Vt. Gov.’s Deadline to Sign Pot Bill Arrives Without Announcement

Montpelier — Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott’s deadline for when he must sign the state’s marijuana legalization bill has arrived, and it’s unclear if he has signed it into law.

Scott said previously that he intended to privately sign the pot bill before today.

It wasn’t clear Sunday afternoon if he had made good on that promise.

Emails and phone calls from The Associated Press to Scott’s office were not returned by Sunday afternoon.

Scott said previously that he’s declining to hold a bill signing ceremony because “some people don’t feel that this is a momentous occasion.”

He added “the main thing is I will sign it.”

The governor has also said a lawyer was reviewing the bill. Scott vetoed an earlier version of it. He felt his concerns were then addressed.

Kuster to Bring Abuse Survivor to State of the Union

Concord — U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D- N.H., said she’s bringing the survivor of a high profile sexual assault case with her to the State of the Union.

Kuster has announced plans to bring Chessy Prout with her as a guest.

St. Paul’s prep school recently announced it has settled a lawsuit accusing it of failing to protect Prout from assault by a fellow student as part of a conquest ritual.

Prout was a 15-year-old freshman at St. Paul’s School in Concord when she accused senior Owen Labrie of sexually assaulting her in 2014. She said Kuster’s “a fierce champion for survivors.” Prout said she’ll show support for fellow survivors of sexual assault by wearing all black at the State of the Union.

Kuster cited Prout’s “incredible strength and courage.”

— Wire reports