Health Care was big news last week, from the Supreme Court to the Vermont Legislature. With all the coverage and endless political commentary, it can be hard to get a sense of what’s really going on. Here are the ‘Cliffs Notes’ to help decode the latest happenings in Vermont and Washington D.C.
Thanks to all of the calls and emails of VPIRG members and other activists, we are one step closer to requiring Vermont’s health insurers to provide detailed data to the state on the claims they deny. The Senate Health & Welfare committee unanimously passed the denied claims bill (S.200) last week prior to the looming “crossover” deadline on March 16.
Many of the groups who have led the massive grassroots, policy and legal effort to retire Vermont Yankee over the years gathered at the State House this morning to make clear that they aren’t going away or giving in on this 40th anniversary of the plant’s launch. March 21st is the day that was to …
Groups Mark 40th Anniversary with Renewed Commitment to Retire VY Read More »
Last week marked “crossover,” where most bills need to be passed out of committee to remain alive for this legislative session. VPIRG members made phone calls and sent hundreds of emails to their Senators urging the Senate Natural Resource & Energy committee to pass the expanded Bottle Bill out of committee by the Friday, March 16 crossover deadline.
In response to the overwhelming support for a constitutional amendment overturning the Supreme Court’s disappointing Citizen’s United decision as displayed by Vermonter’s across the state on town meeting day, the VPIRG supported resolution at the state level (JRS 11) was given an extension from the crossover deadline.
Thanks to the steadfast action of the GMO Right to Know Coalition and VPIRG members across the state and beyond, the Agriculture Committee has been given more time to consider The VT Right to Know Genetically Modified Food Act (H.722), and testimony will resume in the statehouse on Wednesday, March 20th. Due to your support, …
Late Friday, the Clean Energy Bill (H.468) passed out of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee, and it will be voted on by the full House of Representatives on Tuesday. Advocating for this bill has been a wild ride. Multiple representatives have told me it’s been one of the toughest bills they’ve ever worked …
An Update from VPIRG Director, Paul Burns, on Friday, March 16 As you know, nearly two months ago Judge Garvan Murtha handed Vermonters a significant defeat when he ruled that state legislators had exceeded their authority to regulate the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. In light of this decision and as we approach the date that …
For Immediate Release: March 13, 2012 Montpelier, VT – Jewelry being sold in Vermont stores contains alarming levels of toxic chemicals including lead, cadmium, nickel and arsenic, according to a new study. Many of the products tested are aimed at children. The chemicals found in the jewelry have been linked to acute allergies, birth defects, …
News Release: Alarming Levels of Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel Found in Vermont Jewelry Read More »
When Judge Garvan Murtha ruled against Vermont a month ago in Entergy’s lawsuit against the state, he made very clear that the state still has authority over the plant, through Vermont’s Public Service Board. On Friday, the Public Service Board, which oversees all electric generation in the state, started to exercise that authority.
