Building Knowledge and Cohesion as a New Committee Chair w/ Rep. Kathleen James

Jan 20, 2025 | 2025, Core Issues, Democracy Dispatch, General, Legislative Session

Photo: Rep. Kathleen James speaks on the House floor in 2024 Last week we unveiled the 2025 Environmental Common Agenda, which outlines priorities for environmental policy in Vermont among 19 partner organizations. We started off with a webinar hosted by VECAN,...

Navigating Vermont’s Environmental Future with Dan Fingas

Jan 13, 2025 | 2025, Core Issues, Democracy Dispatch, General, Legislative Session

Photo: Dan Fingas (left) with Senator Anne Watson, canvassing in Barre, October 2024 We’re back! With a new year comes a new legislative session and a new season of the Democracy Dispatch email and podcast. And this year’s new legislative session is also the start of...

Celebrating Senator McCormack’s 30+ Years of Environmental Leadership

May 6, 2024 | 2024, Core Issues, Democracy Dispatch, General, Legislative Session

Photo: Senator Dick McCormack speaks on the floor of the Senate at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Feb. 20, 2024 (photo by Glenn Russell, VTDigger) Guests: Sen. Dick McCormack On this week’s episode of Democracy Dispatch, we have a conversation with Senator Dick...

The Future of Vermont’s Elections and Democracy

Apr 22, 2024 | 2024, Core Issues, Democracy, Democracy Dispatch, Elections, Legislative Session

Photo: Williston polling place (courtesy of Vermont Business Magazine) Guests: Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, State Treasurer Mike Pieciak On this week’s episode of Democracy Dispatch, we welcome back to the podcast two statewide elected officials....

Cleaning Up Our Act

Apr 15, 2024 | 2024, Core Issues, Democracy Dispatch, Elections, Legislative Session, Toxics

Photo: landfill in Coventry, VT (photo by CSWD) Guests: Gretchen Salter, Anthony Iarrapino Between Big Oil and toxic chemicals, it’s time we clean up our act! Just as the Vermont House passes S.25, a bill that would ban PFAS and other harmful “forever” chemicals...

Silver Bullet or Piece of the Puzzle? Act 250’s Impact on Affordable Housing

Apr 8, 2024 | 2024, Core Issues, Democracy, Democracy Dispatch, Elections, Legislative Session

Photo: Howard Block in Bellows Falls, VT Guests: Kathy Beyer, Cora Smith, Rep. Jonathan Williams On this week’s episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, I’m joined by our 2024 legislative intern, Cora Smith. We talked about her role and the interests that emerged...