Speaker of the House Shap Smith and Representative Peter Peltz hosted our Morrisville health care forum on December 13th, hailed by many who attended as a huge success. An expert panel comprised of BISHCA Commissioner Steve Kimbell, incoming Chair of the House Health Care Committee Mike Fisher and Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Jane Kitchel were on hand to answer attendees questions about health care reform in Vermont.
At the forum on November 29th, David Cobb of Move to Amend enthralled the crowd of more than 300 people with a fundamental lesson on the nature of democracy. Using a whiteboard and his booming Texan, son-of-a-preacher voice, he explained…
The Shumlin administration released the first draft of their Comprehensive Energy Plan in September and entered a rigorous comment period where over 6,000 Vermonters, including groups like VPIRG, weighed in on the plan.
In May, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed Vermont’s landmark health reform law, moving us one step closer to a health care system that’s fair, patient-centered, and affordable for everyone. It’s an exciting vision, but you may be wondering: “What does this mean for my family?” and “How will this affect my business or medical practice?” Rest assured, you’re not alone – and that’s why we’re bringing the experts to Huntington and Morrisville for a community discussion on Vermont’s health reform roadmap.
VPIRG celebrated the end of a two-month-long bottle drive to raise funds for farms damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. In total, the statewide Redeem to Rebuild drive raised over $8,000 through the collection of redeemed containers as well as through non-profit, business, and individual donations.
It’s full steam ahead on health care reform and we’re gearing up for the 2012 legislative session. State leaders have key decisions to make and we need your help to make sure Vermont stays on the right path to a health care system that’s fair, patient-centered, and affordable for all.
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 addition to our work to make all products safer, every year VPIRG releases our annual Trouble in Toyland report highlighting potential hazards in children’s toys. This year Trouble in Toyland, along with an interactive tool accessible via smart phone or computer at http://toysafety.mobi, will help parents and other toy-buyers avoid some common hazards this holiday-shopping season.
Take this Toy Safety Shopping Guide along with you when heading out on your holiday shopping trip. This brochure summarizes what to look out for including toxics, choking and noise hazards, and more.
Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the Vermont Public Interest Research Group’s (VPIRG’s) 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
The report reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead and phthalates, both of which have been proven to have serious adverse health impacts on the development of young children. The survey also found toys that pose either choking or noise hazards.
