Democracy Dispatch

In this episode, Justin Marsh speaks with Senator Alison Clarkson, who reflects on her 20 years in the Vermont legislature and her recent 70th birthday celebration. Clarkson shares her admiration for fellow legislators and highlights the significance of longevity in political roles. The conversation also touches on the impact of environmental champions in Vermont and Clarkson's personal connection to the state.

In this special 50th episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, host Justin Marsh reflects on the journey of the podcast, discussing key themes, memorable episodes, and the importance of accountability in Vermont politics. Joined by Evelyn Seidner, they explore the evolution of the podcast, the significance of representation, and the challenges of political engagement. The conversation also touches on listener questions, personal inspirations, and future aspirations for the podcast, emphasizing the need for accessible political discourse in Vermont.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, host Justin Marsh speaks with Representative Kate Logan about her journey into politics, the challenges faced by working-class legislators, and the goals of the Vermont Progressive Caucus. They discuss the importance of grassroots organizing, the focus on environmental policy, and the role of civil disobedience in advocating for social justice and healthcare. Logan shares her experiences protesting Medicaid cuts and the impact of her activism on conversations around healthcare in Vermont. The episode concludes with a discussion on engaging progressive voters and personal inspirations.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch podcast, host Justin Marsh interviews Representative Emily Carris Duncan, who shares their journey into public service and the importance of representation in Vermont politics. They discuss her advocacy for local economies, data privacy, and land access for marginalized communities, as well as the significance of self-care in public service. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of being a person of color and queer individual in the legislature, and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive political landscape in Vermont.

Representative Chea Waters Evans speaks about the impact of federal voting legislation on Vermont voters, the importance of a state voting rights act, and recent proposed elections legislation including campaign finance reform and ranked-choice voting. The conversation also touches on efforts to enhance voter accessibility and integrity in elections.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, Justin Marsh discusses key legislative actions in Vermont with Senator Becca White. They explore the challenges of transportation funding, the innovative solutions of microtransit, and the priorities of the Climate Solutions Caucus. The conversation also honors the contributions of former legislators Mark McDonald and Dick McCormick, while reflecting on personal inspirations and favorite spots in Vermont.

It's crossover, which means our annual Halftime Report episode. VCV's Justin Marsh and Dan Fingas discuss the current legislative session in Vermont, and give updates on environmental policies, clean energy initiatives, and housing legislation. They highlight key bills, including those addressing PFAS protection, clean water, and election reforms, while also looking ahead to future legislative actions to be expected.

In this episode, Justin Marsh interviews Jordan Heiden, the host of Vermont's Voice, a new podcast by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). They discuss the inspiration behind the podcast, the Keep Vermont Cool campaign, and the importance of grassroots organizing in climate action. Jordan shares insights on community engagement, the role of branding in campaigns, and future podcast topics. The conversation highlights the significance of connecting with Vermonters and fostering a sense of community around environmental issues.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, host Justin Marsh speaks with Quincy Sabick, a junior at Vergennes Union High School and youth representative on the Vermont Climate Council. They discuss the importance of youth engagement in climate activism, the current legislative landscape in Vermont, and the role of the Climate Council in shaping environmental policy. Quincy shares her experiences advocating for climate priorities, her involvement in her school's Green Team, and her aspirations for the future in public policy and environmental law. The conversation highlights the significance of youth voices in legislative processes and the need for continued activism to combat climate change.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, Justin Marsh speaks with Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale about her connections to climate devastation in Southern California, the role of incarcerated individuals in environmental solutions, and the workforce challenges facing Vermont. They discuss the importance of creative solutions to meet the state's environmental and economic goals, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and support for those exiting the prison system.

In this conversation, Justin Marsh speaks with VPIRG's Tom Hughes about the political landscape of Vermont, focusing on Governor Phil Scott's tenure, his policies, and the dynamics between the Republican governor and the predominantly Democratic electorate. They discuss Scott's popularity, his lackluster approach to environmental issues, the importance of voter engagement, and the challenges faced by the legislature. The conversation also touches on the power dynamics in Vermont politics and the future of the state's political landscape.

In this episode, Justin Marsh speaks with Representative Will Greer (D-Bennington), the youngest member of the Vermont legislature and one of the youngest LGBTQ legislators in the U.S. They discuss Greer's motivations for entering politics, the challenges of being a young representative, and the importance of youth representation in government. Greer shares insights on local issues he is addressing, his aspirations for his political legacy, and the significance of community engagement.

In this episode of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, host Justin Marsh speaks with Matthew Vigneau, a political organizer and creator of the Sugaring Off blog. They discuss Matthew's journey into politics, starting from his early activism in high school to his current work in political mapping and blogging. Matthew shares insights on the importance of civic engagement, the evolution of Vermont's political landscape, and the challenges of local political coverage. The conversation also touches on Matthew's future aspirations in the political realm and his inspirations from notable Vermont political figures.

In this conversation, Justin Marsh and Rep. Kathleen James discuss the challenges and opportunities in Vermont's political landscape, particularly focusing on environmental protection, clean energy initiatives, and the importance of bridging political divides. They emphasize the need for collaboration, knowledge building, and addressing economic disparities as Vermont transitions to renewable energy. The discussion also touches on the role of digital infrastructure and the significance of values in driving climate action.

In this episode, Justin Marsh speaks with Dan Fingas, the new executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV). They discuss Dan's background, his 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. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration across political lines and encourages Vermonters to actively participate in advocacy efforts. A new segment, Champs and Chumps of the Week, is introduced.

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.