It used to be lobbyists, advocates, and members of the public couldn’t use laptops while observing the Vermont Senate from the public galleries. That’s changed.
Senate Laptop Ban Lifted
March 9th, 2010Obama Flipping On Military Tribunals
March 5th, 2010The Obama administration is apparently set to cave in to critics and bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military tribunal rather than have him tried in federal criminal court, as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has wanted.
If You Thought The Patriot Act Was Gone….
March 1st, 2010You might have thought the USA Patriot Act was a Bush-era law passed in the wake of fear and insecurity surrounding the events of Sept. 9, 2001, and that a change in administration would mean a change in the law.
Think again.
The USA Patriot Act has just been renewed and re-signed into law by President Obama.
UVM Donor Anonymity Exemption — Necessary?
February 24th, 2010Legislative committees have been considering yet another exemption to the state’s public records law — this time to guarantee donors to the University of Vermont (as well as to the Vermont State Colleges and the Vermont Student Assistance Corp.) — that their names won’t be disclosed if they request anonymity.
We think UVM’s request for an exemption is unnecessary.
Civil Liberties Over Lunch In Middlebury
February 15th, 2010Want to talk about civil liberties as you munch your lunch?
The Ilsley Public Library in Middlebury and the ACLU-VT have teamed up to sponsor a four-part reading and discussion series that looks at what happens when challenges to liberties arise and how the liberties are protected. The discussion series begins Feb. 17 and runs through May 19.
Campaign Finance Reform Is Back
February 11th, 2010The Legislature is moving to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. On Thursday the Senate Judiciary Committee took up a campaign finance bill passed its way after a quick read Wednesday in the Senate Government Operations Committee.
Senate Won’t Take Up Fetal Bills
February 9th, 2010A lack of consensus around fetal issues means the Vermont Senate won’t take up bills this year that could prompt reproductive freedom debates.
Great Response To Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad
February 4th, 2010Lots of talk about the anti-choice ad that’s scheduled to air during this Sunday’s Super Bowl. For the pro-choice perspective, see the great response sponsored by Planned Parenthood on YouTube. Former college and professional football player Sean James and Olympic gold medalist Al Joyner are featured.
Vermont Eugenics Survey Regretted
February 2nd, 2010The House Human Services Committee heard powerful testimony Tuesday concerning a resolution seeking acknowledgment and an apology for the state’s sterilization of “idiots, imbeciles, feeble-minded, or insane persons” in the 1930s.
Fetal “rights” — Newsweek article raises core issues
January 20th, 2010Vermont is not the only state to see a push for the establishment of rights for fetuses. An online Newsweek article looks at efforts in a number of states to shift the ground for approaching reproductive freedom issues.