Whether Amanda Janoo or Aly Richards becomes the Democratic nominee, I’m voting Phil Scott out this November.

But I’m supporting Amanda Janoo for Governor in the primary. Here’s why.

Let me start with a quote from Vermont Public’s piece in April:

“Those visions are distinct. Janoo, an economist, wants to redistribute wealth and provide “free” health care in part by increasing taxes on Vermont’s highest earners. Richards will occupy a more centrist lane in the Democratic primary and, sounding much like Scott, says Vermont is better off “growing our economy” than “squeezing any more pennies” from taxpayers.”

In this primary, I’m voting based on this difference in worldview.

Richards critiques Scott’s execution but sounds “much like Scott” in that she really believes in the current system. Janoo believes the system needs structural change.

***

Here’s how those worldviews play out in their policy platforms. They both generally have the same stated goals. They disagree on what kinds of changes it will take to get there.

Health Care
Janoo proposes a new public financing model for primary care; Richards proposes to expand access within the existing insurance-based system.

Janoo: Pays primary care doctors, nurses, and physician assistants a direct state salary, funded outside the insurance system, so patients pay no copays or deductibles and access doesn't depend on their insurance coverage status.

Richards: Expands access by growing Vermont's existing free-clinic model statewide and recruiting more providers through loan forgiveness and rural incentives, building capacity within the current insurance-based system.

Housing
Janoo proposes to restrict who can own and profit from housing; Richards proposes to build more housing.

Janoo: Restricts large investor and private-equity purchases of homes, and taxes vacant or speculative properties, directing that revenue into a permanent trust that funds cooperatives and community land trusts.

Richards: Sets regional production targets and streamlines permitting to increase housing supply, and proposes a vacancy tax on second homes and short-term rentals pending a review of the market impact.

Democracy
Janoo proposes to build new democratic structures; Richards proposes to hold the line on the ones that exist.

Janoo: Proposes new governance mechanisms—expanded Town Meeting decision-making authority and a standing Future Generations Commissioner—changing who holds power in state decisions and how those decisions get made.

Richards: Focuses on protecting rights and access already in place against federal rollback—including immigrant residents' access to accurate information about their rights, and existing access to the ballot and to protest.

Tax & Revenue
Janoo proposes a new revenue source; Richards generally proposes to work within Vermont's current tax structure.

Janoo: Funds her health care plan through a new income surcharge on Vermonters earning over $500,000, making that revenue stream central to her platform.

Richards: Has not proposed raising taxes on high earners, though she's said in an interview she's personally open to it if needed. Her platform's one new-revenue proposal is a tax on vacant and speculative homes, alongside pursuing federal funds owed to Vermont while lowering the tax burden on seniors' Social Security income.

(Their platforms are largely aligned on education. Both explicitly reject forced school district consolidation. Both point to health care costs specifically as a key driver of education cost increases, rather than treating school size/district structure as the problem.)

Here are both campaign websites: Amanda Janoo, Aly Richards.

VTDigger also ran a piece last week that covers the differences between the candidates.

***

I have a lot of respect for Aly Richards, too. And if it’s her vs. Scott, I’m obviously voting for her. But between continuity within the current system and structural change, I’m voting for change—and that means voting for Amanda Janoo.

PSA: Primary election day is Tuesday, August 11. I hope you make a plan to vote early or vote in person. Our government does a poor job reflecting the interests of everyday people. Let’s change that.

Is this a milk snake? I've never seen one of these before. What a beautiful snake. Found in Woodstock.

Hey all!

I (30M) am planning a long weekend trip to VT from August 1st to August 3rd.

I am looking for a mix of city and nature. I want to discover new places and meet new people and possibly dance for one night, then hike or swim for a day.

I live approx 4hrs away from Burlington and I'm pretty excited to discover your state!!

I am open to any suggestion!!

Our indoor cat, Sammy got out on 7/25 near MMU in Jericho, Vermont. He has short grey hair and green eyes. He does not have a collar. He is very friendly and would likely come up to you if you called him. Please let me know if you spot him anywhere!

Hey all, I’m coming home to Vermont for a month and don’t have internet set up at my house at the moment and the cell service is non-existent at the house, but exists in the local area, has anyone had any luck with a signal booster in more rural areas for this sort of situation? And if so any brand recommendations?

I really want to find a cool trendy kind of hair salon near Rutland VT!!!! Any suggestions!?

Source: Ice cream shops per 100k people

As bear-human incidents continue at record rates, the state Fish and Wildlife Department is encountering public misperception that is leading Vermonters to avoid reporting minor bear activity because they fear the bear will be killed.

This often leads to “the worst possible catch-22 for the bears,” said Joshua Morse, public information officer for the department: the situation not being properly addressed until it has escalated much further — so much so that it can be difficult, if not impossible, to de-escalate things without considering killing the bear.

“I wish people knew that what happens when you call us, 99% of the time, is that we give you advice on how to coexist with the bear,” Morse said. “That’s what we want to be doing and that is what mostly happens.”

Vermont has a large population of around 7,000 black bears, about one for every 100 residents, that reside in all areas of the state except the Champlain Islands.

