Preserving Home in the Era of Climate Change

May 4, 2026 | 2026, Climate, Core Issues, Democracy Dispatch, General, Sustainable Communities

Greven Field in Cavendish on Dec. 18, 2023, courtesy of Cavendish Connects My name is Sereena, I’m the 2026 Legislative Intern for Vermont Conservation Voters, Vermont Natural Resources Council, and Vermont Planners Association. I’m pleased to be the guest host on...

Taxing the Richest Vermonters to Recapture Federal Tax Cuts

Feb 4, 2026 | 2026, Democracy Dispatch, General, Sustainable Communities

A week ago today, I stood behind advocates, citizens, and legislators at a press conference in the State House calling on the passage of a suite of bills that would tax the richest Vermonters. After the passage of H.R. 1, states have been left to foot the bill for...

The Crossover Halftime Report

Mar 4, 2024 | 2024, Climate, Core Issues, Democracy, Democracy Dispatch, Forests, Legislative Session, Sustainable Communities, Toxics, Water

Guest: Lauren Hierl On this week’s episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, Lauren Hierl joins for our annual halftime report on the eve of the legislative crossover (when House bills need to be moved to the Senate, and vice versa). This year, the crossover deadline...

Environmental Organizations Applaud Vermont House for Advancing S.100, Creating Smart Growth Housing Opportunities for all Vermonters

May 10, 2023 | 2023, General, Press Release, Sustainable Communities

Montpelier – The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) and Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) applaud the passage of S.100, the “Housing Opportunities Made for All” bill, by the Vermont House of Representatives on a 135-11 vote today. The bill is now headed back to...

Banning PFAS and Toxic “Forever” Chemicals

Feb 27, 2023 | 2023, Democracy Dispatch, General, Sustainable Communities, Toxics

S1, E8 (Feb. 27, 2023): Banning PFAS and Toxic “Forever” Chemicals Guests: Rep. Dane Whitman, VNRC’s Kati Gallagher Rep. Dane Whitman (D-Bennington) speaks about policy banning harmful PFAS and toxic “forever” chemicals from several items. His work on this effort last...

Looking Back on 15 Years of Environmental Justice

Jan 30, 2023 | 2023, Democracy Dispatch, General, Sustainable Communities, Toxics

S1, E4 (Jan. 30, 2023): Looking Back on 15 Years of Environmental Justice Guests: Sen. Ginny Lyons, Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D/P-Chittenden Southeast) takes a look back at the environmental justice legislation that inspired her to run for the...