.

>> WELCOME TO THE VERMONT PUBLIC GENERAL ELECTION DEBATES.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS, ONE OF THE HOSTS OF VERMONT EDITION.

TODAY WE'LL CONCLUDE A SERIES OF DEBATES WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR STATEWIDE AND FEDERAL OFFICES.

BALLOTS HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT IN THE MAIL TO ALL REGISTERED VERMONT VOTERS.

TODAY'S DEBATE IS WITH THE MAJOR PARTY CANDIDATES WANTING TO BE VERMONT'S NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

JOINING ME LIFE TODAY IN THE VERMONT PUBLIC STUDIO IN DOWNTOWN WINOOSKI IS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE, STATE SENATOR BENNING OF LYNDONVILLE.

WELCOME.

ALSO JOINING US IS DAVID ZUCKERMAN OF HINESBURG, ALSO WORKED IN THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND PREVIOUSLY SERVED TWO TERMS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

DAVID ZUCKERMAN, WALL COME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> MR. ZUCKERMAN IS NOT JOINING US IN THE STUDIO DUE TO TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

SO HE'S JOINING US FROM A REMOTE STUDIO FOR THIS DEBATE.

WE WISH YOU A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> HERE'S THE FORMAT.

IN OUR FIRST SEGMENT I'LL ASK COMMON QUESTIONS TO BOTH.

THEY WILL EACH HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

IN THE SECOND THEY WILL ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

30 SECONDS TO ASK AND 60 SENDS TO ANSWER.

NEXT A SERIES OF QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY VERMONTERS.

IT'S POSSIBLE I'LL HAVE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

THEN WE'LL TURN TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND WHERE YOUR ANSWERS MUST BE BRIEF, TEN SECONDS MAX.

WE'LL CONCLUDE WITH ONE MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENTS FROM EACH MUCH THE CANDIDATES.

SO GENTLEMEN, LET'S GET STARTED.

PLEASE LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO 60 SECONDS AND I MAY HAVE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SEVERS AS.

SENATE.

THEY SERVE ON ECONOMY TEASE, CAST TIE BREAKING VOTES IN THE SANTA ANITA AND STEPS IN THE GOVERNOR'S JOB IF NEEDED.

RMG THIS MEANS THEY HAVE TIME FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS AROUND IMPROVING GOVERNMENT AND EXPANDING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU DEBT INDICATE YOUR TIME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO SPECIAL PROJECTS AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> FIRST GRADE QUESTION.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T RECOGNIZE WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS DOES HAVE AVAILABLE TIME FOR SOMEONE TO ACT AS A PROMOTER OF ALL THINGS VERMONT AND THAT IS WHAT I WOULD INTEND TO USE THE OFFICE FOR.

HAVE STRESSED THE NEED TO ALWAYS HAVE THAT DOOR OPENS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED QUESTIONS FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT.

ONE THING I BRING TO THE TABLE IS HAVE BEEN DOING THAT IN MY OWN SENATE POSITION.

BUT AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, KIND OF UPS THE ANTE ON HOW YOU CAN RESPOND TO FOLKS WHO ARE CONSTITUENTS COMING IN AND ASKING BASIC QUESTIONS.

I KNOW ALL THE PLAYERS FROM THE PAST 12 STRAIGHT YEARS.

I KNOW HOW TO INTRODUCE THOSE PLAYERS TO THE FOLKS WHO WHERE COMING IN THE DOOR ASKING QUESTIONS AND I ALSO HAVE WORKED VERY WELL WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCOTT GOVERNMENT AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO KNOW WHO TO TALK TO AND INTRODUCE THOSE FOLKS COMING IN THE DOOR TO TO GET ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS.

>> THE ROLE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND SOME WOULD SAY MOSTLY CEREMONIAL BUT YOUR INFLUENCE CAN HAVE A BIG ROLE.

SO THIS QUESTION IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

CAN YOU NAME A TIME THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN ADVICE TO THE GOVERNOR OR THE LEGISLATURE THAT MADE AN IMPACT FOR VERMONT CENTERS.

>> MANY A TIME I HAVE WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR MOST RECENTLY ON A PROJECT THAT IS NOW BEING COMPLETED AS WE SPEAK WITH RESPECT TO THE MEMORIAL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL.

THAT IS A PROPOSA THAT HE INITIALLY GAVE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WORKING TO KEEP THE MONEY FOR COMPLETING THAT TRAIL PROJECT WAS COMING THROUGH MY SENATE INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE SPOKEN OFTEN ON THAT SUBJECT AND MANY OTHERS BUT I'LL USE THAT AS THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE IF YOU TRAVEL ROUTE 15 NOW YOU'LL ACTUALLY SEE THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN DOING TOGETHER.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN IF YOU'RE THE NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HOW WILL YOU USE YOUR TIME TO EXPIRE EXPAND PARTICIPATION IN OUR DAEM CRAZY?

>> THANK YOU FORT DEBATE.

I HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORD BOTH AS A LEGISLATOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF TRAVELING THE STATE, MEETING WITH PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR LIVING ROOMS, CHURCH PAVEMENTS, DOWN GAZEBOS, HELPING INFORM PEOPLE HOW TO BE MORE EMPOWERED.

MANY DON'T REALIZE A HANDFUL OF PHONE CALLS CAN OFTEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A LEGISLATOR'S POSITION ON AN ISSUE.

IT'S FORTUNATE RECOGNIZE AS VERMONTERS ON WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT OR YOUR PROFESSION YOU PROBABLY KNOW MORE THAN 99% EVER THE LEGISLATORS.

WE EACH HAVE OUR OWN EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE.

YOU'RE A RESOURCE FOR YOUR ELECT LATER.

I HAVE WORKED WITH PEOPLE TO WELCOME THEM INTO THE STATE HOUSE.

MY OFFICE IS ALWAYS OPEN.

I HAD A COFFEE HOUR ONCE A WEEK AS WELL.

I DID A NEWSLETTER ACROSS THE STATE TO OVER 20,000 VERMONTERS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT AGAIN TO HELP EMBOLDEN VERMONTERS INFLUENCE THE PROCESS WHEN SOMETIMES MONTPELIER IS NOT CARRYING OUT WHAT THEY WANT DONE.

>> YOU SERVED AS TWO TERMS AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR UNDER PHIL SCOTT AND YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T HAVE A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE YOUR WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM?

>> I WOULD HAPPILY WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR ON MANY OF THESE ISSUES WHEN COVID FIRST STARTED I REACHED OUT AND SAID WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO STAND BEHIND YOU AS YOU MAKE THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO SHOW THE UNITY ACROSS ALL PARTIES FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF COVID AND HOW WE WERE GOING TO HANDLE IT AS STATE TOGETHER.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAID NO, THANK YOU.

WHEN WE FIRST GOT ELECTED IN 2016 HE ALSO DID NOT FOLLOW THE FOOT SHEPS OF GOVERNOR SHUMLIN INVITING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO BE PART OF THE CABINET.

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR SO YOU CAN BE A PART AND HAVE AN INFLUENTIAL ROLE TO HELP VERMONTERS?

>> SURE.

I THINK THE WAY TO DO THAT IS AS I DID BEFORE.

I'LL REACH OUT WITH IDEAS I THINK WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER FOR GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND TO HELP VERMONTERS AS WELL AS WORK WITH VERMONTERS TO INFLUENCE THE PROCESS.

>> LET'S NOW TURN TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

ABOUT A THIRD OF VERMONT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS COMES FROM FUELS TO HEAT OUR HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS.

A BIPARTISAN GROUP PASSED A BILL LAST SEX TO ADDRESS THESE INITIATIVES.

