It’s hard to be shocked these days by something the Trump administration does to harm the environment and public health. But several days ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a truly shocking announcement. Now headed by Andrew Wheeler, a Trump appointee and…
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We’re an organization proud of our defense of facts and good policy, and deeply committed to protecting the public interest. So, what does that look like in these uncertain times? When it comes to COVID-19, facts and good policy are evolving rapidly, but what is clear is that in order…
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Today, we’re excited to announce the launch of a major new initiative. This month we are forming VPIRG Votes – a political campaign arm for our organization. Later this year, for the first time ever, we plan to support public interest champions running for the Vermont State House, Senate and…
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The Senate has given final approval on a 30-0 vote to S.113 – legislation to address the problem of plastic pollution in Vermont. The Senate had previously given initial approval to the bill on a 27-3 vote. Though this is just the first step toward stopping the problem, if passed…
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Across the country and here in Vermont, candidates are being asked to reject campaign contributions from the gas, oil and coal industries. And it’s working. Already, 100+ Vermont candidates who will be on the ballot in November have stepped up to take the pledge. Check out the full list of signers!…
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Last month, Governor Phil Scott sent a letter to legislative leaders outlining his opposition to several bills on the basis that these bills would impose new taxes or fees or somehow impose new costs on Vermonters. In his letter, the governor did not elaborate on what any of these bills…
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During tonight’s State of the Union – the president of the United States will not offer credible solutions to the biggest problems facing our nation and the planet. Instead, the president will offer lies, distortions, and proposals that will actually make these problems worse — putting the health and well-being…
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When he was running for governor, Phil Scott made a point of saying that “Listening is more important than talking; and actions speak louder than words.” He added that “By genuinely listening to Vermonters, I have found that constituents have the best ideas…”1 But in a social media post last…
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Given what’s happening in Washington DC and the real threats to what we would consider Vermonters’ well being–our health, our environment, many of our values–we expected more activity on the part of Vermont legislators to push back against these threats. Some people have suggested that the new leadership in the…
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VPIRG supports Gov. Shumlin’s veto of the energy siting bill (S.230) and we strongly encourage legislators to fix the bill and send it back to the governor this week. We favor the bill that legislators thought they were voting for when they passed it overwhelmingly on the last night of…
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