Jeb Spaulding

The cost of weatherizing homes for the bitter winter months just got a little bit cheaper.

Vermonters could have an easier time affording weatherization and home heating equipment this winter, as state Treasurer Jeb Spaulding announced that interest rates for loans aimed at helping residents prepare their homes for winter have significantly decreased.

Interest rates for the Warm and Weatherized Loan Program has dropped one percentage point since the program’s launch in September to 2.75 percent. The interest rate decreased because it is tied to prime lending rates, which has declined over the past several months as the national economy contracted. Interest rates for the Warm and Weatherized Loan Program are fixed at 1.25 percent lower than the prime lending rate.

“The program gives Vermonters another opportunity to decrease their energy bills,” Spaulding said in a statement on Tuesday. “The lower interest rate makes this option even more affordable to homeowners.”

Vermonters met expectations of high voter turnout last Tuesday, flocking to the polls in numbers not seen since former President Bill Clinton was elected 16 years ago.
 
On Tuesday, the Elections and Campaign Finance division of Vermont's State Department published its report on this year's voter turnout as well as complete election results.
 
Over 66 percent of all eligible voters actually cast their votes, or about 326,822 people. An estimated 30 percent of the voters used absentee ballots.
 
"I am pleased to see that we had a very strong turnout in this election," Vermont's Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said in a statement on Tuesday. "Over 66 percent of the voting age population cast votes."

In an election cycle dominated by change, Vermont incumbents at the state and national level kept a tight hold on their seats and Vermont voters kept up their independent voting streak.

Vermont's sole U.S. Representative, Peter Welch (D-Hartland), claimed nearly 85 percent of the vote, according to the early results. His closest competitor, independent Mike Bethel, earned less than 5 percent of the vote.

Jeb Spaulding and U.S. Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Middlesex) were both among the winners this week, while Anthony Pollina (I) ends up on the loser side again. Find out why and see who else made this week's Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

Vermont State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding has been named president of the National Association of States Treasurers, his office said Thursday.

Spaulding, who's currently serving in his second term as the state's top financial officer, will begin a one-year term as head of the organization beginning January 1. He was elected to the position during the organization's annual meeting this week in Maine.

In a statement, Spaulding said he was honored to take the post. He said he plans to use the post to lobby for better cooperation between state treasurers and the federal government on a number of financial issues.

“Vermont and all states benefit from having a strong voice on financial issues among our national policymakers,” Spaulding said. “Through NAST, state treasurers across the country can recommend action to federal officials on policy relating to pension funding, municipal bonds, investing, college savings, and other treasury activities.”