IT US WAS CALLED THE CLEAN HEAT STANDARD BUT VETOED BY GOVERNOR SCOTT SAYING IT PUT TOO MUCH POWER IN THE HANDS EVER THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR FUELS LIKE KEROSENE, PROPANE AND FUEL OILS.

IF ELECTED WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BROKERY COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON THIS ISSUE?

MR. ZUCKERMAN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> CERTAINLY I WOULD WORK WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS WELL AS EXPERTS IN THESE FIELDS AND THE GOVERNOR, HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH ANY AN ALL OF THEM TO LOOK FOR AREAS OF COMPROMISE OR IF WE GET MORE FOLKS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE PARTICULARLY THE HOUSE I THINK IT FAILED BY ONE VOTE IN THE HOUSE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE MITIGATION EFFORTS THAT ARE ALSO JOB CREATING FOR VERMONTERS.

THAT'S THE LOST PIECE OF THE CONVERSATION.

TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS, TAKING ON HIGH FUEL BILLS, WORKING TO WEATHERIZE PEOPLE'S HOMES ARE JOB CREATION OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS CLIMATE MITIGATION.

WE CAN DO BETTER IN VERMONT THAN HAVING NO PROGRESS BECAUSE OF AN IMPASSE.

I'LL WORK HARD WITH THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS TO MAKE SURE WE DO MOVE FORWARD.

MY DAUGHTER IS 16.

I SEE THE ANGST IN YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY AS WELL AS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WITH LACK OF ATTENTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

WE HAVE TO BRING THE TWO TOGETHER, JOB POSSIBILITIES AND MITIGATING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AS BEST WE CAN.

>> MR. ZUCKERMAN ABOUT 16% OF VERMONT'S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS COMES FROM AGRICULTURE.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST THE STAY DO TO REDUCE EMISSIONS.

>> ONE OF THE BEST CARBON DIOXIDE MITIGATING THINGS IS TO GROW COVER CROPS AND DO CARBON SEQUESTRATION.

ON MY OWN FARM WE GROW MANY ACRES OF COVER CROPS.

I THINK THE STATE COULD DO MORE TO WORK WITH FARMERS AND FARMERS HAVE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS GROWING MORE COVER CROPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND AGRICULTURE MAY BE THE NUMBER ONE METHOD TO REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE IN OUR ATMOSPHERE.

>> SENATOR BENNING WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BROKER COMPROMISE WHEN IT COMES TO REDUCING VERMONT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS?

>> IN ANSWERING THIS QUESTION I WANT TO POINT OUT THIS IS THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF AN ATTEMPT TO DO ONE THING COMING INTO CLASH WITH AN ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CLEAR THROUGHOUT HIS ENTIRE GOVERNING THERE'S AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IN THIS STATE.

THE CONCERN ON THE GOVERNOR'S PART IS I THINK TWOFOLD.

ONE IS THAT YOU HAVE A GROUP OF UNELECTED CITIZENS ACTUALLY MAKING TERMS FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE ON THE STREET EVERY DAY.

HAVING TO RESPOND TO THAT GROUP OF UNELECTED CITIZENS IN A WAY I'LL GIVE A FOR INSTANCE IF I PULL UP TO THE GAS PUMP AND IT'S COSTING ME $7 A GALLON INSTEAD OF WHATEVER TODAY'S RATE IS THAT'S AND AFFORDABILITY CRISIS SITUATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

YOU DEAL WITH PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION BY GETTING THEM INTO A ROOM AND HAVING A SIMPLE CONVERSATION LIKE YOU AND I ARE HAVING NOW.

COMPROMISE CAN BE REACHED BUT RIGHT NOW HE VETOED THAT BILL FOR I BELIEVE THE SAME REASON HE'S ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT OUR AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION?

>> YES.

UNELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> SENATOR BENNING, VERMONT IS UNLIKELY TO MEET ITS LEGALLY REQUIRED EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BY 2030.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT.

THERE ARE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GOALS VERMONTERS AND AMERICANS ARE AIMING FOR.

DO YOU THINK REDUCING EMISSIONS IS AN ISSUE A SMALL STATE SHOULD ADDRESS OR SHOULD IT BE LEFT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS CONTENDED THAT'S A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONVERSATION.

VERMONT FOR INSTANCE DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO TELL TOYOTA, G.M., ALL THE AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES, WHAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE FOR CARBON EMISSION OUTPUT BY A GIVEN DATE.

OUR TRANSPORTATION FLEET, OUR HOME HEATING OILS ARE ALL CRITICAL TO EVERY VERMONTER.

WHATEVER THEY PAY EACH DAY THEY PULL UP TO THE PUMP OR HAVE SOMEBODY FILL THE TANK THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE CANNOT HAVE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

WE CAN GET TO RESILIENCE FOR ALL VERMONTERS.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN BE A CONSENSUS BUILDER ON.

>> I WANT TO MOVE ON.

NEARLY 42% OF VERMONT'S POPULATION IS AT LEAST 50 YEARS OLD AND VERMONT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS IS A PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO VERMONT'S WORKFORCE.

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTRACT OR KEEP ENOUGH YOUNG WORKERS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE PROPER STEPS TO FIX IT?

SENATOR BENNING, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I WAS GOING TO JUST PAUSE TO NOTE YES I'M OVER 50.

THE PROBLEM IS I SEE IT IS VERMONT NEEDS A MOUTHPIECE.

VERMONT NEEDS TO HAVE SOMEBODY PROMOTING VERMONT'S BRAND.

VERMONT'S PEOPLE.

VERMONT'S WORK ETHIC.

THE ACTUAL GREEN HILLS AND SILVER WATERS THAT WE ALL ENJOY.

HOW DO YOU GET THAT MESSAGE OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING VERMONT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY?

I WOULD SEE THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BEING PLACE I COULD DO THAT EASILY BY TRANSPORTING MYSELF AROUND THE COUNTRY OR THE WORLD IF NECESSARY TO PROMOTE THE VERMONT BRAND.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT ATTRACTS YOUNG PEOPLE TO THIS STATE.

I USED AN EARLIER EXAMPLE OF THE LEBESE MOYLE VALLEY RAIL TRAIL.

THOSE RECREATION FACILITIES AND THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES THEY BRING ALSO ATTRACT PEOPLE INTERESTED IN NOT JUST PARTICIPATING IN THE TRAIL SYSTEM BUT DEVELOPING A BUSINESS MODEL THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY PULL APROFIT FROM THAT VERY TRAIL SYSTEM.

>> I'M CURIOUS DO YOU REALLY THINK IT'S THAT SIMPLE TO GET A YOUNGER WORKFORCE IS JUST BETTER PROMOTION?

>> NO, I THINK THAT EVERY STATE IN THE UNION IS FACING THIS SAME QUESTION.

BUT THAT MEANS THEY ARE ALL IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER AND THE WAY THAT YOU ADVANCE IN THE COMPETITIVE RACE TO ATTRACT YOUNGER PEOPLE IS TO GET SOMEBODY OUT THERE AS A SALESPERSON FOR YOUR STATE.

THAT WAS WHAT I INTENDED TO DO WITH THE POSITION.

>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS TO ANSWER.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE BESIDES THE LACK OF PROMOTION?

>> FINDING WHERE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WHO ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE.

WE HAVE TO TARGET AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN EXISTENCE, YOUNG PEOPLE THAT IS, WHO MIGHT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT WHY WE BRING SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY TO THEIR TABLE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT I WOULD SEE IN THAT REGARD.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE PROPER STEPS TO FIX VERMONT'S WORK SHORTAGE PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO YOUNG EOPLE?

