Dear Reader,
As VTDigger’s political reporter, I spend most of my day this time of year in the Vermont Statehouse. Often, you’ll find me roaming the hallways for quotes from legislators and state officials; sometimes, you’ll see me holed up in a windowsill writing a story.
It’s no secret that there are fewer and fewer people doing this kind of work in our Capitol each day. But I wanted to tell you about something that has stood out to me recently.
Every week, the Speaker of the House hosts a weekly sit-down with the press. It’s a chance for reporters to ask her questions — on the record — about any topic on our minds, from legislators’ progress toward the goals of last year’s education reform law to the ways lawmakers are responding to a firehose of federal policy changes.
But at a number of those sit-downs this year, reporters from VTDigger have been the only ones in the room. Think about that. If VTDigger couldn’t send reporters to the Statehouse, no one would have been there to pose questions to one of Vermont’s most powerful people.
Journalists need to be in that meeting every time, providing transparency and accountability for Vermonters.
The single best way you can make sure that happens, right now, is to contribute to VTDigger’s Spring Member Drive. A one-time, or better yet monthly, donation keeps us in the room asking questions on your behalf.
My colleagues and I couldn’t do this work without you. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Shaun Robinson
State government & politics reporter, VTDigger
