>> CONTROVERSY SEEMS TO SURROUND SO MANY OF VERMONT COUNTY SHERIFFS.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT?

>> TO THE CONSTITUTION FOR GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

>> TO THE CONSTITUTION FOR% GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

SO HELP ME GOD.

>> ON DAY ONE THIS NEW SHERIFF FACING HIS OWN CRIMINAL CHARGE.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDER THE OPTIONS.

>> MEANTIME A MAJOR MID YEAR BUDGET ADJUST BILL CLEARS THE HOUSE WITH MORE SPENDING THAN THE GOVERNOR WANTED.

SOME VERMONTERS FEAR THE COST OF A NEW CLEAN HEAT STANDARD BILL PENDING AT THE CAPITOL, AND A MESSAGE TO SPECTATORS BEHAVING BADLY AT SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS.

THAT AND MORE ON "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

>> FROM THE VERMONT PUBLIC STUDIO IN WINOOSKI THIS IS "VERMONT THIS WEEK" MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE LINTILHAC FOUNDATION AND MILNE TRAVEL.

HERE'S MODERATOR STEWART LEDBETTER.

>> I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, A BRISK AND CHILLY DAY IN FEBRUARY.

AROUND OUR TABLE WE'RE PLEASED TO WELCOME GUY PAGE, THE EDITOR OF VERMONT DAILY CHRONIC WHICH.

COLIN FLANDERS, STAFF WRITER WITH SEVEN DAYS.

FROM MONTPELIER SARAH MEARHOFF WHO COVERS POLITICS FOR VTDIGGER.

WELCOME, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU FOR BRAVING THE ELEMENTS TO JOIN US.

FIRST TO MONTPELIER WHERE THIS FRIDAY THE HOUSE GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO A SWEEPING MID YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT BILL.

SARAH, I THINK YOU WRITE IN YOUR NIGHTLY MISSIVE FROM THE CAPITAL ABOUT HOW THESE ARE NORMALLY A PRETTY SLEEPY TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENT.

ONCE AGAIN, THOUGH, NOT THIS YEAR.

REPUBLICANS LINING UP AGAINST THIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, STEWART.

EARLIER THIS WEEK WE SAW GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT, HIS PRESS CONFERENCE, WAGGING HIS FINGER AT LEGISLATORS FOR INCREASING THE OVER ALL PRICE TAG OF THE MID YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FROM WHAT HE PROPOSED EARLIER THIS SESSION.

THEY RAISED THE PRICE AROUND ABOUT $86 MILLION, A LOT OF THAT EXTRA MONEY THEY PUT TOWARD HOUSING.

OF THAT POT OF MONEY, ABOUT 21 MILLION TO EXTEND VERMONT EMERGENCY HOUSING MEASURES, WHICH WERE SET TO CLOSE OUT IN ABOUT "MARCH."

THEY WOULD EXTEND THAT THROUGH THE END OF JUNE.

>> SO THIS PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY ALTHOUGH FRIDAY'S FINAL WAS A VOICE VOTE.

THERE WERE ONLY 33 TO OPPOSE THIS.

MOVES NOW TO THE SENATE.

THERE IS, BY THE WAY, A JOINT HOUSE SENATE HEARING ON THE STATUS OF HOUSING IN VERMONT AND THERE IS STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE SO INCLINED.

IT'S GOING TO BE IN PERSON AT THE PAVILION BUILDING NEXT TO THE SUPREME COURT IN MONTPELIER.

YOU CAN WATCH OR PARTICIPATE AND YOU CAN SIGN UP THERE.

YOU SEE THE ADDRESS THERE ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

GUY, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THIS MOVE TO EXTEND SOME PRETTY EXPENSIVE EMERGENCY HOUSING PROVISIONS WELL INTO THE NEW YEAR?

>> SURE.

L I SPOKE WITH COUPLE OF REPUBLICANS THIS MORNING AND THEY DID NOT VOTE FOR IT.

NO VOTES IN THIS.