>> THE BIG ISSUE IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CHILD CARE.

AT THE FARMERS MARKET I'M SEEING NUMEROUS PEOPLE, NEW VERMONTERS WHO THEY RECOGNIZE THE GREATNESS OF VERMONT FROM HOW WE HANDLED COVID AND THE NATIONAL MEDIA WE GOT FROM BERNIE BEING A NATIONAL ICON AT THIS POINT, TO OUR GREEN HILLS, BEAUTIFUL FOLIAGE, BEN & JERRY'S.

THE QUESTION IS CAN THEY AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

FOLKS TRY TO MOVE HERE AND THEY CAN'T FIND HOUSING.

EMPLOYERS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HIRE FOLKS AND A MONTH LATER THE EMPLOY YEE SAYS I CARCHT MOVE THERE.

HOUSING IS TOO EXPENSIVE OR NONEXISTENT.

WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION TO MAKE VERMONT A POSSIBLE PLACE TO LIVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE HAVE THE FOURTH BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM STATEWIDE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF, THEY WANT TO MOVE HERE AND THEY JUST CAN'T.

I WOULD SAY HOUSING, WEATHERIZING EXISTING STOCK THAT WE HAVE, AND WORKING TOWARDS BETTER AND MORE OPTIONS FOR CHILD CARE.

>> MR. ZUCKERMAN ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS GOVERNOR SCOD MATE WAS TO INVITE MORE REFUGEES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO COME HERE AND LIVE HERE.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO YOU THAT VERMONT PRIORITIZE ATTRACTING NEW ARRIVALS TO LIVE AND WORK IN OUR STATE?

>> I THINK IT'S A HUGE AND WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD WHO WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THEY WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN VERMONT.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE I THINK IS A REAL BENEFIT TO ALL OF US BOTH FROM DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY TO MORE PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE JOBS.

WE ALL KNOW THAT RESTAURANTS ARE NOT OPEN ALL THE TIME ANY MORE, MANUFACTURING LINES CAN'T FIND ENOUGH EMPLOYEES.

I COULDN'T FIND ENOUGH EMPLOYEES INCLUDING YEAR ROUND POSITIONS.

THERE ARE JOBS TO BE FILLED AND I WOULD WELCOME REFUGEES TO FILL THEM AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WANT TO MOVE ON AGAIN.

YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN STATE GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES.

OR AROUND A DECADE FOR YOU.

SENATOR BENNING, YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING STATE SENATOR AND DAVID ZUCKERMAN YOU COMPLETED TWO TERMS AT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR YET THE HOUSING CRISIS VERMONT IS EXPERIENCING FROM AFFORDABILITY TO HOMELESSNESS HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVOCATE FOR AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO RELIEVE THIS CRISIS?

MR. ZUCKERMAN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SERVE YOU DON'T ALWAYS WIN THE FIGHTS YOU TRY FOR.

I STOOD WITH MANY TO ADD A ROOMS TAX TO OUR LODGING RENTAL RATES, MAYBE A DOLLAR OR TWO PER ROOM PER NIGHT.

WOULD NOT HAVE THWARTED ANY OF THE VISITORS COMING TOLL VERMONT BUT WOULD HAVE RAISED MILLIONS FOR HOUSING.

WE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THAT WHEN LOOKING TO HOUSE OUR HOUSELESS POPULATION.

WE ALSO HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF SECOND HOMES OWNED IN THE COUNTRY, 17%.

I WOULD LOOK AT WHY THOSE ARE PAYING LOWER PROPERTY TAXES THAN MOST HOMEOWNERS IN VERMONT AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S A WAY TO BREAK THAT INTO A SEPARATE SECTOR, MAYBE INCREASE THEIR TAXES TO AT LEAST MATCH OURS AND PUT THAT TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE STATE PUT CLOSE TO $90 MILLION INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FROM THE MONEY LEAHY GOT.

I APPRECIATE GOVERNOR SCOTT BACKING THAT, BUT THIS IS MANNA FROM HEAVEN.

THAT WILL RUN OUT IN A FEW YEARS, WE'LL STILL HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS.

WE NEED A CONSTANT REVENUE STREAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> IN OUR LAST DEBATE WITH GOVERNOR SCOTT HE TALKED ABOUT ACT 250.

BEING BLAMED FOR A LOT OF OUR HOUSING CHALLENGES.

WHAT CHANGES TO ACT 250 WOULD YOU MAKE IF ELECTED OR WOULD YOU PROPOSE?

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD CHANGE IT PARTICULARLY MUCH BECAUSE I THINK ACT 250 IS PART OF WHAT MADE VERMONT THE AMAZING PLACE THIS IT IS.

I WOULD LOOK AT THE PROPOSAL, THE GOVERNOR BACKED IT, IT DID NOT GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, TO CONSIDER REDUCING SOME OF THE HURDLES IN TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTERS SO WE COULD GET MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DENSER HOUSING IN OUR TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTERS.

WEE COULD INVEST TO MAKE BUILDING IN THOSE AREAS MORE POSSIBLE AND REVITALIZE OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> SENATOR BENNING, WHAT WOULD YOU ADVOCATE FOR TO HELP ALLEVIATE THIS HOUSING CRISIS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN VERMONT?

>> LET ME START BY ANSWERING WE HAVE JUST SET ASIDE A SUBSTANTIAL CHUNK OF MONEY.

IT HAS BEEN $90 MILLION FROM THE ARPA FUNDING AND HAVE SET THAT ASIDE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF ACTUALLY GETTING HOMES BUILT.

THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY IS THAT WE DON'T LABORERS WITH CONTRACTORS WHO ARE READY TO SWING A HAMMER AND BANG A NAIL.

THAT HAS BEEN THE PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THIS CONVERSATION.

WE ARE LACKING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FILLING THOSE JOBS BUT WE HAVE SET ASIDE THIS SUM OF MONEY AND THIS IS AN INTERESTING DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US, I HEAR HIM SPEAKING IT SOUNDS AS IF HE WANTS TO CREATE ANOTHER LEVEL OF BUREAU CRAZY AND A TAX REVENUE STREAM THAT IS IN EXISTENCE IN PERPETUITY.

EVENTUALLY YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE THAT CAN BE SPENT, CAN IT BE SPENT IN THE WAY YOU ANTICIPATED, AND DO WE REALLY NEED AN ADDITIONAL LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY AND A NEW TAX TO FIGURE OUT IN PEMP TUITT WHETHER WE STILL HAVE A PROBLEM OR NOT.

LET'S TRY WHAT WE HAVE GOT WITH THE MONEY RESERVED.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN, 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THERE'S NO NEED FOR A NEW BUREAUCRACY.

WE HAVE VERMONT HOUSING AND CONSERVATION BOARD THAT DOES A TORCH THE WORK DISTRIBUTING RESOURCES.

THE TAXI TALKED ABOUT WAS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON OUT OF STATE INDIVIDUALS.

SO I THINK THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE REVENUE TO HELP VERMONTERS' LIVES GET BETTER WITHOUT HITTING VERMONTERS BELOW THE BELT.

>> I WOULD ONLY SAY THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE.

IT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AND WHAT WE ARE LACKING RIGHT NOW IS THE CONTRACTORS WITH SHOVEL READY PRODUCTS READY TO GO FORWARD.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED THE PROCESS.

THERE HAVE BEEN THREE VERY RECENT I'LL CALL THEM RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES, THE PROJECTS ARE THERE.

THE ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IS THERE.

WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE CONTRACTORS READY TO GO FORWARD SHOVEL READY PROJECTS.

