Over the past two plus months, the legislature has been hard at work addressing the immediate needs of Vermonters as the COVID-19 crisis has unfolded. Legislators have passed or dug into putting a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, directing hazard pay to essential workers, enabling safe elections during the pandemic, addressing financial strains on our …
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many sobering realities. It has exposed the dire consequences of failing to listen to science and experts. It has highlighted that the communities most impacted by the coronavirus are also most at risk of experiencing climate disasters. It has also exposed extreme inequalities in safeguards for our communities and demonstrated that …
The role of the Global Warming Solutions Act in a resilient recovery Read More »
No voter in Vermont should have to choose between staying safe and exercising their right to vote this year. But there is no question that during this pandemic, in-person voting can be dangerous for voters and poll workers alike. This is especially true for the November general election, when voter participation rates are expected to …
Last week VPIRG and a coalition of allies sent the following letter to Governor Phil Scott and Secretary of State Jim Condos calling on them to immediately institute a vote-by-mail system in Vermont. The letter was accompanied by a petition signed by just over 1,180 Vermonters in support of this policy. This comes at a …
VPIRG and Allies Send Vote-By-Mail Petition to Governor; SOS Read More »
During this crisis, we need to do everything we can to protect frontline workers who are making it possible for life to go on for the rest of us. At the same time, we need to guard against corporate interests trying to use the crisis as leverage to win policies that could harm public health …
VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns, here. Recently, I shared with you some of the immediate changes we’ve made here at VPIRG in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis. We’ve already adjusted the way our staff conducts work and shifted our focus to prioritize urgent emerging public interest issues. Today, I’m reaching out to let you …
You won’t be seeing us at your door this summer… Read More »
It’s hard to be shocked these days by something the Trump administration does to harm the environment and public health. But several days ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made a truly shocking announcement. Now headed by Andrew Wheeler, a Trump appointee and former coal industry lobbyist, the …
VT Leaders Must Oppose Trump EPA’s Free Pass to Polluters Amid Crisis Read More »
The Vermont Senate voted today to adopt a number of temporary emergency reforms to facilitate the functions of government and democracy during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include changes to Vermont’s open meetings law and to elections, which could include a vote by mail process. The legislation (H.681) was negotiated during a series of teleconference meetings …
VPIRG Supports Measures to Keep Government Working; Elections Safe Read More »
VPIRG Executive Director Paul Burns here. Like so many others, I am working from home, making sure friends and relatives are secure, figuring out how to homeschool our 3rd grader, and trying to adjust. I know I’m lucky. So many Vermonters now find themselves on the front lines: medical professionals, grocery store clerks, delivery truck …
You may have heard some buzz recently about SunCommon’s Climate Action Film Festival, featuring short films from near and far profiling inspiring individuals and communities working to take action to address the climate crisis. Many screenings have already taken place across the state, and several more were planned for the coming weeks. In light of the COVID-19 …
Climate Action Film Festival Goes Digital in Response to COVID-19 Read More »
