Attorney General Charity Clark will hold a town hall meeting concerning recent lawsuits against the Trump administration. It will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Pavilion Office Building, first-floor auditorium in Montpelier. Capacity is limited.
Early check-in is recommended to allow time to go through security. It will also be livestreamed at ago.vermont.gov online. The lawsuits against the Trump administration filed on behalf of Vermonters since Inauguration Day have sought to block acts and executive orders that were unconstitutional and illegal. The cases involve:
— Birthright citizenship ban: A preliminary injunction was granted, blocking the ban, while the lawsuit proceeds.
— Federal funding freeze or “OMB Memo”: A preliminary injunction was granted on March 6, stopping the Trump administration from pausing billions of federal assistance funding to the states that sued.
— Freeze of National Institutes of Health research grants: A preliminary injunction was granted on March 5, barring the Trump administration’s attempt to cut billions in funding for critical biomedical and public health research.
— Elon Musk and DOGE’s unauthorized access to the Treasury Department’s systems: A preliminary injunction was granted, blocking access by DOGE while the lawsuit proceeds.
— Unlawful delegation of executive power to Musk: The case will proceed to expedited discovery where the States will seek information regarding DOGE’s current operations and future plans. The States anticipate filing a motion for a preliminary injunction by mid-April.
— Federal employees: A lawsuit against numerous federal agencies for conducting illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees, was filed on March 6. Attorney General Clark will provide an update on this case at the Town Hall.
Since President Trump was sworn in Clark’s office has received a deluge of constituent calls, emails, letters, notes and postcards from Vermonters sharing concerns, pleas for action, and thanks to her office for taking a stand.
Saunders’ appointment
Reactions to the Vermont Senate vote to confirm Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders this week has been mixed.
VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued a news release stating: “With a permanent Education Secretary in place along with a robust Education Reform plan put forward by the Governor, the table is set for the kind of change that Republicans campaigned on and we hope that this is a sign of future cooperation from Senate Democrats. ... Today would not have been possible without the tens of thousands of Vermonters who voted last November for making such a dramatic change. Many times people vote, and feel like it doesn’t make a difference, but with the confirmation of Zoie Saunders as Education Secretary, we have one of the most concrete examples of how voters can change and even reverse the legislature’s course of action, as they did in the Vermont Senate.”
Meanwhile, Friends of Vermont Public Education said it is “deeply disappointed by the full Senate’s confirmation” of Saunders.
“Vermonters deserve a public education system that is fair, transparent, and accountable to all families. Ms. Saunders has supported expanding taxpayer-funded vouchers to private schools that are not required to accept all students, meet Vermont’s Education Quality Standards, or even report how they spend public money. This decision puts public dollars at risk and undermines the integrity of our education system,” a statement reads. “Vermont’s students and communities deserve better.”
House backs PFAs ban
The Vermont House of Representatives voted this week to outlaw the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers.
Supporters of the bill say it is “a critical step in reducing Vermonters’ exposure to these harmful substances.”
The bill — H.238 — given initial approval by the House in a voice vote, builds on earlier legislation adopted in Vermont that addressed PFAS in personal care products, menstrual products, textiles, cookware, rugs and carpets, artificial turf, ski wax and more.
“This law will be another important step toward protecting Vermonters and our environment from exposure to toxic PFAS,” said Anna Seuberling, environmental health advocate with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).
“This legislation demonstrates that it is still possible to find broad agreement when it comes to protecting public health and our environment from dangerous chemicals like PFAS in consumer products,” said Rep. Amy Sheldon, a Middlebury Democrat and chair of the House Environment Committee. “Toxic PFAS does not belong in products that we use in our homes every day. These are dangerous chemicals, and they are not necessary in things like dental floss, cleaning products, and the many other items we’ve already addressed in previous legislation. This is a win for public health and our environment.”
The bill needs final approval in the House and then heads to the Senate.
Civic Health Index
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas held a reception Wednesday evening at the State House to share key findings from Vermont’s first ever Civic Health Index — a report measuring how civically engaged Vermonters are across the state and in relation to the rest of the country.
The report was created in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship, UVM’s Center for Rural Studies, SerVermont, Up For Learning, and Vermont Humanities.
The report found that Vermont ranks high in the nation in areas such as volunteering, attending public meetings, collaborating with neighbors, following the news and contacting their representatives. Vermont’s Civic Health Index also includes results of a survey of 2,500 students grades 7-12, offering a greater understanding of how youth civic health compares to that of adult Vermonters.
