Democracy Dispatch

All Episodes (20)

From new to old

From new to old From old to new

1. 

   1. Flood Recovery Efforts (Part 1)

   As Vermonters begin week four of clean up from the devastating flooding that occurred the week of July 10th, we hear from four legislators from across Vermont as they share stories from their communities and efforts of recovery. I walked the streets of Johnson with Representative Dan Noyes, assessing firsthand the damages and work to rebuild. I spoke with Senator Alison Clarkson of Windsor County, who shared how her home district was impacted and also how resiliency efforts made following the fl

   Jul 31,2023 30:57
2. 

   2. Wrapping Up the 2023 Session (w/ Speaker Jill Krowinski)

   On the Season Finale of the Democracy Dispatch Podcast, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski discusses her role as Speaker, and House leadership’s priorities both currently and with an eye on the second and final year of the biennium. After passing the Affordable Heat Act this year, she lists the environmental policy priorities she hopes to see make it across the finish line by next year. Speaker Krowinski shares what led her to Vermont over two decades ago, what has kept her here and politically

   May 26,2023 44:19
3. 

   3. How Wisconsin Organized Voters to Combat Attacks on Democracy (w/ Seth Hoffmeister)

   Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ Deputy Director, Seth Hoffmeister joins the podcast from the 2023 Conservation Voters Movement Conference in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. Seth shares about the incredible field organizing his organization led, resulting in successfully blocking a Republican supermajority in the Wisconsin House of Representatives. Despite being a majority democratic state, having elected Democratic Governor Tony Evers for a second term in 2022, the state is plagued with the worst gerry

   May 08,2023 38:14
4. 

   4. Addressing Legislative Pay (w/ Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak)

   Representative Emma Mulvaney-Stanak (P/D-Burlington) speaks about proposed legislation that would incrementally increase the pay and benefits that legislators receive over the next two bienniums. The former director of the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign addresses historic wage disparities for women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ persons, and the ways that the current compensation structure in the legislature perpetuates those gaps. Rep. Mulvaney-Stanak, the Progressive Party House Caucus Leader, also takes time

   May 01,2023 41:21
5. 

   5. All About the Affordable Heat Act (w/ Rep. Gabrielle Stebbins)

   We examine the Affordable Heat Act, S.5, with co-chair of the Vermont Legislature’s Climate Solutions Caucus, Representative Gabrielle Stebbins (D-Burlington). Last week, the House voted to advance the Affordable Heat Act by a vote of 98-46. As the bill inches its way closer to the Governor’s desk, we felt it was an opportune time to really get into the substance of the bill with a policymaker who championed the bill and spent a great deal of time working on it and improving it while it was in t

   Apr 24,2023 41:02
6. 

   6. The MENA Caucus (w/ Sen. Nader Hashim, Rep. Golrang ”Rey” Garofano, and Rep. Mary-Katherine Abdel-Ghany Stone)

   Senator Nader Hashim (D-Windham), Representative Golrang “Rey” Garofano (D-Essex), and Representative Mary-Katherine Abdel-Ghany Stone (D-Burlington) comprise the MENA Caucus. MENA is an acronym referring to the group of countries situated in the Middle East and in North Africa. The three share the stories of their journeys to Vermont, campaigning, their experiences with assimilation, as well as being visible leaders for other Iranians and Egyptians living in Vermont.Representative Dara Torre (D

   Apr 17,2023 45:13
7. 

   7. Being Green While Making Green (w/ State Treasurer Mike Pieciak)

   Mike Pieciak was elected as our 31st State Treasurer last November after completing his “Road to Victory” - taking part in the 251(+1) Club, visiting every town and city in the state - ending in Victory, VT, and with a resounding victory on election night. The Brattleboro-native, who previously served for six years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, talks about the honor of serving in a statewide capacity of public service, his role as a top elected LGBTQ+ off

   Apr 10,2023 46:40
8. 

   8. A Conversation with Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman

   On this week’s Democracy Dispatch podcast, we get the chance to speak with Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, who is currently serving as our state’s 84th lieutenant governor, returning for a third term after one biennium break following a run for Governor. Zuckerman is a Progressive/Democrat who was the only third-party candidate to be elected in a statewide race this past Election Day nationwide. He served in both the Vermont House and Senate until being elected as lieutenant governor. Zucke

   Apr 03,2023 42:54
9. 

   9. Protecting and Expanding Democracy (w/ Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas)

   Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas speaks with Justin a few months into her transition to the role after an incredible 18-year legislative career representing Bradford in the Vermont House. During her tenure she was the lead sponsor of the Global Warming Solutions Act and most recently co-chair of the Climate Solutions Caucus. Copeland Hanzas reflects on her past climate work and why action is so crucial. She shares more about the role of Secretary of State, what the office has done in rec

   Mar 27,2023 38:32
10. 

    10. The Environmental Role of the AG’s Office (w/ Attorney General Charity Clark)

    Attorney General Charity Clark is our state’s 28th AG, and the first woman to ever be elected to the position. In a candid conversation with Justin, she talks about her upbringing in Southern Vermont, how the intimacy of Vermont's politics allowed her access to role models where she could see herself reflected, her passion for Vermont's climate and environment, and the role of the AG in shaping that conversation.Lauren talks with Senator Christopher Bray (D-Addison) on the Deep Dive segment for

    Mar 20,2023 38:27
11. 

