"What this boils down to is that a day was lost because the nurse at the prison needed to clear her order with a company director in California."

Very sad result of having to rely on private contractor protocol.

Keep cutting and cutting and Vermonters' income will continue to shrink along with our services and our safety nets.

How about a new report titled "Recipes for Revenue?"

"With all due respect to CCA, this Court is at a loss as to how operating a prison could be considered anything less than a governmental function," Appeals Judge D. Michael Swiney wrote in his opinion.

Private, for-profit PHS barred employees from cooperating with police conducting investigation on death of inmate Ashley Ellis.

Not-So-Fun Fact: Jerry Boyle, the CEO of CCS (the firm now employed by the State to provide medical/mental health to inmates) was the CEO of PHS. 

"The recently announced plan by Anthem Blue Cross in California to raise annual premiums by 35 to 39 percent for nearly a quarter of its individual subscribers is a chilling harbinger of what is to come if reform fails."

"In the rush to save money in grim budgetary times, states nationwide have trimmed their prison populations by expanding parole programs and early releases. But the result — more convicted felons on the streets, not behind bars — has unleashed a backlash, and state officials now find themselves trying to maneuver between saving money and maintaining the public’s sense of safety."

Story is relevant as Vermont legislature begins to explore "Challenges For Change" plan's idea to release 350 "non-violent" Vermont offenders.

"Douglas’ has made no secret of his hostility toward the public sector. He pushed the hardest for pay cuts and layoffs for state employees, while at the same time creating high-paying state government positions to take care of his political appointees."

"The deal will see troopers take freezes in pay, give up an additional 40 hours each of supplemental pay and also lose their holiday pay for working holidays such as Town Meeting Day, Bennington Battle Day and Washington's Birthday."

This Express Scripts message, marked "Urgent", was e-mailed to VSEA today. If you use the OneTouch Sure Step Test Strips, or know a co-worker or someone who does, please read!