Voices of Vermont
Stories, News & Perspectives
A collection of stories, articles, and updates from across Vermont. Real voices, thoughtful perspectives, and the latest developments around Act 181 - all in one place.
A closer look at Vermont’s Act 181 and the backlash it sparked. From farmers to homesteaders, voices across the state weigh in on land use, Tier 3 maps, and the deeper question of who controls private land.
CLICK THIS link to VIEW all letters from town selectboards
By Neil Ryan | Substack Article
Two legislative updates from a sitting member of the House Committee on Environment contain invented facts and a conspiracy theory that smears the Land Use Review Board and thousands of Vermonters.
Op-ed by Neil Ryan as published in VT Digger | Latest News
4/14 House Committee on Environment Chair, Amy Sheldon, first suggests repeal of Tier 3 & The Road Rule. WATCH (video)
Here's a cautionary tale from Todd Heyman of Hartland who owns a 5-cabin farm stay as a way to diversify their farming and relieve some of the economic pressure. Tens of thousands of dollars in environmental studies, attorney fees, architects, etc. And jurisdictional oversight is FOREVER tied to that parcel. He tried to build a home for his widowed, blind mother on his land. Nightmare scenario. That is what tier 3 + Road Rule will deliver IF allowed to be implemented as written. The people who can least afford the added costs and burden of more red tape get saddled with it. (text intro courtesy of Michelle Masa).
Lexy Thompson | Substack Article 4/8/26
The record of who drafted Acts 181 and 59, what their professional interests are, and the funding infrastructure behind the effort.
..."These classifications...shape permitting decisions, influence infrastructure investment, and determine where housing can and cannot be built.
In effect—it is serfdom—with this treacherous model of governance as ‘lord of the manor’."
Beth Harrington McCullough | Letter to the legislature
How the trauma of the 1980s farm crisis turned farmland into a financial product—and why we keep refusing to say so out loud. | Substack article by Morgan Gold
Lexy Thompson | Substack Article
Ben Falk | Post
The language allows anything in the future...
Megan Durling | Letter to the Editor, Published in VT Digger 4/1/26
4/1/26 Rural Caucus Listening Session | Video Recording
Lexy Thompson | Substack Article
Ben Falk | Commentary (Articles & Letters)
Rutland Herald | In the News
Vermont Business Publication | In The News
Morgan Gold | Substack Article. 3/30/26
How a well-meaning law became a wealth test for the Vermont Dream
A Post by Alison Despathy | Articles & Letters
Susan & Thomas | Stories
Wilder B. Wheelock | Stories
802 Scoop video | In The News
VPR video | In The News
Vermont Daily Chronicle article | In The News
VT Digger article | In The News
Open Letter by Hannah Burrill | IArticles & Letters
Substack Article by Alexsys Thompson | IArticles & Letters
LATEST NEWS
Personal Story by Jim in Bennington | Stories
Todd Heyman | Articles & Letters
Laura Sibilia | Blog Post
MacIsaac Highland Cattle | Articles & Letters
Mikaela Poley Butler | Articles & Letters
Lou White | Stories
Lou White | Articles & Letters
WCAX Video | In The News
Opinion piece by loralee tester, published in vt digger
Town of Fairfield Select Board | Letters
Rural Vermont Call to Action on 30x30! (March 2024 - still relevant today).