>> LET'S MOVE ON.

>> THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

I WANT YOU TBOBL WEIGH IN ON AN ISSUE.

THERE'S A JOB IN VERMONT STATE GOVERNMENT THAT HAS VERY FEW RESPONSIBILITIES.

IT'S MOSTLY CEREMONIAL.

THE JOB COSTS TAXPAYERS MORE THAN $75,000 A YEAR ON THIS POSITION AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS POSITION HAS MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS.

SEVERAL OF THE STATES HAVE ALREADY DONE AWAY WITH THIS JOB AND PUT IT IN RESPONSIBILITIES ON OTHER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

TALKING OF COURSE BUT THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT SHIFTING THE DUTIES TO SENIOR HOUSE OR SENATE LEADERSHIP TO SAVE THE STATE MONEY AND ABOLISH THE OFFICE ALTOGETHER?

SENATOR BEENING?

>> NO, I THINK THE FIRST PROBLEM YOU FACE IS YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT CHANGES THE WAY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM IS SET UP.

I THINK THAT THE FOUNDERS OF THIS STATE DID A VERY GOOD THING IN ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNMENT THAT WE NOW HAVE.

IT'S NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM THAT I'M AWARE OF THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S POSITION IS SOMEHOW IN THE WAY OR OVERLY EXPENSIVE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IN FACT I THINK THE POSITION IS VERY COMPLEMENTARY IN BEING A CONDUIT BETWEEN CONSTITUENTS COMING TO THE STATE HOUSE FOR INSTANCE AND TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE RIGHT LEGISLATORS IN THE KNOW ABOUT HOW TO RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEM AS WELCOME AS BEING A CONDUIT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO BRING IMMEDIATE SOLUTIONS TO IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS THAT VERMONTERS HAVE.

I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO CHANGE IT.

IN FACT I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO USE THE OFFICE TO ADVANCE EVERYTHING ABOUT VERMONT IN SUCH A WAY IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AND HOPEFULLY THAT COMES OUT IN THE END BEING VERY WORTH IT FOR VERMONTERS.

>> NOW, SENATOR BENNING, THE STATE CONSTITUTION LAYS OUT A LIMITED ROLE FOR THE 4R-89 GOVERNOR.

WHAT LEGISLATIVE OR EXECUTIVE DUTIES WOULD YOU SUPPORT BEING PUT ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO JUSTIFY COST TO TAXPAYERS?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY LEGISLATIVE DUTIES THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE.

I THINK THE POSITION IS THERE IN SORT OF A NEUTRAL CAPACITY FOR THAT VERY REASON.

WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED GET EMBROILED IN ACTUAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.

AT THE CLOSEST POINT WE COME TO ANY KIND OF A DISPUTE IS TO BREAK A TIE IF THERE IS ONE BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I WOULD BE ANXIOUS TO CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THE CURRENT SYSTEM BECAUSE I THINK IT HAS SERVED US WELL FOR 200 PLUS YEARS.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN SHOULD WE ABOLISH THE OFFICE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK MY OPPONENT AND I ARE IN RELATIVE AGREEMENT HERE.

I DO NOT THINK SO.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS IN A POSITION BOTH TO BE PREPARED TO BE GOVERNOR IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND THE GOVERNOR WERE TO BECOME INCAPACITATED.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL SPECIFIED FOR THAT.

ALSO IN TERMS OF THE DUTIES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP IF YOU TALK TO THE SPEAKER OR PRESIDENT PRO TEM, THEIR PLATE IS QUITE FULL.

THE ISSUES THEY HAVE TO ADDRESS AND COORDINATION OF BOTH THE BODIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR BODIES WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES LITERALLY ONE STAFF PERSON EACH WOULD BE A BIT MUCH TO MOVE THIS ROLE INTO THOSE BODIES.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH VERMONTERS, TO BE THAT CONDUIT AS WAS SPOKEN OF HAVE A LONG TRACK RECORDS DOING THAT.

I HAD NUMEROUS PEOPLE REACH OUT TO ME AND OUR OFFICE GOT THOSE ANSWERS FROM DIFFERENT LEVELS OF BUREAUCRACY TO GET THEM SOLUTIONS TO THEIR CHALLENGES AND THEIR PROBLEMS ON A DAILY BASIS.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR THE LEGISLATORS AND THE LEADERSHIP AND THE CABINET DEALING WITH BIG PICTURE ISSUES.

>> THE STATE STAY WITH US LAYS OUT A LIMITED ROLE FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WHAT LEGISLATIVE OR EXECUTIVE DUTIES WOULD YOU SUPPORT BEING PUT ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TO JUSTIFY ITS COST TO TAXPAYERS?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE COST OF BEING ABOUT $250,000.

THAT'S THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, CHIEF OF STAFF, THE OFFICE RENTAL AND SUPPLIES.

THAT'S ABOUT IT.

BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THAT OUT OF A SIX TO $8 BILLION BUDGET I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE EQUATION ON OTHER THINGS.

AS FAR AS EXTRA DUTIES, I THINK PART OF THAT IS ABOUT THAT POTENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BUT EACH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AS I DID FORGES A PATH AND FINDS A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE'S VOICES CAN BE INCLUDED AND ELEVATE THOSE ISSUES, WHICH I WHAT I DID FOR TWO YEARS.

>> THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST SEGMENT OF THIS DEBATE.

THE CABBED DATES WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

THIS IS THE A DEBATE L BETWEEN THOSE RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> THIS IS THE VERMONT PUBLIC DEBATE WITH CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

WITH US ARE THE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT DAVID ZUCKERMAN OF HINES ERGBURG AND REPUBLICAN NOMINEE STATE SENATOR JOE BENNING OF LYNDONVILLE.

THE CANDIDATES NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK EACH OTHER QUESTIONS.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN 30 SERDZ AND THE RERESPONSES LIMITED TO 60 SECONDS.

WE START WITH DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> THANK YOU.

JOE, DURING THE O2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION TWO BILLS WERE BROUGHT FORTH SIMILAR TO PROPOSITION 5 SEEKING PROTECTION OF REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTIES IN VERMONT.

DURING ROT CALL YOU VOTED NO.

YOUR SCROISED LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

YOU'VE DESCRIBED YOURSELF AS A PRO-CHOICE REPUBLICAN AND AS A TIE BREAKING VOTE OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME IF IT COMES UP IN THE FUTURE.

CAN YOU ELABORATE ON WHY YOU DID NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL?

>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

THERE WAS A FINDING WHICH SAID, I'M PRETTY SURE I'M QUOTING DIRECTLY, A FETUS SHALL HAVE NO RIGHTS IN THE STATE OF VERMONT WHATSOEVER.

I RECOGNIZED THAT MOST VERMONTERS DON'T TAKE THAT POSITION.

SO I INVITED THE THEN PRO TEM, BECCA BALINT, AS WELL AS THE BILL SPONSOR INTO MY OFFICE ALONG WITH THE DRAFTS PERSON FOR THAT LEGISLATION.

I SAID I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRO-CHOICE POLITICIAN.

I HAVE DONE THAT THROUGH MY ENTIRE CAREER, BUT I THINK YOU'VE GONE A STEP TOO FAR.

THIS IS NO LONGER ROE VERSUS WADE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS MAKING A BLATANT STATEMENT THERE SYSTEM BE NO RIGHTS WHATSOEVER IN A PERFECTLY VIABLE FETUS LATE POINT IN THE PREGNANCY.

I DIDN'T BELIEVE MOST VERMONTERS TOOK THAT POSITION.

THAT'S WHY I OBJECTED TO THAT BILL.

