The Week Ahead: February 25-March 3, 2013

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Here's what's happening in Vermont news and politics this week. Got a newsworthy event for next weeks' calendar? Email us by Friday to submit.

Monday, February 25

• At 10:20 a.m., Gov. Peter Shumlin and other governors will be meeting with President Obama at the White House, part of the National Governors Association Winter Meeting 2013.
• At 11 a.m., Rep. George Cross (D-Winooski) and Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden) are the guests on Channel 17's "Conversations With Your Legislators." Watch it live.
• A coalition of groups backing GMO labeling bills are holding a series of public forums this week, starting at 6:30 p.m. today in White River Junction. Click here for a full schedule.

Rest of the week after the break...

Tuesday, February 26

• At 8 a.m., the Vermont League of Conservation Voters holds its legislative breakfast in the Statehouse. 
• At 8:30, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott meets with Alberta Environmental Minister Diana McQueen, who will update legislative leaders and Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Deb Markowitz on the province's climate strategies and resource development plans. In the Ethan Allen Room at the Statehouse.
• At 9:30 a.m., the state Senate convenes and will vote on S.19, a bill criminalizing viewing — not just downloading — child porn.
• At 10:30 a.m., the Senate Judiciary Committee takes testimony on S.111, a bill that would allow charging with criminal trespass someone who required rescue after skiing off trail.
• At noon, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger takes an epic bike ride from city hall to Maglianero Café on Maple Street to welcome Budnitz Bicycles to Burlington.
• At 10:45 a.m., Shumlin is back in Vermont — attending the 15th annual Vermont Dairy Producers conference at the Burlington Sheraton.
• At 3 p.m. (and again at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday), the House Appropriations committee has invited dozens of "advocates" to testify on the governor's budget proposal, which would slash a popular tax credit and put stricter limits on welfare assistance.
• At 6:30 p.m., the Burlington Planning Commission holds a public hearing on downtown parking.

Wednesday, February 27

• At 8 a.m., grab breakfast with Weinberger at the Bagel Café on North Avenue as part of hizzoner's Mornings with Miro.
• At 10 a.m. in Washington, D.C., U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy has scheduled a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a proposed assault-weapons ban.
• At 11 a.m., Shumlin holds his weekly presser at a location TBA. At 1 p.m., the gov taps a maple tree on the Statehouse lawn. He'd tap that. Oh, and afterwards he'll hold a press conference.
• The Senate Finance Committee tears into Gov. Shumlin's favorite new revenue scheme, er, source, when it takes testimony on break-open tickets, after Senate floor action at 1:30 p.m. The committee will also take up the soda tax, which was killed in the House last week.
• At 5:25 p.m., Mayor Weinberger takes your questions live on air at Channel 17. Stream it live.
• At 6 p.m., the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee holds a public hearing on S.52, a bill that would allow childcare providers to unionize, in Statehouse Room 11.

Thursday, February 28

• At 7:10, Lite Gov Scott is the guest on "Charlie, Ernie and Lisa" on WVMT 620 AM. Following him at 8 a.m. is Weinberger.
• At 9 a.m., the Senate Transportation hears more testimony on S.18, a bill that would limit how long police can store data gathered from automated license-plate readers. Set to testify: Sen. Tim Ashe (D/P-Chittenden), State Police Col. Tom L'Esperance and ACLU-VT director Allen Gilbert. 

Friday, March 1

• At 1 p.m., the House Fish, Wildlife and Water Resources Committee is set to vote on H.27, an act relating to Act 250 and oil pipelines — a response to the prospect of tar sands being piped through Vermont.
• At 2 p.m., the newly elected adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, Brig. Gen. Steven Cray, is sworn in at Camp Johnson in Colchester.
• As always, get your VT politics fix with Stewart Ledbetter and crew on "Vermont This Week," 7:30 p.m. on Vermont Public Television. 

Saturday, March 2

• At 3 p.m., the Burlington Mardi Gras parade rolls down Main Street. Your pals from Seven Days will be there, as will lots of other amazing, creative floats.

Sunday, March 3

• Sunday talking heads! "You Can Quote Me" airs at 11 a.m. on WCAX-TV. Check the station's website later this week for guests.
• In case you missed it, watch the rebroadcast of "Vermont This Week" at 11:30 a.m. on VPT.