>> THE LEGISLATURE HAS ITS HANDS FULL.

CONSIDERATION UNDER WAY ON SWEEPING SOCIAL REFORMS.

>> I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF ANY PAYROLL TAX AT ALL.

AND RAISING ANY TAXES AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> WE'LL HAVE LATEST FROM THE STATE HOUSE.

PLUS MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS DEALING WITH RACIAL OR SEXIST TAUNTS AT SPORTING EVENTS.% WHAT CAN BE DONE?

MORE CONTROVERSY IN THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THE ROLE VERMONT LAWMAKERS WILL PLAY IN THE NEW CONGRESS, AND A LOOK AHEAD TO TOWN MEETING.

AHEAD 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.

>> WELCOME, EVERYONE.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S FRIDAY, THE 27th OF JANUARY.

AN OUR TABLE WE HAVE LIAM ELDER CONNORS, A REPORTER WITH VIRMT PUBLIC, KATHARINE HUNTLEY FROM CHANNEL 3 AND LOLA DUFFORT, WHO COVERS POLITICS FOR VTDIGGER.

THANKS FOR COMING IN.

LOLA, LET'S START WITH YOU.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF PERCOLATING AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN MONTPELIER.

WHERE DO BEGIN.

WHAT ABOUT THE NEW CLEAN HEAT BILL, THE AFFORDABLE HEAT BILL DEPENDING UPON WHO YOU ASK.

SOME NEW ESTIMATES OUT THIS WEEK ABOUT WHAT THAT KIND OF A SYSTEM THAT REALLY INCENTIVIZES PEOPLE TO LEAVE OIL AND GAS AND WERE SEEN IN FAVOR OF HE YOU NABL ENERGY.

WHAT THAT MIGHT COST VERNLTERS DURST TRANSITION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE ADMINISTRATION, PHIL SCOTT ADMINISTRATION PUT OUT THE NUMBER THAT IT COULD COST AROUND $1.2 BILLION.

BE THERE UP FRONT COSTS IN THE LONG TERM THIS IS EXPECTED TO SAVE VERMONTERS MONEY, MAYBE UPWARDS OF 6 BILLION, BUT ANYWAY, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT THIS NUMBER OUT AS THE UP FRONT COST, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG ONE.

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THAT NUMBER IS INCREDIBLY ROUGH.

THE SECRETARY OF THE AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES MADE THAT VERY CLEAR WHEN SHE WAS TESTIFYING BEFORE LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK.

SHE EVEN SAID I'M CONFIDENT THIS IS WRONG.

ESHE REFERRED TO IT AS A BACK OF THE ENVELOPE CALCULATION THAT WAS REALLY MEANT TO GIVE PEOPLE AN IDEA OF THE KIND OF SCALE THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT.

SAID THIS CALLS FOR A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS.

I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT CONTEXT.

WE SHOULDN'T MINIMIZE THE FACT THAT THE CLEAN HEAT OR AFFORDABLE HEAT BILL THAT LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING WOULD PROBABLY INCLUDE SOME REQUIRE SOME SUBSTANTIAL UP FRONT INVESTS BY VERMONTERS.

THAT MONTPELIER IF IT PASSES THIS LEGISLATION WILL HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH WHETHER OR NOT TO HELP PEOPLE PAY FOR IT AND HOW TO DO SO.

BUT I THINK WE SHOULDN'T FIXATE TOO MUCH ON THE ACTUAL FIGURE THAT'S BEEN PUT OUT THERE.

I DO THINK THAT THIS IS -- IMPORTANT TOO BECAUSE IT GIVES US AN IMPORTANT CLUE INTO THE DYNAMICS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

PHIL SCOTT WAS OPPOSED TO THE CLEAN HEAT STANDARD, WHICH CAME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR AND VETOED IT ON THE GROUND THAT HE WAS CONCERNED THAT, A, LAWMAKERS WEREN'T GOING TO ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT AND WEIGH IN ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IT.