THEY WERE PRETTY UPSET BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE BEING CHARACTERIZED AS NOT CARING ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE, BUT AS SARAH SAID 21 MILLION AND STATES GOT SOME BUDGET PROBLEMS, SO THEY DIDN'T REALLY THINK THAT CHARACTERIZATION WAS FAIR.

>> THE OTHER REAL CONCERN THAT WE'RE STARTING TO HEAR MORE AND MORE ABOUT, UNDERSTANDABLY PARTICULARLY THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN EVERYBODY IS FOCUSED ON THE HEAT BILL, THE PUSH TOWARD REDEFINING THE RENABL HEAT STANDARD WITH THIS DEPENDING UPON WHAT YOU CALL IT THE CLEAN HEAT BILL OR THE AFFORDABLE HEAT BILL, IT WOULD OVER TIME SUPPORTERS SAY INCREMENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO MOVE AWAY FROM KEROSENE AND HEATING OIL AND FOSSIL FUELS IN FAVOR OF ELECTRICITY DRIVEN SOURCES OF HEAT.

SOME OF THE REPORTING THIS WEEK SHOWED THAT THERE ARE ALREADY SOME OF THE FOLKS IN RURAL AREAS OF OUR STATE WHO ARE WORRIED.

>> WE HAVE 18 PAGES OF PEOPLE IN 12-POINT FONT WHO ARE ALREADY BEHIND IN THEIR PAYMENTS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

IT'S ANOTHER KICK IN THE WALLET THAT THEY DON'T NEED.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT.

>> HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS MORE AFFORDABLE ENERGY CHOICES AND GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER OF HIGH COST PRICE VOLATILE FOLLOW FUELS.

IT LET'S YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND MAKE SURE THERE ARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCEACCESSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO FOSSIL FUELS.

>> THAT'S THE PROMISE, BUT IN THE SHORT TERM THERE ARE SUSPICIONS BY THOSE THREE-QUARTERS OF VERMONT STILL HEATS WITH FOSSIL FUEL, MY UNDERSTANDING.

THE FUEL DEALERS ASSOCIATION IS FLOATING SOME HUGE ESTIMATED COSTS FOR VERMONTERS TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM AN OIL BURNING FURNACE, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE OTHER SIDE SAYS, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE.

THAT MAY BE THE CENTRAL PROBLEM HERE.

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT NUMBER TO BELIEVE.

>> THE BIG PROBLEM WE HAD THE AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES IT SECRETARY JULIE MOORE SAYING, WELL, 1.2 BILLION TO 2 BILLION WILL BE THE MULTI-YEAR PRICE TAG FOR THIS.

JARED DUVAL, WHO WE JUST SAW, SAYING, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT LESS THAN THAT AND HE GIVES ALL HIS CHAPTER AND VERSE AS TO WHY.

A DAY LATER THE ETHAN ALLEN INSTITUTE SAYS ACTUALLY, IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT MORE THAN WHAT JULIE MOORE SAID.

HE GIVES HIS VERY WELL REASONED CHAPTER AND VERSE ON THAT.

SO RIGHT NOW NO ONE KNOWS AND WE HAVE CHRIS BRAY, WHO IS THE SECRETARY OF THE ENERGY COMMITTEE -- >> CHAIR OF THE ENERGY COMMITTEE.

>> YES.

SAYING WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO SEE A COMPLETELY CLEAR PATH ON THIS.

BUT ONE THING THAT -- ONE ESTIMATE I HAVE HEARD IS AN AVERAGE OF $500 A YEAR MORE FOR A HEATING BILL.

OR 70 CENTS PER GALLON IS ONE ESTIMATE THAT'S BEEN THROWN OUT.

>> RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU SENSE, SARAH, AT THE CAPITOL?

THERE ARE A LOT OF SUPPORTERS OF THE GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS ACT WHO BELIEVE THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT AND WANT VERMONT TO LEAD THE WAY HERE.

ARE THEY HEARING PUSHBACK YET?

>> I THINK THAT WHAT LEGISLATORS ARE TRYING TO -- THEY ARE TRYING TO STRIKE THE BALANCE OF THERE'S AN ULTIMATE COST TO CLIMATE CHANGE, RIGHT?