I HAVE BEEN A VERY STRONG PROPONENT OF PROP 5 AS A REPUBLICAN THAT SHOULD SURPRISE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN ABRIEF FOLLOW-UP?

>> PROP 5 ESSENTIALLY INCLUDED NOT THAT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE BUT THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THE REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTY AND LET'S BE CLEAR THOSE LATER TERM SCENARIOS ARE ONLY 1%.

THAT'S WHEN THERE ARE FETAL ABNORMALITIES OR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS IN JEOPARDY.

SO DO YOU THINK PUTTING UP SUCH BARRIERS IS A GOOD THING AND WHAT CHANGED BETWEEN THAT AND PROPOSITION 5 DO YOU SUPPORT IT WHEN IT DOES THE SAME THING?

>> PROPOSITION 5 IS ACTUALLY A MIRROR OF THE BALANCING TEST IN ROE VERSUS WADE.

THAT'S WHY I "SUPPORTED" IT.

I HAVE ALWAYS "SUPPORTED" ROE VERSUS WADE.

THE ACT OR -- H57 WAS THE BOLD STATEMENT THAT WAS NOT REALLY NECESSARY FOR ANYBODY AND FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER THE PROPONENTS INSISTED THEY HAD TO HAVE IT HAPPEN.

I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY AND ABORTION AT A LATER TERM IS AIN' ABORT IS NOT THAT HAPPENS EXCEPT FOR EXTREMELY RARE OCCASIONS BUT STILL THE BLATANT STATEMENT WAS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY.

>> THAT IS TIME.

SENATOR BENNING, QUESTION FOR MR. ZUCKERMAN.

>> DAVID, THROUGHOUT OUR DEBATES YOU HAVE BEEN ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, WHICH PETER SHUMLIN FAILED AT.

AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE CHILD CARE, AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE HOUSING, AND UNNAMED CURE OR SOLUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

úI UNDERSTAND YOUR ARGUMENT THAT EVENTUALLY ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO SAVE US MONEY BUT THEY ALSO REQUIRE START-UP COSTS.

TAKEN COLLECTIVELY HAVE YOU EVER ACTUALLY ANALYZED WHAT THE START-UP COSTS WOULD BE FOR THOSE PROGRAMS COLLECTIVELY?

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT WE CAN'T TACKLE ALL OF THEM RAT ONCE BUT WHAT I OFTEN HERE IS WE CAN'T A OPPOSED TO WE CAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT AS I DO AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND YOU DON'T ACTUALLY INTRODUCE BILLS BUT I DID IN CONCEPT THAT WE NEED TO PURSUE TO MAKE VERMONT EARLY MORNING TERM AFFORDABLE AND A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ISSUES LIKE HEALTH CARE THEY BIT OFF MORE THAN THEY COULD CHEW, EXPANDED COMPUTER PROGRAMS, DIDN'T NEED TO DO THAT.

WE CAN SAVE MONEY BY MOVING TOWARD UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM JUST AS BUSINESSES SELF-INSURE VERMONT COULD DO THE SAME.

I HAVE ALREADY GIVEN YOU THE IDEA AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN PERPETUITY NONON THE BACKS OF VERMONTERS.-VERMONTERS ARE ALREG THROUGH THE NOSE FOR THE HEALTHCARE THEY ARE GETTING.

WE PAY MORE THAN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

WE CAN SAVE MONEY AND DO IT BETTER.

CHILD CARE IS A BIG CONVERSATION, A HIEWFT COST.

AT THE SAME TIME NOT HAVING PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE IS HUGE AND THAT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY MANY ADVOCATES AND I HOPE THEY MOVE THAT BILL THIS YEAR.

>> FOLLOW-UP?

>> THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION IS NO, YOU HAVE NEVER DONE A START-UP COST ANALOGY.

YOU AND I ARE BOTH BUSINESS PEOPLE.

I'M A LAWYER, YOU'RE A FARMER.

WE ALWAYS LOOK AT A GIVEN BE PROPOSAL AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE START-UP COSTS OF THE PROJECT WOULD BE.

IF I'M HEARING YOU CORRECTLY YOU HAVE NEVER DONE A START-UP COST ANALYSIS FOR ANY OF THE PROGRAMS EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ADVANCING DURS DURING THESE DEBATES.

>> SOME OF THAT WORK HAS BEEN DONE AND OFTEN DATED SO IT HAS TO BE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OFF TO SAY THAT IT HASN'T BEEN DONE.

IT HAS.

ADDITIONALLY I BELIEVE WITH EXPANDING CHILD CARE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $18080 $200 MILLION TO MAKE A UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE SITUATION BUT AGAIN THE PAYBACK ON THAT WILL ALSO BE TREMENDOUS FOR VERMONT.

OUR WORKFORCE AND PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS THE STATE.

ALSO REMEMBER WITHOUT CHILD CARE WE ARE HOLDING MANY PARENTS BACK PRIMARILY WOMEN FROM THEIR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> MR. ZUCKERMAN YOUR CHANCE TO ASK SENATOR BENNING ANOTHER QUESTION.

>> JOE, THROUGHOUT THIS CAMPAIGN YOU HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL VERMONT IS AND I AGREE.

WE BOTH MOVED HERE AND ENDED UP STAYING BECAUSE OF HOW IN LOVE WITH VERMONT WE ARE.

OYOU VOTED AGAINST RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE, AGAINST RESTRICTING FIREARMS IN HOSPITALS, AGAINST BANNING CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS, AGAINST THE LAW TO PROTECT REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE AS MENTIONED BEFORE, AGAINST RENTAL HOUSING AND HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS, AGAINST THE GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT AND MANY OTHER BILLS.

GIVEN THE FACT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM BEING LEADER OF THE STATE WHY ARE YOU NOT DISCUSSING THOSE POSITIONS?

>> I HAVE DISCUSSED EVERY PROVISION AS TO WHY I MIGHT BE OPPOSED TO ANY OF THEM.

I THINK I'M IN SYNC WITH GOVERNOR FILL SCOTT, WHO HAS TAKEN A SIMILAR POSITION BECAUSE EACH OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED HAVE EITHER RUN AFOUL OF THE CONSTITUTION AS WE UNDERSTAND IT OR HAVE BEEN TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE STATE TO TRY TO TAKE ON.

THAT MIGHT LEAVE THE IMPRESSION WE'RE AGAINST EVERYTHING, BUT AS RESPONSIBLE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE STEWART LEDBETTER OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE WHENEVER WE TRY TO BITE OFF WE CAN ACTUALLY CHEW AND NOT CHOKE ON.

I HAVE ENDEAVORED TO LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION WHICH YOU AND I ARE BOTH SWORN TO PROTECT, AND ANALYZE THAT WITH RESPECT TO ANY GIVEN PROPOSAL AT ANY POINT IN TIME.

WHILE WE COULD GET INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NUANCES I THINK IT'S VERY UNFAIR OF YOU TO TAINT ME A SOMEBODY WHO SIMPLY SAYS NO.

>> ZUCKERMAN, DO YOU A FOLLOW-UP?

>> I JUST EXPRESSED THE VOTES YOU MADE HOW YOU EXPLAIN THEM IS UP TO YOU, HOW PEOPLE INTERPRET THEM IS UP TO THEM.

RESTRICTING FIREARMS IN HOSPITALS I SUSPECT YOU WOULD MAYBE ARGUE IS NOT ALLOWED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

COURTS HAVE UPHELD VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHY NOT MOVE TO SEE WHERE THE COURTS DETERMINE THAT WHEN LOOKING AT POTENTIAL RISK TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND OTHERS IN HOSPITALS AND PLACES WHERE FOLKS DON'T NEED TO HAVE FIREARMS.