BUT HE WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MUCH OF THE DEBATE OVER THIS LEGISLATION BE ABOUT MONEY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

HOPEFULLY, THE TRUE COSTS WILL BECOME BETTER KNOWN AS WE MOVE ALONG HERE.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAD HEARINGS WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK ABOUT S-4.

THIS HAS A LOT OF MOMENTUM BY SOME POWERFUL SENATORS, THIS IS THAT NINE-PART BILL THAT WOULD ADDRESS BOTH SOME JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORMS AND GUN REFORM.

FRANKLY WE HAVE A GRAPHIC THAT GIVES YOU A LITTLE SENSE.

IT WOULD PROABT POSSESSION OF A SEMI-AUTOMATIC OR ASSAULT STYLE RIFLE BY ANYONE UNDER 21.

YOU COULDN'T HAVE A GUN WITH A DEFACED SERIAL NUMBER, MAKES JUVENILE RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECKS SYSTEM IN CASES WHEN SOMEONE UNDER 21 WAS SEEKING TO BUY A FIREARM.

PHIL SCOTT WAS ASKED AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE WHETHER HE COULD SUPPORT ANY OF IT AND HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE DONE A LOT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE NEED TO MAKE THIS SYSTEM BETTER IN THE NEXT SYSTEM IN PARTICULAR WE WILL NEED CONGRESSIONAL HELP ON.

THAT WE NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE MORE ABOUT THE RED FLAG LAWS THAT EXIST AND HOW THEY ARE UTILIZED BETTER AND HOW THAT INTERACTS WITH THE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO BUT I'M NOT FEELING AS THOUGH WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING WITH OUR GUN LAWS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> HMM.

THE MAYORS ARE CERTAINLY PUSHING THE LEGISLATURE TO ENACT SAFE STORAGE, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR FIREARMS.

IT'S BEEN A BIG PROBLEM AT SOME OF THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS INCIDENTS IN BURLINGTON.

THIS LOOKS LIKE IT HAS MOMENTUM.

>> IT DOES LOOK LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY FROM LAWMAKERS.

THE NEW SENATE PRO TEM FILL BARUTH HAS BEEN A VERY STRONG PROPONENT FOR GUN LEGISLATION SINCE HE JOINED THE VERMONT SENATE.

WE'RE SEEING HIM HIM AND MANY OTHER LAWMAKERS PUSHING FOR THESE REFORMS.

AS WE HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR HE DOESN'T SEEM TOO INCLINED TO BACK ANY OF THAT NOW THOUGH MAYBE THAT WOULD CHANGE IF THINGS CHANGED IN THE BILL.

HARD TO SAY FOR SURE.

THINGS ARE STILL PRETTY EARLY.

>> IS THERE ANY SENSE, LOLA, IN THE BUILDING ABOUT HOW THE HOUSE MIGHT VIEW SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I DON'T KNOW YET.

I THINK WE WERE EXPECTING TO SEE MORE MOMENTUM FOR THIS IN THE SENATE JUST GIVEN LEADERSHIP.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

>> WE HAVE JUST AMENDED OUR CONSTITUTION FOLLOWING THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE LIBERTY AMENDMENT.

THIS WEEK THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, LOLA, WAS CONSIDERING AN ABORTION SHIELD LAW TO TRY TO PROTECT PROVIDERS HERE AND PATIENTS WHO COME HERE FROM OTHER STATES.

THIS WAS THE CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> THEY RECEIVED PROCEDURES IN THE STATE OF VERMONT.

WE BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM LEGAL PROCEDURES IN ALABAMA.

HOWEVER, WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT ALABAMA DOESFUL WITH RESPECT TO THAT INDIVIDUAL.

WE DON'T HAVE TO COOPERATE WITH ALABAMA.

WE DON'T HAVE TO PROVIDE THEM INFORMATION FOR AN INVESTIGATION.

>> SOME OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE FOLKS SAID THERE'S NO NEED FOR THIS BILL BUT LOLA, THE GOVERNOR SEEMED TO INDICATE WITHOUT COMMITTING THAT HE WAS OPEN TO THE IDEA.

