Consumer Protection

VPIRG, 3 others file brief in support of GMO labeling law

Four Vermont groups filed an amicus curiae brief Monday with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in support of Vermont’s genetically engineered (GE) food labeling law. Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), Cedar Circle Farm, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and Rural Vermont were instrumental in passing Act 120, Vermont’s labeling law, and …

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Neil Young pledges $100,000 to help Vermont Label GMOs

When Neil Young’s Rebel Content Tour came to Vermont they wanted to do more than just rock, they wanted to make sure Vermonters will know if their food is genetically engineered. In a backstage pre-show press conference Young joined Governor Shumlin to promote Vermont’s law and pledge $100,000 to support the law’s defense and implementation. …

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New Report Exposes Food Industry Spin Machine

As Americans become more conscious of what’s in the food they are eating and feeding their families, industrial food and chemical producers have been spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a public relations campaign to confuse consumers and drive the media narrative about their products. These are the findings from a new report issued …

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Rent-to-own bill clears legislature

With a few days left in the 2015 legislative session the Vermont legislature passed significant legislation to protect consumers in rent-to-own transactions. The rent-to-own industry rents goods such as electronics, furniture and appliances to customers with little to no money down at greatly inflated prices. These services allow customers to pay top shelf prices on …

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Vermont Wins Round One of GMO Labeling Lawsuit

On Monday Judge Christina Reiss rejected a motion from corporate food and chemical companies asking Vermont to stop implementation of the state’s GMO labeling law. The judge also dismissed a number of the plaintiffs’ claims including assertions that the law violates the commerce clause and was expressly preempted by federal law. Possibly the most important …

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Rent-to-Own Bill Headed to the House of Representatives

Last week the Vermont Senate passed legislation to bring necessary consumer protections to the rent-to-own industry. The bill passed on a unanimous voice vote and now heads to the House of Representatives. These businesses rent out home goods such as couches, refrigerators and televisions to consumers at a premium price, giving consumers the ability to …

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Reining in Rent-to-Own

Earlier this month, VPIRG joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and advocates for low income individuals, children, the elderly and socially responsible business in calling for reforms to Vermont’s rent-to-own industry. S.73, a bill that would reign in some of the most egregious industry practices, is now in front of the Senate Economic Development Housing …

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GMO Labeling Proposed Rules Public Hearing

We have hit an important step in the process of labeling genetically engineered foods in Vermont. On Wednesday, February 4th from 5:00-6:00pm at the State House in Montpelier, the Attorney General’s Office will hold the final public hearing on the proposed rules for enforcing Vermont’s GMO labeling law. The Attorney General’s Office has been charged …

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VPIRG’s 2015 Legislative Priorities

With the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session wrapping up, check out VPIRG’s priorities for 2015! (Click the Program Name to jump to that section). Clean Energy Consumer Protection Elections & Government Reform Environmental Protection Health Care Toxics & Environmental Health Clean Energy Putting a Price on Pollution: With storms like Irene giving us …

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Hearings Begin on Vermont’s GMO Labeling Law

Yesterday the first oral arguments were heard in GMA v. Sorrell, the case against Vermont’s landmark GMO labeling law. Earlier this year the Grocery Manufacturers Association filed suit against the State of Vermont for passing Act 120, the nation’s first no-strings-attached GMO labeling law. The arguments focused on the State’s Motion to Dismiss and the …

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