"The problem is the Vermont State Hospital consistently has been full, meaning the Berlin medical center sometimes houses certain patients longer than it should. It also means the emergency room has become something of an entry point into the system for people with mental health issues, Tarr said."

VSEA has testified for YEARS that the plan the State has been championing for YEARS does not create the beds needed to absorb the population that exists. Time for the blinders to come off!

"I traveled I-91 at approximately 9 a.m. from Newport to St. Johnsbury exit 22. The road for the most part was sheer ice with no sign of sand ever being applied."

"State workers and teachers have met their obligations to our pension programs by making our contributions. Except for the recent economic downturn, the State Employees' Pension fund was solvent. As the economy recovers, there is no reason to believe the pension fund investments won't recover as well."

DOJ cancels winter inspection because of all the positive progress made at the beleaguered VSH. Final inspection could come as soon as June!

Recertification would restore millions in lost federal funding.

"The governor has a long-standing preference for shifting costs onto the property tax, which burdens lower-income homeowners more heavily than wealthier ones. This is why we question the administration's logic that this is not a tax increase."
 
While other states increase taxes on their wealthiest citizens, our Governor continues trying to stick it to middle- and lower-income Vermonters.

The VSEA Advantage Discount Program is pleased to welcome Positive Pie 2. Located in downtown Montpelier, the popular pizzeria is offering VSEA members a 10 percent food only discount!

No Particular Order:

Some AOT Districts running trucks from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. and others not (the exception is Districts housing "blue" and "truck" routes, which must receive 24-hour attention);

No uniform salt policy governing entire state. It's District by District;

Less salt being allocated to a District(s);

To maintain costs, some trucks are being garaged during storms, meaning more work for the crews on the road, and more time to complete routes;

Some Districts waiting until storm has moved out to begin road clearing operations; and

MOST IMPORTANT: It's not our fault! We do what we are told to do.

Other Relevant Shared Thoughts:

Some trucks are equipped with an "Ice Ban"/Salt mix that works to 0 degrees; and

Some newer trucks are designed to crush salt into the road surface to prevent it from blowing away.

"Overall, the report found no evidence to support the frequent assertion by conservatives that Vermont is 'anti-business.'"

"This is the second case filed in a month against the state for alleged violations of workers’ rights. Earlier this month, Thomas Somers, Stanley’s lawyer, sued the state on behalf of 34 workers to recover
alleged unpaid overtime."

"[John Zicconi] said, however, there is no truth to rumors that the agency has cut back on salting and plowing operations in order to save money in light of the ongoing state budget problems.

 “There’s been no change in our policies,” he said. “We’re doing exactly the same thing we’ve been doing the past 20 to 30 years.”

VSEA wants to hear from its AOT members ASAP! Is Mr. Zicconi's statement true? Have there been no policy changes due to budget cuts? You know best. so let us know! E-mail dgibson@vsea.org.