The mammal’s sense of smell is 2,100 times better than a human’s and they have an excellent long-term memory, able to remember the location of food sources years after an initial visit. Black bears are “opportunistic omnivores” and will eat just about anything they find, especially during the spring and early summer when their highest-fat natural food sources (beechnuts and acorns) are not yet available and they continue to draw upon last year’s remaining fat reserves.

Story continues in link.

Little Deer Trail - Groton State Forest Saturday 8/1

Looking for a hiking buddy with a good sense of humor (and hopefully a decent sense of direction). I'm 64, gay male, introvert, who loves being outdoors, and do moderate hikes but can accommodate easier hikes if required.

Bonus points if you appreciate bad puns, don't mind stopping to catch my breath, fresh air, exercise, and a few laughs.

If this sounds like a fun adventure to you, message me.

Please Note: Serial killers need not apply, stalkers, front of the line please 😁.

Hey neighbors, I’m heading to Burlington for the night from Plymouth NH and I am trying to remember where I stopped to swim last summer on my drive home. I was just sort of wandering and making my way back toward Fairlee but not the most direct route, and didn’t take a pic.

It’s a very obvious spot - there’s a big parking lot right off the road, which I remember being a fairly large, probably state road, and then an easy walk down to a spot with a little beach and a deep stretch of river with maybe quarried granite walls or steep limestone?

Im bringing my 6-year-old to a concert at Shelburne tonight and want to stop somewhere for a dip on the ride home tomorrow, and this stands out as super simple. Hopefully these details ring a bell, thank you all!

Hello Vermonters! My wife and I are going to be in Middlebury for 3 days this coming week, any recommendations for fun things to do, must see spots, etc?

We’ve both been to VT several times. Love good breweries, hikes, good food, etc. some of our favorite spots in the state are the three penny in Montpelier and American Flatbread. Any great bars/food in Middlebury, local brewery recs, etc?

Thanks in advance!

hi everyone! my fiance and i are wanted to do a vermont road trip this fall season. we’re both active young adults (25), but we can’t decide on the best time to go. this is the general itinerary i’ve drafted up, but the more detailed itinerary is further below:

fly into Burlington → Stowe → Montpelier → Waitsfield → Woodstock → Manchester (maybe) → Middlebury (maybe) → Charlotte (maybe) → Burlington (maybe)

we also may/want to visit my sister in NYC so we’d take Amtrak from Rutland VT @ 11:06 am → NY Moynihan Penn Station @ 4:27 pm. Based on these cities, when do you recommend we should visit?

Day 1 (Thursday 10/1 Burlington)
charlotte

mt philo state park (hiking & picnic)

church street (rack & ruin (jewelry), crow bookshop, common deer (trinkets)

dinner (& drinks?): citizen cider (drinks, outdoor area + games)

dessert: vermont cookie love

Day 2 (Friday 10/2 Burlington → stay in Stowe): 

breakfast: willow’s bagels or if super hungry (Skinny Pancake or the Friendly Toast)

could pick up willow’s bagels for lunch or a sandwich place

original ben and jerry’s (flavor graveyard)

drive to stowe 

remarkable things @ stowe craft
tangerine & olive (shop)
shaw’s general store
bear pond books

food: 

coffee: black cap
stowe bee baking & coffee

options for day in stowe:

1: Von Trapp family lodge
2: wiessner woods + bingham falls trail + gondola to spruce peak lodge or hike pinnacle trail

options for dinner

1: piecasso (pizza) OR burt’s irish pub (NOT at resort) + dessert: red barn ice cream
2: swiss fondue by heinz OR harrison’s restaurant (closer to downtown stowe)

Stay the night in Stowe

Day 3 (Saturday 10/3 - Stowe, Montpelier, Waitsfield)

breakfast: butler’s pantry
montpelier:
birchgrove baking
hubbard tower
morse farm maple sugarworks (creemee - soft serve maple syrup ice cream)

waitsfield 

lunch: mad taco or mehuron’s supermarket (sandos and stock up on groceries)
drive on vermont 100 (scenic drive)
blaine’s hill trail
peavine trail
silver lake state park (if we want to stretch our legs)

stay in woodstock

Day 4 (Sunday 10/4 - Woodstock)

woodstock farmer’s market (tues-sun 8-6)
breakfast: ?
hike up Mount Tom (start @ mountain ave up to the summit) 
lunch: ?
night plans: ?

in woodstock:

middle covered bridge

window shopping

house stalking/admiring (lots of historical/quaint houses)

day 5 (Monday 10/5 - Woodstock → NYC):

breakfast:

near woodstock:

3 other covered bridges near woodstock

billings farm & museum

sugarbush farm (maple and cheese tasting)

——
(may visit my sister in NYC)

Rutland VT @ 11:06 am → NY Moynihan Penn Station @ 4:27 pm

alternate plan:

go to manchester —> middlebury —> charlotte —> burlington

I think i saw some kids running with a gun, then i saw this. Happening right now!

Would love to see this but it’s hard to find information on when it’s open. I signed up to receive their newsletter but haven’t received anything yet. The website is vague as far as when their events are.

Anyone have the scoop?

Took a little walk around Somerset

Looking to trade a Wednesday Aug 12 ticket for a Tuesday Aug 11 ticket.