College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science

The Vermont Legislative Research Service (VLRS)

*NOTE* In order to participate in the VLRS in 2023, students will have to apply here to get permission to enroll in POLS4310, "The Vermont Legislative Research Service." We will review the applications in the weeks leading up to class registration and notify those who are invited to join.

The Vermont Legislative Research Service (VLRS) strives to provide non-partisan policy research support to Vermont State Legislators while concurrently promoting students research skills. Students work in research teams to produce research reports answering questions posed by Legislators and on current issues before the Vermont Legislature. Student Researchers conduct this work under the supervision of Professor Anthony "Jack" Gierzynski (Chair of the Political Science Department and Director of the VLRS).

Legislators in need of research from the VLRS are asked to please fill out the request form in the quick links menu in the upper right hand menu or email Professor Gierzynski. Students interested in being Student Researchers for the VLRS contact Professor Gierzynski.

Reports are below beneath their subject heading.

Agriculture

Potential for Using Hemp as Livestock Feed (PDF)(May 8, 2019)
Slotting Local Products in Grocery Stores (PDF) (April 17, 2019)
Neonicotinoids and Pollinator Health (PDF) (March 22, 2018)
Regenerative Soils (PDF) (May 16, 2017)
Maple Sugaring Regulations (PDF) (April 12, 2017)
A Review of Rural Economic Development Proposals (PDF)(March 23, 2017)
Alternative Uses for Surplus Skim Milk and Dairy Operation Byproducts in Vermont (PDF)(March 14, 2017)
Labeling Genetically Engineered Foods (PDF) (April 23, 2013)
The Feasibility of Shipping Vermont Milk Via Rail to the Southeast (PDF)(April 24, 2012)
Uses of Buffer Zones (PDF)(April 27, 2011)
Effects of Organic Farming on Water Quality (PDF)(March 21, 2011)
Milk Pricing and the Vermont Dairy Industry (PDF)(May 6, 2010)
The Economic Impact of Agriculture in Vermont (PDF)(April 2010)
Potential Revenues from Marijuana Tax (PDF)
Raw Milk (PDF)
Hemp (PDF)
Waterfront Buffer Zones (PDF)
Vermont Dairy and Agriculture (PDF)
Vermont Maple Sugar Farm Relief (PDF)
Large Farms and Their Impact (PDF)

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Affirmative Consent Policies at the Federal, State, and University Levels (PDF)(March 27, 2019)
Changes in Connecticut Drug Sentencing Laws Since 2015 (PDF)(May 23, 2017)
Correctional Education Programs (PDF)(February 24, 2015)
Parole, Sentencing Guidelines, and Supervised Release (PDF)(April 30, 2013)
Vermont Criminal Sentencing Options (PDF)(April 24, 2013)
Marijuana Decriminalization (PDF) (January 9, 2013)
Synthetic Drugs (PDF)(January 9, 2013)
Transportation Issues Associated with DUI Courts (PDF)(December 3, 2012)
DUI Courts (PDF)(August 8, 2012)
Criminal Record Disclosure on Employment Applications (PDF) (February 20, 2012)
Prison Video Conferencing (PDF)(May 15, 2011)
Drug Courts (PDF)
Children of Incarcerated Parents (PDF)
Sex Offender Treatment (PDF)
Sentencing (PDF)
GPS Tracking (PDF)
Jury Compensation (PDF)
Sex Offender Registry on the Internet (PDF)
Correctional Education in VT, NH and ME (PDF)
Death Penalty (PDF)
Corrections: The Issue of Privatization (PDF)
Vermont's Furlough Situation (PDF)
Reform of Services for Victims of Sexual Assualt (PDF)
Reducing Crime with Childhood Intervention Programs (PDF)

