March 22, 2012

Rebuilding Vermont

More than $400 Million for Roads and Bridges

The Vermont Agency of Transportation described bridges like this one in Rockingham, Vt., as

The Vermont Agency of Transportation described bridges like this one in Rockingham, Vt., as “in dire need of repair.”


The Senate recently passed legislation that would deliver $408 million to Vermont during the next two years for road and bridge projects. Without the measure, 7,400 Vermont jobs are at stake. “Anyone who drives around Vermont sees the need for massive improvements in our crumbling infrastructure," said Bernie, who sits on the Senate transportation committee and helped write the legislation that now goes to the House. About 39 percent of Vermont’s bridges are classified as “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete” and four out every 10 of the state’s major roads need substantial repairs.
 

Watch Bernie detail what’s at stake for Vermont »
Report Card: Vermont’s infrastructure report »
Read more » 

Improving Health Care for Vermont Veterans

As a member of the Senate Veterans Committee, Bernie has worked hard to expand health care for Vermont’s veterans. Three years ago, Vermont had three community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs) providing primary health care for veterans. They were located in Colchester, Rutland and Bennington. Today, with the addition of new clinics in Brattleboro and Newport, we now have five health clinics which, combined, see about 8,600 Vermont veterans each year. Further, the facilities in Colchester and Rutland will soon undergo significant expansions. Francis Ormsbee, 79, a service officer with the VFW and American Legion in Newport, recently described how some 450 veterans are now using the new Newport clinic.

Watch WCAX’s coverage »
Read more »

Pain at the Gas Pump

At a time when the supply of oil and gas is high while demand is low, Bernie is pressing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to stop Wall Street speculators from artificially jacking up oil prices. Bernie has introduced legislation to end the absurdity of having over 80 percent of the oil futures market controlled by Wall Street speculators – not the companies who really use the oil. In Vermont, the average price for a gallon of regular was up to $3.84 – 16 cents more a gallon than just one month ago.

CFTC Commissioner: Speculators force F-150 drivers to pay $700 more for gas »
Watch Bernie discuss oil speculators »

Affordable Dental Care

At his recent town meeting in Montpelier to discuss the need for affordable dental care, Bernie announced that he will soon introduce legislation to address the crisis in dental care. More than 1,300 people from Vermont and around the country have sent Bernie stories sharing with him their difficulty in obtaining affordable dental care. At the start of his town meeting on the crisis in dental care, Bernie played a recording from three Vermonters who contacted him.

Read more »
Watch Fox44’s news coverage »
Video: Dental crisis town meeting »

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VERMONT FACT

Bernie helped write legislation that would rebuild roads and bridges throughout Vermont, funding 7,400 jobs in Vermont.  Nearly one-third of the state’s bridges are classified as “structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.” 

In Other News

VERMONT YANKEE

During a Senate hearing on the anniversary of the nuclear crisis in Fukushima, Japan, Bernie questioned why regulators granted an extension for Vermont’s aging nuclear plant within days of the crisis at a similar reactor

HEALTH CARE LAW IS TWO

This week marks the second anniversary of the passage of the health care reform law. Bernie successfully fought for $11 billion in the law to help expand community health centers throughout Vermont and the U.S. Read about the implementation of the law in Vermont

EARLY EDUCATION

Bernie joined Vermonters for a town meeting on early education to focus on the challenges parents and early educators face in providing the best start in life for our youngest children. Bernie introduced a bill that would provide full-day, full-week daycare to households with children age six weeks until they reach kindergarten

Upcoming Events

TOWN MEETINGS

As the U.S. faces unprecedented challenges with the economy, climate change, health care, and a $15 trillion national debt, how do we best move forward? Share your thoughts with Bernie at an upcoming town meeting.

3/25: Randolph- 10:30 a.m.

THOM HARTMANN PROGRAM

"Brunch with Bernie" - Listen live, Fridays at 3 p.m. on WDEV FM 96.1; FM 96.5 (Barre); FM 101.9 (NEK); AM 550

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