John McClaughry, Myers Mermel and Wendy Wilton write 40+ commentaries a year discussing the most pressing public policy issues in Vermont. These are published online and in newspapers throughout the state, including VT Digger, the Caledonian Record, the Rutland Herald, the St. Albans Messenger, the Bennington Banner, Vermont Biz, TrueNorthReports, Times Argus, the Eagle Times and Vermont Daily. If you see an EAI commentary in your local newspaper, shoot us an email! And if you don't see our commentaries in your local papers, let your newspaper editors know.

Commentary: Holding Down Legislative Expenses

One interest group fared extraordinarily well during the just-completed legislative session. That’s the interest group comprised of Representatives and Senators. Unlike other interest groups, who have to lobby legislators for the benefits they want, the legislators themselves get to vote on their own benefits. This was an opportunity not to be missed.

Read more

EAI Statewide Poll: Voters Strongly Reject the Affordable Heat Act

The Ethan Allen Institute has been following the progress of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, through the legislative process this year and up to its recent veto by Governor Scott. Since the beginning of the lawmaker’s session, we have been heavily involved in researching the costs, quantifying the impact on consumers, identifying obstacles to implementation, and testifying to the consequences of the proposed law.

Read more

Commentary: A Loss For The American Church

The American Church lost a great leader and innovator earlier this month. Dr. Charles Stanley passed away on April 18, 2023. Dr. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries, the author of over 70 New York Times best-selling books, and the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta for 49 years.

Read more

Commentary: Governor Scott, We Appreciate You

On Friday April 21st, we saw a softening of relations between Governor Phil Scott and Republican legislators. To honor the vigorous debate held by Republicans on S. 5, the Affordable Heat Act, Governor Scott invited a number of Republican lawmakers to meet with him in his ceremonial office in the State House.

Read more

Commentary: Report from the ISO Consumer Liaison Group Meeting

Report from the ISO Consumer Liaison Group Meeting

by Rob Roper

The Ethan Allen Institute (EAI) sent Rob Roper to the recent ISO meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to learn more about regional energy plans, particularly as they anticipate the potential passage of S. 5, the Affordable Heat Act.

Read more

Commentary: Pay Attention to Corporate Climate Profiteering

Up to now criticism of the Clean Heat Standard bill (S.5) has focused on its intended result of driving up prices of heating oil, propane, kerosene and natural gas somewhere from seventy cents to four dollars a gallon, in order to finance $2 billion worth of subsidies to people to quit using those fuels and install “cold climate heat pumps”, “advanced wood heat”, and home weatherization. 

Read more

Commentary: Diminishing the Culture of Violence

Every time a disturbed or hate-filled individual embarks on a murderous shooting spree, as at the Covenant School in Nashville last month, politicians rush to the media to urgently announce “we’ve got to do something” to stop “gun violence.” 

Read more

Commentary: ChatGPT predicts George Will's EAI Speech

How well does AI predict George Will's upcoming Gala speech? 

Read more

Commentary: Deregulating Vermont into “Compact Settlements”

Screenshot_2023-03-27_at_10.28.05.pngThe latest in half a century of land use control measures promises some needed deregulation of new housing - at the price of limiting it to “compact settlements” (March 2023)

Read more