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Monique Priestley

@mepriestley.com
994 followers 2.6K following 92 posts

I craft technology policy in the Vermont Legislature after two decades in tech. // Legislator // Connector // Speaker // Gamer // mepriestley.com // priestleyvt.com

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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 10/06/2026
What a powerhouse panel. I have had several “ah ha” moments over the last two days which will have a direct impact on how I communicate issues. We have so much to learn from each other and I am so thankful to Aspen Institute Germany for convening these conversations. (More on my takeaways later!)
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 03/06/2026
Watching Vermont’s weak data privacy bill used as leverage for the federal SECURE Data Act hearing today was hard. What we pass can affect every American. If the SDA passes as-is, it would preempt VT’s Kids Code, data breach laws, Consumer Protection Act, and more. We have to see the bigger picture.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 01/06/2026
Happy Pride Month, everyone! 😎🏳️‍🌈 This Pride hits differently for me after a year of deep reflection and self-discovery. Here’s to every person finding their way to themselves, at whatever pace, on whatever path. 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️🩷🤍🩵🤎🖤 PS Stickers/buttons available at Sunnyside Coffee and wherever you find me!
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/05/2026
We lost some, kept more: CT 2025 floor held, PAI and Kids Code definitions largely intact, data-level exemptions survived. PRA is gone but flagged for return. Playbook documented. Allies gained across VT and nationally. Fellow legislators committed to return to this annually. The fight isn’t over.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 28/05/2026
After spending the majority of my waking hours focused on data-related consumer protection efforts in VT for the past 3 years, I ended up voting No. "I voted No, not as a criticism of my colleagues, but as a criticism of what Big Tech’s lobbying does to undermine the democratic process.”
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 27/05/2026
Orange County Senate Candidate forms filed for the Democratic Primary on August 11th! As soon as I filed this morning, a wave of relief and excitement flooded over me. I am so in love with our Orange County towns. I can’t wait to visit with folks, highlight needs, and celebrate OC! 🧡💪💚 #ruralpride
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 19/05/2026
Legislative session is alllllmost over which means campaign season kicks off soon! If you’re in Vermont, I’d love to see you at a campaign event! If you’re elsewhere, I can use all of the help I can get fundraising and getting the word out! RSVP and/or donate at goodchange.app/donate/26lau... ❤️
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 01/05/2026
I am honored to be recognized as a 2026 Elected Women of Excellence Award recipient by the National Foundation for Women Legislators @electedwomen. I am grateful to serve alongside so many dedicated leaders who are committed to making a difference. I look forward to continuing this work.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 08/04/2026
Today I joined over 220 state legislators in calling for invocation of the 25th Amendment and congressional enforcement of war powers as the U.S. remains in an unauthorized war with Iran. Thank you to MI Rep. Rheingans and State Futures for leading this effort. priestleyvt.com/25thamendmen...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/03/2026
So proud of everyone who took to the streets, parking lots, and greens to rally this weekend. I kept things local with visits to Bradford and Fairlee. ❤️ Keep showing up and speaking out. 💪😍 #nokings
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/03/2026
There’s a much longer story behind the scenes - and the conversation isn’t over. Keep speaking up and engaging! The biggest take away for me was an appreciation for how quickly folks sprang into action to alert tens of thousands of VTers. It’s so critical to hear from you! More in comments…
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/03/2026
Thank you shoutout to Pete Hirschfeld and Vermont Public for covering the House passage of H.211, a bill expanding transparency and the rights of Vermonters when it comes to the sale of their personal data. I’m thankful for the hard work of the colleagues in my committee as well as the House.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 25/03/2026
H.211 just passed the Vermont House. It updates data broker fees, fines, and definitions and replaces outdated entity/data-level exemptions with use-case level Right to Delete exemptions. Grateful to everyone who helped get it here. Long road ahead. 🌱 #dataprivacy
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 17/03/2026
I am excited to share that I have joined the State Futures Federal Response Coalition: a growing, cross-state group of lawmakers coordinating responses to federal overreach focused on defending civil liberties, upholding the rule of law, and protecting communities.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 09/02/2026
Spent a quick afternoon at Drexel’s Law School today, visiting with students and professors on a panel alongside Rep Scialabba (R-PA) discussing privacy and AI related policy making. I find the open-ended exploration of ideas in an academic setting to be a beneficial exercise to participate in.
