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Transmittal Email to House and Senate Members
Sent: Monday, March 5, 2018 1:47 PM To: David Ainsworth; Robert Bancroft; John Bartholomew; Fred Baser; Lynn Batchelor; Scott Beck; Paul Belaski; Steve Beyor; Clem Bissonnette; Thomas Bock; Bill Botzow; Patrick Brennan; Tim Briglin; Cynthia Browning; Jessica Brumsted; Susan Buckholz; Tom Burditt; Mollie Burke; William Canfield; Stephen Carr; Robin Chesnut-Tangerman; Annmarie Christensen; Kevin Christie; Brian Cina; Selene Colburn; Jim Condon; Peter Conlon; Daniel Connor; Chip Conquest; Sarah CopelandHanzas; Timothy Corcoran; Larry Cupoli; Maureen Dakin; David Deen; Dennis Devereux; Eileen Dickinson; Anne Donahue; Johannah Donovan; Betsy Dunn; Alyson Eastman; Alice Emmons; Peter Fagan; Rachael Fields; Robert Forguites; Robert Frenier; Douglas Gage; Marianna Gamache; John Gannon; Marcia Gardner; Dylan Giambatista; Diana Gonzalez; Maxine Grad; Rodney Graham; Adam Greshin; Sandy Haas; James Harrison; Mike Hebert; Robert Helm; Mark Higley; Matthew Hill; Mary Hooper; Jay Hooper; Lori Houghton; Mary Howard; Ronald Hubert; Kimberly Jessup; Ben Jickling; Mitzi Johnson; Ben Joseph; Bernie Juskiewicz; Brian Keefe; Kathleen Keenan; Charlie Kimbell; Warren Kitzmiller; Jill Krowinski; Rob LaClair; Martin LaLonde; Diane Lanpher; Richard Lawrence; Paul Lefebvre; Patti Lewis; William Lippert; Emily Long; Gabrielle Lucke; Terence Macaig; Michael Marcotte; Marcia Martel; Jim Masland; Christopher Mattos; Curt McCormack; Patricia McCoy; Francis McFaun; Alice Miller; Kiah Morris; Mary Morrissey; Mike Mrowicki; Barbara Murphy; Linda Myers; Gary Nolan; Terry -
FINAL Draft Working Vermonters' Pension Proposal (4/01/2021)
Working Vermonters’ Caucus Pension Proposal Retirement Fund Task Force: Create a task force to meet over the rest of 2021 to hold more public hearings and meetings over the summer and to come back with a pensions proposal in October 2021 for legislative action in 2022. Membership: Divided equally between workers, management, and state officials- VSEA, NEA, VTA, Professional Firefighters of Vermont, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, IBEW local 300, Treasurer, all members of both House and Senate Government Operations Committee, Governor, Judiciary, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Vermont School Board Association, VPIC, with the actuary Powers and Duties: Evaluate the current VPIC model and if this is the best practice or what changes need to be made to pension Evaluate the governance model, in general Evaluate structure of current plans and ways to improve performance Evaluate the management of the pension funds Explore long term viability of the pension funds Identify and advise on long term possibilities for dedicated funding streams Review various short term possible revenue streams to pay off debt/liability and set us up for success Consider impact of retirement benefits on workforce development, including recruitment and retention Assess impact of pensions on the other areas of the state budget and the state’s economy Explore long term transition to a public retirement system so that all workers can buy into pension plans Resource for ideas: https://www.bankoflabor.com/community-investments/ Audit/Evaluation: Conduct an independent evaluation of the pension fund’s performance and management, using an expert analyst contracted through the auditor’s office. The evaluation will identify reasons for the fund’s performance and independently ascertain and certify the performance, valuation, and fees of alternative investment managers like private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and commodities going back to 2011, with specific emphasis on the last 5 years given the changes. -
Annual Review of Legislative Action on Wildlife
