At Town Meeting this March, the Town of Cabot voted to give permission to the Abenaki to gather food, medicine, and art materials in the Town Forest. You can read the Seven Days Story about it by clicking here.
Regenerative Economy Legislation Introduced
One bill introduced to the Vermont Legislature this year promises to move the Regeneration Revolution forward. H. 292, introduced by Rep. Brian Cina, calls for Vermont to establish a regenerative economy through a broad-based, grassroots engagement process. H. 273, also introduced by Rep. Brian Cina, is a bill that promotes racial and social equity in land access and property ownership by establishing a BIPOC fund for grants and low-interest loans.
Vermonters for a New Economy is planning to campaign for the passage of this legislation, and legislation introduced which encourages regenerative practices. We’re looking for people who want to help with a Town Meeting Campaign and People’s Assembly. Please click here to join us.
New Public Banking Legislation in Vermont!
This is the link to a bill that is being submitted to the legislature to create a commission to establish a public bank in Vermont. Brian Cina from Burlington is the sponsor on the House side, Anthony Pollina from Middlesex is the sponsor on the Senate side.
Brian is working to get co-sponsors, and he needs our help. Are you interested in getting the state's taxpayer money out of TD Bank? (With an average daily balance of $350 million, this is a good way to Move Your Money), Do you want to accelerate the lending that can be done in the state for renewable energy, education, housing, small business development, healthy food, and public transportation? A public bank will do that.
Please contact your legislators and ask them to support this bill by being a co-sponsor. If you do not know who your legislator is, click here to find out. You can also look at VTDigger's Legislative Guide by clicking here.
They will need to contact Brian Cina at bcina@leg.state.vt.us to cosign. We are planning a press conference on January 25th; the cosigners are needed by early next week.
NH Commerce Committee to Redraft State Bank Bill
The final executive committee meeting on the current state bank bill was held October 26th at 11:00 am. The Committee decided not to move forward with the state bank bill in its current form, but to work with the Sparkasse Foundation in Germany on a feasibility study and business plan so that the bill could be redrafted with the findings in mind.
Rep. Valerie Fraser and Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Director of Vermonters for a New Economy, are traveling to Berlin to meet with the Sparkasse Foundation in early December. They have spent time compiling all the information about New Hampshire's financial status to bring to the meeting.
Final Hearing for Public Bank Study Committee in NH
On Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 the Interim Study Committee of the Commerce Committee in New Hampshire will be hearing from Thomas Keidel from the Sparkasse Banks in Germany about the assistance they can provide to New Hampshire for developing a business plan and feasibility study. The hearing will be in Room 302 of the Legislative Office Building at 10:00 am.