The Montpelier Happy Hour

August 13, 2021: Housing availability, affordability, and wages are only a few of the contributors to Vermont's tight housing market. But what role, if any, does a large second home or short-term rental market play in people's struggles to find safe, healthy, and affordable housing within their community?   This week, Benjamin D. Frost of the New Hampshire Finance Authority (NHHFA) joins...

Aug. 6, 2021 (prerecorded 8/5): On July 26, subcommittees of the Vermont Climate Council released reports outlining strategies to address global warming. Organic Farmer, Abbie Corse, shares her insights on the roles that the agriculture and forest sectors play.  The Vermont Climate Council: https://aoa.vermont.gov/content/vermont-climate-council Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http:...

July 30, 2021: We joke on this show about the mishaps and blow-ups with the internet and IT systems in this state. But, as the debacle with the Vermont Department of Labor's unemployment portal during COVID demonstrated, bad IT has consequences. Scott Woodward, a technology consultant, weighs in on IT in the Green Mountains. Vermont Agency of Digital Services: https://digitalservices.vermont.gov S...

July 23, 2021 (prerecorded 7/19): What can we learn about Vermont's electoral process by looking through a national or international lens? Plenty.  Julia Brothers of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs shares her insight on what makes an electoral system healthy — starting with transparency, inclusivity, and accountability. "Elections are not just a day. It's a long pr...

July 9, 2021: Governor Phil Scott vetoed S.79 a bill designed to improve the safety of rental housing in Vermont. According to senators, this bill had broad community support and was drafted based on three years of testimony. So, what is the way forward for improving short and long-term rentals in Vermont's tight rental market? Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

July 2, 2021 (prerecorded 6/21): Many small Vermont towns don't operate a school or only offer classes up to a certain grade, such as middle school. To provide local students with a full pre-K - 12 education, these towns use a tuition, or voucher, system. These vouchers allow parents to send their students to other schools. Sometimes public, sometimes private.  A series of court cas...

June 25, 2021 (prerecorded 6/23): Vermont communities espouse the virtues of local control. Yet, structurally, Vermont is a Dillon's Rule state, meaning most of the power sits in the state government's hands. Ted Brady, executive director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, weighs in. UPDATE: The Vermont House and Senate overrode Governor Phil Scott's vetos of Winooski and Montpelier's char...

June 18, 2021 (prerecorded 6/17) - Anne Sosin is a researcher at Dartmouth College who specializes in public health. She has studied Vermont's response to the pandemic and has suggestions on how we can do better even as the Governor lifts COVID-19 restrictions.  Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net

June 11, 2021 (prerecorded 6/9) - Vermont is wending its way towards the creation of a retail cannabis market. Earlier this year, it created the Cannabis Control Board. This three-member board is charged with overseeing the cannabis market. Chair James Pepper joins today's show to update us on the board's work and progress.  Cannabis Control Board's website: https://ccb.vermont.gov Theme musi...

June 4, 2021 (prerecorded 6/3): This week we follow up on some of the legislation that passed this session. Vermont's Health Care Advocate Mike Fisher updates Emilie and Olga on what's happening with the state's health care market. Rep. Emilie dives into the latest federal stimulus money and how it could help people pay their premiums. Meanwhile, Olga - whose insurance will be impacted by these ch...

May 28, 2021 (prerecorded 5/24): Vermont's Legislature has gaveled out for the year. Which bills passed? Which didn't? And, what's next? Rep. Emilie Kornheiser and Senate Pro Tem Becca Balint bring us up to speed.  Theme music by: Red Heart the Ticker

May 21, 2021 (prerecorded 5/17): The Vermont Council on Rural Development is convening a summit on the state's future. What policies, investments, and strategies does Vermont need to build stronger communities? More importantly, how can it create communities, and an economy, that is just and sustainable for all of us? To learn more or register for the summit, visit: https://www.futureofvermont.org...

