Day 1 of Legislative Session, Beyond the Chamber

Vermonters gather at the State Capitol to remind their legislature of it's duties to work the well-being and Human Rights of all Vermonters

MONTPELIER- Yesterday marked the beginning of Vermont's 2012 Legislative Session. In addition the usual and expected activities going on in the chambers the State Reprentatives and Senate, this year's opening day witnessed a remarkable number of consituents as they journeyed through single digit temperatures to make their voice heard in the Capitol.

Coming from northern; central; and southern Vermont, the constituents came to personally lobby their elected officials to remember the fundemental needs of Vermonters. In addition to the omni-present red "PUT PEOPLE FIRST" t-shirts of the Vermont Workers' Center, there were also members of the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Professionals, Migrant Justice (formerly the Vermont Migrant Farmworkers Solidarity Project), as well as Mobile Home Park Residents for Equality and Fairness and AFT United Professionals of Vermont standing in solidarity with Early Childhood Educators. The Cedar Creek room based rally ended in an emphatic chant of "PUT PEOPLE FIRST! PUT PEOPLE FIRST!" that echoed through the halls of the Capitol.

Danilo Lopez of Migrant Justice speaks out for the migrant workers living in Vermont

Also on hand for day 1 of the Legislature was Staci Pomeroy of The DEC River Management Program to demonstate a River Process Simulator to lawmakers. Since Tropical Storm Irene devasted communities in Vermont last year, Pomeroy has been educating road crews and municipalties about proper river management and the dangers of being inadequately prepared for Irene-like events.

Staci Pomeroy of the DEC River Management Program explains flood events and erosion to a lawmaker in Montpelier before the official start of the session