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 a new biennium which means a new legislature. On the topic of new, Dan Fingas was named our executive director last week, taking over for Lauren Hierl, who became executive director of Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) last summer.
And on this week’s podcast, Justin Marsh interviews Dan about his background, vision for VCV, and the challenges of advocating for progressive environmental policies in a changing political landscape. Dan emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the upcoming 2025 Environmental Common Agenda, which outlines the priorities for environmental policy in Vermont.
Last week the state house was abuzz with dozens of new legislators being sworn in, an election for Speaker of the House, committee announcements, and an inaugural address from the Governor. The legislature looks a bit different, with the pro-environmental majorities in the House and Senate shrinking and no longer holding enough votes to easily override a veto from the Governor. With that, bills have already begun being introduced including one that would repeal legislation like the Affordable Heat Act that we worked hard to pass last biennium. Despite this call, we know this is not the time to go backwards on all of the progress we’ve made over the past several years on climate legislation, especially as we exit our warmest year on record.
We will keep you updated throughout the session here, and Dan will join VNRC’s Johanna Miller every Friday for the Climate Dispatch video for the latest policy updates and ways you can get involved.
Listen to the Democracy Dispatch podcast on the following services:
Spotify Podcasts | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Podchaser