The Bernie Buzz

With the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics, I wanted to take a moment to congratulate all of the Vermonters competing in Beijing. Representing our state and country in the Olympics is no small accomplishment and is a testament to the hard work and discipline of each of these great athletes. They are an inspiration to the people of Vermont and I know that the whole state will be rooting for them.

Small town life has its advantages and disadvantages. To my mind, one of the great advantages of living in a small town is how well we know our neighbors. And one of the ways that we come together is through our country stores.

Over the last two years, my office has seen a drastic increase in calls from Vermonters who need help with the IRS. With tax season here again, I want to share some tips ahead of the April 18, 2022 filing deadline.

Dear Vermonters:

Please join me, and special guest U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, tomorrow at 10:30 A.M. for a virtual town meeting to discuss the crisis facing Vermont fire departments. We will be hearing from Vermont firefighters and EMS providers about the challenges they face and how the federal, state, and local government can support their invaluable service to Vermont communities.

Rural communities in Vermont and across the country face a number of challenges. One of them, which does not get a lot of attention, is the enormously important role that volunteer fire departments play in their communities and the struggles many of them currently have in retaining their membership and attracting new recruits.

The tradition of maple sugaring runs deep in Vermont in the land and our people. From small sugarshacks tucked into backyard woods to larger more commercial operations that help make Vermont the number one producer of maple syrup in the country, sugaring remains a key part of our economy, identity, and heritage. Maple sugaring in Vermont is often a family-owned, multigenerational affair.