Bob Kinzel
Senior ReporterCurious about the Vermont Legislature? Ask Bob.
Bob Kinzel has been covering the Vermont Statehouse since 1981 鈥� longer than any continuously serving member of the Legislature. With his wealth of institutional knowledge, he answers your questions on our series, "Ask Bob."
Curious about how the Vermont Legislature works? Have questions about what's happened under the Golden Dome in the past, and how that affected our present? Submit a question for future exploration.
About Bob:
Bob is a veteran Vermont journalist, specializing in political reporting. He is based in 开云体育鈥檚 Capital Bureau located across the street from Vermont鈥檚 Statehouse. Prior to joining 开云体育 full time in 2002, Bob ran the Vermont News Service for 21 years. The service provided daily local news for eleven stations, including 开云体育. Bob started the News Service following a stint as news director for WNCS.
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23andMe this week entered the federal bankruptcy process and is looking for a buyer, which has raised questions about data privacy for those who participated in the company's genetic analysis. -
New University of Vermont research explores the surprising link between whale pee and healthy ocean ecosystems. Plus, the Vermont House advances legislation that could limit the number of new retail cannabis shops, lawmakers also advance a midyear budget adjustment bill opposed by Gov. Scott, new Social Security rules could make it more difficult to access benefits, and Vermont libraries may see major impacts from federal funding cuts. -
Learning how a Bristol tulip farm works, as workers gear up for the spring season. Plus, Vermont House lawmakers advance a midyear budget adjustment opposed by Gov. Scott, Brattleboro town meeting representatives reject a spending plan that would鈥檝e raised taxes by more than 10 percent, an oral history surrounding the COVID pandemic in Vermont comes out today, and Burlington鈥檚 new interim police chief takes over.
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The Vermont Senate has signed off on a bill that requires all campaign ads produced within 90 days of an election to disclose when artificial intelligence has been used. -
The Vermont Independent talks about the recent funding resolution votes in Congress, his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour and why he wants people to get involved in the political process. -
Two and a half years into Vermont's retail cannabis marketplace, lawmakers and other stakeholders are considering making changes to target oversaturation. -
Vermont poultry farmers take steps to guard their animals against bird flu, which has been spreading around the country. Plus, rank-and-file lawmakers are pushing Democratic leadership to exempt military pensions for state income tax, U.S. Rep. Balint denounces a budget plan that passed the House this week, several towns will mull whether to allow ATVs on town roads, and the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival won鈥檛 return this fall.
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GOP leaders say they want to extend Trump tax cuts enacted in 2017, and they are targeting Medicaid and several food assistance programs to help pay for the cuts. -
The mountain town of Ripton has been trying to keep its small elementary school open for years, and now risks losing one of its classes unless the community can recruit a handful of extra students for the coming school year. Plus, Gov. Scott and Democratic lawmakers are at odds over budgeting for Vermont鈥檚 motel housing program, Green Mountain Transit is seeing better-than-expected ridership numbers after reinstating fares, Vermont has a shortage of child psychiatrists, and some overlooks and cliff tops are now closed to protect nesting raptors.
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Vermont needs more basic municipal infrastructure in order to build more homes amid a massive shortage, but putting water and sewer systems in the ground can get political. Plus, Essex Westford School District is proposing steep cuts, a strong winter season may be benefiting Vermont鈥檚 betting industry, Vermont Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck speaks out against a proposed tariff on Canadian goods, and Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Vermont for a ski trip.