Economic Issues

Housing Assistance and BIPOC Homeownership (PDF)(April, 2021)
Statute of Limitations on Debt (PDF) (March, 2021)
Impacts of Casino Legalization (PDF) (March, 2021)
Economic Impact of Active Retirement Communities in Vermont (PDF)(May 13, 2019)
Airbnb (PDF)(July 16, 2018)
Benefits Cliff (PDF) (May 12, 2017)
Shared Work Spaces (PDF) (May 10, 2017)
Vermont Geographic Intelligence Map: Secondary Schools and Economic-Population Hubs (PDF)(May 9, 2017)
A Review of Rural Economic Development Proposals (PDF)(March 23, 2017)
Survey of Vermont College Students: Keeping College Grads in Vermont (PDF)(May 16, 2016)
The School Readiness Tax Credit Initiative and the Child Care Tax Credits Initiative (PDF)(May 16, 2016)
The Impact of Cuts to Reach Up and Supplemental Security Income (PDF)(May 12, 2016)
State Employment Growth Programs (PDF) (April 20, 2016)
Migration Patterns of College Students and Recent College Graduates (PDF)(May 11, 2015)
Paid Family Leave (PDF)(May 10, 2015)
Regional Economic Modeling (PDF) (April 28, 2015)
Aging Workforce and Immigration (PDF)(April 1, 2015)
The Modern Workforce (PDF)(March 4, 2015)
Security Transaction Taxes (PDF)(May 1, 2013)
Lotteries, Online Lotteries and the Distribution of Lottery Revenues (PDF) (April 30, 2013)
Drug Testing Welfare Recipients (PDF)(April 24, 2013)
Alcohol Pricing and Regulation (PDF)(April 16, 2013)
Downtown Areas and Sales Tax Strategies (April 24, 2012)
Taxing the Cloud (PDF)(April 24, 2012)
Student Loan Debt and the Brain Drain (PDF)(November 14, 2011)
State Employment Growth Programs (PDF)(February 28, 2011)
Rural Broadband (PDF)(updated February 28, 2011)
What Other States are Doing to Solve their Budget Crises (PDF)(February 17, 2011)
Food Co-ops as Limited Liability Companies (PDF)(February 4, 2011)
Attracting and Retaining Businesses in Vermont (PDF)
Green Jobs (PDF)
Public-Private Partnerships in Economic Development (PDF)
Selling/Leasing the Lottery (PDF)
The Role of Taxes in Business Location Decisions (PDF)
Financial Literacy Education (PDF)
Captive Insurance as a Model for Responsible Corporations (PDF)
Childcare (PDF)
Resources Available to Micro and Small Businesses (PDF)
Employee Ownership when Plants Close (PDF)
Agritourism (PDF)
Rural Redevelopment (PDF)
Property Transfer Tax (PDF)
Explaining Credit Card Debt (PDF)
Rural Historic and Cultural Tourism (PDF)
Workers Compensation Reform (PDF)
Business Incubators (PDF)
Taxing Big Box Stores (PDF)
Cigarette Tax Impacts (PDF)
State and Local Government Spending (PDF)
State Income Tax Calculations (PDF)
Welfare Reform (PDF)
Paid Family Leave (PDF)
Vermont Economic and Demographic Rankings (PDF)
Pro-Union Legislation in the States (PDF)
The Effects of Beer Tax Increases (PDF)
The Effects of Increases in the Minimum Wage (Revised) (PDF)
Tax Reduction Incentives for Business and the Arts (PDF)
Higher Education and Economic Development (PDF)
Worker's Compensation Benefits in Other States (PDF)
Income Taxes and Economic Development (PDF)
Tax Incentives for the Film Industry (PDF)
Price Gouging During a Natural Disaster (PDF)

Education

Literacy in Children Grades preK-3 (PDF) (April 2021)
Technical Education Funding (PDF)(April, 2021)
Integrating Online Learning and Technology in Education (PDF)(May 7, 2019)
Ethnic Studies in Primary and Secondary Education (PDF)(March 25, 2019)
Pre-Kindergarten Education Funding (PDF)(April 20, 2018)
Marijuana and Academic Performance (PDF)(May 16, 2017)
Career and Technical Education in Vermont (PDF)(May 16, 2017)
Vermont’s Post-Secondary Education Enrollment (PDF)(March 23, 2016)
Bus Drivers and DUI Policies (PDF)(April 29, 2015)
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System or MCAS (PDF)(October 23, 2013)
Increasing the Compulsory Age for School Attendance (PDF)(May 17, 2012)
High School Graduation Rates and Apprenticeship Programs (PDF)(January 2, 2012)
Work-Study Programs (PDF)(December 28, 2011)
Exit Poll: Chittenden East Supervisory Union Regional Education District Proposal (PDF)(July 11, 2011)
College Essay Preparation in High School (PDF)(June 14, 2011)
The Use of Green Cleaning Products in Schools (PDF)(February 18, 2011)
Saving Recess and Lunch (PDF)(February 15, 2011)
College Scholarships and Advance Credit (PDF)(February 4, 2011)
Freedom of Expression in Public Schools (PDF)
Higher Education: Increasing Access and Retention of Students (PDF)
Education Funding Sources (PDF)
Uniform School Calendar (PDF)
Financial Literacy Education (PDF)
Chief School Officer Selection (PDF)
School District Consolidation (PDF)
Teacher Strikes (PDF)
LEED Standards (PDF)
School Bus Idling (PDF)
Dropout Prevention (PDF)
Distance Learning and Technology in the Classroom (PDF)
Civic Education (PDF)
School Choice (PDF)
Correctional Education in VT, NH and ME (PDF)
Student Loans and Professional Licenses (PDF)
Voting on School Budgets: Use of Australian Ballot (PDF)
Autism (PDF)
Healthy School Meals Incentives (PDF)
Teaching American Sign Language as a Foreign Language (PDF)
Special Education Funding in the United States (PDF)
Higher Education and Economic Development (PDF)
Vermont's Principal Shortage (PDF)

