Democracy Dispatch

Advocates recap the eleven priority environmental and democracy policies taken up in the 2023/2024 biennium in the Vermont Legislature.

On this week’s episode of Democracy Dispatch, we have a conversation with Senator Dick McCormack. The Windsor Senator recently announced his retirement from the legislature after more than three decades of service. He reflects on the pressing issues that the state faced in the late 80s and how they have evolved (or not) over time. He shares his inspiration for seeking the appointment to the Senate, his unwavering support for environmental policies, and the importance of Act 250 and its impact on Vermont. McCormack looks back on his work in civil liberties, including his support for civil unions and end-of-life choices, offers advice to his successors, and emphasizes the importance of finding common ground with colleagues, even when there are disagreements. Also on the podcast, Lauren Hierl and I also give a timely update on all the action in the State House as we enter what is potentially the final week of the session. Which bills saw action last week, which will make it to the Governor’s desk, and which won’t be able to beat the sand in the timer? Hear our assessment on all of our priority policies.

On this week’s episode of Democracy Dispatch, we welcome back to the podcast two statewide elected officials. Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas joins for a conversation reflecting on her first term in office including the challenges of responding to flooding and building new IT systems. She discusses the future of ranked choice voting in Vermont and two upcoming forums on the topic. She also explores the possibilities and concerns surrounding online voting and the use of artificial intelligence in elections. As she looks to the future, Secretary Copeland-Hanzas highlights the importance of civic engagement and the ongoing efforts to promote civics education in Vermont. We also check in with State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, who discusses resilience investments and the Climate Superfund Bill, the concept of a green bank and leveraging federal funds for climate initiatives. He also shares the initiative to create a baby bond program to break the cycle of poverty in Vermont.

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 from a slew of items including cosmetics, cookware, apparel, artificial turf, children’s products, and personal care products, it felt like a great time to hear from a national partner to see how Vermont stacks up when it comes to toxics reform. Gretchen Salter, strategic advisor for Safer States, walks us through the national landscape of toxics reform and education. Safer States is an alliance of diverse environmental health organizations and coalitions from across the nation (including VCV) that's committed to safeguarding people and the planet from toxic chemicals. We also hear from Anthony Iarrapino, an attorney at Wilschek Iarrapino Law in Montpelier, who walks us through S.259 and just how you make Big Oil pay should Vermont enact the Climate Superfund Act.

On this week’s episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, I’m joined by our 2024 legislative intern, Cora Smith. We will have a conversation about her role and the interests that emerged while spending many hours reporting on committee discussions this year. Later, Cora takes the wheel as host for an interview with Kathy Beyer, Senior Vice President for Real Estate Development at Evernorth, an organization with offices across northern New England that have developed and financed environmentally, socially, and economically responsible housing for low and moderate-income people. Cora and Kathy discuss Act 250’s role in allowing affordable housing and also unpack just how affordable housing is created and defined. Lauren Hierl and I recap action of the past week, including a strong tripartisan vote (26-3) in the Senate on S.259, Make Big Oil Pay, and the movement of a comprehensive PFAS bill, S.25, out of the House Committee on Human Services on a unanimous 11-0 vote. Lastly, we hear from Representative Jonathan Williams (D-Barre City) who discusses the response, recovery, and resilience measures needed for communities impacted by flooding. The conversation highlights bills S.310 and S.213 as important steps toward flood safety and management.

Lauren speaks with Rep. Amy Sheldon following the floor discussion and vote on H.687, a bill that would modernize Act 250. Justin recaps the America Votes State Summit in Washington, D.C.

Kati Gallagher, Sustainable Communities Program Director at Vermont Natural Resources Council, and Catherine Dimitruk, executive director of Northwest Regional Planning Commission, join for a conversation about Act 250 reform and the proposed changes within H.687, a bill heading to the House floor this week. The two outline the bill's nexus with planning, walk through the location-based jurisdiction and tier structure, and how regional planning commissions work to provide mapping and planning for communities. Also on the podcast, Attorney General Charity Clark adds her thoughts on PFAS regulation and the proposed creation of a climate superfund.

Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden SE), chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs and Kristin Warner, Public Policy Manager at Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility discuss the roles of businesses in shaping policy, how businesses band together to stack a stand on climate protections, and the apprehension some feel about getting political in the first place. To assist in that conversation is Kate Ogden, the Advocacy and Movement Building Manager at Seventh Generation. Also, a deeper look at the climate superfund act known as Make Big Oil Pay with Senator Tanya Vyhovsky (P-Chittenden Central). And finally, a breakdown look at the League of Conservation Voters’ national scorecard to see how our federal delegation stacks up and their voting records on environmental policies in Washington D.C.

With the legislature on break for Town Meeting Day, it seemed like the opportune time to sit down with Lauren Hierl, executive director, Vermont Conservation Voters, to discuss the policy priorities outlined in the 2024 Environmental Common Agenda and provide a progress report on each. We update you on the latest surrounding Act 250, climate resiliency, the Renewable Energy Standard, cleaner transportation solutions, neonicotinoid pesticides, PFAS, the updated bottle bill, and ranked choice voting.

Democratic Burlington City Councilor Joan Shannon and Progressive State Representative Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, both vying to be Burlington’s next mayor, answer the same set of questions on Burlington’s existing climate efforts and their vision for the future. Senator Christopher Bray of Addison County talks about the advancement of S.213, the Flood Safety Act.

Ashley Moore and Conor Kennedy are the chiefs of staff for Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D-Chittenden Central) and Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington), respectively. The two provide a peek behind the podiums, if you will, sharing details of their roles, what led them to this work, how they spend their rare free time, and their involvement in helping pass legislation. Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden Southeast) shares details about a housing bill currently in the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs.

Marcie Gallagher, an environmental advocate with VPIRG, joins the podcast to discuss Vermont’s beverage container law known more commonly as the Bottle Bill. We unpack the history of the 50-year-old law, its importance, and the attempts and complexities surrounding modernizing it for today’s economy and consumer trends. Representative Julia Andrews (D-Westford) talks about work in the Committee on Ways & Means and a bill that would raise revenue through the taxation of Vermonters with the highest incomes.

Senator Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden SE) and Representative Esme Cole (D-Hartford) are two trailblazing legislators on opposing ends of the age spectrum. They bridge wisdom and progress sharing their perspectives, their path to politics, experiences with ageism and misogyny, and priorities for the rest of this session. I also welcome back Representative Dara Torre (D-Moretown) to the podcast to hear more about a bill in the House Committee on Environment and Energy that would reform the Renewable Energy Standard, accelerating the pace at which Vermont reaches an all-renewable energy grid.

On the this week’s episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, I have a conversation with Senator Rebecca White (D-Windsor) and Representative Gabrielle Stebbins (D-Burlington), co-chairs of the Climate Solutions Caucus. They share their environmental priorities for the session, how their caucus operates and moves policies forward, their personal thoughts on the biennium structure of the Vermont legislature, and where to go from here now that the Senate failed to override Governor Scott’s veto of the modernized Bottle Bill. Also on the podcast, Lauren Hierl catches up with Representative Robin Chesnut-Tangerman (D-Middletown Springs) to hear more about a bill he is sponsoring that would ban the usage of neonicotinoid pesticides and why that is an important step in protecting pollinators and the environment.

Dams exist in almost every Vermont community. Some of us may pass them on our daily commute, some of us may live near them, use the reservoirs created by them, receive our electricity from them, or even have them on our properties. It’s not clear exactly how many dams are in Vermont, but according to recent reporting from VT Digger, experts believe the number is over 1,000, with an average age of 80 years, and some still in existence since the 18th Century. On this week’s Democracy Dispatch Podcast, I speak with Vermont Natural Resources Council’s restoration ecologist, Karina Dailey, all about dams - why they exist, the purposes they serve, and how removing derelict dams can unlock more resilience to weather events and increased biodiversity. Also on the podcast, Lauren Hierl catches up with Representative Amy Sheldon (D-Middlebury), Chair of the House Committee on Environment & Energy, to hear what her committee is prioritizing this year and has already been busy with.

