We're back with another episode of Vermont's Voice, this time featuring Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas. With our democratic foundations under constant attack, we felt it important to connect with the person at the helm of protecting and strengthening our democracy here in Vermont. Throughout this episode, many useful references are mentioned. Check them out for yourself below: 🔗 Statement on Trump's Election Executive Order: 🔗 Civic Health Index: 🗳️ My Voter Page: ✉️ If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at jheiden@vpirg.org. 🎁 Support the pod by making a gift at vpirg.org/donate

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! In this special two-part episode, we'll first catch up with Senator Becca White for a brief and breaking update about her friend and constituent, Mohsen Mahdawi, a 34-year-old Palestinian student & longtime green card holder living in White River Junction. Mohsen was detained by federal agents on Monday, April 14, during a citizenship interview. Afterwards, we'll connect with Anna Tadio, a Rutland City Alderman, Conservation Law Foundation Staff Attorney, Killington Resort Ski and Bike Patroller, and international youth tour guide. We’ll talk about Anna’s passions for local politics, climate action, the beautiful Vermont environment that surrounds us, and a whole lot more.

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at jheiden@vpirg.org.

You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate.

Falko Schilling, Advocacy Director of the ACLU of Vermont, joins the pod to discuss Rümeysa Öztürk's detention, heated testimony on free speech in the House Judiciary Committee, immigration policy, the housing crisis, and more. But first, Jordan and producer Elijah recap the recent Hands Off rally in Montpelier and share a short interview from the event with Senator Peter Welch.

Take Action ⬇️ACLU VT General Action Page: https://www.acluvt.org/actS.44: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/vt-s44Protecting Vermonters from federal overreach: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/vt-open-letter

Earlier this week, President Trump issued an executive order specifically targeting Vermont’s Climate Superfund law as well as other landmark policies in New York and California. We'll bring you the latest details and a breakdown of Vermont's landmark Superfund law and the current state of play with VPIRG's Ben Edgerly Walsh and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)'s Anthony Iarrapino.

Welcome to another episode of Vermont's Voice! Today we're sitting down with Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak to talk housing, climate infrastructure, rebuilding the middle class, political division, and of course, Vermont's treasure.

Learn more about the Office of the Treasurer here: https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at jheiden@vpirg.org. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! Join Environmental Advocate Anna Seuberling and Environmental Associate Alexis Drown to hear about their experiences in the VPIRG Fellowship Program and all they do to address environmental health concerns in Vermont from the brand-new Safe & Healthy Food campaign to last session's success with the Protect Our Pollinators campaign. (And lots more!)

- Apply for the VPIRG Summer Canvass: https://www.vpirg.org/seasonal-job-postings/2025-canvass/

- Learn more about how PFAs are passed down (fact check moment): https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfasIf you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at jheiden@vpirg.org. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

We're joined by Vermont State Representative Dara Torre to discuss her important work at the State House and in the Washington-2 House District! We'll also hear about last week's Youth Lobby Day of Action.

Before that though, we'll chat with VPIRG's Senior Strategist Tom Hughes as he brings us on a deep-dive into tariffs -- what they are, who pays for them, and how they could impact Vermonters.

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! In this episode, VPIRG's Consumer Protection Advocate and Communications and Engagement Director Zach Tomanelli will take us through the murky waters of consumer protection and data privacy, covering timely topics including the rise of artificial intelligence and big tech, along with Elon Musk's power grab on the data of millions of Americans. We'll also see if my co-producer Elijah Kushen can stump me in a round of "Generative AI or Genuinely Great Pie". If you're listening in and can't see the images associated with this game, check out the video footage on YouTube or Spotify! If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at jheiden@vpirg.org. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!