Energy

Federal and Vermont State Subsidies for Renewable Energy (PDF)(May 17, 2016)
Net Metering in Vermont (PDF)(April 26, 2016)
Renewable Energy Incentive Policies (PDF)(May 11, 2015)
Natural Gas Pipeline Systems in Vermont (PDF)(May 20, 2013)
Smart Meters, Wireless Networks and Human Health (PDF)(August 17, 2012)
Park-and-Rides (PDF)(April 2, 2011)
PACE Energy Program (PDF)(May 15, 2011)
LEED Building Standards (PDF)(December 7, 2010)
Nuclear Waste (PDF)
Nuclear Power(PDF)
Traffic Signal Time(PDF)
Motor Fuel Taxes(PDF)
Electricity Transmission Project(PDF)
Wind Power(PDF)
Renewable Energy(PDF)
Cost of Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants (PDF)

Environment

Low-Impact Wastewater Systems (PDF)(March, 2021)
The Carbon Footprint of Electric Vehicle Batteries (PDF)(April 12, 2019)
Assessing the Feasibility and Costs of a Zero Waste Study Committee (PDF)(March 8, 2019)
Neonicotinoids and Pollinator Health (PDF)(March 22, 2018)
Hazardous Household Waste (PDF)(March 1, 2018)
Regenerative Soils (PDF)(May 16, 2017)
The Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy (PDF)(May 1, 2016)
Forest Management Practices (PDF)(February 23, 2016)
Watershed Management Funding Programs (PDF)(May 11, 2015)
Open-air Drinking Water Source Regulations (PDF)(May 10, 2015)
Commercialization of Legacy Nutrients (PDF)(May 10, 2015)
Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems (PDF)(April 14, 2015)
Felt-Soled Waders, Didymo and Whirling Disease (PDF)(March 17, 2015)
Tar Sands Oil (PDF)(April 22, 2013)
Election Lawn Sign Restrictions (PDF)(January 9, 2013)
Firing Ranges: Lead, Water, and the Environment (PDF)(January 9, 2013)
Riverbed Gravel Removal (PDF)(March 15, 2012)
Bottle Bills (PDF)(February 17, 2012)
Firing Ranges: Issues of Lead and Noise (PDF)(May 15, 2011)
Toxic Chemical Legislation (PDF)(May 13, 2011)
Ground Water Extraction (PDF)(April 15, 2011)
Effects of Organic Farming on Water Quality (PDF)(March 21, 2011)
LEED Building Standards (PDF)(December 7, 2010)
Pharmaceutical Residues in the Water (PDF)(updated February 17, 2011)
Waterfront Buffer Zones (PDF)
Snowmobile Impact on the Natural Environment (PDF)
ATV's (PDF)
Lead Sinkers (PDF)
MTBE (PDF)
Landfill Siting (PDF)
Impacts of Lawn Fertilizer on Water Quality (PDF)
Septic System Technologies (PDF)
The Effect of Lead Sinkers on Waterfowl (PDF)
Personal Watercraft: Safety and Environment Impact (PDF)
Mercury (PDF)
Eurasian Milfoil (PDF)
Should Wolves be Introduced to Vermont (PDF)