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU KNOW PHIL SCOTT SEND THE SIGNAL HE USUALLY SENDS WHETHER HE IS PROBABLY GOING TO SIGN ON TO SOMETHING BUT ISN'T READY TO SAY SO YET SO I DO NOT EXPECT THAT THIS WILL BE MUCH OF A FIGHT.

I THINK THE ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS IN VERMONTER SURE TO OPPOSE THIS BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFLUENCE IN MONTPELIER.

SO I WOULD EXPECT A VERSION OF THIS TO BECOME LAW.

THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST SHIELD LAWS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S ALSO NOTABLE BECAUSE IT INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT WOULD PROTECT NOT JUST ABORTION BUT ALSO CARE.

AS THE HOUSE JUDICIARY CHAIR SAID, THIS WOULD BE LIMITED BECAUSE VERMONT CAN ONLY CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN ITS BORDERS.

SO THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF IT IS THAT VERMONT WOULDN'T COOPERATE WITH OUT OF STATE INVESTIGATORS, WOULDN'T HONOR SUBPOENAS OR REQUESTS FOR EXTRADITION.

THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THOSE ARE IMPORTANT LEGAL PROTECTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE WEIGHT BUT THEY END AT THE BORDER.

>> BEFORE WE MOVE ON, THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT WE NOW HAVE A BILL INTRODUCED, THIS IS THE DEMOCRATS' PROPOSAL FOR A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM, AND THE GOVERNOR IS PUSHING HARD FOR WHAT HE CALLS THE MIDDLE GROUND FOR HIS VOLUNTARY INITIALLY ONLY INVOLVING STATE EMPLOYEES SYSTEM.

THIS WAS THE CHAIR OF THE RELEVANT COMMITTEE ON WHY UNIVERSAL IS THE WAY TO GO.

>> TO TAKE A .58% INCREASE ON THE INCOME TAX ON PEOPLE IS EQUIVALENT TO ROUGHLY 6 CENTS TO EVERY $10 EARNED.

WE THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE RATE TO PAY FOR AN INSURANCE PREMIUM.

>> I THINK OUR MIDDLE GROUND IS GOING WITH OUR PROPOSAL FOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM THAT WE CAN TEST-DRIVE SO TO SPEAK THEN WE CAN IDENTIFY THE IMPACTS AND HOW DO WE BROADEN IT FROM THERE.

AT THIS POINT I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF ANY PAYROLL TAX.

>> WHICH I GUESS THERE'S NO WAY AROUND, LOLA.

AGAIN THAT .58% IF YOU MAKE $75,000 A YEAR THAT'S ABOUT 400 BUCKS A YEAR TO HAVE 12 WEEKS OF INCOME REPLACEMENT.

>> YES, THAT'S THE PITCH THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS MORE AFFORDABLE AND ALSO CREATES A BENEFIT TWICE AS ROBUST AS WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS CONTEMPLATING.

I THINK THIS IS ALMOST CERTAINLY HEADED FOR A VETO.

BUT IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE AT LEAST IN THE HOUSE THERE WILL BE THE VOTES TO OVERRIDE IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF SPONSORS ON THE DEMOCRATIC BILL.

THERE ARE 103 AND YOU NEED 100 TO OVERRIDE.

IT WOULD BE QUITE AWKWARD FOR A LAWMAKER TO ULTIMATELY VOTE NO ON A BILL THAT THEY SPONSORED.

SO I THINK PROBABLY THE MOST INTERESTING DYNAMIC THAT WE'LL BE SEEING IS THE ONE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS MADE CLEAR THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TOP PRIORITY.

THE SENATE HAS SENT SLIGHTLY MORE CONSERVATIVE SIGNALS.

>> KATHERINE, I WANT TO GET YOU IN HERE ON SOME OF THE REPORTING.

FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE A PROBLEM AT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS, CERTAIN HIGH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND OUR STATE HAVE REALLY HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH RACIAL TAUNTS, SEXIST TAUNTS.

UGLY SPEECH FROM THE STANDS OFTEN CASES DURING SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS.

