This past Monday, ICE killed Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian man who was living in our sister state of Maine. He was fatally shot during a traffic stop. He was authorized to work in the U.S. He was not the target of ICE’s enforcement operation. He had a wife and small child. His …
The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) kicked off its “Democracy Vermont” summer outreach campaign today at an event at Roosevelt Park in Burlington. VPIRG is among the most well-known public interest advocacy organizations in the state, and each summer sets out to connect with tens of thousands of Vermonters at their homes. This summer’s …
VPIRG launches “Democracy Vermont” summer outreach campaign Read More »
CLIMATE & ENERGY Passing the nation’s strongest regulations on AI data center development VPIRG led the effort to strengthen and pass H.727, which Gov Scott ultimately vetoed despite hundreds of VPIRG members and other Vermonters urging him to side with Vermont ratepayers over Big Tech. The bill would have ensured Vermonters don’t wind up paying …
Vermont Becomes the First State in the Nation to Ban Paraquat and Reduce Risk of Parkinson’s Disease Montpelier, VT — Governor Phil Scott signed landmark legislation into law today, making Vermont the first state in the nation to ban the toxic herbicide paraquat, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease. Health and environmental advocates celebrated the …
You’ve probably seen the news about President Trump’s so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” But let’s call it what it is: a blatantly corrupt political slush fund. Here’s why this is so outrageous… The Trump administration is creating a nearly $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded program to “compensate” Trump allies and political loyalists who claim they were unfairly investigated or …
The Vermont Legislature has passed H.536 – a bill that takes an important step toward making baby food safer and more transparent. The legislation requires baby food manufacturers to test their products for toxic heavy metals – arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury – and make those results publicly available through a QR code. This kind …
Toxic Heavy Metal Testing for Baby Food Heads to Governor’s Desk Read More »
Submitted by: ACLU of Vermont, Migrant Justice, Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP), and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) Dear Members of the Vermont House of Representatives, We are asking you to vote to include federal officials in S.208 when it comes to the floor. The goal of the bill as introduced was to …
Joint Statement on S.208 (Law Enforcement Identification) Read More »
For decades, Ben & Jerry’s has been more than just an ice cream company. It has been a bold voice for social, economic, and environmental justice, values that align deeply with VPIRG’s mission and the work we do together here in Vermont. Right now, that legacy is facing a serious challenge.1 You may have seen …
Paraquat. It’s a strange word with serious consequences. Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide. So much so that consuming just one teaspoon can be fatal, and there is no antidote. Paraquat threatens the health of our farmers and nearby communities, and the evidence linking paraquat to Parkinson’s disease is clear and continues to grow. Today, …
As the Vermont House Agriculture Committee prepares to consider H.739, legislation that would ban the toxic pesticide paraquat, a new statewide poll finds strong bipartisan support among Vermont voters for taking action. Scientific studies have linked paraquat exposure to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Earlier testimony from Dr. James Boyd, a neurologist with UVM …
New Poll: Nearly Three-Quarters of Vermonters Support Banning Paraquat Read More »