Vermont Wildlife Coalition P.O. Box 987 Shelburne, VT 05482 [email protected] Dear Vermonter, The Vermont Wildlife Coalition is pleased to present the second edition of the Annual Review of Legislative Action on Wildlife. This edition covers the 2019-20 legislative session. It will: 1) update you on current wildlife issues in the form of actual and proposed bills before the legislature, 2) show, when information is available, where legislators, the governor, the Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Fish and Wildlife Board stand on those issues. It will be up to you to decide whether these parties are representing your interests, 3) clarify who is making decisions about Vermont’s wildlife. Why should you care? One compelling reason is that wildlife is an essential member of the ecological community that sustains all life, including humans. Another reason is that by law, wildlife is held in trust by the state for Vermonters, present and future. We can separate out the ways that different groups enjoy wildlife, but no group owns wildlife or can claim rights above those of other Vermont citizens with respect to wildlife. Finally, wildlife in 2019 faces impacts from many directions. Those include cultural shifts in attitudes towards animals, declining interest in hunting/trapping, global warming, habitat loss to development, increased human-animal interactions, pollution, declining department revenue from traditional sources, and dramatic changes in conservation science. If you care about wildlife, and understand that wildlife is under threat, you will need to stay informed and take action. As you look through this issue, you’ll notice that the legislature seemed to have taken little real action regarding wildlife in the past session. -
Safe Cosmetics Legislation in Vermont: Passing H.308 in the Vermont Legislature Anna Tadio Vermont
University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection Undergraduate Theses 2013 Safe Cosmetics Legislation in Vermont: Passing H.308 in the Vermont Legislature Anna Tadio Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/envstheses Recommended Citation Tadio, Anna, "Safe Cosmetics Legislation in Vermont: Passing H.308 in the Vermont Legislature" (2013). Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection. 21. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/envstheses/21 This Undergraduate Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Undergraduate Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies Electronic Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Safe Cosmetics Legislation in Vermont Passing H. 308 in the Vermont Legislature Anna Tadio Project Thesis Environmental Studies College of Arts and Sciences University of Vermont Spring 2013 Advisors: Professor Stephanie Kaza (Primary Advisor) Professor Robert Bartlett Professor Amy Seidl ABSTRACT People are exposed to environmental toxins everyday. In the United States, the regulations governing environmental toxins in personal care products are not sufficient. In 2005, California passed the Safe Cosmetics Act. This act required cosmetics manufacturers to disclose to the state any ingredient that is listed on state and federal lists of chemicals, which cause cancer or birth defects. The law also required companies to release health related information about chemicals used in their products. This thesis assessed the plausibility of Vermont’s ability to pass a parallel Safe Cosmetics Act based on the California model. By working with Representative Jill Krowinski (D-Chittenden 6-3) this project thesis introduced and followed H. -
Hunger Council of the Windham Region Meeting Minutes
Hunger Council of the Windham Region Meeting Minutes Meeting Date: November 17, 2016 Present: Senator Becca Balint (Vermont State Senate), Representative Mollie Burke (Vermont State House of Representatives), Vickie Case (WKVT Radio), Shyla Foss (Vermont Department of Health – Brattleboro District Office), Representative-Elect John Gannon (Vermont State House of Representatives), Sue Graff (United Way of Windham County), Randy Holhut (The Commons), Katherine Jandernoa (Food Connects), Representative Emily Long (Vermont State House of Representatives), Nancy Olson (Putney Foodshelf), Helen Rortvedt (Food Connects), Nancy Schaefer (Brattleboro Memorial Hospital), Kira Sawyer-Hartigan (Windham Southeast Supervisory Union), Dave Schoales (Brattleboro Town School Board and Select Board), Kathy Squires (Townshend Community Food Shelf), Representative Valerie Stuart (Vermont State House of Representatives), Bonny White (UVM Extension – EFNEP), Genna Williams (Vermont Foodbank) Co-Chairs: Margaret Atkinson (Windham Child Care Association) and Lisa Pitcher (Our Place) Hunger Free Vermont Staff: Faye Conte, Kristen Rauch, and Jenna Banning Welcome and Introductions Action Steps & Margaret welcomed everyone to the meeting, and thanked the group for being flexible with the Handouts: date change. Council members shared brief introductions of themselves and their work, particularly regarding nutrition and hunger. Charitable Food & Winter Planning – the Challenge of Hunger in the Windham Region Member organizations share what they are seeing in terms of both progress and challenges combating hunger and preparing for winter. Council members and legislators discussed school meals, with specific foci on local foods and food quality, Leland & Grey, and older students who want to eat off campus. Vickie Case shared that Youth Services is interested in supporting student stores, and the Council agreed that using the empty pizzeria in Townshend would be an excellent location for a store. -
Weekly Legislative Report No. 2 January 6, 2017 Page 1
Governor Scott Takes Office ........................................ 1 Vermont House Committee Members ....................... 4 Governor Shumlin Says Good-bye .............................. 2 Summary of New Bills ................................................... 6 House Committees Makeover ....................................... 2 Advocacy Webinars ........................................................ 6 Governor Scott Takes Office Inauguration Day in Vermont is always an occasion to celebrate and showcase our state’s history and the pomp and circumstance that recall it. From the procession of four former governors and numerous dignitaries who were escorted by members of the armed services in Vermont to the singing of “America the Beautiful” by Colchester Police Chief Jennifer Morrison, it was an opportunity for the overflow crowd of Vermonters crammed in the House Chamber to witness their state’s peaceful transfer of power. After Governor Philip Scott took the oath of office, he used his inauguration speech to focus on themes that he had emphasized throughout his campaign for office. He assured Vermonters that he heard their concerns about “struggles to make ends meet as costs and taxes rise and good paying jobs are fewer and fewer.” He committed his administration to strengthening the economy, making living and doing business in Vermont more affordable, and protecting the most vulnerable. He announced that he would sign an executive order that very day directing every state agency to focus on those issues. His purpose in so doing, -
2011 – 2012 Scorecard
2011-2012 LEGISLATIVE BIENNIUM VERMONT Environmental Scorecard KNOW THE SCORE he Vermont League of Conservation Voters is a T nonpartisan political organization working to turn your environmental values into state priorities. We seek to make environmental conservation a top priority for candidates, elected officials and voters HOW THE VOTES WERE SELECTED T his scorecard is based on the legislative priorities of the environmental and conservation organizations that form the Vermont Environmental Collaborative, as well as other environmental issues. Determining factors in the decision to list particular votes include whether the vote was substantive or procedural in nature, and which vote had the greatest effect on the outcome of the legislation. Please note the limitations of this report. Only roll call votes have been included, as voice votes are not recorded by name. A simple numeric score beside a legislator’s name cannot convey the depth of discussions about the issues, nor can it clearly indicate which legislators worked to protect the environment and which legislators worked to undermine environmental protections. This is particularly true when it comes to work done in the committee room. Nevertheless, the scorecard is a great resource to determine a legislator’s environmental commitment. HOW THE VOTES WERE SCORED T he scores were calculated by dividing the number of pro-environmental votes cast by the number of votes the legislator had the opportunity to cast on environmental issues. Absences were counted as a negative vote. !"#$%&'(&)*##$+'%#$,-.+#%)&"-/&" ######01&)#.+Ë"&#'4/#0456#10.&"#7+&4#.+&)&#-"#'#.-& ######+-"#%&)80),'49&#-"#40.#"90)&/:##;-(&7-"&*#"-49& ######<&%#=-55&,#>&7&..#%)&"-/&/#01&)#.+
. ######2:?@?#A.+&#B8)'9(-4CB#D'4E*#+'"#40.#"90)&/#04 ######.+'.#10.&: HOW TO USE THIS SCORECARD VT LCV has prepared this legislative scorecard to highlight legislators’ voting records on environmental issues. -
