Three Victories For Vermont In Two Weeks

Over the last two weeks we’ve seen some huge victories for the people of Vermont. First, the Senate passed a bill that would cut the cost of Mammograms in the state to a flat rate of $25 per person. This is huge. Why? Because in breast cancer, like any cancer, early detection is the key to a quick and healthy recovery.

Second, the House and Senate have now both passed S.209. Some of you may remember this bill as H.520, the Comprehensive Global Warming and Energy Effeciency bill that we all worked so hard to pass last year. The one main difference: There is no tax on Vermont Yankee. We’ll still see great things for renewable energy and for energy efficiency out of the bill. On this one specifically I want to thank you all for your hard work. It’s been a tumultuous year but in the end, we won.

Finally, the House. has passed a bill that would tighten regulations on lead used in housing. This bill specifically focuses on tenant housing like apartments. As many of you know Vermont has some of the oldest housing stock in the nation and while that makes for some beautiful homes, it also means there is quite a bit of lead out there. If passed by the Senate this bill will go a long way to help reducing the amount of that dangerous toxin in our homes.

None of these battles could have been won without you. Thank you for all you do.

Sean

House Committee Passes Campaign Finance Bill

In a victory for common sense, the House Government Operations Committee voted 9-0 in favor of a VPIRG-backed campaign finance bill on Friday, Feb. 8th. The bill (S.278) had Democratic, Progressive and Republican support, and it now heads for a vote of the full House on Feb 13th.

If you’re more than a casual reader of political news in Vermont, you know that VPIRG has been attacked by a bevy of right-wing ideologues lately including John McClaughry, Jack McMullen and Rob Roper. One of the reasons they’re so upset is because we’ve been leading the charge for fair elections in the state. It apparently bothers them to no end that the public wants more of a voice in how candidates are elected and legislators of all political stripes are listening.

Even Gov. Jim Douglas, who vetoed the campaign finance bill last year, has adopted a much more moderate tone this year than the head of his party, Mr. Roper. Roper has aligned himself instead with Indiana attorney Jim Bopp, who insulted and threatened legislators after being allowed the courtesy of testifying by phone.

Since the bill had support from all three major parties in committee, it’s likely to pass with overwhelming support on the House floor. We expect that it will have the support of more than two-thirds of those present. That will be a strong message to the governor.

Douglas wanted legislators to leave a massive loophole in Vermont law that allowed unlimited giving from political parties. They declined. So, will he veto a bill that puts reasonable limits on what individuals, corporations, political action committees and parties can give to candidates?

We can’t predict that. But if he does, it’s likely he will be overridden and we would not be surprised to see moderate Republicans in both chambers joining with independents, Progressives and Democrats to support the bill.

This is a good time to let you House member(s) know that you support S.278 and you expect them to do so too!

Paul

Campaign Finance Debate About More Than Just Elections.

(The following is Executive Director Paul Burns response to Jack McMullen's op-ed published in the Burlington Free Press and Rutland Herald decrying VPIRG's work on campaign finance reform)

Jack McMullen criticized the public interest effort to prevent special interest money taking over Vermont elections as it has elsewhere in America.

To his credit, McMullen noted that the Vermont Public Interest Research Group has a long history of success in fighting in the public’s interest for things like clear air, clean water and safe cars. He could also have added that in standing up for average Vermonters, VPIRG challenges some of the most powerful corporate interests in this country.

Why do we do it? Because for over 35 years, VPIRG’s mission has been to protect and promote the health of Vermont’s people, environment and locally-based economy. To no one’s surprise, citizens who support this mission often find monied special interests vigorously blocking reforms that would allow Vermonters to live more prosperous and healthy lives.

For instance, International Paper wasn’t about the public’s interest when it proposed burning tires for fuel and polluting the lungs of Vermonters downwind. The U.S. auto industry didn’t sue Vermont to stop the state’s new clean car standards because of its concern about the health of our kids. And health insurance companies that deny reasonable coverage and oppose cost-effective reforms sure aren’t putting patients first. Big corporations typically pursue their own narrow interests.

The tremendous wealth of these corporations gives them power, pure and simple. Whether it’s the lobbyists they hire to work every day on their behalf, or the campaign contributions they give directly to candidates, political parties and PACs, the special interests buy influence that can swamp the ability of working Vermonters to be heard by their government.

That’s where VPIRG comes in. We’ve never wavered in our fight to win concrete results for the people of this state on issues like affordable home heating, prescription drugs, product safety, health care, climate change, and fair elections. Not because we have a financial stake in the outcome, but because we fight for the public interest.

Fortunately, there are [better to pick a real number than leave it vague] of Vermonters from all across the state who have donated their time or money in support of our work. Some of these citizens also agree to serve on VPIRG’s Board of Trustees without the pay, benefits and stock options that motivate members of corporate boards. Rather, service on our Board is one more way for these citizens to give back to the state they love. Let’s be clear, VPIRG Trustees are not anti-business. In fact, as McMullen notes, many of them are successful business entrepreneurs in their own right. But they also believe that effective democracy depends on the power of the people, not the special interests.

That’s what this year’s campaign finance bill is all about. It ensures that everyone is invited to participate in supporting the candidates of their choice and that a few individuals, PACS or corporations cannot dominate an election.

The bill (S.278) sets reasonable limits on campaign contributions ranging from $500 for House candidates up to $2,000 for gubernatorial candidates over the course of an election cycle. It also sets a cap of $40,000 on what any individual may give in a two-year cycle to influence the outcome of state elections in Vermont. Are those who oppose that looking out for the average Vermonter or for those few people eager to give more than $40,000 to buy influence?

Some groups, like the Right to Life Committee and the Republican Party might prefer to see no contribution limits at all so that a few well-healed ideologues can funnel as much money as they want into Vermont politics. At VPIRG, that strikes us as giving more power to people who don’t need it. Better to even the playing field, so the public’s interest is served.

~Paul Burns