Vermont Democratic Party

Save the Dates
November 27: The Young Democrats of Vermont will host their statewide convention at 1 pm in Montpelier in the Vermont House chambers.  Any Vermonters under 40 who consider themselves Democrats are welcome to participate.   You can see the invitation here.

December 11: The Burlington Democrats have announced that they will return to the Memorial Auditorium on December 11 to complete the mayoral caucus and determine the Democratic mayoral candidate.  The first caucus ended in a 540-540 tie between Tim Ashe and Miro Weinburger.  Registration will take place from 1-4 pm, with voters immediately casting their vote following registration.  Voters who attended the first caucus on November 12 are eligible to vote in this caucus. The Burlington Democrats will release a list of eligible voters shortly. 

State Street News
Governor Shumlin announced a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to provide transportation assistance for veterans and their families.  By installing GPS systems in veterans’ transportation vehicles, the state will streamline the process used to help returning Vermont veterans get to and from their medical visits. 

The Shumlin administration announced that it would study several creative ways to redevelop the state government’s Waterbury complex.  The buildings were severely damaged by Tropical Storm Irene and those who worked in those buildings have been relocated. 

Longtime Vermont Representative John Murphy passed away this week.  Murphy was a consistent and passionate advocate for labor in Vermont.  He was well-respected on both sides of the aisle, as evidenced by his more than twenty years as Chair of the General and Military Affairs Committee, regardless of which party held the Vermont Speaker’s gavel.  Murphy is surely missed here in Montpelier and in his hometown of Ludlow.

The Vermont Department of Labor announced that it has modified the rules regarding seasonal unemployment.  Some Vermont industries, like farming and winter resorts, need employees during only their busy seasons, leaving those Vermont workers with predictable seasons of unemployment.  Under the new rules, seasonally employed workers would need to prove that they are consistently seeking employment between their seasons of work.  In the past, those with a return to work date could receive unemployment without offering proof that they sought work between their seasonal jobs.

Vermont’s Congressional Delegation
Senator Leahy worked tirelessly to ensure that the necessary Irene flood relief funding was inserted in the transportation appropriations bill that passed this week.  These funds will help repair Vermont bridges and roads damaged or destroyed by Irene. 

Senator Sanders has made reform of the Federal Reserve one of his top priorities.  The Burlington Free Press published his recent editorial demanding that the Fed become more transparent and more democratic.  “Even as small business owners in Vermont and elsewhere were being turned down for loans at private banks and millions of Americans were being kicked out of their homes, the Federal Reserve gave the largest taxpayer-financed bailout in the history of the world to Wall Street and the too-big-to-fail institutions with virtually no strings attached,” said the Senator.

The Burlington Free Press profiled Congressman Welch's work in the U.S. House to get disaster assistance approved for Vermont. Welch faced an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House, but was ultimately successful because of his ability to reach across the aisle and convince House leaders that disaster assistance for those in need must not fall victim to the relentless budget battles in Washington.

Upcoming Fundraising Events:
We have two different wonderful events on December 4.  Please join us at the home of Jill Michaels for an afternoon with Vermont Speaker Shap Smith. RSVP here! Later that evening, join us at the home of Matt Dunne and Sarah Stewart Taylor with Governor Shumlin. RSVP here!

Stay warm and safe wherever you are during the upcoming holiday weekend!

-Jake