Bernie Sanders* (I) Representative to Congress: Peter Welch* (D/WF)
VSEA Endorsements: Addison Senate District U.S. Senate: Bernie Sanders* (I) Representative to Congress: Peter Welch* (D/WF) Governor of Vermont: Peter Shumlin* (D/WF) Lieutenant Governor of Vermont: Cassandra Gekas (P/D) State Treasurer: Beth Pearce* (D/WF) Secretary of State: Jim Condos* (D/P/WF/R) Auditor of Accounts: Vincent Illuzzi (R/WF) Attorney General: Ed Stanak (P) For State Senate: Claire Ayer* (D) Christopher Bray (D) For State Representative: Addison‐1: Middlebury Addison‐Rutland: Orwell, Shoreham, o Betty Nuovo* (D) Whiting, Benson o Paul Ralston* (D) o Will Stevens* (I) Addison‐2: Cornwall, Goshen, Hancock, Orange‐Washington‐Addison: Leicester, Ripton, Salisbury Granville, Braintree, Brookfield, o Willem Jewett* (D) Randolph, Roxbury o Patsy French*(D) Addison‐3: Addison, Ferrisburgh, o Larry Townsend*(D) Panton, Vergennes, Waltham o Diane Lanpher*(D) Washington‐Chittenden: Bolton, Buels Gore, Huntington, Waterbury Addison‐4: Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton, o Rebecca Ellis*(D) Starksboro o Tom Stevens*(D) o Michael Fisher*(D) o Dave Sharpe*(D) Addison‐5: Bridport, New Haven, Weybridge o No Endorsement *Incumbent VSEA Endorsements: Bennington Senate District U.S. Senate: Bernie Sanders* (I) Representative to Congress: Peter Welch* (D/WF) Governor of Vermont: Peter Shumlin* (D/WF) Lieutenant Governor of Vermont: Cassandra Gekas (P/D) State Treasurer: Beth Pearce* (D/WF) Secretary of State: Jim Condos* (D/P/WF/R) Auditor of Accounts: Vincent Illuzzi (R/WF) Attorney General: Ed Stanak (P) For State Senate: Robert “Bob” Hartwell* -
Voice January 2008.Indd
January 2009 Vol. 11, No. 1 Vermont State Employees’ Association • 155 State Street, P.O. Box 518, Montpelier, VT 05601-0518 • Phone: (802) 223-5247 • Website: www.vsea.org How Low Can Vermont Go? Now More Than Ever, State Keeps Cutting, Regardless Of Impact Your Voice Is Needed! Still reeling from the State’s 150 job cuts Management Commissioner Jim Reardon on June 30—and its subsequent 50+ job said the State did not want to identify the cuts as part of two recent budget rescission employees now, just in case circumstances plans—VSEA and many state employees were to change. Cummings reminded the are now warning that Vermont’s public JFC that it is difficult to approve a proposal services can’t be cut any deeper without when you don’t know what the impact is serious ramifications. They’re also caution- going to be after the cuts occur. Reardon ing that reduced staff levels are making it closed his remarks by admitting again VSEA members across the state nearly impossible in some agencies and (after months of denial) that it would be are urged to call, e-mail or visit your departments to adequately serve the grow- “disingenuous” of the State to deny that local legislators to remind them that ing number of Vermonters seeking advice these cuts would not have any impact on it’s wrong to rely solely on deep cuts and help during this difficult economic services. In a statement to the press, VSEA to programs, services and the work- time. General Counsel Michael Casey (who, force to pull Vermont out of this tough “This entire exercise, to date, has been at the time was serving as VSEA’s Interim economic downturn. -
VPIRG's 2013–2014 Legislative Scorecard
VPIRG’S 2013–2014 Legislative Scorecard VPIRG produces a scorecard of key votes at the conclusion of each legislative biennium. You can use this year’s scorecard to find out how your representatives in the Vermont House and Senate voted on VPIRG-backed legislation to promote clean energy, reduce exposure to toxins, make health care more accessible and affordable and protect our democracy. HOW TO READ THIS SCORECARD H.112—GMO Labeling PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES More information about VPIRG’s work on Legislators were scored based on This bill, introduced and passed by the all these issues, including an archive of whether or not their vote was in past VPIRG scorecards, is available at the public interest. House on a 99 –42 vote in 2013, honors the public’s right to know by requiring ge - www.vpirg.org netically engineered foods in Vermont to = FOR the public interest position be labeled. It was then taken up