Two weeks ago, Oregon’s governor signed an updated Bottle Bill into law. Oregon’s new bottle bill will now include bottled water, energy drinks, and other beverage containers commonly found on store shelves.
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 …
On Wednesday, May 25th, Govenor Shumlin joined VPIRG on a conference call to talk about the landmark health care law that was signed into law on May 26th. On the call were VPIRG’s Health Care Advocate Cassnadra Gekas, Dan Barlow from Vermont Buisnesses for Social Responsibility, Dr. Deb Richter from Vermont for Single Payer, and James Haslam from the Worker’s Center.
With the signing of Green Mountain Care into law, Vermont has become a leader for the rest of the country to follow in ensuring all its citizens have access to affordable health care, though this is only the beginning of the battle.
May 25th, Governor Shumlin signed into law Vermont’s most progressive solar legislation in our state’s history. From Burlington to the heart of the Northeast Kingdom, Vermonters have shown they want solar to be a big part of our energy future. Vermont now has one of if not the best solar laws in the country and VPIRG Clean Energy Program Director, James Moore helped craft and pass it this year.
On May 19th, Gov. Shumlin signed the Mercury Lamps Bill, which will establish a recycling program for light bulbs that contain small amounts of mercury. We all know the benefits of fluorescent bulbs. They save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, they also contain mercury which makes the need for effective light bulb recycling programs crucial.
Next Thursday, Gov. Shumlin will sign into law the landmark health care bill (H.202) that puts Vermont on a clear path to a health care system that’s fair, covers everyone and puts medical decisions back in the hands of patients and providers – all without breaking the bank.
Surrounded by a happy group of moms, kids and public health advocates, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law the Midwife Bill which will require insurance companies cover midwifery care, including home births. The legislation will make it possible for more women and families to choose safe and less costly home birth options when their pregnancies are considered to be low-risk.
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.
On Thursday, the Senate gave final approval to a bill that requires manufacturers of mercury-containing lamps to establish and finance a free and convenient recycling program for their spent bulbs from residents and small businesses. Pending the Governor’s approval, Vermont will become the third state in the country to establish such a program.