Health

Single Payer Healthcare Systems (PDF) (May, 2021)
Artificial Intelligence in the Covid-19 Pandemic (PDF)(May, 2021)
Addressing the Shortage of Healthcare Workers (PDF)(May 7, 2019)
Addiction and Mental Health (PDF)(July 23, 2018)
Disproportionate Share Formula State Policies (PDF)(April 19, 2018)
Forensic Hospitals (PDF)(May 16, 2017)
Medical Marijuana Use in Managing the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PDF)(May 2, 2017)
Medicaid Federal Copayment and Cost-Sharing (PDF)(May 16, 2016)
New York State Medicaid Reforms (PDF)(May 13, 2016)
Non-Emergency Use of Emergency Departments by Medicaid Beneficiaries (PDF)(April 29, 2016)
Electronic Cigarettes (PDF)(April 26, 2016)
Psychotropic Drug Use in Children (PDF)(April 25, 2016)
Medicaid Post-Affordable Care Act(PDF)(March 23, 2016)
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Excise Tax (PDF)(March 25, 2015)
Needle Disposal (PDF)(March 4, 2015)
Addressing Opiate Overdose Problems (PDF)(April 22, 2013)
Synthetic Drugs (PDF)(January 9, 2013)
Smart Meters, Wireless Networks and Human Health (PDF)(August 17, 2012)
Physician Assisted Suicide (PDF)(August 8, 2012)
Immunization Trends and Exemption Policy in Vermont (PDF)(April 19, 2012)
Access to Prescription Drugs for Rural Seniors (PDF)(December 29, 2011)
Palliative Care (PDF)(May 6, 2011)
Involuntary Hospitalization (PDF)(March 18, 2011)
Causes of Obesity (PDF)(November 11, 2010)
Overall Costs of Obesity(PDF)(November 12, 2010)
Soda Taxes and Obesity (PDF)(August 10, 2010)
Medicaid Costs of Obesity (PDF)(August 6, 2010)
Obesity Research & Community-Based Grants Available to Vermont (PDF)(December 15, 2010)
No-Fault Compensation for Medical Malpractice (PDF)(March 9, 2010)
The Effects of Cutting Funding for Community Mental Health Programs (PDF)
Pharmaceutical Residues in the Water (PDF)
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Autism) (PDF)
Addressing Opiate Overdose Problems (PDF)
Indoor and Outdoor Smoking Bans (PDF)
HPV Vaccine (PDF)
Psychiatric Commitment of Minors (PDF)
Health Insurance for 18-24 Year Olds (PDF)
Methadone (update) (PDF)
Parental Notification in Abortion Cases (PDF)
Pharmacists and Birth Control Prescriptions (PDF)
Medicaid Costs (PDF)
Medicaid Fraud (PDF)
Variability of Drug Costs (PDF)
Psychotropic Drugs and Children (PDF)
Competition and Health Insurance (PDF)
Medical Savings Accounts (PDF)
Medical Marijuana (PDF)
Psychiatric Restraints (PDF)
Cigarette Taxes (PDF)
Drug Testing in the Workplace (PDF)
Ecstacy (MDMA) (PDF)
Late Term Abortion (PDF)
The Effects of Beer Tax Increases (PDF)
The Effectiveness of Methodone Treatment for Heroin Users (PDF)
Health Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives (PDF)
Hospital Bailouts (PDF)
Respite Services for Alzheimer`s CareGivers (PDF)

Politics and Government

State Planning Office (PDF)(April, 2021)
The Use of Slack and Other Communications Platforms in Government (PDF)(April, 2021)
K-12 Civics Education (PDF) (March, 2021)
Gubernatorial Succession in the Event of a Catastrophic Incident (PDF)(May 7, 2019)
Public Funding of Elections (PDF)(April 26, 2019)
Improving Voter Turnout (PDF)(April 22, 2019)
Municipal Ethics Ordinances (PDF)(May 7, 2018)
Electronic Legislative Voting Systems (PDF)(April 27, 2018)
Legislative Campaign Spending in the 2016 Vermont General Election (PDF)(March 9, 2017)
Gubernatorial Terms (PDF)(April 27, 2016)
Election Day Registration (PDF)(May 11, 2015)
Election Lawn Sign Restrictions (PDF)(January 9, 2013)
Campaign Contributions from the Corrections Corporation of America (PDF)(December 28, 2011)
The Pros and Cons of Multimember Districts (PDF)(December 1, 2011)
Independent Expenditures (PDF)(May 4, 2011)
The Effect of Contribution Limits on Contribution Amounts (PDF)(March 5, 2011)
Minnesota's Public Campaign Finance Program (PDF)
Legislative Session Length (PDF)
Ballot Order Effects (PDF)
State Employee Suggestion Programs (PDF)
The Effect of Contribution Limits on VT Elections (PDF)
Civic Education (PDF)
Internet Voting (PDF)
State Election Management (PDF)
Public Funding of State Campaigns (PDF)
Election Laws (PDF)
Voting on School Budgets: Use of Australian Ballot (PDF)
Initiative and Referendums (PDF)
Multimember Districts (PDF)
Home Rule (PDF)
Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges (PDF)

