The Vermont Senate gave final approval Thursday to a VPIRG-backed bill (S.110) aimed at protecting students and their parents from the misuse of data collected via educational software. The bill is modeled on legislation enacted in California in 2016 that prevents technology companies from using student data gathered via educational software and websites for non-educational …
Just yesterday, in a big win for Vermont’s democracy, the state Senate officially voted to prohibit corporations from making direct contributions to political candidates in the state. This bill, S.47, introduced by Senators Pearson and Pollina, will be key to getting big money out of our political system – and it’s now up to our …
VT State Senate Votes to Ban Corporate Campaign Contributions Read More »
Last week on Town Meeting Day, Vermonters across the state voted on important local issues, weighing in on banning plastic bags, electing local leaders (Lincoln the Goat was just sworn in as Fair Haven’s new ‘pet mayor’), and addressing climate change, among other things. VPIRG played a role in supporting many of these issues, and …
Montpelier, VT — The Vermont Public Interest Research Group issued a warning today for all those who may be interested in celebrating Mardi Gras with necklaces of cheap plastic beads. The group’s advice? Don’t do it. Or at a minimum, take precautions to minimize toxic threats. Citing past research by the Ecology Center and VerdiGras,[i] …
VPIRG: This Mardi Gras season, beware the toxic beads Read More »
This coming Tuesday, March 5th, is Town Meeting Day in Vermont, when voters will head to their local polling places and weigh in on important local matters. In Montpelier, that will include a measure aimed at improving Montpelier’s energy efficiency. It’s called the energy efficiency charter change, and it would allow the City Council to …
Montpelier: Vote YES on the Energy Efficiency Charter Change! Read More »
Climate change is the major issue of our time. It will not be solved by one all-encompassing policy, but rather by a great many efforts that take on the issue from every angle. This year, we’re fighting to make sure addressing climate change is a priority in Vermont’s state budget. But we need you to …
Speak Up for Climate Action! Attend a Public Hearing in your area Monday, February 25th Read More »
BREAKING: Earlier today the Vermont Senate unanimously passed S. 40 – a bill that will take a huge step forward to protect Vermont children from lead exposure. We applaud the effort and the focus of Senators to get this important bill passed. This bill includes the following: mandatory testing for all schools and childcare …
In a State House press event Wednesday, VPIRG joined with legislators, 350VT, the Youth Lobby and concerned citizens to roll out legislation aimed at banning the construction of new fossil fuel infrastructure in Vermont. Among the elected officials taking a stand for climate justice and against fossil fuels were Representatives Mari Cordes and Mary Sullivan. …
VPIRG Joins Legislators, Allies to Support Banning New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in VT Read More »
Last week, VPIRG spoke to members of the Climate Solutions Caucus in the statehouse to outline the various pieces of the Volkswagen Settlements. Our Clean Energy Advocate, Kanika Gandhi, presented the group with a memo (see below) and described the state and federal level settlement outcomes. The caucus is pushing for all funding, both the …
Volkswagen Settlement Funds: The Case for Electrification Read More »
On Wednesday, VPIRG joined with a coalition of 25 groups from around Vermont — representing youth, low-income, business, public health, environment and others — to announce a shared platform for Climate Action, detailing our shared policy goals for the 2019 session. In a press event at the Vermont State House Wednesday, the coalition urged action …
VT Groups Unveil Shared Priorities for Climate Action in 2019 Read More »
