Vermont Democratic Party

The Young Democrats of Vermont organized on Sunday, November 30 and elected Kate Lapp from Ira as President. You can learn more about the meeting here.

State Street News
Governor Shumlin swore in Beth Robinson this week as the newest Vermont Supreme Court Justice.  Robinson is a longtime LGBT advocate who helped lead the fight for marriage equality here in Vermont. 

This morning, Governor Shumlin announced “Team Kale,” an effort to help Vermont small business owner Bo Muller-Moore defend himself in lawsuit brought by fast food corporation Chick Fil-A.  Muller-Moore is being sued for his line of products bearing the slogan “Eat More Kale”, which Chick Fil-A claims violates its copyright on “Eat Mor Chikin.”  

Vermont will receive $18 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to begin funding health care exchanges in the Green Mountain State.  The funding is part of the Affordable Care Act.  

This week, the administration kicked off a series of Health Care forums to discuss funding mechanisms for Green Mountain Care.  You can read here about those forums. 

Governor Shumlin appointed Dean Shatney to replace retiring Caledonia County Sheriff Michael Bergeron as sheriff at the end of the year.  Shatney currently serves as Chief Deputy Sheriff. 

The Vermont Democratic House Caucus met on Saturday in Montpelier to discuss the issues facing the House for the 2012 session.  The Burlington Free Press has a great article highlighting their conversations.  

Vermont’s Congressional Delegation:
Politico, a Washington political newspaper, named Senator Leahy policymaker of the year. 

Senator Leahy’s legislation to grant membership of the military’s Joint Chiefs to the National Guard passed the Senate last Monday. Given the work that the National Guard has performed, both at home and abroad, following the terrorist attacks of September 11, Senator Leahy has made the case this change is long overdue. 

Senator Leahy introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which assists victims and survivors of domestic abuse, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.  

Mark Bittman, a food columnist with the New York Times, toured the Burlington Intervale is week alongside Senator Sanders. As mayor of Burlington, Sanders helped make the Intervale a reality. 

The Herald of Randolph highlighted Congressman Welch's success in securing House passage of legislation that included more disaster funding for Vermont.  

Thank you for supporting Vermont Democrats!

-Jake