YOU HAD A STORY THIS WEEK THAT INDICATES THAT THE NEW REPORTING FORM AT THE PRINCIPAL'S ASSOCIATION HAS RACKED UP 50 COMPLAINTS TO DATE.

LET'S PLAY A CLIP THEN TALK ABOUT IT.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES AND WHEN THEY DO WE NEED TO SHINE A BRIGHT LIGHT ON IT TO TAKE WHATEVER STEPS ARE NECESSARY.

THE GOAL IS FOR THE BEHAVIOR NOT TO OCCUR AGAIN.

IT NEEDS TO BE LET'S TAKE THE ACTION AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND MOVE ON.

WE'RE NOT TOLERATING THIS STUFF AND PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THAT ESPECIALLY FROM PARENTS AND SPECTATORS WHO DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO BE AT THE GAME.

>> WHAT IS -- IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIGHT BACK I GUESS?

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALS AND IS THIS SPORADIC IN A FEW COMMUNITIES OR MORE WIDESPREAD?

>> THE PRINCIPALS ASSOCIATION SAYS THIS LA BEEN A PART OF SPORTS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I'M SURE WE CAN ALL REMEMBER WHEN WEAR GROWING UP IN SCHOOL BAD CHANTS.

NOW THAT THERE'S SUCH A LIGHT ON PEOPLE BEING SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING RACIAL OR SEXIST COMMENTS PEOPLE ARE CALLING OUT EACH OTHER.

THE PRINCIPALS ASSOCIATION WANTS PEOPLE TO POLICE THEMSELVES FROM WITHIN THE STANDS.

WE KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME ADMINISTRATORS STANDING BY STUDENTS AT GAMES TO HEAR WHAT THEY ARE HEAR BUT WHILE THERE HAS BEEN SOME INCIDENTS ON THE COURT SAYING RACIAL THINGS TO EACH OTHER IT'S MOSTLY COMING FROM THE STANDS.

THEY MADE A STRONG POINT SAYING IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE IN A GAME.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE THERE.

>> WE DON'T JUST THROW YOU OUT.

>> THEY HAVE COMPLETELY BANNED FANS UNTIL THEY FINISHED THEIR INVESTIGATION.

>> NOW THAT WE'RE SEEING MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO ARE COMPETING AND SO FORTH I GUESS THEY BECOME A TARGET.

YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SENSITIVITY IS UP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU DO HEAR LAST YEAR WINOOSKI HAD A VERY LARGE SITUATION WHICH EXPLODED THROUGH VERMONT.

IT WAS NEVER QUITE CLEAR.

WE NEVER FOUND OUT WHAT'S COMING OUT OF IT BUT OFTENTIMES WE BECAUSE THEY ARE MINORS AT THE ENDS OF THE DAY.

>> THERE WAS AN INCIDENT MORE THAN A WEEK AGO IN BURL TO TON THAT LED TO A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL THIS WEEK.

TELL ME WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.

IT INVOLVES WHAT SOUNDED LIKE FROM THE POLICE A ROVING BAND OF HIGH SCHOOL KIDS WHO ATTACKED A KID IN THE NORTH END OF BURLINGTON ON THE FRONT YARD OF HIS HOUSE AND LEFT HIM BLEEDING.

HOSPITALIZED.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THAT?

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT BECAUSE THESE ARE MINORS.

ACTING CHIEF MURAD DID SAY HE BELIEVES IT'S SEVERAL SCHOOLS THAT ARE INVOLVED.

KIDS FROM SEVERAL SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE INVESTIGATING AN AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGE HOWEVER IT'S UNCLEAR IF WE WILL EVER FIND OUT EXACTLY WHO DID THIS BECAUSE OF THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDER SITUATION.

>> WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THAT.

THE STATE AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES, LIAM, IS VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING A NEW FACILITY SOMEWHERE TO REPLACE THE SHUTTERED WOODSIDE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY IN ESSEX.

NEWBERRY, WELLS RIVER WAS GOING TO BE THAT PLACE UNTIL.