THEY WANT TO KIND OF BRACE THAT FALL IS THE SENSE THAT I GET.

BUT THERE ARE OF COURSE AS WE HAVE QUESTIONS UP IN THE AIR OVER HOW MUCH OF THAT WOULD BE BORN BY EVERY DAY VERMONTERS.

AS FAR AS THE POLITICS OF IT ALL, WE SAW LAST YEAR THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A CLEAN HEAT STANDARD.

GOVERNOR SCOTT VETOED IT THEN THE VETO OVERRIDE VOTE FAILED BY ONE VOTE IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE MORE DEMOCRATS NOW.

SO THERE IS CHANCE AND I THINK THERE'S AN APPETITE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO AND SEE IF THERE CAN SUPERSEDE THE GOVERNOR'S WILL ON THIS ONE.

>> WELL, SEEMS REASONABLE TO THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EXACTLY WHAT IT MIGHT DO GIVEN THAT IT WOULD BE ALMOST UNIVERSAL IN ITS IMPACT IN OUR STATE HERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO COME.

DO YOU SENSE THAT THERE IS MUCH PUSHBACK YET AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I WILL SAY THAT IN THE MEDIA, CONSERVATIVE MEDIA YOU MIGHT SAY A LOT OF PUSHBACK ON THIS.

AS FAR AS COUNTING VOTES, RIGHT NOW I DON'T REALLY SEE THAT.

>> WE'LL COME BACK TO STATE HOUSE IN JUST A MOMENT.

ANOTHER STORY THAT LEFT A LOT OF PEOPLE BEWILDERED WAS THE HOME VIDEO THAT EMERGED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS.

A MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL GAME IN ALBURGH BETWEEN THE BOYS AND SANTA BANS BOYS TEAM.

APPARENTLY SOMEBODY IN THE STANDS DIDN'T LIKE A CALL MADE BY THE REF.

AND THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

THERE WERE A LOT OF SWINGS, AND PEOPLE WERE STRUCK.

THIS INVOLVED KIDS.

THIS INVOLVED PARENTS.

AND ON THE WAY HOME, SOMEBODY WHO PARTICIPATED IN THAT MELEE, RUSSELL GUY ROW, PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UP IN THE ISLANDS, SUMMONED MEDICAL ATTENTION, AMBULANCE TOOK HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE DIED.

WE DON'T YET KNOW WHETHER ONE LED TO THE OTHER.

THERE ARE AUTOPSY RESULTS THAT ARE STILL PENDING.

BUT THIS CAME AS A SHOCK TO THE GRAND ISLE SUPERVISORY UNION.

WE'LL PUT SOME OF THEIR STATEMENT ON THE SCREEN.

THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID THEY WERE APPALLED.

CAN'T BE TOLERATED, RUNS CONTRARY TO EVERYTHING WE BLEETHE ATHLETICS AND EDUCATION SHOULD BE AND WE MADE THE DECISION TO END SPECTATOR ATTENDANCE AT OUR HOME GAMES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY IN GRAND ISLE COUNTY PUT IT THIS WAY.

>> A LOT OF PARENTS ARE LOSING TOUCH AS TO WHY THEY HAVE THEIR CHILDREN PLAYING SPORTS.

THEIR ROLE IS NOT TO SHOUT PROFANITY OR ENGAGE IN ANY TYPE OF FIGHTING BEHAVIOR.

>> YET THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE WE ARE.

YOU'D LIKE TO THINK THAT GRAND ISLE WAS AN OUTLIER, BUT IT IS NOT.

>> NO.

DEFINITELY NOT.

STATE OF VERMONT ESPECIALLY NEAR SCHOOLS WE HAVE A REAL MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM.

ONE OF THE RESPONSES I HAVE BEEN HEARING ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CANCELLATION WAS PEOPLE SAYING, WE COULDN'T GO TO GAMES DURING THE PANDEMIC, NOW IT'S LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN SOME OF THE THERE'S A REVERB OF THAT.

>> I HAVE LOST TRACK OF HOW MANY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME VERSION OF THIS, WHERE OVEREATED SPECTATORS, PARENTS, SUPPOSED TO SHOW THE EXAMPLE LOSE CONTROL.