This week we unveiled the 2024 Environmental Common Agenda, coalescing the priorities of a record 19 environmental organizations into one publication. We held a press conference in the state house with fellow advocates along with support from House and Senate leadership to give an overview of our collective priorities. Later that evening at a reception in downtown Montpelier we awarded Senator Anne Watson (D/P-Washington) and Representative Mike Rice (D-Dorset) with VCV’s Rising Star Award. The VCV Rising Star Award is presented to two freshman legislators who have shown immense leadership and demonstrated thoughtful championing of our environmental priority policies. On this week’s episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, I sit down with the winners to talk about their journey to serving, what they’ve accomplished in just their first year, and what they’re hoping to get across the finish line by the end of the biennium. Also in the episode, Lauren Hierl catches up with Senator Christopher Bray (D-Addison), chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, to hear what their committee is prioritizing this year.

We last dropped a special episode in July in response to the catastrophic flooding that ripped through much of Vermont. Representative Dan Noyes (D-Wolcott) and I walked the streets of Johnson last summer to assess clean up efforts and talk strategies for the future, and he joins the podcast to give an update on progress and how his communities are recovering and responding to future flooding threats, like the ones we experienced just weeks ago. Joining our conversation is Representative Kelly Pajala (I-Londonderry) who represents four towns in the southern Green Mountains at the convening of Windham, Windsor, and Bennington counties. She was unable to join the conversation in July because she herself was impacted by the flooding, displaced from her home while also occupied with helping her fellow community members recover. The two discuss efforts in their communities, what’s on their mind as they rebuild, and what policies they are focused on getting across the finish line by the end of the session.

As Vermonters begin week four of clean up from the devastating flooding that occurred the week of July 10th, we hear from four legislators from across Vermont as they share stories from their communities and efforts of recovery. I walked the streets of Johnson with Representative Dan Noyes, assessing firsthand the damages and work to rebuild. I spoke with Senator Alison Clarkson of Windsor County, who shared how her home district was impacted and also how resiliency efforts made following the flooding from Tropical Storm Irene likely helped areas in Bethel and Stockbridge that had been damaged in 2011 but were not as badly hit this time around. Representative Katherine Sims talked with me about the gaps in capacity for smaller towns, especially in the Northeast Kingdom, where she represents 4 towns hoping for FEMA relief designation. And lastly, Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, who has stayed home with her newborn but took on a vital role of connecting supplies and volunteers, using her connections and relationships to provide aid to the affected communities.

On the Season Finale of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski discusses her role as Speaker, and House leadership’s priorities both currently and with an eye on the second and final year of the biennium. After passing the Affordable Heat Act this year, she lists the environmental policy priorities she hopes to see make it across the finish line by next year. Speaker Krowinski shares what led her to Vermont over two decades ago, what has kept her here and politically engaged, and what it means to be just the 4th female Speaker in Vermont history and one of only 6 in the country currently. Plus, hear how she spends the summer and fall during a non-election year. In an expanded edition of the Session Shakedown segment, Lauren Hierl and I give the full report of where our policies made it, using our 2023 Environmental Common Agenda as a guide. We see how far our policy priorities made it and what will be our focus in 2024.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ Deputy Director, Seth Hoffmeister joins the podcast from the 2023 Conservation Voters Movement Conference in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Seth shares about the incredible field organizing his organization led, resulting in successfully blocking a Republican supermajority in the Wisconsin House of Representatives. Despite being a majority democratic state, having elected Democratic Governor Tony Evers for a second term in 2022, the state is plagued with the worst gerrymandering in the country. He talks about the undemocratic district maps that strengthen Republican control and hopes for reversing that movement thanks to last month’s Supreme Court election, giving the court liberal control for the first time since 2008. For our Deep Dive conversation, Lauren Hierl speaks with Representative Seth Bongartz (D-Manchester) about the progress of S.100, the housing equity bill, as we near the end of the 2023 session. Lauren and I recap the week in the State House and movement on environmental priority policies, including news of Gov. Phil Scott’s vetoing of S.5, the Affordable Heat Act, and its potential override vote this week.