Safety

State Zip Line and Bungee Jumping Regulations (PDF)(May 13, 2019)
Bicycle Safety (PDF)(May 16, 2016)
Marijuana Legalization and Traffic Safety (PDF)(March 24, 2016)
Needle Disposal (PDF)(March 4, 2015)
DUI (PDF)(March 22, 2011)
Child Access Prevention (CAP) to Firearm Laws (PDF) (February 14, 2011)
The Drinking Age (PDF)(June 14, 2010)
Distracted Driving: Cell Phone Use and Texting While Driving (PDF)(March 5, 2010)
Snowmobile Safety (PDF)
The Incarceration of the Intoxicated (PDF)
Rental Housing Code and Inspections (PDF)
State Policies for Senior Drivers (PDF)
Cell Phones and Driving (update) (PDF)
Baby Safe Havens (PDF)
Smoking Bans for Psychiatric Clinics (PDF)
Carbon Monoxide Detectors (PDF)
Motorcycle Helmet Laws (PDF)
Smoking Ban in Bars (PDF)
Healthy Cities (PDF)

Transportation

Vehicle Towing (PDF)(May, 2021)
Tolls and Toll-by-Plate in Vermont (PDF) (May, 2021)
Admissibility of Drug Recognition Expert Testimony (PDF)(April 10, 2019)
Automotive Insurance Policies for Youth in Foster Care (PDF)(February 23, 2018)
Bicycle Safety Programs in the U.S. and Abroad (PDF)(May 16, 2016)
The Vehicle Mileage Tax (PDF)(March 30, 2015)
Reducing Speed and Improving Safety in Residential Areas (PDF)(March 4, 2015)
The Effects of Gasoline Tax Differentials (PDF)(April 23, 2013)
Vermont Rail Dependency (PDF)(April 24, 2012)
Benefits of Passenger Rail (PDF)(March 20, 2012)
The Integration of Public Transportation Systems (PDF)(March 5, 2012)
Transportation Funding and Dedicated Taxes (PDF)(February 17, 2012)
Infrastructure Maintenance (PDF)(December 12, 2011)
Transportation Funding in the Era of Declining Gas Tax Revenue (PDF)(May 16, 2011)
Private Car Sharing (PDF)(May 9, 2011)
Park-and-Rides (PDF)(April 2, 2011)
Expanding Gold Star License Plates Eigibility (PDF)(February 8, 2011)
Private Railroad Crossing Liability (PDF)
Ancient Rights-of-Way (PDF)
Commercial Vehicle Weight Regulations and Penalties (PDF)
MTBE (PDF)

Other

Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (PDF)(February 26, 2021)
Multipurpose Indoor Track Facility in Randolph, VT (PDF)(May 16, 2019)
Artificial Intelligence (PDF)(July 10, 2018)
Potential Effects of Net Neutrality Repeal for Vermont (PDF)(April 20, 2018)
Red Tape (PDF)(May 3, 2012)
The Question of Gender Bias in Family Law in Vermont (PDF)(April 3, 2012)
The Impact of Baby Boomer Retirement (PDF)(December 28, 2011)
Infrastructure Maintenance (PDF)(December 12, 2011)
Transportation Funding in the Era of Declining Gas Tax Revenue (PDF)(May 16, 2011)
Private Car Sharing (PDF)(May 9, 2011)
Expanding Gold Star License Plates Eigibility (February 8, 2011)(PDF)
Private Railroad Crossing Liability(PDF)
Ancient Rights-of-Way(PDF)
State Benefits for Veterans(PDF)
State Response to Terrorism(PDF)
Fire Department User Fees(PDF)
Eugenics and Abenaki(PDF)
Adopt-a-Highway(PDF)
Vermont Towns in Order of Population Density(PDF)
Vermont Population Density by County: 1990, 1999(PDF)
Patterns in Same-Sex Public Opinion Support(PDF)
Hemp(PDF)
EMS and Fire Dispatch Center Funding(PDF)
Vermont Liquor Control and Photo Identification Law(PDF)
Commercial Vehicle Weight Regulations and Penalties(PDF)
Cable Coverage of Legislative Proceedings(PDF)

Instant Runoff Voting

Disclaimer

The reports listed on this web site have been prepared by undergraduate students at the University of Vermont under the supervision of Professors Anthony "Jack" Gierzynski and Robert Bartlett. The material contained in the reports does not reflect official policy of the University of Vermont.