Wake-Up Call: Thursday, July 10, 2008

With the PolitickerVT.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Vermont's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

With the PolitickerVT.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Vermont's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. Nate Freeman says race worth the risk

The Democratic primary in the lieutenant governor's race is shaping up to be a tale of two very different candidates. (PolitickerVT.com, Megan Stewart)

Link: http://www.politickervt.com/meganstewart/1295/democratic-candidate-lt-go...

Hinesburg to hold hearing on capital budget plans

HINESBURG -- The Hinesburg Selectboard will conduct a public hearing Monday for residents to learn about the capital expense planning process that the board has been reviewing for nearly a year. (Burlington Free Press, Dorothy Pellett)

Link: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/N...

Governors seek heating-aid increase

BOSTON -- New England governors, warning that some families might have to choose between food or warmth this winter, called for a sharp boost in federal home heating aid. (Burlington Free Press, AP)

Link:  http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/N...

Douglas asks FEMA for declaration

Gov. James Douglas has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency declare flooding that left parts of the state underwater last month a major disaster.

Jason Gibbs, the governor's press secretary, said Wednesday that while reported damages from last month's flooding were $40,000 shy of the $1 million threshold normally required for such a declaration, a representative from FEMA advised the governor that Vermont could still apply based on the amount of damage per capita. (Rutland Herald, Gordon Dritschilo)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS01/...

Town selectman has an eye on bottom line

Flexing his fiscally conservative muscles in a time of economic uncertainty, the newest and youngest member of the Rutland Town Select Board says he has one goal in mind: advocating for taxpayers.

Josh Terenzini, a 21-year-old selectman new to the board in March, was wary Tuesday of a 1 percent local option tax on sales, rooms, meals and alcohol that would affect Rutland Town. (Rutland Herald, Patricia Minichiello)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS01/...

Leahy says bill lets the White House 'off hook' for illegal wiretap program

MONTPELIER — A new surveillance bill that gives immunity to telephone companies accused of illegally releasing customer data lets the White House "off the hook" for running an unlawful program, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy said Wednesday. (Rutland Herald, Daniel Barlow)

Link: http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS03/...

Voters OK fiscal measures in Arlington

ARLINGTON- Voters in Arlington have approved a pair of ballot articles - one that will combine separate town funds into a capital reserve fund, another that OKs $10,000 for cemetery maintenance. (WCAX)

Link:  http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=8645432

Montpelier ups property tax by 7.5 percent

MONTPELIER – The Montpelier City Council approved a 7.5 percent property tax rate increase for the fiscal year at its regular meeting on Wednesday. (Rutland Herald, Sarah Hinckley)

Link: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/NEWS02/807...

With the PolitickerVT.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Vermont's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.