“We were thrilled to join Secretary Copeland Hanzas to celebrate Vermont’s first-ever Civic Health Index, which reveals the state’s exceptional civic health foundation. Vermont’s impressive national rankings — particularly in civic action and collaboration — showcase a deeply engaged citizenry committed to democratic values,” said Cameron Hickey, CEO of the National Conference on Citizenship. “What makes Vermont’s efforts truly stand out is how the Secretary’s office expanded traditional civic metrics to include cultural engagement, media literacy, and youth participation, providing a more comprehensive view of Vermont’s civic ecosystem. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Vermont to expand data collection and more effectively measure the impact of their incredible work.”
Following the release of the report in January, the Secretary of State’s office held several community conversations around the state, from Brattleboro to St. Johnsbury, to gather feedback and further input on how to improve Vermont’s civic health. Some themes that have stood out include: more K-12 civic education opportunities; more community conversations about these important issues; and an increased investment in arts and cultural resources.
State revenues
Secretary of Administration Sarah Clark this week released Vermont’s revenue results for January.
The state’s General Fund, Transportation Fund and Education Fund receipts were a combined $396.1 million, exceeding the $362.9 million monthly target by $33.2 million, or 9.2%. Total General Fund revenues for January were $290.9 million, $31.2 million, or 12.0%, greater than the $259.7 million monthly cash flow target.
Revenues in the Transportation Fund underperformed their $23.9 million January target by $300,000, or 1.1%, yielding $23.6 million in total.
Monthly Education Fund revenues of $81.6 million were $2.2 million, or 2.8%, greater than their January $79.4 million target.
In a statement, Clark said: “The second half of the fiscal year appears to be off to a strong start with both the General Fund and Education Fund exceeding expectations. Even though the Transportation Fund did not achieve its monthly target, its cumulative performance to date is still less than one percent below anticipated.”
Youth Lobby
This week, the Youth Lobby held a Rally for the Planet: Day of Action.
The Day of Action kicked off with a march to the State House, followed by speeches from youth leaders on the capitol steps, meetings with lawmakers, a press conference, and finally testimony in the House committee on Energy and Digital Infrastructure. Throughout the day, youth activists urged lawmakers to stay the course on climate action.
“We cannot allow Vermont to be a state that ignores the environment and climate. We cannot comply with these trends in the current federal government. We need to remain a brave little state that knows and acts upon what is best for Vermonters’ futures,” said Harmony Belle-Devoe, a 10th-grader at Harwood Union High School.
“Keeping Vermont on track for our renewable goals was the right thing to do, not only for keeping Vermont accountable for its emissions but leading other states to do the same, creating a greater impact from those committed to a cleaner planet. This is vital to controlling the impact of climate change, as even though the United States has less than 5% of the world’s population, it has contributed 20% of the world’s total emissions,” said Lucy Badger, a senior at Harwood Union High School.
Flood Safety Week
March 10-16 was recognized as Flood Safety Awareness Week.
With recent major flood events and spring flood season underway, Department of Environmental Conservation reminds Vermonters about the benefits of floodplain protection and how to protect yourself if your property is at risk of flooding.
“Flood Safety Awareness Week is our yearly reminder to put safety first and remember the functions and values of Vermont’s floodplains.” said DEC Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “These vital areas protect our friends, families, and properties by slowing down water, serving as the brakes on our rivers.”
“Floodplains not only help Vermonters by reducing the impact and costs of powerfully erosive high water,” said Batchelder, “but they are also critical for clean water, capturing sediment and phosphorus and keeping our rivers and lakes swimmable.”
Visit FloodReady.Vermont.Gov or ANR.Vermont.Gov/Flood to learn more about floodplain protection, flood insurance, and flood recovery. Communities and towns can also explore state and federal funding opportunities to become more flood resilient.
For other flood safety and preparedness tips, visit Vermont Emergency Management online.
Compiled by the staffs of The Times Argus and Rutland Herald.
Appointments
Gov. Phil Scott made several appointments in the last six months.
They include:
Justice of the Peace: Mary Howard Feder, Grafton; Jamie O’Hare, East Montpelier.
State’s Attorney: Steven M. Brown Jr., Brattleboro.
Assistant Judge: Josie Henry, Alburgh; Michael Ricci, Woodstock; Patricia Gabel, Stowe.
Superior Court Judge: Dana Marianna DiSano, South Burlington; Laura Rowntree, South Burlington.
Superior Court Judge, Environmental: Joseph S. McLean, South Burlington.
Family Division Magistrate: Jessica Seman, Reading.
Animal Cruelty Investigation Advisory Board: JoAnn Nichols, Burlington.
