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Vermont News
- 05/15/08 - Center for American Progress: What Are You Paying for the War?
- 05/01/08 - Vermont Becomes 7th State to go "Sweat Free"
- 04/11/08 - Former Chief Weapons Inspector In Iraq Says White House Seeking To Start War With Iran
- 04/04/08 - Monsanto's Patchwork Plan to Deny Consumer Choice
- 03/21/08 - Douglas Signs Heating Efficiency Bill
- 03/18/08 - How to Get Your Town or City to Indict Bush and Cheney
- 03/07/08 - The Hemp News Updates from the Hemp Industries Association
- 02/25/08 - VT House OKs Hemp for State's Farmers
- 02/07/08 - States' Emissions Debate Escalates
- 02/07/08 - Brattleboro, Vermont Moves Toward Indicting Bush & Cheney
- 02/07/08 - Ben & Jerry's Opposes Monsanto's Move in Several States to Ban rBGH-Free Labels
- 01/28/08 - Brattleboro, Vermont to Vote on Arresting Bush, Cheney
- 01/27/08 - Campaign Finance Reform
- 01/19/08 - Vermont Streamlines Hydropower Permitting Process
- 01/13/08 - Anti-War Protesters Disrupt Vermont Governor' s State of the State Address
- 01/08/08 - Progressive States Network Lists States with Policies to Solve the Healthcare Crisis
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Vermont 2008 Legislative Roundup
(From Progressive States Network)
The Vermont legislative session ended two weeks early with legislators opting not to return for a veto session to try to overturn potential vetoes by the governor. Tough economic times and declining tax revenues left the state in fiscal trouble, yet lawmakers rightly rejected the governor's dangerous proposal to lease the state lottery to a private operator for short-term cash and long-term loss to the state.
Election Reform: The legislature passed the National Popular Vote compact through S. 270, and the bill now sits on the governor's desk. A bill authorizing mobile polling stations for early voting, S. 232, has become law. The legislature failed, however, to override a governor veto on S. 108,
which would have allowed instant runoff voting for reelection of US
representative and US senator and failed to override, by one vote in
the House, S. 278, which would have dramatically strengthened campaign contribution limits.
Labor Rights: One of the state's greatest accomplishments this session was passing H. 338 - Sweat-Free Goods,
which requires that all bidders seeking contracts to supply the state
with apparel, footwear, and textiles, provide certification that
suppliers at the point of assembly comply with workplace laws of the
vendor and with treaty obligations. The legislature also passed S. 201 to give state employees more specific protections for speaking up about job-related problems
Clean Energy & Environment: The state also passed some good environmental gains, including:
- S. 209, the Vermont Energy Efficiency and Affordability Act, is comprehensive legislation that requires, among others, a plan for meeting Vermont's renewable energy requirement of 25 percent by 2025, building efficiency, clean energy development, net metering, and steps to make renewable energy cost efficient. It was signed by the governor.
- S. 350 creates state agency energy plan and looks for all opportunities to conserve resources, save energy, encourage renewable energy use, and reduce pollution.
- H. 863 lifts land-use permitting for new housing created in specified areas alongside existing development in communities with planning in place if 20 percent of the homes meet moderate-pricing ranges.
- H. 267 permits industrial hemp farming.
- H. 865 gives the Agency of Natural Resources and the attorney general's office more authority to prosecute environmental laws. Unfortunately, the final version does not include citizen suit provisions, which would have allowed citizens, as opposed to agencies, to bring suit for violations.
- S. 304 protects groundwater by making underground water a public trust and allowing the state to regulate large withdrawals.
- H. 515 establishes a $5 bounty for returns of mercury filled thermometers.
In a step backwards, the legislature also passed H. 873,
which delays tougher standards for water treatment plants that
discharge effluents into rivers and streams that flow into Lake
Champlain.
Toxic Toys: The legislature took two strong steps forward in protecting children from toxic toys and products by passing:
- S. 152, which phases out lead in children's products and wheel weights down to a level of 100 ppm, and
- S. 261, which, beginning in July 2009, bans phthalates in products marketed to children under the age of 3.
Domestic Violence: Finally, the state also passed S. 357, which increased penalties for domestic violence and provides for more training for police on domestic violence and more money for prevention programs and services offered to victims.
Take Action. Support Green Jobs!
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 authorized $125 million per year to create an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program as an amendment to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The Green Jobs Act (GJA) is an initial pilot program to identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for jobs in a range of industries - including energy efficient building, construction and retrofits, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, biofuels, and manufacturing that produces sustainable products and uses sustainable processes and materials. It targets a broad range of populations for eligibility, but has a special focus on creating "green pathways out of poverty."
Congress has not yet appropriated money for the Green Jobs Act. Please contact your Senator today and urge them to fund the Green Jobs Act of 2007!
Read more at Green for All's web site.
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