Issues

VT takes another step forward to protect against toxic pollutants

News and Updates, Toxics & Environmental Health / By

Today the Vermont Legislature passed H.595, a bill that takes steps to address issues arising from the PFOA contamination found in North Bennington, and forwards the conversation about how Vermont can best regulate toxic chemicals. The bill includes a number of important provisions that will make it easier for the Agency of Natural Resources to prevent …

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Vermont passes comprehensive birth control legislation

Health Care, News and Updates / By

The Access to Birth Control bill, H.620, is on track to become law after the Vermont General Assembly approved the measure Wednesday. With strong tri-partisan support, the bill passed 128-15-7 in the House and by unanimous voice vote in the Senate. This comprehensive legislation will increase access to the full range of reproductive health care, …

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Highlights from a busy spring

Climate & Energy, Elections and Government Reform, Global Warming Solutions, News and Updates / By

It’s been a crazy few months here at VPIRG, with our advocates have been hard at work in the State House day after day and our team of field organizers doing an incredible job hitting the phones, organizing events, meeting with activists, and having the face-to-face conversations that truly drive our work. Here are just a …

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Hundreds of Students Rally for Climate Action

Climate & Energy, Global Warming Solutions, News and Updates / By

On a cool, sunny Thursday at the end of April—over 500 students from across the state marched from the Vermont College green and through town to the Statehouse Lawn as part of the largest youth climate rally in Vermont history. As they marched, the students chanted “no more coal, no more oil, keep the carbon …

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Dental therapist bill heads to the Governor’s desk

Dental Care, Health Care, News and Updates / By

After more than five years of debate, the legislature passed a measure on Friday that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont! Dental therapists are mid-level dental providers with a scope of practice greater than a hygienist, but more limited than a dentist. Dental therapists will be licensed hygienists who can also perform some of …

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VT becomes fourth state to enact automatic voter registration

Elections and Government Reform, News and Updates, Victories / By

Governor Peter Shumlin signed H.458 into law Thursday, making Vermont the fourth state in the country to enact automatic voter registration. The new law will essentially flip voter registration procedures at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Under current law, the DMV requires Vermonters to “opt in” to voter registration. But beginning in July 2017, Vermonters …

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Dental Therapy bill passes the House!

Dental Care, Health Care, News and Updates / By

Today the House of Representatives passed S.20, a bill that will allow dental therapists to practice in Vermont. Dental therapists are mid-level dental providers that can perform more procedures than a hygienist, but fewer procedures than a dentist. Dental therapists are part of the dental team in Alaska, Minnesota and more than 50 countries around …

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Another attack on our right to know

Consumer Protection, GMOs, News and Updates / By

We’ve been successfully beating back challenge after challenge to our GMO labeling law since its inception- and now another has popped up. Lobbyists for big food companies are trying to sneak changes to Vermont’s first-in-the-nation GMO labeling law into the must-pass budget bill, trying to secure last-second exemptions. As you know, corporate food giants are …

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Legislators advance resolution for a stronger national chemicals laws

News and Updates, Toxics & Environmental Health / By

As state officials deal with discoveries of water contamination in multiple Vermont communities, it has not been lost among the Vermont legislature that it is against the backdrop of an ongoing federal effort to reform the nation’s failed, four-decade old chemicals law, the Toxic Substances Control Act. Legislators are aiming to strengthen current versions of …

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Energy Siting Bill Clears Senate

Climate & Energy, News and Updates, Solar, Wind / By

S.230 – the energy siting reform bill – passed the Senate late Thursday on a 22 – 3 vote, but not before several significant battles and revisions on the Senate floor. The final result is a still-promising bill that contains some serious flaws. VPIRG, along with our supporters and allies, will need to work to improve …

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