>> IT COULD BE STILL DEPENDING A SUPREME COURT APPEAL, BUT THE PEOPLE IN THE RESIDENTS OF NEWBERRY ARE OPPOSED TO THE PLAN FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, ONE OF THE MAIN ONCE THEY SAY IS THEY DON'T HAVE A POLICE FORCE IN THE TOWN AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT THE FACILITY.

IT'S UP A DIRT ROAD ON THE SITE OF AN OLD BED AND BREAKFAST.

THERE'S CONCERN IT'S SO REMOTE IT WOULD BE HARD FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES TO GET TO.

IS THERE ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SAID IT DIDN'T FIT WITH THEIR ZONING LAWS SO IT DIDN'T GO FORWARD BUT THE STATE WON THE APPEAL AT THE NFERL COURT NOW IT'S GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> IS IT A NIMBY THING THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS OR -- >> I THINK THE FOLKS IN NEWBERRY WOULD SAY TOLD ME PRETTY STRONGLY IT'S NOT A NIMBY ISSUE FOR THEM.

THEY TRULY DON'T THINK IT'S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE FACILITY.

THEY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A FACILITY FOR YOUTH BUT THAT NEW NEWBERRY IS NOT THE RIGHT PLACE.

>> TAKE US UP TO ST. ALBANS, WHERE THE EMBATTLED FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO HAVE A NEW LEADER NEXT WEEK.

JOHN GRISMORE, ELECTED BY THE VOTERS, CONTROVERSY NOTWITHSTANDING.

>> IT I WOULD SAY IT'S A NEW SHERIFF WHO HAS A PENDING ASSAULT CHARGE FOR KICKING A MAN SHACKLED INSIDE THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

>> WE HAVE A ALL SEEN THAT.

WE PLAYED IT ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE.

YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS BUT AN OUTSIDE PROSECUTOR IS HAULING HIM INTO COURT.

>> FACT OF THE MATTER HE FACE AS CRIMINAL CHARGE AND HE'S GOING TO BE TAKING OVER LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES.

HE'S NOW FACING SECOND PROBE BY STATE POLICE THIS TIME INTO FINANCES AT THE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON THERE, BUT THE AUDITOR REFERRED SOMETHING TO STATE POLICE AND NOW THERE'S ANOTHER INVESTIGATION GOING ON.

>> ALL THE STATE POLICE WOULD DO IS CONFIRM THE REFERRAL.

>> DOUG HOFFER, THE AUDITOR DIDN'T TELL ME MORE DETAILS BUT SAID THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT HIS EYE, MORE SIGNIFICANT.

YOU DON'T CALL THE COPS FOR SOMEONE STEALING PAPER CLIPS.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE INCOMING SHERIFF IS GOING TO BE SWORN IN ON TUESDAY, THE DAY AFTER HIS COURT APPEARANCE?

>> THERE'S A STATUS CONFERENCE.

IT'S BEEN PUSHED BACK.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AT THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY BUT IT'S BEEN PUSHED BACK SO IT'S AN INTERESTING SITUATION THERE.

ONE DAY HE'S NEXT DAY SWORN IN.

>> HE HASN'T BEEN CONVICTED OF THIS ASSAULT CHARGE IN COURT.

MAY NEVER BE.

BUT HE'S I GUESS SORT OF NOT TALKING MUCH WITH THE MEDIA.

HE ISSUE A STATEMENT FRIDAY SAYING, PEOPLE OF FRANKLIN COUNTY KNOW ME, KNOW THE KIND OF LEADER I'M GOING TO BE AND THAT'S WHY THEY ELECTED ME DESPITE THE FACT THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRS WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM.

>> I TALKED WITH HIM AFTER THE ELECTION AND HE DEENDED HIS ACTIONS OF KICKING THE MAN SAYING IT WAS NEEDED TO STOP HIM FROM SPITTING ON THE OTHER DEPUTIES WHO IN POLICE AFFIDAVITS HAVE SAID THEY DIDN'T FEEL THREATENED.

THERE'S CONFLICTING INFORMATION COMING FROM HIM AND FROM HIS DEPUTIES AS WELL.

