VPIRG

Under the Dome: Grassroots Advocates at the Statehouse (Part 1) 06/26/2024

Host Bobby Lussier, CCTV's Development Director, speaks with Marcie Gallagher, former Environmental Advocate at VPIRG, Anika Heilweil, Fund Vermont’s Future Campaign Manager at Public Assets Institute, and Julie Lowell, Policy Analyst at Public Assets Institute, about grassroot advocates lobbying for legislation at the Statehouse this session. Topics covered include toxics in cosmetic bills and the wealth tax.

To contact your local representative, you can find their contact information on the State's website.

For more information visit: www.vpirg.org | www.publicassets.org

VT Advocates for Data Privacy & Kids Code - Demonstration in Downtown Burlington 06/03/2024

From the organizers:

Community advocates call for urgent action to protect Vermont’s children, teens, and their privacy online at a demonstration in downtown Burlington, hosted by organizations calling for Governor Scott to sign H.121 into law. Participating organizations include the Center for Humane Technology, Consumer Reports, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.

Parents, young people, and small business leaders in attendance represent some of the many Vermont residents who have remained steadfast in their commitment to data privacy and the Kids Code, alongside lawmakers who passed the bill unanimously last month despite an influx of Big Tech lobbying.

VPIRG - Join VPIRG's 2024 Summer Canvass! 04/24/2024

From VPIRG:

Apply to join VPIRG's summer canvass at vpirg.org/CanvassApp2024!

The summer door-to-door canvass has been at the heart of VPIRG’s work since 1985, the first year a small group of passionate young activists took to the streets, roads, and mountain tracks of Vermont and began a political movement through the simple act of having face-to-face conversations.  But even before the first canvass, since our founding in 1972, VPIRG’s work has been rooted in the idea that when we make the effort to connect with people and build a movement around a common issue, we can accomplish big things – together.

Over the last several decades, our summer canvass has grown to become a beloved Vermont summer tradition. What once was an operation comprised of 10-20 canvassers knocking on doors in and around Chittenden County, has become a force of 70+ canvassers each summer that walk, bike, and talk to residents in all 251 cities, towns, and gores in Vermont. And the conversations we have each year inform the work our team of advocates goes on to do in the State House.

For more information: www.vpirg.org/canvass

VPIRG - Make Big Oil Pay 03/27/2024

From VPIRG:

Make Big Oil Pay follows three Vermonters impacted by the Great Flood of July 2023, their difficulties recovering, and the role of the fossil fuel industry in our changing climate.

Make Big Oil Pay was produced and edited by Elijah Kushen, and is a project of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group. Learn more about the campaign to hold Big Oil accountable at www.akebigoilpay.org.

For more information: www.vpirg.org/canvass

Town Meeting Day Election Forums: Burlington City Council Candidate Forum - East District - Special Election 11/29/2022

Candidates: Maea Brandt (D), Dina John (P), Jake Schumann (I)

Moderator: Sinead Murray (VPIRG, Democracy Associate)

VPIRG - Ranked Choice Voting Information 11/28/2022

From VPIRG:

This election will be the first this year to have Rank Choice Voting. In March 2021, Burlington residents voted to implement Ranked Choice Voting for City Councilors. It passed with 64% support.

According to the City of Burlington, Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is an election method that allows voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference (first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on). Ranking candidates is different from simply selecting one candidate or what is known as plurality voting. If a candidate receives more than 50% of the first choices, that candidate wins, just like in any other election. However, if there is no majority winner after counting the first choices, the race is decided by an instant runoff. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who ranked that candidate as their first choice will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until a candidate wins with more than 50% of the vote.

For more information: vpirg.org/our-work/democracy/rcv

VCV and VPIRG Post-Election Press Conference with Climate Leaders 11/10/2022

From the Vermont Conservation Voters:

Results are in; Vermont voters overwhelmingly elected pro-environment and pro-climate lawmakers in the general election, resulting in a resounding call for action to combat the intensifying climate crisis and support a resilient Vermont.

Several of Vermont’s leading environmental organizations host a virtual press conference to discuss the results of the 2022 General Election, and what it means for Vermonters – particularly when it comes to addressing the intensifying environmental crisis. Hear from advocates and legislative Climate Solutions Caucus leaders on what the election results signify, and what is next for climate action in Vermont.

Speakers include:

Lauren Hierl, Executive Director, Vermont Conservation Voters

Paul Burns, Executive Director, Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG)

Senator-elect Becca White and Representative Gabrielle Stebbins, members of the Climate Solutions Caucus leadership team

Jordan Heiden, Climate Campaign Manager, VPIRG

Johanna Miller, Energy & Climate Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and Vermont Climate Council Member (Environmental Rep)

VPIRG's 50th Anniversary Celebration 09/18/2022

The Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG) is celebrating 50 years of people-powered action in Vermont in an event hosted at the University of Vermont. It features speeches from Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Peter Welch, and a keynote address from renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe.

VPIRG's mission is to promote and protect the health of Vermont’s people, environment, and locally-based economy by informing and mobilizing individuals and communities across the state. If you want to learn more about VPIRG and get involved in their work serving the public interest in Vermont, visit www.VPIRG.org.

Featuring:

Paul Burns
Executive Director, VPIRG

Senator Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator, Vermont

Representative Peter Welch
U.S. Representative, Vermont

Anna Seuberling
Board President, VPIRG

Katharine Hayhoe
Atmospheric Scientist, Best Selling Author

VPIRG Video on S.133 Single Use Plastics Law 06/18/2019

Vermont's legislature passed into law a bill to limit contamination by plastic bags, straws and other less necessary single-use plastics. It was signed in June of 2019 by Governor Phil Scott. This short video was produced and distributed by VPIRG to promote knowledge of the bill and it's passage.

On the Waterfront: Host Melinda Moulton speaks with Paul Burns of VPIRG 05/20/2015

Host Melinda Moulton speaks with guest Paul Burns, Executive Director of VPIRG.

Paul Burns is VPIRG’s executive director, a position he’s held since 2001. VPIRG is Vermont’s largest nonprofit, consumer and environmental advocacy organization. In just the past two years, VPIRG has played a major role in several landmark achievements including the nation’s first ban on fracking, tough new regulations on toxics, and the precedent-setting requirement that GMO foods be labeled.