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.
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.
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.
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 …
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.
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.
Town meeting is a rare instance of real, face-to-face democracy that only happens in special places like Vermont. Every year Vermonters gather to debate and make important decisions on everything from the roads we drive on to our energy future. We encourage everyone to attend their local town meeting and make their voice heard.
On Febuary 22nd 2011, the Vermont State Senate voted 20-10 on a bill (S. 31) that would have Vermont join a coalition of other states agreeing to give their Electoral College votes to whichever candidate won the national popular vote. The system would go into effect once enough states pass the bill to constitute a majority of votes in the Electoral College.