Board of Nursing: Jamie Callaghan , Jericho; Melissa J. Loisel, Rutland; Jennifer Laurent, Burlington.
Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee: Gordon Winters, Swanton.
Clinical Utilization Review Board: Albert S. Hardy, III, Shelburne; Kate McIntosh, Northampton, Massachusetts; Valerie Jo Riss, Burlington.
Council for Equitable Youth Justice: Hudson Ranney, Windsor; Zoe Souder, Sunapee, New Hampshire.
Drug Utilization Board: Heather Doyle Stein, Essex Junction.
Elevator Safety Review Board: William F. Henry, Jr., West Topsham.
Fish and Wildlife Board: Beth Deimling, Grand Isle; Linda Hook, Brunswick.
Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: Albert Hermsen, Brookfield; Jennifer Grant, Lyndonville; Scott Wood, Thetford.
Governor’s Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council: Aaron McIntire, Concord, New Hampshire; Chris Dube, South Burlington; Chris LaMonda, Jericho; Derek Libby, Swanton; Emma Harrington, Waterbury; Erik Boozan, Cambridge; George Merkel, Vergennes; Michael Burke, Bristol; Michael Dubie, Williston; Robert Schlachter, Rutland; Roger Marcoux, Hyde Park.
Governor’s Veterans Advisory Council: Jacob M. Wolf, Orleans.
Governor’s Workforce Equity and Diversity Council: Bernice Sarafzadeh, Stowe; Maureen Hebert, Randolph.
Livestock Care Standards Advisory Council: Andrea Etter, Burlington.
Oversight Commission on Children, Youth and Families: Laura Schaller, Barre; Stephen Dale, Montpelier.
Racial Justice Statistics Advisory Council: Andrew Laing, Burlington.
State Emergency Response Commission: Andrew L’Roe, Middlebury; Prescott Nadeau, Colchester.
State Labor Relations Board: David Boulanger, Hinesburg.
State Police Advisory Commission: Seth Shamp, Burlington.
State Program Standing Committee for Children, Adolescent, and Family Mental Health: Mary Butler, Troy; Barbara Lee, Dummerston; Chad Cleverly, St. Johnsbury; Juliane Foley, Fairfax; Susan Yuan, Jericho.
Study Committee on Dam Emergency Operations Planning: Ben Green, Northfield; Michaela Foody, Essex Junction.
Study Committee on State Administration of the National Flood Insurance Program: Rebecca Pfeiffer, St. Albans; Rob Evans, Williston.
Transportation Board: David J. Atherton, Brandon.
Travel and Recreation Council: Karen Duguay, Middlebury; Maricella Ehman, Killington; Matt Harrington, Bennington; Molly Mahar, Waitsfield.
Vermont Commission on Women: Katherine Lucier, Underhill; Nancy Kaplan, Burlington.
Vermont Community Development Board: John Biondolillo, Barre.
Vermont Community Investment Board: Bruce Cheeseman, St. Albans; Cathy Davis, Burlington; Jaime Lee, Poultney; Michael McDonough, Bennington.
Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council: Anastasia Douglas, Barre; Collins Twing, South Royalton; Erika Smith, Montpelier; Jennifer Townley, Williston; Justin Thunder Bear Deth, St. Johnsbury; Kele Boudreau, Fairfax; Scarlett Duncan, Burlington; Silas Callison, Burlington.
Vermont Milk Commission: Dr. Fitzroy Beckford, Essex Junction.
Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative: Jeff Alexander, Tinmouth; Sarah Pelkey, West Rutland; Yva Rose, Johnson.
Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators: Melissa Connor, Cuttingsville; Nancy Brown, St. Johnsbury.
Vermont State Workforce Development Board: Amanda Shangraw, Williamstown; Aron Tomlinson, Bradford; Betsy Bailey, St. Johnsbury; Bill Cunningham, Middlebury; Jeremy White, Lyndonville; Jill Olson, Middlesex; Linda Joy Sullivan, Newport; Michael Doenges, Rutland; Michael Hulbert, Barre; Philip Kolling, Graniteville; Rhoni Basden, Essex; Rob Terry, Pawlet; Scott Giles, Shelburne; Valerie White Beaudet, Barre.
Vermont Veterans’ Home Board of Trustees: Dolores Krawczyk, Bennington; Francis Wetherby, Bennington; Peg Flory, Rutland.
Vermont Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery Advisory Board: Henry U. Harder, Jr., Colchester.
Vermont’s 250th Anniversary Commission: Breanna Sheehan, Putney.
Compiled by the staffs of The Times Argus and Rutland Herald.