David Zuckerman

Happy Pride Month to the LGBTQIA+ community in Vermont and across the country. While the federal administration continues attacks on folks trying to be themselves, it’s important for us to be strong allys and celebrate everyone everywhere.

The Pope also understood that we are integrally connected to our planet and that we must take steps to decrease our impact on this sphere we call earth.

“It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of help… If I say I am Christian, but do these things, I’m a hypocrite.”

“To live charitably means not looking out for our own interests, but carrying the burdens of the weakest and the poorest among us.”
“I ask you to ensure that humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.”

I am also saddened for all of us. While the position he held, like any leader, has its constraints, he led with a kindness towards strangers and an open heart. The following represent some of his passages that stand out for me.

Few people are in positions of power where so much good or so much harm can occur to their words and deeds.
I first want to express my condolences to his family. And in that I include his extended biological family as well as the family of his faith.

As I listened to the news this morning I, like many, was struck by the news of the passing of the Pope. While I am not religious, I am still moved by the transition that this represents and the scale of the impact that he has had and will have on our world. 🧵

USDA halts millions of dollars worth of deliveries to food banks The halt in deliveries comes after the Trump administration separately slashed $1 billion for schools and food banks to buy food from farms.

www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
I have no words….

As many as 1/2 of the youth served by Spectrum are queer and are often unhoused because their families are not Spectrum supports all kids that are not supported,please consider making a donation
give.spectrumvt.org/fundraiser/6...

Thursday night I will again be sleeping out to raise money for Spectrum Youth and Family Services. If you are willing, please sponsor me in this annual event.

The movement is building. It is time to exercise those people based democracy muscles! If you want to get occasional emails from me as I learn of future rallies and protests, please fill out the forum here

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Many asked me to contact them if there were going to be more rallies and events. And they asked how they can do more to influence those in power.

Earlier today, I stood with 150+ veterans and families against VA staffing cuts by the Trump Administration. The crowd was united not just against these cuts but broader policies, with events held nationwide. Organized quickly via social media, I expected 15-20 people but was amazed by the turnout.

Public School Reform As If the Public Schools Mattered The House Education Committee has set aside a fair bit of time this week for discussion of H.454, which sets out Gov. Phil Scott’s education reform plan in a brisk 194 pages. It is to be hope…

thevpo.org/2025/03/10/p...

Today, the House Education Committee is starting to take testimony on this massive overhaul bill. Additionally, the Senate is taking testimony as to whether to confirm the Sec. of Education who is leading this overhaul charge.

The number to leave a message for your legislator is 802-828-2228

Public school dollars, while initially limited, will eventually flow, uninhibited and in unlimited amounts to private and religious schools.
There is no clear explanation of how his overhaul actually bends the cost and saves money. We are just supposed to believe it because it appears to be a rose.

The Governors plan to overhaul the education system looks like a rose…but has many thorns. John Walters goes into the details but the following results will logically flow from the Governors plan:

Many small rural elementary schools will close within a handful of years

If you care about public education for both improving the future for all of our kids, and the role our schools play at the heart of our communities, please take a look at the recent blog post by John Walters at the Vermont Political Observer. Then…get involved.

The rise of White Christian Nationalism that is an undertone in our current political dynamic. It is incredibly important that we learn from the lessons of history so that it doesn't repeat itself. We need to be sure to expand and protect our most fundamental freedoms in this country.

On this day commemorating “Bloody Sunday” (March 7th) 60 years ago on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, I want to acknowledge the long fight for freedom in our country.

Then from 10-11 AM I will have Lauren Hierl from VT Natural resources commission to talk about the work they are doing related to our environment . Hope you will tune in!

WDEV | Waterbury, VT WDEV | Waterbury, VT

Tomorrow on #WDEV 550AM, 96.1 FM, and streaming online at wdevradio.com , I will be hosting Vermont Viewpoint. From 9-10 AM I will have Reps @laurasibilia.bsky.social (I-Dover) and Logan (P/D-Burlington) to talk about the nonpartisan primary bill they introduced. in!

Thank you @davidzuckermanvt.bsky.social for standing in solidarity with us during Vance’s vaca in our valley. #HateHasNoHomeHere

👀 www.caledonianrecord.com/opinion/lett...

David Zuckerman | Substack Father, husband, farmer, fmr. Lt. Gov., State Rep., and Sen. Vt. Advocate for working class, climate future, healthcare and real opportunity for all

I can now be found on substack!

substack.com/@davidzucker...

I will keep meeting with folks all across the state to talk about how we can work here in Vermont to make sure we keep our values and we make the changes to our election system that will make sure everyday people have more voice and big money does not continue to take over.

We need folks to stand up for our public schools (which he is attacking under the mantra of affordability…but he is doing so much more to dismantle local control and truly public education (more school choice anyone?)

We also need to remember that we can do more locally than we can nationally. We need to push Governor Scott to be more clear with his education proposals.

This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of heading down to Weston to speak about post-election work with the Weston Democrat “Flock” group. During a time where so many folks are confused, scared and seeking support, we all need to make sure we take care of ourselves.

David Zuckerman speaks School Funding/Administration and Public Education WDEV's Public Affairs Program

The latest episode of my segment on Vermont Viewpoint is here: blubrry.com/vermontviewp...
#vermont #vtpoli #education