May 14, 2021: Want to start a ruckus at a family dinner? Say: taxes. Okay you can say other things too, but the topic of taxes usually riles someone (I'm looking at you cousin K). Yet, taxes also pay things we like: libraries, schools, roads, trash collection, and are a valuable tool for fixing income inequality. Today, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, vice-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee,...

May 7, 2021 (pre-recorded 5/3): The House has approved a potential charter change that would allow 16 & 17 year olds to vote in local elections. But what are Town Charters and why do they matter in Vermont? Also, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser updates us on what's happening with education funding. You can also listen to the previous interviews with Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell on local govern...

April 30, 2021: Vermont's Legislature is wrangling with various prison reforms this session. But which ones help? Which ones don't? It's a deep conversation with a lot of opinions. To help us understand the issue, Public Defender Kelly Green joins today's show. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker

April 23, 2021: One of Olga and Emilie's favorite pastimes, is digging into the stories, systems, and assumptions behind Vermont's legislation. Enter S.53, a tax bill that began its life in the state Senate to remove the 6% sales tax on menstrual products.  After much deliberation in the House, S.53 also includes an update on corporate income tax, removes an exemption for cloud services and p...

April 16, 2021 (pre-recorded 4/12): Vermont is poised to receive $2.7 billion from the federal government's latest COVID relief package. Plans for spending that money are on the Legislature's desk, but do we spend it on projects or people? What direction will make Vermont more resilient?  Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker

April 9, 2021 (pre-recorded 4/5): Last week Speaker Jill Krowinski announced that the House would drop its proposal to overhaul the state's underfunded pension system. The unpopular proposal would have raised the retirement age for teachers and state employees and lowered the retirement benefits.  Unpopular or not, the pension system remains underfunded. A problem that still needs f...

April 2, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/29): When describing Vermont's cell and broadband service, words like "spotty," "frustrating," and "inadequate" come to mind*. Everything from geography to not having enough customers to justify the cost to private companies can be blamed. So, what about community led and financed broadband?  Rep. Laura Sibilia joins today's show to talk about new legislatio...

March 26, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/22): Vermont's Legislature is considering a few bills this session focused on promoting racial and social equity through land access and home ownership. Yet, land sovereignty may not mean the same thing to all of us. Rich Holschuh of Atowi and liaison for the Elnu Abenaki discusses the issue from an indigenous perspective.  Theme music by: Red Hea...

March 19,2021 (pre-recorded 3/15/21): Vermont's largest contributions to greenhouse gases are transportation and heating. But, how do we transition a small rural state like Vermont to a low carbon energy system while also supporting businesses, residents, and working with existing infrastructure? Matt Cota joins today's conversation. Cota's grandparents founded Cota & Cota which specializ...

March 12, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/8/21): Early March traditionally marks the midpoint of the Legislative session in the State House. This year is worth taking a moment to pause and reflect. This time last year, we were just entering the pandemic in Vermont. So, how far have we come with recovery? Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker

March 5, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/4/21): The COVID pandemic has taken most people's focus this past year overshadowing ongoing struggles such as opioid use. Rosie Nevins-Alderfer and Jedediah Popp, Co-Directors of the Windham County Consortium on Substance Use (COSU) join today's show to discuss legislation aimed at reducing harm for people experiencing substance use disorder. Theme music by Red Heart...

February 26, 2021 (pre-recorded 2/22/21): Self described Constitution Wrangler Meg Mott is holding a series of events around civil debate. So why does debate matter? Why does Vermont need to practice these skills?  To listen to a previous episode on Burlington's Neighborhood Planning Assemblies, click here Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker

February 19, 2021 (pre-recorded 2-15-21): Last year, the Legislature passed Act 156. Known as The Older Vermonters Act, the law seeks to provide services for elders that foster self-determination, safety, financial security, and health. Guests Rep. Theresa Wood and Rep. Daniel Noyes join the show to discuss issues facing Vermont's older population.  Seniors, their families, or adults wit...