    11. 2023 Halftime Report (w/ Lauren Hierl)

    Move over, Rihanna. We've got our own Halftime Show! With the legislature on break for Town Meeting Day, it seemed like the opportune time to sit down with Lauren Hierl, executive director, Vermont Conservation Voters, to discuss the policy priorities outlined in the 2023 Environmental Common Agenda and provide a progress report on each. We update you on the latest surrounding the Affordable Heat Act, the Renewable Energy Standard, transportation affordability, environmental justice funding, sma

    Mar 06,2023 21:39
12. 

    12. Banning PFAS and Toxic ”Forever” Chemicals (w/ Rep. Dane Whitman)

    Only in his second term, Rep. Dane Whitman (D-Bennington) has already become a leader in policy banning harmful PFAS and toxic "forever" chemicals from several items, earning him VCV's Rising Star Award in 2022. In this episode, he shares why PFAS are of concern to Vermonters and particularly the Bennington region, and outlines the next wave to further ban toxics from more consumer products. Later, he outlines other important priorities his committee is taking up this biennium as we approach cro

    Feb 27,2023 41:15
13. 

    13. Is Serving in the State House Sustainable? (w. Rep. Saudia LaMont)

    Rep. Saudia LaMont (D-Morristown) speaks about her experience as a freshman legislator and how the reality of serving differed from her perception while campaigning. She discusses the weight she carries representing several different identities in a mostly homogenous state, including being the third Black woman to serve Vermont, and what keeps her doing this work for her community. Later, she shares her advice for folks contemplating running for office. Spoiler alert: she thinks you should run!

    Feb 20,2023 44:50
14. 

    14. Vermont’s Love/Hate Relationship with Act 250 (w/ Rep. Amy Sheldon)

    Rep. Amy Sheldon (D-Middlebury) has been active in several House committees where Act 250 is in the spotlight. In 2017, she was appointed as chair of the Commission on Act 250. In this episode, she breaks down the complicated relationship Vermonters have - both appreciation and opposition of Act 250, what changes need to be made, and what the future of the law looks like. Rep. Kristi Morris (D-Springfield) outlines the proposed expansion of Vermont's Bottle Bill. Plus: updates on Affordable Heat

    Feb 13,2023 29:42
15. 

    15. Roaring Twenties: Three Young Lawmakers’ Reflections (w/ Sen. Becca White, Rep. Jay Hooper, and Rep. Lucy Boyden)

    Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor), Rep. Jay Hooper (D-Randolph), and Rep. Lucy Boyden (D-Cambridge) discuss their experiences as legislators in the 20's. The three reflect on ageism both on the campaign trail and in the state house, the difficulties of serving as a young person, as well as why their voices matter.Rep. Larry Satcowitz (D-Randolph) walks through the 30x30 land conservation bill.Lauren and Justin give updates on the Affordable Heat Act, Smart Growth Housing, and the Transportation Affor

    Feb 06,2023 36:12
16. 

    16. Looking Back on 15 Years of Environmental Justice (w/ Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale)

    Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D/P-Chittenden Southeast) takes a look back at the environmental justice legislation that inspired her to run for the state legislature over 15 years ago. She explains the importance of equity in the conversation about the environment and climate, as well as the progress that has been made, and where work still needs to happen. Lauren Hierl has a conversation with Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden Southeast) around toxics legislation that would remove PFAS and other harmful

    Jan 30,2023 32:40
17. 

    17. Accessibility from State Trails to the State House (w/ Rep. Elizabeth Burrows)

    Justin has a conversation with Rep. Elizabeth Burrows (D/P - West Windsor) about her proposed bill that would make state-owned and managed trails more physically accessible. She speaks candidly about the limitations of serving for differently-abled legislators. Lauren chats with Rep. Seth Bongartz (D-Manchester) for our deep dive conversation about a bill to expand smart growth housing.Lauren joins for the session shakedown segment, covering insight from the week prior (the Governor's budget add

    Jan 23,2023 34:16
18. 

    18. Freedom & Unity: A Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont (w/ Susan Clark)

    Justin speaks with Susan Clark about her contributions to Freedom and Unity: A Graphic Guide to Civics and Democracy in Vermont, recently published as a collaboration between The Center for Cartoon Studies, Vermont’s Secretary of State office, and Vermont Humanities Council. Here in Vermont, freedom isn’t a free-for-all and unity doesn’t mean uniformity. From Town Meetings to cooperatives, and all the way up to the state house, Vermont’s approach to democracy is by turns unique, varied, and insp

    Jan 16,2023 30:41
19. 

    19. The Winooski Dome Proposal Project of 1979 (w/ Rep. Taylor Small)

    Guest Representative Taylor Small (P/D-Winooski) talks about the Winooski Dome Proposal Project of 1979, a PFAS bill set to be taken up this session, and climate priorities for her city. Lauren Hierl catches up with Middlebury Representative Amy Sheldon for our deep dive conversation outlining her priorities for the new biennium as chair of the restructured House Environment and Energy Committee. Lauren joins for the session shakedown segment, covering the week prior and the week ahead in the Ve

    Jan 09,2023 27:15
20. 

    20. Introducing the Democracy Dispatch Podcast

    Welcome to the Democracy Dispatch podcast, hosted by Justin Marsh, political outreach director at Vermont Conservation Voters. Justin will be joined every Monday with folks from their team as they update you on the latest happenings in the Vermont State House, speak with legislators, environmental allies, go deeper on some policy initiatives, and sit down with special guests to discuss topics affecting our air, water, open space, and quality of life.

    Jan 08,2023 01:00