Vermont Democratic Party

The Vermont Democratic Party is gearing up for the State Democratic Convention on May 26 at the Barre Auditorium and the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, September 3-5.  To learn how you could be a Delegate to State Convention, or how you could represent Vermont at the National Democratic Convention, check out the delegate page on our website!

The VDP open Grassroots Trainings have been going very well, and one might be headed to a town near you: VDP staff will present information on communications, finance and field operations during a campaign.  Check the event page on our website for information on the closest training to you.

As I’m sure you saw, President Obama gave his third State of the Union address on Tuesday evening.  I released this statement after watching his speech:

“I am proud and grateful for President Obama’s leadership as he champions the values we hold dear. The President outlined his clear support for the American middle class, for policies of economic fairness, and for the industries that built this country and made it great. He emphasized a path forward that will build and sustain new jobs and new industries, move us away from foreign oil and toward renewable energy sources, and ensure the American Dream is within reach of all Americans.
After the damage wrought here by Irene, Vermonters saw firsthand that when we come together, we can accomplish anything. We hope that the President’s words tonight inspire our nation to come together and accomplish the goals he set out before us.”

State Street News
Governor Peter Shumlin launched a renewed effort to fight homelessness following the deaths of three homeless Vermonters this winter. 

The House Fish and Wildlife Committee approved a moratorium on hydraulic fracking, a practice that comes with potential environmental concerns, including contamination of groundwater and risks to air quality.  The full House will take up the bill this week.

Vermont’s Congressional Delegation
The entire Vermont delegation applauded the selection of Middlebury College and Norwich University students to compete in the 2013 solar decathalon.  Twenty teams of college students from across the country will spend the next year designing and building solar-powered, energy efficient homes that are both affordable and attractive.  You can read more about the competition and the praise from Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch here.

Senator Bernie Sanders, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, introduced a bill to reauthorize The Older Americans Act (OAA). Programs provided through the OAA include meals on wheels, home-care, job training, and legal services. These services are needed more than ever as 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day in the midst of this serious recession.

Congressman Welch last week shared the stories of a number of Vermonters battling unfair treatment by large financial institutions at a committee hearing with Richard Cordray. Cordray was recently appointed by President Obama to serve as the new Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau after months of opposition from Republicans in Congress. The Bureau can now begin doing its job enforcing consumer protection laws and cracking down on the predatory practices of large financial institutions.

Thank you for your continued support of Vermont Democrats!

-Jake