The Bernie Buzz

This year, nearly 400 students from 31 Vermont high schools submitted essays on many, many important issues. After the winners were chosen by an independent group of Vermont teachers, I had the opportunity to sit down with the 15 leading finalists for a round table discussion at the State House. I don’t know about them, but I had a lot of fun.

At just 13-years-old, Alexander Collins of Norwich is the youngest state champion in Vermont at one of the oldest games in human history. Recently, the Bernie Buzz got to speak with Alexander about winning the state tournament and about how we can encourage young people to begin to play chess and benefit from this game of dedication, strategy, and quick thinking. I hope you’ll take a listen to what this remarkable young man had to say.

It is that time of year again. As work begins on the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill in Washington, that means we are also kicking off the Congressionally Directed Funding application process here in Vermont.

One of my favorite kinds of music, and I know many of you agree, is one that runs deep in our state. From contra dances and barn parties, to neighbors’ porches and summer festivals, the sounds of the Vermont fiddle can be heard today and back through the generations. One of the excellent Vermont musicians who is helping to keep the fiddle tradition alive is Patrick Ross.

In the year 2023, it is no secret that we must move boldly toward transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels, if we are going to address the existential threat of climate change. What isn’t talked about as much, is that the transition to renewable energy can actually help families SAVE an enormous amount of money on their electricity bills.

I hope you will tune in TOMORROW, February 13, for a livestreamed town hall entitled “Respecting Our Teachers: A Town Hall on the Teacher Pay Crisis in America.” I will be joined LIVE in D.C. by Springfield’s Alison Sylvester. She has been a public school teacher for over 20 years and she was named the 2020 K-5 Teacher of the Year by the Vermont Veterans of Foreign Wars.