No More Big Oil Handouts
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Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced legislation to end more than $110 billion of dollars in oil, coal and gas subsidies. |
As our nation struggles with a $15.6 trillion national debt, and as some politicians want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other important programs for the middle class, Bernie introduced legislation to end more than $113 billion in tax breaks and subsidies over a 10-year period that go to huge and profitable oil, gas and coal companies. “It is absurd that oil companies that rip off consumers at the gas pump and make billions in profits end up paying little or nothing in federal taxes,” Bernie said. “At a time when we are struggling to reverse global warming, it is also absurd to provide billions in incentives for those companies that are increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The federal government needs to invest in energy efficiency and sustainable energy – not in the already profitable coal and oil industries.”
Read Bernie's remarks »
$113 Billion: End these handouts »
Support Bernie's bill: Become a citizen cosponsor »
 19,000 Vermont Students
Unless Congress takes action, interest rates on federal student loans will double this summer for 7.4 million American college students -- including 19,000 students in Vermont. Two-thirds of Vermont’s college students will graduate with student loans, which average nearly $30,000 for each student. This week, Senate Republicans refused to take up a plan to prevent loan rates from doubling for low- and moderate-income students. “Students are graduating deeply in debt. The idea that we would double the interest rates is incomprehensible,” Bernie said.
Speech: Watch Bernie on the Senate floor »
Watch Bernie on WPTZ » |
Expanding Our Health Centers
At a time when 50 million Americans lack health insurance, there is some good news regarding health care: a dramatic expansion of community health centers. Vermont will receive $2.2 million to build the first Federally Qualified Community Health satellite center in Addison County and expand medical and dental capabilities at the Island Pond health clinic. That’s a result of Bernie’s provision in the 2010 Affordable Care Act which authorized $11 billion for health centers. Just last week another $728 million in federal funds were deployed to build or refurbish 398 centers across the U.S.
Read more »
Find a community health center near you »
Interactive timeline: Health care reform »
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 Women, Forging Ahead in the Green Mountain State
Throughout our history, Vermonters have helped forge the path for women’s rights. A decade before President Kennedy challenged every state in 1962 to create a governor’s commission “to encourage women to use their abilities, and to reduce discrimination against women,” Vermonters had already elected Consuelo Northrop Bailey as Speaker of the House and as lieutenant governor. That marked the first time – in any state – that a woman had been elected lieutenant governor. Since Bailey, two more women have served as lieutenant governor, including Madeleine Kunin, who was subsequently elected Vermont’s first female governor. Today, it’s not uncommon for Vermont women to serve as lawmakers or CEOs for the state’s largest companies. "Vermont has come a long way in the fight to end discrimination against women, but we still have a long way to go," Bernie said. "The day must come where every child, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to fulfill their dreams without any kind of discrimination."
Learn more »
Read Bernie’s column on women’s rights »
Your thoughts: What merits a closer look for a “A Look Back”? »
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