College 171st Commencement, Green Mountain College, Poultney
5:30 p.m. Professional Firefighters of Vermont Benefit Concert, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
7:00 p.m. Casablanca Ball, Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe
9:00 a.m. University of Vermont 204th Commencement, University Green, Burlington
1:00 p.m. Vietnam Veterans of America “Moving Wall”, Taylor Park, St. Albans
RECENT NEWS
Vermont Ranks #1 for Overall Child Well-Being in Nationwide Report
Montpelier, Vt.—A nationwide report released last month by the Washington, D.C., based Every Child Matters Education Fund (ECMEF), entitled Geography Matters: Child Well-Being in the States has ranked Vermont the #1 state in the country for overall child well-being.
The report ranked each of the 50 states on 10 commonly recognized indicators of child well-being, compiled mainly from official government sources. Vermont ranked #1 nationwide in four of these measures: lowest rate of infant mortality, lowest juvenile incarceration rate, lowest rate of child abuse fatalities, and lowest rate of pregnant women receiving late or no prenatal care. Vermont also ranked #2 for its low rate of deaths of children aged 1-14, and low rate of births to teen mothers.
“I am pleased that this national organization confirms that Vermont is indeed the best place in the country to raise a child,” noted Governor Jim Douglas. “This report highlights the commitment my administration and our partners have made to ensuring that every Vermont child within our borders leads a healthy and secure life.” Read More
Governor Signs Community Justice Center Bill into Law
Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today signed into law a bill codifying the role of community restorative justice programs in Vermont’s criminal justice laws and setting the stage for more throughout the state.
There are currently 13 Community Justice Centers in Vermont. The municipally-based programs are a product of the state’s statutory Restorative Justice Policy.
Governor Douglas said the primary purpose of Community Justice Centers is to provide criminal justice services such as reparative probation, re-entry programs and pre-charge services based on restorative principles.
“The scope and variety of the undertakings of existing centers encompass a wide array of services and activities that serve to engage citizens, render justice, address community problems, enhance community safety and generally improve quality of life,” the Governor said. “The Centers have become an important part of a community’s infrastructure well positioned to engage citizens and support effective problem solving.”
Governor Highlights Successes of Legislative Session
Montpelier, Vt. -- In a brief adjournment address to the Legislature today, Governor Jim Douglas highlighted the successes of the 2008 legislative session. The complete text of the Governor's address follows. Read More
Official Statement of the Governor on Approaching Adjournment
Montpelier, Vt. – At his weekly press conference today, Governor Jim Douglas today delivered the following opening statement:
Governors Speak Out Against Effort to Block Tail Pipe Emission Standards
MONTPELIER – Governor Jim Douglas and 11 of his colleagues today objected to the Bush administration’s latest effort to prevent Vermont and other states from adopting tough greenhouse gas emissions standards.
In a letter to Congress, Douglas and 11 other governors said the proposed federal fuel-economy standards issued this week – on Earth Day – by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was a “cynical attempt” to “unilaterally rewrite the Clean Air Act and claim authority over greenhouse gas emissions.”
While the higher mileage standards were initially welcomed by some environmentalists, the NHTSA also essentially wiped out California’s landmark greenhouse emissions regulations, burying the language near the end of its 417-page document.
“In passing the Energy Independence and Security Act, Congress expressly provided that increasing fuel economy standards would not limit the authority of existing laws and regulations” states the governors’ letter to Congress. “Yet DOT (Department of Transportation) has taken the charge given it by Congress – to issue new fuel-economy rules – and used it to pose a radical redefinition of federal law that would sabotage crucial provisions of the Clean Air Act.”