The local impacts of national arts funding cuts; Trump administration sues Vermont

First, Leading arts organizations in Vermont are reeling, after finding out they’ve lost grant funding from the federal government. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra, the Flynn Center, and Northern Stage are just a few of the local groups that face significant cuts. The head of the Vermont Arts Council, Susan Evans McClure,  explains the role of federal funding in Vermont’s cultural landscape.

Then, The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Vermont and three other states for legislation that allows them to sue oil companies for damage caused by climate change over the last 30 years. Vermont was the first in the state to pass such a law, called the Climate Action Superfund. Pat Parenteau, a professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Environmental Law Center, tells us about this lawsuit and the two other lawsuits coming from outside of the state and how they may play out. Independent State Rep. Anne Donahue tells us why she thinks Vermont's law should be repealed. And Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak explains his office's work to determine the specific amount that the state aims to collect from oil companies. 

Broadcast live on Monday, May 12, 2025, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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