THERE'S NOTHING TO SAY HE CAN'T BE THE SHERIFF WITH A PENDING ASSAULT CHARGE SO HE WILL BE SWORN IN ON WEDNESDAY.

>> WHAT WOULD IT TAKE?

>> THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO IMPEACH HIM.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE SHERIFF FROM OFFICE.

>> OKAY.

WELL, AGAIN, SOMETHING WE'LL BE WATCHING.

LATE IN THE WEEK WE LEARNED THAT OUR TWO NEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SORT OF, PETER WELCH MOVING UP TO THE SENATE, WELCH LEARNED THURSDAY THAT HE HAS SCORED SOME PRETTY PLUM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE 118th CONGRESS.

LOLA, ME WILL SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

SO DID HIS PREDECESSOR, SENATOR LEAHY, AGRICULTURE, FORESTY, SO DID SENATOR LEAHY, COMMERCE AND THE COMMITTEE ON RULES.

WHICH OVERSEE ELECTION SECURITY AND INTEGRITY FOR EXAMPLE.

CONGRESSWOMAN BALINT THURSDAY EVENING ANNOUNCED THAT SHE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

EVERYBODY, BOTH WELCH AND BALINT, SEEMED THRILLED BY THOSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

THIS WAS THE READ BY MIDDLEBURY POLITICAL ANALYST MATT DICKINSON.

>> WELCH'S ASSIGNMENTS ARE POSITIONING HIM TO PLAY A VERY INFLUENTIAL ROLE IN POLICIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO VERMONTERS.

BOTH FOR POLITICAL REASONS BUT ALSO FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.

BALINT BEING IN THE MINORITY PARTY, A MUCH LARGER BODY OF THE HOUSE WILL WIELD MUCH LESS INFLUENCE.

>> THAT'S, LOLA, I GUESS ALWAYS GOING TO BE TRUE WHEN YOU'RE ONE OF 100.

THAT WAS THE THING THAT SENATOR WELCH SAID WHEN HE WAS ASKED WHAT'S THE BIG DIFFERENCE?

SO MUCH MORE INTIMATE.

YOU CAN HAVE HAPPIES WITH PEOPLE WHEN YOU'RE ONE OF 100.

>> RIGHT.

I THINK -- TO AN EXTENT LIKE SENATOR WELCH WILL ALSO -- WILL PLAY A LESSER ROLE THAN CERTAINTY SENATOR LEAHY DID JUST BY VIRTUE OF HIS PREDECESSOR'S SENIORITY AND THE FACT THAT HE HELPED GAVEL.

BUT THESE ARE STILL IMPORTANT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

I THINK PROBABLY THE AGO ONE STANDS OUT THE MOST TO ME BECAUSE IT MEANS HE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CRAFT THE FARM BILL, WHICH IS OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO VERMONT GIVEN ITS AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY.

>> YEAH.

AND FARM BILL EXPECTED TO BE DRAFTED THIS YEAR AND A LOT OF FARMERS INCLUDING ORGANIC FARMERS AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK TELLING THEIR STORY ABOUT HOW TOUGH IT IS.

BUT YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT, LONG HISTORY OF VERMONT SENATORS SERVING ON THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE GOING BACK MANY DECADES.

THE ECONOMIC DATA POINT WHICH WE ALWAYS SHARE WITH YOU, THE MONTHLY JOBS DATA OUT IN MONTH TEALER SHOWS THAT AT THE END OF DECEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT DID TICK UP ONLY SLIGHTLY, BUT LOOK, THIS IS I THINK SIXTH LOWEST IN THE NATION OR THEREABOUTS.

IT IS MUCH, MUCH LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OR WHERE WE WERE IN FACT A YEAR AGO.

THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYED VERMONTERS TICKED UP.

SO DID THOSE WHO ARE COLLECTING BENEFITS.

BUT IT WAS, WE STILL HAVE MANY MORE JOB OPENINGS THAN APPLICANTS AT THIS POINT.

THE POINT THAT THE LABOR DEPARTMENT MAKES IT SEEMS EVERY MONTH.