in a ∆ = AGAINST the public interest slightly revised form by the Senate in S.82—More Money in Politics 2014 and passed on a strong 28 –2 vote. PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: NO A=the legislator was ABSENT for the vote. This landmark law makes Vermont the In early 2014, legislators changed course N/O = the legislator was not in office at the first state in the nation to actually require on S.82 and decided to alter the legisla - time of the vote. labels on genetically engineered foods. tion significantly by allowing much larger P=Legislator did not vote because he/she was S.81—Banning Chlorinated Tris contributions to certain candidates and PRESIDING over the chamber for that vote PUBLIC INTEREST VOTE: YES political parties. -
Vermont Primary Care Sourcebook Prepared by Bi-State Primary Care Association January 2018 7Th Edition
Vermont Primary Care Sourcebook Prepared by Bi-State Primary Care Association January 2018 7th Edition Bi-State Primary Care Association 61 Elm Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (802) 229-0002 www.bistatepca.org Printed on January 30, 2018 Table of Contents Mission and Vision 3 FQHCs Collaborate Across Health Sectors 18 Public Policy Principles, Priorities and Strategies 4 FQHCs Partner to Achieve the Best Care 19 Ten Critical Points to Transform Vermont’s Health System 5 Planned Parenthood of Northern New England 20 Bi-State’s Recruitment Center 6 Rural Health Clinics Overview 21 Bi-State’s Members 8 Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital 22 Member Map 9 Vermont Area Health Education Centers 23 Member Directory 10 Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured 26 FQHCs Strengthen Communities 12 FQHC Federal Requirements 29 FQHCs Ensure Access in Their Communities 13 FQHC Sliding Fee Scale 30 FQHC Patients by Payer 14 Member Site Directory by Organization 31 FQHC Funding and Reimbursement Structure 15 Member Site Directory by County 32 FQHCs Exceed National Average for Quality Measures 16 Vermont Legislative Representative Directory 34 FQHCs Use Data to Drive Improvement 17 Acknowledgement and Contact Information 40 2 Return to Bi-State Primary Care Association Mission and Vision Table of Contents Mission Vision Promote access to effective and affordable primary care and preventive services for all, with special Healthy individuals and communities with quality emphasis on underserved populations in Vermont health care for all. and New Hampshire. Who We Are Bi-State Primary Care Association was established in 1986 to serve Vermont and New Hampshire. -
Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
Issue Brief - Soda Tax http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=20b588b87d4bc8441af8... Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate EAI Issue Brief, Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax February, 2013 Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Legislation: H.234 - An act relating to the imposition of an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. This bill would put a $0.01 per ounce excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda, sports drinks, ready to drink teas, flavored water, and energy drinks, and the powders and syrups used to make them. A 12 oz. soda will be taxed 12 cents. A 20 oz. soda will be taxed 20 cents, etc. The tax will be imposed on the distributor, and is estimated to cost taxpayers $27 million a year. Analysis: Supporters of this bill argue that the increasing incidence of obesity and the illnesses associated with it justify this tax. The logic, the mechanism and the morality of this are all flawed. This tax, as well as the growing trend in “sin taxes,” has more to do with growing government than shrinking waistlines. A recent study, “SIN TAXES: Size, Growth, and Creation of the Sindustry,” by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, revealed a number of important findings: Bait & Switch: The money raised by sin taxes is overwhelmingly NOT used to combat the problem for which it was supposedly raised. For example, after the states settled with the tobacco companies, less than five cents of every dollar 1 of 3 2/12/13 10:07 AM Issue Brief - Soda Tax http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=20b588b87d4bc8441af8... Subscribe Share Past Issues Translate grab.