Bills to Watch in 2012 – Democracy
Our advocates are following these bills and we’ll keep you posted on opportunities to take action. Find the bill language by clicking the title.
Elections and Government Reform
Rally to Oppose Citizens United
Activists from around the state will be gathering in front of the State House steps in Montpelier to rally in support of Senator Ginny Lyon’s resolution calling for a constitutional amendment that says corporations are not people.
Legislative Preview: What’s on the Docket for 2012?
We continue to work toward building a clean, renewable, reliable energy future for our state. VPIRG is working to pass a bill ensuring that a greater portion of your electricity comes from renewable sources. And, with 50% of Vermont’s electricity already coming from clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, our goal, of an additional 30% more by 2025, is well within our reach.
A Valuable Lesson on Persons, Government, and Corporations
At the forum on November 29th, David Cobb of Move to Amend enthralled the crowd of more than 300 people with a fundamental lesson on the nature of democracy. Using a whiteboard and his booming Texan, son-of-a-preacher voice, he explained…
Ben and Jerry to Headline Local Democracy Forum
Corporate influence in politics is growing faster than ever in the wake of Citizens United v. F.E.C. This recent U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates for corporate money in electoral politics by declaring that corporations have full free speech rights under the law.
Vermonters Come Together to Rebuild
In the aftermath of the devastating flood that ravaged so much of our state, Vermonters are coming together to help their neighbors and rebuild. It is a testament to the resiliency and strength of our communities.
VPIRG Board of Trustees Elections
Voting in the 2011 VPIRG Board of Trustees election is open now through October 31, 2011. Members in good standing as of Sept. 1, 2011 are eligible to vote.
2011 Legislative Accomplishments
The 2011 legislative session was filled with victories on VPIRG-backed legislation across each of our program areas. With a new governor in office for the first time in eight years, our small state suddenly had opportunities to pass the kind of major policy initiatives that our friends in other parts of the country could only …
2011 Legislative Session at a glance
One of my favorite things about directing VPIRG is that by working with members like you and our partners across the state, we manage to get things done that my colleagues in other states can only dream about. Consider our list of accomplishments in the legislative session that just ended on Friday.
Governor Shumlin Signs National Popular Vote into Law
Friday April 22, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the National Popular Vote bill (S.31) into law. VPIRG director Paul Burns also had a chance to address the media. Under NPV, the electoral votes from participating states are awarded to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states. This system guarantees that you cannot be elected President by coming in second, that every vote matters and that each state is relevant.