THIS FRIDAY, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, LOLA, IN MONTPELIER SAW ONE RELATIVELY NEW MEMBER RESIGN.

SHE IS KATE DONNELLY.

DEMOCRAT FROM LEBESE MOYLE COUNTY FROM HYDE PARK.

SHE WROTE IN THE LOCAL PAPER THE NEWS AND CITIZENS IN MORRISVILLE THIS WORK BECOMES AN IMPOSSIBLE JUGGLING ACT.

IRONICALLY THE LEGISLATURE AS CURRENTLY DESIGNED DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO SUSTAIN PLY WEAR A MULTITUDE OF HATS.

IT ASKS YOU TO FOREGO MONEY, STABILITY OF SCHEDULE, ACCESSIBILITY TO FAMILY AND MORE WITH LITTLE REGARD TO THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND FAMILIAL TOLL THAT THESE DEMANDS REQUIRE.

SHE HAD TO CHOOSE AND FOR THE SAKE OF HER MARRIAGE AND FAMILY IT MEANT RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT'S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, LOLA.

THERE IS A BILL THAT WOULD TRY TO IMPROVE COMPENSATION FOR LAWMAKERS BUT INDICATE DONNELLY'S SITUATION IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

>> IT IS.

I THINK IT'S GETTING ATTENTION FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

ONE IS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE PATTERN.

WE SAW A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS RESIGN DURING THE SESSION LAST YEAR CITING THE EXACT SAME THING.

THIS IS AN ONGOING PATTERN.

I THINK THAT IN PART BECAUSE OF THE SORT OF GENERATIONAL CHANGE THAT WE SAW IN THE LEGISLATURE IN NOVEMBER ELECTION THERE IS MORE SINCERE APPETITE TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.

THE FACT THAT BECAUSE YOU BARELY MAKE ANY MONEY BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE AND YOU HAVE TO BE AWAY FROM OTHER TYPES OF WORK FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR, THAT FORECLOSES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE FOR MOST PEOPLE UNLESS YOU'RE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY OR RETIRED IT'S VERY HARD TO MAKE IT WORK.

THIS BILL, A, YOU KNOW, SETS THE STAGE FOR LARGER REFORMS BUT IT WOULD ALSO IMMEDIATELY ENACT SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT STEPS FORWARD.

THE THING THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME WAS IT WOULD REIMBURSE CARE-GIVING EXPENSE SOS THAT WOULD BE CHILD CARE, ELDER CARE.

IF YOU HAVE TO STEP AWAY FROM THE DUTIES IN ORDER TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT WOULD ALSO EXTEND HEALTH BENEFITS TO LAWMAKERS WHO CURRENTLY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALTH CARE, WHICH IS USUAL WE'LL A BASIC BENEFIT THAT YOU GET FROM YOUR EMPLOYER.

THERE IS SOME MORE MINOR STUFF ON LEGISLATIVE PAY.

I THINK THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME.

SO I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS MUCH MORE MOMENTUM IN THE BUILDING FOR HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO INSTRUCT SO THAT MORE PEOPLE OR A MORE REPRESENTATIVE BODY CAN SERVE.

>> SHE IS I THINK IN HER SECOND TERM.

SHE WAS PART OF THE NEW GENERATION IN MONTPELIER.

FOR YEARS IT'S BEEN FULL OF PEOPLE WITH GRAY HAIR.

RETIREES.

PEOPLE WHO GOT THEIR HEALTH CARE ELSEWHERE.

SO HOW REPRESENTATIVE WAS IT?

WILL THIS BE THE YEAR THE LEGISLATURE DECIDES TO PROCEED WITH SENATE BILL 39 INTRODUCED ON THURSDAY.

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

MANY THANKS TO OUR PANEL, LIAM ELDER-CONNORS FROM VERMONT PUBLIC, KATHARINE HUNTLEY FROM WCAX, AND LOLA DUFFORT ON THE STATE HOUSE BEAT IN MONTPELIER FOR VTDIG.

THANKS TO YOU ALL AND TO YOU AT HOME.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AHEAD.

COME SEE US RIGHT BACK HERE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.