>> IT'S BEEN A BAD YEAR I WOULD SAY FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN VERMONT.

WE HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE STORIES POP UP.

RACIST INCIDENTS AT A COUPLE SCHOOLS.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TO BAN SPECTATORS FOR BEHAVIOR AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

I'M SURE THERE MIGHT BE SOME PANDEMIC EFFECT OF WE HAVE SORT OF FORGOT HOW TO SOCIALIZE BUT TO YOUR POINT YOU CAN SEE ON THE VIDEO THESE WERE ADULTS.

THIS IS A SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE BASKETBALL GAME.

THESE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN.

ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS KNOWS THERE ARE HEATED MOMENTS.

IT'S NOT NEW FOR FANS TO GET INVOLVED BUT THIS IS ANOTHER LEVEL.

I THINK THERE'S REAL CONCERN.

WE HEARD FROM STUDENTS THEMSELVES WHO FEEL LIKE SOME OF THESE ARE NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY ENOUGH.

WE HEARD FROM SOME LOCAL BASKETBALL PLAYERS SAY THEY FEEL LIKE MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE, ESPECIALLY ON THE RACIAL SIDE.

IT'S A BIG THING THAT I THINK A LOT OF SCHOOLS WILL BE GRAPPLING WITH AND THERE'S NO REAL CLEAR ANSWER.

NO ONE LIKES TO TAKE STEP TO BAN SPECTATORS DLIERL, BUT AFTER YOU SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT IT'S HARD TO BLAME THEM.

>> SARAH, ARE YOU HEARING MUCH ABOUT THIS AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT THIS AT THE CAPITOL.

I'LL JUST SAY I'M JUST ASSAD FOR THE KIDS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE VIDEO, IT'S MOSTLY ADULTS.

I REMEMBER PLAYING SPORTS AS A KID AND THE EXCITEMENT YOU FEEL WHEN YOU HEAR SPECTATORS CHEER NOT GUILTY THE STANDS, WE ALL KNOW THAT FEELING IF WE PLAYED SPORTS.

THESE POOR KIDS.

>> THESE KIDS ARE 12, 13 YEARS OLD, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

MEANTIME, THE SHAVINGS, COUNTY SHERIFFS ACROSS OUR STATE ALSO FINDING THEMSELVES IN THE NEWS FOR VARIOUS CONTROVERSIES, BUT CERTAINLY WAS THIS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY THIS WEEK WHERE THE SHERIFF ELECT NAMED JOHN GRISMORE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK WAS IN COURT WHERE HE IS A DEFENDANT AGAINST A CHARGE OF SIMPLE ASSAULT BY THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK HE WAS TAKING THE OATH.

>> TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE STATE OF VERMONT.

>> THAT I WILL NOT DIRECTY OR INDIRECTLY -- >> I WILL NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY -- >> DO ANY ACT OR THING INJURIOUS.

>> DO ANY ACT OR THING INJURIOUS -- >> TO THE CONSTITUTION OR GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

>> TO THE CONSTITUTION OR GOVERNMENT THEREOF.

>> SO HELP MEED GOD.

>> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> JOHN GRISMORE DECLINED TO SPEAK WITH REPORTERS.

BUT HE IS IN TROUBLE BECAUSE OF THIS.

YOU'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.

HE CALLS THIS A PUSH OF A SHACKLED SUSPECT IN CUSTODY.

OTHERS CALL IT A KICK.

STATE'S ATTORNEY IN GRAND ISLE IS PROSECUTING THE CASE CALLS IT AN ASSAULT AND THE CASE IS LIKELY GIVEN THAT HE IS SHERIFF TO BE MOVED TO CHITTENDEN OR GRAND ISLE COUNTY.

THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE.

WE HAVE AT LEAST FIVE COUNTIES THAT HAVE OUTGOING OR CURRENT SHERIFFS THAT ARE FACING SOME FORM OF CONTROVERSY.

WHETHER IT'S FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE.

>> YES.