>> IS THERE A QUESTION THERE?

>> WHY NOT LOOK INTO THAT AND EXPLORE PASSING THAT AS OPPOSED TO SAYING NO BEFORE YOU EVEN LET THE COURTS LOOK AT IT.

>> THE ANSWER IS WE DID LOOK AT IT.

I EXAMINED THE EVIDENCE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE OF A PROBLEM.

THE CONSTITUTION OF VERMONT HAS NOT BEEN INTERPRETED BY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ON THIS QUESTION.

THE CONSTITUTION OF VERMONT IS VERY EXPLICIT ABOUT YOUR RIGHT TO OWN, PURCHASE AND POSSESS FIREARMS.

IT'S FOR YOURSELF DEFENSE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO INHIBIT SOMEONE'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE SELF-DEFENSE AT THE MOMENT THEY NEED IT IN ANY AREA OF THE STATE YOU NEED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT THE STULINGS SAYS.

>> SENATOR BENNING YOUR QUESTION FOR MR. ZUCKERMAN.

>> DAVID, THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO MY PREVIOUS QUESTION.

ALL OF THESE PROPOSALS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ADVANCING NOT ONLY REQUIRE START-UP COSTS BUT REQUIRE NEW FACES IN GOVERNMENT.

THEY REQUIRE NEW APPROACHES.

AS YOU KNOW, PRIORITIZING ANY BUDGET REQUIRES YOU TO DECIDE WHAT IS THE HIGHER PRIORITY THAN ANOTHER.

SO LET'S TAKE UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.

WHAT WOULD YOU DEPRIORITIZE IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THAT AND IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DEPRIORITIZE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO RAISE BY WAY OF TAXES FOR THE INITIAL START-UP COSTS?

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

IT DOES LEAVE OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

FOR INSTANCE VERMONTERS ARE ALREADY PAYING ABOUT 20% OF THE TOTAL ECONOMY OF VERMONT IN HEALTH CARE.

SO WE'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT.

THE QUESTION IS ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR IT THROUGH A PRIVATE SYSTEM OR QUASI PUBLIC-PRIVATE SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT PROVIDE THE HEALTHCARE THAT MANY VERMONTERS NEED WHILE LEAVING SOME PEOPLE BEHIND OR DO YOU MOVE TOWARDS A SIMPLIFIED UNIVERSAL SYSTEM WHERE MORE RESOURCES CAN BE SPENT ON DIRECT HEALTH CARE, PRIMARY CARE IN PARTICULAR, SO THERE'S BEEN A GOOD CONVERSATION AROUND LOOKING AT A PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT WOULD BE UNIVERSAL IN ORDER TO TRANSITION SO IT'S NOT ALL AT ONCE BUT SO WE SAVE VERMONTERS MOIRN AND PROVIDE BETTER OUTCOMES.

RIGHT NOW MANY PEOPLE'S PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND FIRST PLACE TO GO IS THE EMERGENCY ROOM, RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE, COSTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND/OR PREMIUM INCREASES SO WE CAN DO THAT BETTER.

>> DAVID, YOU HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR TWO YEARS BUT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE JUST SAID IS AN EXACT COPY OF WHAT PETER SHUMLIN SAID ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO OR SO.

I'M CURIOUS AS TO HOW IT IS YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE PETER SHUMLIN FINALLY WENT THROUGH OVER $200 MILLION TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE COULDN'T.

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU TODAY?

>> I WOULD SAY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIX YEARS AGO AND TODAY IS THE INCREDIBLE INCREASE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS.

THIS YEAR ALONE HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE UP OVER 10, I BELIEVE CLOSE TO 16%.

VERMONTERS CANNOT TAKE THOSE KINDS OF INCREASES YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WHEN YOU ACCUMULATE A THIS OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS I THINK THAT SHOWS HOW BROKEN THE SYSTEM IS AND WHY WE NEED TO WORK TO ADDRESS IT.

>> I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARLIER THIS WEEK WE RECEIVED A PRESS RELEASE FROM JOE BENNING'S TEAM CLAIMING DAVID ZUCKERMAN CALLED TO APOLOGIZE FOR MISCHARACTERIZING SENATOR BENNING CLAIMING HE WAS COURTING MAGYA REPUBLICANS.

I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO ONE ANOTHER PRIVATELY AND MADE AMENDS PL.

SUMMERMAN, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR WHAT I APOLOGIZED FOR WAS MISQUOTING HIS VIDEO WHERE HE CALLED ME THE ENEMY WHICH HE DID NOT.

THAT'S WHAT I APOLOGIZED FOR.

I STAND BY THE FACT HIS VIDEO IS COURTING THOSE VOTERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING SOMEONE WHO ORGANIZED A BUST JANUARY 6 RALLY, STOP THE STEAL RALLY, THE BIG LIE RALLY.

SAYING THAT THEY HAD MORE IN COMMON THAN THEY DID WITH ME.

I WOULD ARGUE THAT IN FACT WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON, I BELIEVE, WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH CARE, WITH RESPECT TO MANY ISSUES, JOE AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON, BUT HE'S MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE IS COURTING THOSE THAT WANT TO CHALLENGE THE RESULTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WHICH IF WE THINK ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND FOUNDATION OF OUR ECONOMY, WE HAVE NONE OF THAT IF WE CAN START TO HAVE NEAR COUPS HAPPENING OR TAKEOVERS OF OUR CAPITOL.

SO THAT WAS A DIRECT VIDEO HE PUT OUT SAYING HE HAS MORE IN COMMON WITH THOSE FOLKS.

I APOLOGIZE FOR SAYING HE CALLED ME THE ENEMY.

HE DID NOT.

>> DAVID, I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

WHEN YOU MADE THAT STATEMENT ON THE AIR THE RULES OF OUR DEBATE PREVENTED ME FROM ASKING YOU A FOLLOW-UP.

WE WENT IMMEDIATELY TO COMMERCIAL AND I TURNED TO YOU AND I SAID I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF EVER PRODUCING A VIDEO OR SAYING THAT ABOUT YOU.

I'M GOING TO COMB EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER HAD FOR A VIDEO AND FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I APPRECIATE THAT YOU APOLOGIZED FOR THE ENEMY CONTENTION BUT I WAS APPROACHING A UNIVERSAL GROUP OF REPUBLICANS SAYING REPUBLICANS HAVE A COMMON SET OF CORE VALUES.

WE HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT SET OF CORE VALUES THAN WHAT YOU PERSONALLY HAVE, AND AS A RESULT OF THAT CONVERSATION YOU HAVE INTERPRETED IT TO MEAN I AM SUPPORTING OR ACTUALLY CONDONING THE ACTIONS OF THOSE WHO WERE THERE ON JANUARY 6th.

YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THAT.

I HAVE WRITTEN AN OP-ED OPINION ABOUT THAT CALLED ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

IF ANYONE GOOGLES MY NAME THEY WILL FIND OUT EXACTLY MY POSITION ON THIS SUBJECT.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, FOR CLEARING THAT UP.

>> IS THAT A QUESTION SHY FOLLOW UP ON?

>> WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

THIS CONCLUDES THE SECOND SEGMENT OF OUR PROGRAM.

WHEN WE COME BACK THE CANDIDATES WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY VERMONTERS.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

THIS IS THE DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN VERMONT.

>> WELCOME BACK TO THE VERMONT PUBLIC DEBATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

JOINING ME LIVE IN THE STUDIO IN DOWNTOWN WINOOSKI IS FROM LYNDONVILLE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE AND CAL DOTEYA COUNTY STATE SENATOR JOE BENNING AND FROM HINESBURG THE PROGRESIVE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DAVID ZUCKERMAN JOINING US REMOTELY.

