The legislative session is winding down, and it has been another busy month at VPIRG! We’ve made major progress across the board, from advancing legislation to make universally mailed ballots a permanent feature of Vermont elections, to protecting our health from harmful PFAS chemicals in consumer products, to passing the most comprehensive expansion of the …
A little less than a year ago, Minneapolis police officers murdered George Floyd. Today’s verdict, in which Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts, officially recognizes that reality and brings some measure of accountability for this killing. However, this verdict alone does not rectify the deep, systemic issues that led to George Floyd’s death, …
Statement: Derek Chauvin Found Guilty in Murder of George Floyd Read More »
Right now, all Vermonters who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are 16 or older, are eligible to register for vaccination, along with everyone living in their household. Anyone who falls into that category can register to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine here. Prior to this stage, Vermont set up vaccination clinics for the members of …
In a unanimous final vote on Thursday, April 1, the Vermont Senate passed H.10, a bill that allows candidates to use campaign funds to cover the expense of dependent care while running for office. Having passed final reading in the House on March 17th, H.10 will now head to the Governor’s desk. While Vermont …
VT Senate Passes Bill to Make Child Care a Campaign Expense Read More »
We’re past the halfway point of the 2021 legislative session, and even though we released a legislative update just four weeks ago, we’ve already made amazing progress on a wide range of key public interest initiatives. From advancing the most comprehensive PFAS legislation to addressing Vermont’s digital divide to passing much needed reforms to our …
Cultural liaisons are a go-between for families (primarily those with limited English proficiency, LEP) and school and town staff. They have been brought on in both the Burlington and Winooski school districts, and they have been hard at work helping families with everything from filing taxes to accessing social services and building trust in our government to getting kids to class on time. Liaisons are a vital component of our communities working with LEP families all year long, bringing them together …
Today, the Vermont Senate gave initial approval to legislation (S.20) to ban PFAS and other toxic chemicals from certain products. The bill is supported by firefighters, business groups, educators, public health and children’s advocates, and environmental groups. The bill will be up for its final Senate vote tomorrow, before being sent to the House for …
Vermont Senate Advances Bill to Ban Toxic PFAS Chemicals Read More »
We’re nearly halfway through the 2021 legislative session, and even though our work continues to look totally different than it would were we not in the midst of a global pandemic, we’ve already made amazing progress on a wide range of key public interest initiatives this year. From advancing a long-stalled zero waste priority to …
In a letter to the Vermont House Appropriations Committee, VPIRG and 18 organizational allies of diverse backgrounds identified their priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which is currently being considered in the legislature. Our aim is to encourage our state to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable Vermonters – including BIPOC Vermonters and …
VPIRG and Coalition Partners Announce Joint Budget Priorities Read More »
Vermont’s Bottle Bill is responsible for recycling approximately 10 BILLION beverage containers since it was passed in 1972. That’s incredible! It’s true, the Bottle Bill has been Vermont’s most effective recycling law for generations. Since it took effect in 1973, it has: Reduced roadside litter, saving an estimated $34 million in litter cleanup costs, Produced …
Legislators Consider Expanding VT’s Bottle Bill – Take Action! Read More »