EVEN GRISMORE HIMSELF, THIS ISN'T THE ONLY INCIDENT HE'S DEALING WITH LAST WEEK VERMONT STATE POLICE ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO BE TAKING A LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT'S FINANCES AFTER A RECENT AUDIT.

IT'S REALLY BEEN ADDING UP.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A GROWING APPETITE ESPECIALLY IN MONTPELIER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

TO GIVE THE STATE MORE OVERSIGHT OVER THESE POSITIONS.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE ELECTED POSITIONS AND AS WE SAW IN GRISMORE'S CASE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE INCIDENT BEFORE HE WAS ELECTED AND HE WAS STILL ELECTED.

IT'S ALMOST -- EVERY TIME I SEE A NEW HEADLINE I'M ALMOST THINKING OF GEORGE SANTOS AND HOW WE'RE WRACKING OUR BRAINS OF WHAT TO DO WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY MOVEMENT.

GRISMORE FOR HIS PART SEEMS ADAMANT HE'S GOING NOWHERE.

UNLESS MONTPELIER DOES ACT IT'S GOING TO BE A FEW YEARS WITH HIM.

>> THE STATE'S NORTHEASTERN FRANKLIN COUNTY HAS SEND A BRADY LETTER THAT COULD GIVE HIM SOME CREDIBILITY ISSUES IF HE BRINGS A CASE.

SOME OF THESE INVOLVE FINANCIAL ISSUES.

THERE WAS A SHERIFF IN THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM WHO WAS PARTICULARLY GENEROUS WITH BONUSES TO SOME OF HIS FOLKS.

ANOTHER SHERIFF IN BENNINGTON COUNTY WHO SPENT MUCH OF THE YEAR APPARENTLY OUT OF STATE, SHERIFFS MAKE $95,000 A YEAR IN EVERY COUNTY IN OUR STATE, SO IT'S A PRETTY GOOD PAYING JOB AND PERHAPS I GUESS WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT IN SOME CASES THE ANSWER IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IF THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO REIN THEM IN.

>> THERE IS ONE IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW.

YES.

I KNOW OVER IN ORANGE COUNTY YOU HAD A SHERIFF WHO WAS SORT OF CALLED ON THE CARPET BY THE VERMONT CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL AND HIS LAST DAY OF WORK BECAUSE HE WAS VOTED OUT WAS FEBRUARY 1st AND THE NEW SHERIFF HAD NOT ONLY NO HEADQUARTER STAFF BUT LOST HALF OF HIS DEPUTIES AS WELL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO WORK FOR HIM.

SO ORANGE COUNTY ALREADY HAD A SIGNIFICANT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHORTAGE, NOW IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT WORSE.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THAT A SECOND VERMONTER HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE JANUARY 6th RIOT AT THE U.S. CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON.

THIS MAN IS WILLIAM NICHOLS OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT, COUPLE OF PHOTOS RELEASED BY THE DOJ.

HE WAS IN COURT THIS WEEK.

HE WILL BE BACK SOON.

COLIN, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS?

>> PROSECUTORS WERE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THIS MAN'S IDENTITY IN PART THROUGH OPEN SOURCE VIDEOS THAT ACTUALLY SHOWED HIM DOING AN INTERVIEW WITH SOMEONE ON THE SCENE AND HE REFERS HIMSELF AS FROM THE SOCIALIST PARADISE OF VERMONT.

WE'RE STILL TRYING -- >> THAT WOULD NARROW IT DOWN.

>> THAT DEFINITELY WOULD!

[LAUGHTER] WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT MORE ABOUT HIS MOTIVATIONS.

WE KNOW HE IS NOW THE SECOND VERMONTER WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THIS.

THE FIRST IS CURRENTLY SERVING A 44 MONTH SENTENCE FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT THERE.

SWEPT UP INTO THE Q-ANON CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND LANDED THERE IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS GUY'S MOTIVATIONS.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE FROM HIM AS THE PROSECUTORS LAY OUT ONE OF THE CAPITOL OFFICERS SUFFERED AN INJURY BECAUSE OF HIS INVOLVEMENT, USING A SHIELD TO BATTER FOR HOURS.