>> THANK YOU TO ALL THE VERMONT WHISTLEBLOWERS HAVE SUBMITTED QUESTIONS AND JUST REMINDER TO THE CANDIDATES PLEASE LIMIT YOUR ANSWERS TO 0 SECONDS.

OUR FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT CHANGING YOUR MIND.

>> MY NAME IS XANDER FROM HINESBURG.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR POLITICAL CAREER YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR POSITION ON ANY SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL ISSUES AND IF SO, WHICH ONES OR ONE, AND WHAT CHANGED YOUR MIND?

>> XANDER, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

DAVID ZUCKERMAN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> ACTUALLY, WAY BACK WHEN I WAS A NEW LEGISLATOR IN THE LATE '90s WE PASSED A LAW CALLED ACT 50.

I VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE AT THE TIME I FELT WE SHOULD MOVE TOWARDS AN INCOME BASED SYSTEM.

IN HINDSIGHT LOOKING AT ACT 50 THEN FOLLOWING ACT 58 TO ADJUST IT IT DID IMPLEMENT A LOT OF INCOME SENSITIVITY FOR MANY VERMONTERS AND IT WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IN HINDSIGHT I WOULD HAVE VOTED YES.

>> SENATOR BENNING.

>> PRETTY POWERFUL QUESTION AND IT BRINGS A VERY POWERFUL MEMORY FOR ME.

INITIALLY I WAS DI METRICLY OPPOSED TO THE CONCEPT OF CIVIL UNIONS.

I WENT THROUGH A VERY LONG PESHED OF SELF-ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE PROPONENTS.

I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS NO THREAT TO MY LIFE OR MY WAY OF LIVING AND THAT THIS WAS PERFECTLY JUSTIFIED SO THAT BY THE TIME MARITAL EQUALITY CAME AROUND I WAS IN COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE CAMP.

>> BOB IN BRISTOL ASKS MANY VEMPLESSERS ESPECIALLY LOW AGE WORKERS AND RETIREES ARE STRUGGLING WITH HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.

DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ITS OWN COMMITTEE, THE LEGISLATURE HAS FAILED TO PASS A BILL TO SHIFT THE BURDEN ON TO ONE'S INCOME TAX.

IF ELECTED WHAT WILL YOU DO TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD HOW WOULD YOU WORK WITH BOTH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR ON THIS?

SENATOR BENNING, WE START WITH YOU.

>> I HAVE LONG BEEN A PROPONENT OF TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE TAX ON MILITARY PENSIONS AND THE DISCUSSION IN ANSWERING THIS QUESTION IS EXACTLY THE SAME.

YOU BRING IN THE PEOPLE WHOLE ARE MOST AFFECTED AND CAN DEMONSTRATE A CLEAR PROBLEM THAT WOULD BE IN FRONT OF THEM AND WORK WITH THE LEGISLATORS AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM TO TRY TO REACH CONSISTENCIES.

I THINK THIS IS A QUESTION WORTH PURR SIGHING.

WE HAVE YET TO FINALIZE DETAILS WATCH THAT WOULD ACTUALLY MEAN TO THE SYSTEM, BUT IT IS A QUESTION WORTH PURR SIGHING AND ALL PLAYERS HAVE TO BE AROUND THE TABLE.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> THANK YOU.

I THINK SOMETIMES THE FACTS ARE VERY CLEAR AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

VERMONT WHISTLEBLOWERS PAY NOW BASED ON INCOME TYPICALLY PAY AROUND 2.8 TO 3% FOR THEIR FUNDING FOR EDUCATION THROUGH THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT THE WEALTHIEST FOLKS AMONG US PAY ABOUT 1%.

THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT AND THE PROPERTY VALUES ARE WHILE BIG SOMETIMES NOT SO BIG THAT IT REQUIRES THEM TO PAY IN THAT KIND OF PERCENTAGE.

I VERY MUCH SUPPORT US MOVING TOWARDS AN INCOME BASED SYSTEM.

AS MORE VERMONTERS RECOGNIZE THEY ARE PAYING THROUGH THE NOSE WHILE THE WEALTHIEST ARE PAYING A LOWER PERCENTAGE WE COULD BALANCE THAT OUT SO EVERYONE PAYS BASED ON INCOME.

>> OUR NEXT QUESTION IS FROM MICHAEL IN WINDSOR ABOUT THE SHUTTERED PRISON IN THEIR TOWN.

>> MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CLOSED SOUTHEAST STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN WINDSOR.

I'M ACTIVE IN THE WINDSOR GRASSLANDS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA AND I SEE ITS POPULAR USE AND SIGNIFICANT GRASSLAND BIRD HABITAT.

WE USE THE GRASSLANDS CATHOLIC CHURCH MA WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CLOSED WINDSOR PRISON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, MICHAEL, DAVID ZUCKERMAN LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> FIRST I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WINDSOR PRISON.

I SUSPECT MY OPPONENT AS BEING CHAIR OF THE INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE IS FAR MORE FARM WITH THE PROPERTIES OF VERMONT.

ON MY OWN FARM WE LEAD QUITE A BIT OF OUR GRASSLANDS UP CUT SO THERE'S BIRD HABITAT.

WE NEED TO INTRODUCE IT IN OTHER AREAS SO SPECIFIC TO THE WINDSOR FACILITY, I THINK THAT'S PART EVER THE BIGGER PICTURE AROUND THE STATE.

IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO USE THAT LAND WELL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT -- >> I'M GOING TO CUT YOU OFF FOR TIME.

>> MAKE SURE IT'S HABITAT.

>> WE HAVE ACTUALLY STUDIED THIS QUESTION QUITE EXTENSIVELY IN THE INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE.

FIRST THING IT'S NO LONGER USABLE AS PRISON SO TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THAT CATEGORY JUST DOESN'T WORK.

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD USE IT AS SOME KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY OR A LOCATION FOR JUVENILES DISPLACED FROM WOODSIDE, BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY A CONVERSATION THAT THE LEGISLATURE THUS FAR THAT BEEN COMFORTABLE WITH.

I REALLY THINK IT BELONGS IN THE HANDS OF THE FOLKS IN WINDSOR TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY.

I THINK WOULD PREFER TO SEE THEM NEAG DECISION.

>> TIME FOR A LEAF LIGHTNING ROUND.

CANDIDATES PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO TEN SECONDS OR LESS.

FIRST QUESTION, WHAT SETS VERMONT APART FROM OTHER STATES.

SENATOR BENNING.

>> THIS IS THE BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> LOCATION, BEAUTY, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, HOW WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

IT'S THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND COMBINED.

>> DO YOU SUPPORT WIND TURBINES ON VERMONT'S RIDGE LINES?

DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> I DO, NOT EVERYWHERE AS HAS BEEN PROJECTED BY OTHERS BUT WHERE APPROPRIATE I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO TAKE EVERY CHANCE WE CAN TO MITIGATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

>> SENATOR BENNING.

>> NO, SIR, I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE AGAINST THEM.

THEY ARE THE WRONG TOOL FOR ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE FOR A STATE LIKE VERMONT.

>> HOW WILL YOU BE VOTING ON ARTICLE 22, THE REPRODUCTIVE DAVID ZURICHERMAN.

>> I'LL BE VOTING YES ENTHUSIASTICALLY.

I HAVE BEEN HELPING PUT UP SIGNS ACROSS THE STATE HELPING INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT FOLKS ARE HEARING THAT ARE INCORRECT.

