VPIRG is urging all candidates for public office in Vermont to support a ban on so-called pay-to-play activity related to state contracts. Recent controversies over related practices have involved members of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott recently announced that he would sell his portion of his construction business if he is …
“Pay-to-play” corruption must be addressed in VT Read More »
Right now, twenty cents of every dollar we earn as Vermonters goes to pay for health care costs. On top of that, a third of all Vermonters either can’t afford their health insurance, or they have no health insurance at all. Costs are far outpacing economic growth, meaning that for the average Vermonter health care is becoming …
2016 Gubernatorial Candidates & Health Care Reform Read More »
VPIRG and members of the Alliance for Clean and Healthy Vermont co-released a new report produced by national partners today that found that the lining of two out of three cans tested contain the toxic chemical Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that negatively impacts our hormonal systems. Evidence suggests it may contribute …
New report finds toxic BPA in two out of three tested canned food linings Read More »
The Vermont Senate voted 19-6 in favor of S. 220, an act related to the public financing of campaigns, and sent it to the House for consideration. The bill makes improvements in our current law by allowing publicly financed candidates to run more competitive campaigns. Public financing of campaigns is a crucial step towards countering the …
VT Senate approves changes to public financing of campaigns Read More »
As folks across the country become more aware of the necessity of recycling and reducing waste, we begin to address some more unusual sources of waste- in this case, tennis balls. Ever think about where all those yellow balls end up when they lose their bounce? Many tennis players will open a fresh can every …
Vermont was recently ranked ninth in the nation in a state-by-state solar power ranking. Solar Power Rocks is an organization committed to “giving homeowners a clear picture of the policy, incentives, and investment returns on local solar panel installations.” Their rankings provide a comprehensive analysis of each state’s record on solar, and their various efforts to …
VPIRG joined a broad coalition of lawmakers and organizations at the State House today to promote public health, celebrate Oral Health Week and voice their support for legislation (S.20) that would expand Vermont’s dental workforce. S.20 would let licensed dental hygienists receive advanced training and become certified as “dental therapists.” These dental therapists could provide routine restorative …
Oral Health Care for All coalition calls for expanded dental workforce Read More »
VPIRG and hundreds of our supporters joined with a coalition to urge Governor Peter Shumlin and the Public Service Board to stop construction of the fracked gas pipeline. Read the updated statement to the media and the full letter to Governor Shumlin and the Public Service Board below. ———————————————— Updated statement Middlebury, Vermont — Just …
Updated: 1400+ Call for End of Gas Pipeline Project Read More »
Read the 2015 Trouble in Toyland report to help you avoid potentially hazardous toys. For the past 30 years, US PIRG Education Fund and Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund have conducted an annual survey of toy safety, which has led to over 150 recalls and other regulatory actions and has helped educate the …
Vermont has just taken another important step towards getting more eligible Vermonters registered to vote. On Thursday, Secretary of State Jim Condos announced the roll out of a new online voter registration system. Thanks to this new system, Vermonters can easily register to vote from home or wherever they access the internet, continuing to make …