THIS IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAS PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROSECUTIONS IN HISTORY.

IT'S REALLY FASCINATING TO SEE THE FALLOUT CONTINUE AND NOW TWO YEARS LATER, IT'S GOING TO KEEP GOING I WOULD IMAGINE.

>> INTERESTING.

YOU MIGHT THINK THAT SOME AMERICANS HAVE MOVED ON.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND PROSECUTORS, THEY WILL NOT REST.

THERE ARE, WHAT, ALMOST A THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER WITH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE JANUARY 6th INCIDENT IN WASHINGTON.

LET US -- BEFORE WE LEAVE WASHINGTON, THOUGH, MENTION THAT U.S.

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS HAS A NEW ROLE IN THIS NEW CONGRESS.

WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR OUR NEW SENATOR PETER WELCH AND NEW MEMBER OF CONGRESS BECCA BALINT.

SHE HAD HER FIRST COMMITTEE HEARING THIS WEEK.

BUT BERNIE SANDERS DID SOMETHING RELATIVELY UNUSUAL THIS WEEK.

HE SPOKE WITH VERMONT REPORTERS.

INCLUDING YOU, SARAH.

YOURS TRULY AS WELL.

HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT HIS NEW ROLE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE.

WE'LL PLAY YOU A CLIP ASKING HIM THE OBVIOUS QUESTION ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT'S ON HIS AGENDA.

>> I WANT TO AGGRESSIVELY GET INTO THE ISSUE WHY WE PAY THE HIGHEST PRICES IN THE WORLD FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

LOWERING THE COST IS HIGH UP ON MY AGENDA.-IN AMERICA AND VERMOT HAVE ENOUGH DOCTORS, WE HAVE A MAJOR NURSING CRISIS, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH DENTISTS, MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS.

HOW DO WE INCREASE THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE AND WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS THERE IS THE BIG ISSUE FOR ME.

>> SO SENATOR SANDERS HAS A BIG 20 DO LIST IN THE HEALTHCARE ARENA.

HE ALSO WANTS TO RAISE THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IS STILL AT 7.25 AN HOUR, HASN'T CHANGED IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

WHAT ELSE CAME UP IN YOUR CONVERSATION, SARAH?

>> WELL, AS YOU MENTIONED, A LOT ON THIS ISSUE OF HEALTH CARE, HE'S ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT TAKING ON BIG PHARMA AS HE CALLS TTHE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY.

I ASKED HIM IF HE INTENDS TO HOLD SOME OF THESE LARGE SCALE ACCOUNTABILITY HEARINGS.

I'M SURE WATCHERS WILL REMEMBER THE BIG TOBACCO HEARINGS OF THE '90s, THE BIG OIL HEARINGS OF 2021.

HE TOLD ME STAY TUNED.

SO I'M EAGER TO SEE WHAT WE SEE ON THAT FRONT.

SOME OF THESE VERY LARGE SCALE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY HEARINGS OF COURSE AS CHAIR HE HOLD A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL POWER.

HE CAN SUBPOENA WITNESSES TO TESTIFY BEFORE HIS COMMITTEE.

I'M EAGER TO SEE THAT.

I ALSO TALKED TO HIM ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS VERY TOP OF HIS MIND.

HE'S WAITING TO SEE HOW THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULES ON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S DECISION OR ATTEMPT AT CUTTING DOWN SOME STUDENT LOAN DEBTS FOR CERTAIN BORROWERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ON LABOR HE SAID HE WANTS TO MAKE HEADWAY ON THE PRO ACT TO HELP PROTECT WORKERS' RIGHT TO UNIONIZE.

>> WELL, HE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK POLITICS, DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT 2024.

SAID IT WAS WAY TOO EARLY.

WE'RE RUNNING FULL INTERVIEW ON ABC SUNDAY MORNING, IF YOU WANT TO HEAR IT FROM HIM.

HE DOES SEEM OPTIMISTIC THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN WASHINGTON ARE NOT AS DIVIDED AS THEY MAY SEEM.

HE IS HOPEFUL THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO ADVANCE SOME OF HIS AGENDA.