>> SENATOR BENNING.

>> WE SHARE THE SAME POSITION ON ARTICLE 22.

I HAVE TAKEN THAT POSITION MUCH WITH THE COST OF SOME OF MY OWN POLITICAL CAPITAL.

THIS IS A REPLACEMENT FOR ROE VERSUS WADE.

>> IF ELECTED HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN TO SERVE AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

SENATOR BEENING?

>> I MADE IT VERY CLEAR I INTEND TO RUN AGAIN IN '24 IF ELECTED THIS TIME.

I DON'T BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE USED AS A REVOLVING DOOR BY POLL POLITICIANS.

>> I WILL SERVE AS LONG AS THE PROCESS ASKS ME TO AND PEOPLE WANT ME TO SERVE WHETHER AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR ANOTHER POSITION.

IT'S HASHED TO FORECAST TWO YEARS OUT.

>> WHAT OTHER POLITICAL OFFICES INTEREST YOU?

SENATOR BENNING.

>> RIGHT NOW I CAN CERTAINLY SAY THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION HOLDS NO INTEREST FOR ME.

IF I WAS TO LOOK ELSEWHERE AND LOOKING BEYOND 2024 I WILL BE 69 YEARS OLD.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> AS YOU KNOW I RAN FOR GOVERNOR TWO YEARS AGO SO THAT IS INTERESTING.

I FIND INTERESTING THAT SOMEONE RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT DOESN'T WANT TO BE GOVERNOR WHEN THAT'S ONE OF THE THREE MAIN TENETS OF THE JOB IS TO BE GOVERNOR.

>> FOCUS ON CLOSING UP THE FARM FOR THE WINTER.

MAKING SURE WE GET MORE MARKET NOT GUILTY FOR OUR WINTER SHARES.

GOT A BUSINESS TO RUN.

THEN PREPARING TO BE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> SENATOR BENNING.

>> I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE FILES PEND NOT GUILTY MY LEGAL OFFICE GETTING RID OF ALL THOSE PENDING CASES.

>> WHAT'S ONE STATE LAW WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE STRICTER OR MORE LENIENT MEASURES?

>> REDESIGNING ACT 250 IN A WAY THAT MAKES DEVELOPERS KNOW AHEAD OF TIME THAT THEY HAVE A PROJECT THAT WILL PASS AND ALSO DIMINISH THE APPELLATE TIME.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE CAN DO AROUND GUN SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY WITH RESPECT TO WAITING PERIOD, CLOSING THE CHARLESTON LOOPHOLE.

>> VERMONT IS KNOWN FOR ITS SINCE ENLEGISLATURE.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT A YEAR ROUND PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATURE?

DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> NO, I DON'T THINK WE NEED THAT ALTHOUGH I DO THINK WE COULD PAY OUR LEGISLATORS A LITTLE MORE GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY DO WORK YEAR ROUND WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> I DON'T SUPPORT PAYING MORE BECAUSE IT LEADS TO A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE WHICH I AM DI METRICLY OPPOSED TO.

>> DO YOU THINK VERMONT LAWS REGULATING SHORT TERM PENDLETON SHOOS BE TIGHTER, LOOSER OR STAY THE SAME?

>> I WOULD STAY THE SAME.

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD BE TIGHTER.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS FOR THOSE RENTERS.

WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE MOVE FROM LONG TERM RENTALS TO SHORT TERM AND I THINK THAT'S A REAL ISSUE FOR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN VERMONT.

>> THE LAST QUESTION, HAVE YOU VISITED ANY OF VERMONT'S NEW RECREATIONAL CANNABIS SHOPS?

SENATOR BENNING.

>> NO, I HAVE NOT, ACTUALLY.

I HAVE NO INTEREST IN DOING SO EVEN THOUGH I HELPED SHEPHERD THE RULES FOR RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS TO EXIST.

>> DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

>> I HAVE NOT EITHER BUT I'LL ADD THAT I WORKED ON THOSE LAWS FOR 20 YEARS.

I'M GLAD THAT JOE JOINED ME.

I THINK IT'S THAT CROSS-PARTISAN COLLABORATION THAT CAN MAKE US DO BIG THINGS FOR VERMONT.

>> THE ORDER DAVID ZUCKERMAN, START US OFF ON CLOSING ARGUMENTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

WE'RE CAN WAIT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ADDRESS THE CLIMATIZE OR IMPLEMENT MIESHES IN VERMONT THAT WILL CREATE JOBS AND LOWER BILLS FROM WEATHERIZATION THROUGH RENEWABLE ENERGY.

WE CAN GO WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL OR WITH PURPOSE.

ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CHILD CARE, THE ECONOMIC STRUGGLES THAT VERMONTERS ARE FACING.

WE CAN DO THIS ALL WHILE WORKING TO RESIDUES CLIMATE CRISIS, CREATING JOBS, BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR CHANGING WEATHER THAT WE WILL BE EXPERIENCING, MAKE NO MISTAKE WE'RE IN CLIMATE CHANGE NOW.

WE CAN STAND WITH VERMONTERS AROUND REPRODUCTIVE LIABLE NOT ONLY WITH ARTICLE 22 BUT TO WORK TO IMPLEMENT LAWS TO PROTECT OUR MEDICAL PROVIDERS FROM CROSS-STATE CROSS-BORDER LITIGATION.

I HOPE YOU'LL VISIT MY WEBSITE, ZUCKERMAN FOR VT.COM.

LEARN ABOUT MY HISTORY OR ASK QUESTIONS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND FOR YOU IN THE COMING TWO YEARS.

>> SENATOR BENNING, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, CONNOR.

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY HERE FOR PUTTING THIS ON.

DAVID, THANKS FOR JOINING ME ONCE AGAIN.

THE BOTTOM LINE IN THIS RACE AS I SEE IT IS A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNOR.

WHEN DAVID REFERS TO BUSINESS AS USUAL I HAPPEN TO THINK PHIL SCOTT HAS BUN A REALLY GO JOB KEEPING HIGGS HANDS STEADY ON THE TILLER OF THIS SHIP OF STATE.

I INTEND TO USE MY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

PROVEN BY HIS ENDORSEMENT OF ME IN THIS CAMPAIGN NOT JUST IN THE GENERAL ELECTION BUT ALSO IN THE PRIMARY.

WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS PRODUCED GREAT THINGS FOR VERMONT AND I INTEND TO ENCOURAGE AS MUCH OF THAT COOPERATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO OFFICES AS POSSIBLE.

ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO TAKE A SERIOUS HIT ON THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING TO US OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THOSE TWO OFFICES TO BE IN SYNC.

I OFFER THAT, MY OPPONENT CANNOT DO THE SAME.

>> THIS CONCLUDES THE DEBATE WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON VERMONT PUBLIC.

THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES.

THAT'S REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR JOE BENNING AND HINESBURG PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT DAVID ZUCKERMAN.

THANKS YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY AND THROUGHOUT ALL THE DEBATES.

REMEMBER NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK OF THE CANDIDATES OR POLICIES, YOU VOICE MUST SH HEARD.

YOU SHOULD VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, WHICH IS ON NOVEMBER 8.

THE VERMONT PUBLIC DEBATE PRODUCED BY MATTHEW SMITH, DAVID LITTLEFIELD, BRIAN STEVENSON, I CAN ANNA HASKIN, KYLE AMBUSK, CAYLEE MUMFORD, MIKE DUNE, DAVID RICE, FRANK ALWINE, PETER ENGISCH AND JAMES STEWART.

I'M CONNOR CYRUS.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND WE'LL TALK AGAIN SOON.