Visiting Drexel
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 05/02/2026
The resources that David Stauss and his team create to track all of the various aspects of data privacy and AI laws across the country are invaluable. I’m grateful for an opportunity to share a few updates from Vermont. (See LinkedIn for the video.) #dataprivacy #aipolicy #techpolicy #digitalpolicy
LinkedIn interview screenshot
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 30/01/2026
Appreciate Austin Jenkins and Pluribus News / State Affairs for including me in DISRUPTION: 6 tech policy trends to watch in ’26. States continue to lead on AI, data privacy, and platform accountability - especially where federal action falls short. 📄 Full piece:
pluribusnews.com/news-and-eve...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 30/01/2026
Big thanks to Wayne and Dave for having me on Algorithmic Anxiety last month to dig into AI regulation—what’s already happening, what’s missing, and what states are doing right now. 🎙️ Episode 26 (Dec 16, 2026): www.mixcloud.com/WBTVLP/algor...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 30/01/2026
Grateful to David Zuckerman and the team at WDEV for having me on today. We talked data privacy, the right to be deleted, government surveillance, AI chatbots, and why rural voices matter in tech policy. 🎧 Protecting Data, Protecting People (Jan 29, 2026):
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/01/2026
What is happening in Minnesota is a direct threat to due process, constitutional rights, and the values our country was founded on. I stand with the people of MN in calling for accountability, independent investigations, and an end to this dangerous federal overreach. priestleyvt.com/media/opeds/
Joint Statement RE Minnesota
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 01/12/2025
We’ve spent October traveling Vermont to talk with you about your privacy concerns. What started as 6 town halls turned into requests from 25 more towns. We’re kicking off another round this week in Morrisville. Your stories and your energy are pushing this work forward. Join us: peoplevsbigtech.com
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 15/11/2025
Kicked off the Monique for VT State Senate campaign with manager, Hudson Ranney. So many have already reached out to knock doors, make calls, host events, and get involved. That’s what this campaign is about. Politics should be candid, inclusive, and fun. Let’s do this! priestleyvt.com/senate2026
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 15/11/2025
Thank you to VTDigger for featuring a recent Op-Ed by the leadership team of the Rural Caucus: Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Dover; Rep. Lisa Hango, R-Berkshire; Rep. Monique Priestley, D-Bradford; and Rep. Lucy Boyden, D-Cambridge. Full piece: vtdigger.org/2025/11/14/r...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 01/11/2025
Identity thief. 🎃👻🤓 #privacynerd
Identity thief Halloween costume
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 29/10/2025
Big news: I’m running for the Vermont State Senate! This isn’t just a campaign – it’s an invitation to build what’s next. Together, we can make Vermont more affordable, transparent, and inclusive for everyone. Let’s do this: priestleyvt.com/senate2026 #vtpoli #priestleyvt2026 #community #leadership
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 23/10/2025
Extremely grateful for being included in this morning’s roundtable hosted by the Atlantic Council and Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE). It was further confirmation that the struggles to regulate Big Tech know no borders – and neither do the harms that are affecting our youth (and all ages).
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 07/10/2025
Thank you shoutout to Austin Jenkins of Pluribus News for reaching regarding neural data privacy proposals. You can catch his new piece, “Lawmakers push for neural data protections as wearable devices surge” at mpvt.co/pluribusneural
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 05/10/2025
It’s hard to believe that “let’s swim across this body of water” season is overlapping with flannel season. There is nothing quite like driving the backroads of VT & NH during foliage season, but it’s typically not the same season I swim and sunbathe in. 🍁☀️🏊‍♀️
NH Pond in October
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 25/09/2025
One of my favorite speaking requests is visiting with students. So thankful to have the opportunity to visit with the University of Arkansas Information Privacy Law class tonight from the State House. If any teachers/professors catch this, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 16/09/2025
So inspired by the privacy champions at tonight’s EPIC Champions of Freedom event: lawyers, academics, civil society leaders, and more, all pushing back against authoritarianism. Huge thanks to EPIC and the incredible speakers for their vision and energy!
EPIC 2025 Champions of Freedom
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 15/09/2025
It was such a pleasure to connect with and learn from everyone at this year’s Privacy + Security Academy Privacy Law Salon Washington Roundtable hosted at the National Press Club by Professors Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz. Had a great time on the keynote Policymaker Panel with Drew and Ben.
Policymaker Panel at Privacy + Security Academy salon in DC
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 31/08/2025
I'm excited to head to the National Press Club in DC in a couple of weeks to participate in the Privacy + Security Academy's Privacy Law Salon Washington Roundtable hosted by Professors Daniel Solove and Paul Schwartz. Opening session: "Policymaker Panel: The Front Lines of Privacy and AI".