WE SHALL SEE.

COLIN, I WANT TO GET TO YOUR REPORTING THIS WEEK ABOUT OUR NEW REGULATED MARIJUANA MARKET IN OUR STATE.

YOU'RE REPORTING THAT SOME OF THE PRODUCT ON THE SHELVES THIS WEEK WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN TAINTED.

>> YES, LAST NIGHT WE HAD LEARNED THAT THE CANNABIS CONTROL BOARD HAS IDENTIFIED WHAT IS REALLY THE FIRST CASE OF A TAINTED PRODUCT ON THE SHELVES.

THEY LEARNED THAT A PRODUCER HAD USED OR THEY BELIEVE IT HAD USED A PESTICIDE KNOWN AS EAGLE 20.

I HAD ACTUALLY GONE ON A FEW INSPECTIONS OVER THE SUMMER AND I KNOW AS A REAL POINT OF EMPHASIS TALKING TO THE GROWERS THEY DO NOT USE CERTAIN PESTICIDES INCLUDING THIS ONE.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT GOT N. THE GROWER HIMSELF THROUGH AN ATTORNEY SAID HE DOESN'T USE IT.

HE SAID THAT THE LAB THAT TESTED THE DRUGS DID NOT TEST INITIALLY SO THERE ARE QUESTIONS OF WHETHER WAS MAYBE A FALSE POSITIVE OR I THINK CONTROL BOARD IS INTERESTED IN WHETHER THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME PURPOSEFUL MISLEADING WHICH I THINK THEY WOULD HAND DOWN A LARGE PENALTY.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THIS.

THIS IS THEIR FIRST TEST AS REGULATORS.

I'M CURIOUS WHETHER THEY TRY TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF IT.

THE BIG SELLING POINT IS TO AVOID THINGS LIKE THIS.

WE SHOULD NOTE THIS CAME UP BECAUSE SOMEONE USED THE DRUG AND HAD A SIDE EFFECT.

HAD NAUSEA, HEADACHES.

SO REALLY WHAT YOU'RE SELLING PEOPLE HERE IS THE PROMISE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET UNTAINTED DRUGS.

WHEN THIS HAPPENS THEY HAVE TO ACT.

SO A LOT NEEDS COME OUT STILL, BUT I THINK WE'LL BE INTERESTED.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST SUCH CASE SINCE THE MARKET LAUNCHED IN THE SUMMERTIME.

THE FALL.

>> YES.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT.

I DID WANT TO MENTION THAT THE ISSUE OF LEGALIZED SPORTS WAGERING IS MOVING AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

COUPLE OF HEARINGS SO FAR INCLUDING ONE THAT INCLUDED A BIT OF A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF VERMONTERS GETTING TOO FAR OVER THEIR HEADS.

>> WE RECOMMENDED AS THEY DID IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT THE STATE IMMEDIATELY PROVIDE THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE YEAR ESTIMATED PROBLEM GAM BLOING TAX FUNDING IN SEED MONEY TO ENSURE THEY CAN CREATE THESE PROGRAMS BEFORE THE PROBLEM STARTS TO SPIKE.

>> BUT THIS, SARAH, DOES APPEAR TO BE A TRAIN THAT IS LEAVING THIZATION.

LOOKS LIKE A BILL IS LIKELY THIS YEAR.

PASSAGE LIKELY THIS YEAR, DOESN'T IT?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT THIS COULD BE THE YEAR.

THIS HAS BEEN NEVER IN MONTPELIER.

IT'S ON THE WISH LIST OF GOVERNOR SCOTT.

IT WOULD NOT BRING IN A LIFE CHANGING AMOUNT OF REVENUE TO THE STATE.

>> THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THIS EDITION OF "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

THANKS, EVERYBODY.

WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

GUY PAGE, EDITOR OF THE VERMONT DAILY CHRONICLE.

COLIN FLANDERS, STAFF WRITER AT SEVEN DAYS, SARAH MEARHOFF WITH VTDIGGER.

THANKS TO YOU AT HOME FOR WATCHING.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

COME BACK AND SEE US RIGHT BACK HERE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.