A guide to the Mercury Lamps Bill (S.34). S.34 would require manufacturers of mercury-containing lamps to establish a free and convenient recycling program for fluorescent bulbs. By financing the cost of recycling their products, manufacturers will have a powerful incentive to design their lamps to last longer and to exclude the toxic materials, including mercury, that make recycling so difficult and expensive.
The Vermont Electric Coop board of directors just voted 9-1 to reject Entergy’s offer to sell power to them after 2012. The Coop has stood up and said they’re not interested in doing business with an untrustworthy corporation like Entergy Lousiana.
This is a proud day for Vermonters. While other states are busy fighting federal reform and slashing their health care programs, Vermont has raised the bar with the passage of H.202. Our elected leaders deserve great credit for bucking the national trend and choosing patients over profits.
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.
VPIRG has joined forces with the Vermont Birth Network, and a host of other organizations, to bring you an on-going art exhibit and a 3 week series of events focused on celebration, education, and conversation. All to help families stay safe, healthy and active as they expand – as well as to support the growing number of local businesses and care providers that share these ideals.
Thanks to everyone who called into the State House. Thanks to you we are one step closer to universal heath care!
Just minutes ago we got word that the State Senate is fast tracking the health care bill and will be voting on it today.
Monday morning, executives from Entergy, Vermont Yankee’s corporate owner, decided to go back on their word yet again and sue the state of Vermont, claiming Vermont doesn’t have the right to weigh in on Vermont Yankee’s future.
With warmer weather here and the snow quickly disappearing, many of us are looking forward to getting outside to enjoy Vermont’s spectacular natural environment. Unfortunately, some of our state’s pristine, protected state lands are at risk of being damaged and degraded by the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
The Senate Health Care Committee passed the health care bill 5-0 Wednesday, beating back the worst amendments that would have given far more power to insurance companies and jeopardized this rare opportunity we have to ensure that every Vermonter has access affordable health care.
Late April 6th, the Senate voted overwhelming in favor S.15, which guarantees coverage for midwifery services in Vermont. The bill will end the discrimination against expecting mothers who would prefer to have their child in the comfert and supportive environment of their own home but currently have to pay for home birth out of pocket, in addition to their monthly private insurance premium.