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 18/08/2025
Huge thank you shoutout to @firewalldragons.bsky.social. Carey did an incredible job framing and level setting for this episode. Plus, he’s just an awesome human and I had a blast visiting with him. Listen to the episode here: mpvt.co/firewalls #dataprivacy #digitalpolicy #techpolicy
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 08/08/2025
States are where tech policy happens. Spoke at MIT Media Lab on Big Tech vs state bills. Slides show: +57% state tech bills since 2023, AI +210%. 90%+ want delete, opt out, kid safe defaults. Full post: mpvt.co/kmy #techaccountability #digitalpolicy #techpolicy Slide Source: Project Liberty
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 08/08/2025
Heading to Lexington, KY tomorrow with Rep. Edye Graning for the CSG Henry Toll Fellowship—an incredible opportunity to grow, connect, and represent Vermont alongside 47 inspiring state leaders. Full release: priestleyvt.com/csg-toll-fel... Class list: csgovts.info/tolls
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 07/08/2025
From NCSL to the State Leadership Summit, it’s been a nonstop week in Boston with some of the sharpest minds in state tech policy. Grateful for the chance to learn, connect, and push for legislation that protects people and fosters innovation.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 07/08/2025
Spoke at the State Leadership Summit on Digital Choice & the Future of Social Media at MIT, joining Rep. Brandon Guffey, Casey Mock & Elizabeth Bramson for “So, Big Tech Tried to Kill My Bill.” Grateful to Project Liberty & The Anxious Generation. We’re not backing down. #TechAccountability
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 07/08/2025
Honored to join the Case for Tech Legislation panel in Boston with youth, advocates & experts pushing for safer digital spaces. Big Tech’s harms are real—and state action is urgent. Grateful to Fairplay, Becca Schmill Foundation & all who made Can’t Look Away a powerful night.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 04/08/2025
Had the pleasure of moderating a panel on the Digital Choice Act at our NCSL AI, Cybersecurity & Privacy Task Force meeting today. Great insights from Rep Doug Fiefia (R-UT), Matthew Lipka (Project Liberty), and Patrick Hedger (NetChoice) on what this means for states, consumers, and industry.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 27/07/2025
No notes. *chef’s kiss* 🤌
Axios slamming AI race.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 15/05/2025
This week, I joined a group of state lawmakers urging Congress not to block state AI laws for 10 years. We can’t afford a decade of deregulation. Read our open letter: garymarcus.substack.com/p/when-it-co... #aipolicy #techpolicy #actnow
POLITICO article screenshot
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 06/04/2025
Had to clear away some of the dirt to add a little @eff.org #techpolicy love to my tailgate. Always supportive of defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation. ❤️😘
Truck with “Do you follow tech policy this closely?” sticker.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 06/04/2025
✊ #resist #fightback #handsoff #50501 #50501vt
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 19/03/2025
Thank you to VTDigger for publishing our opinion piece - Reps. Monique Priestley and Angela Arsenault: Public servants’ lives are the stakes in Big Tech’s privacy gamble: We must begin to dismantle the system that allows Big Tech to profit from jeopardizing lives. vtdigger.org/2025/03/19/r...
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 15/03/2025
Had a great time catching up with everyone at the inaugural Summit on State AI Legislation (SSAIL) hosted by the Yale Digital Ethics Center and co-organized by Senator James Maroney. Thanks for having me! dec.yale.edu #techpolicy #statelegislation #aipolicy 📸 @matthewreisman.bsky.social
Panel at SSAILPanel + Room at SSAIL
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 07/03/2025
I spent the past week in DC after speaking on a panel with a group of State AGs at a global summit for the Centre for Information Policy Leadership. I filled the remainder of the week catching up with and learning from experts on data privacy and AI. I am incredibly thankful for everyone’s time.
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 14/02/2025
When Woody Hartzog asks you to jump on a Zoom call with his advanced privacy law class at a moment’s notice to discuss your legislation, you say yes! ☺️
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 12/02/2025
Remember when I said, “Hold my coffee”? Well, the coffee is served, and it’s strong! ☕️ My three privacy bills are officially introduced and ready for you to explore. Dig into the details, read the full bill text, and subscribe for updates on my website: priestleyvt.com/bills #dataprivacy #techpolicy
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 11/02/2025
Data privacy? Online surveillance? Protecting kids online? Data brokers run amok? Hold my coffee... ☕️ I'm dropping THREE separate bills this week to tackle it all. What was previously one bill has returned in full force x3. #dataprivacy #consumerprotection #techpolicy #vermontstrong
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Monique Priestley @mepriestley.com · 08/02/2025
Another convening of the NCSL Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Privacy. It’s always incredibly helpful to catch up with other state legislators as well as to connect with various players in these fields.
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