May 19, 2023

>> STATE LAWMAKER ASKWROURP BUT THIS THING IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BILLS I HAVE CONCERNS WITH.

AGAIN, WE'LL LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE, PUT THEY'LL TOGETHER.

I'LL HAVE TO PRIORITIZE.

YOU CAN'T VETO EVERYTHING.

>> WE'LL RECAP MAJOR LEGISLATION THAT MADE IT THROUGH AND SOME OF THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF THE 2023 SESSION.

>> PLUS VOSE FOR RAY SHUS SPONGY MOTH CATERPLLARS MAY NOT BE AS DAMAGING TO OUR FORESTS THIS SUMMER.

>> STATE TROOPERS UNION IS FURIOUS WITH THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.

A GREEN LIGHT FOR THE CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE STRAIGHT 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.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023.

AROUND OUR TABLE WE HAVE CALVIN CUTLER, STATE HOUSE REPORTER WITH WCAX.

GUY PAGE, EDITOR OF THE VERMONT DAILY CHRONICLE, AND KATHARINE HUNTLEY, BURLINGTON REPORTER WITH CHANNEL 3.

WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN ON A GREAT FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

UP TOP, BECAUSE OF THE DEADLINES LAST WEEK WE WANT TO GET YOU UP TO DATE ON ALL THAT HAPPENED AFTER WE CONCLUDED OUR TAPEING AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS FROM GOVERNOR SCOTT THIS WEEK THAT LEAVE A VERY MURKY PICTURE FOR THE MONTH OR SO AHEAD.

FIRST CALVIN, THE ADJOURNMENT LATE FRIDAY NIGHT IT'S A BLUR.

IT'S ALWAYS A BLUR.

THE ADMINISTRATION COUNTS SOME 60 BILLS THAT WERE PASSED IN THE CLOSING DAYS THAT ARE HEADED HIS WAY.

>> RIGHT, INCLUDING THE STATE BUDGET.

IT WAS A REAL SCRAMBLE AT THE END AS IT ALWAYS IS.

IT'S ALWAYS VERY COMPRESSED IN THE TIME HOURS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT LAWMAKERS AROUND MIDNIGHT ADVANCED THE STATE BUDGET IN THE HOUSE VOTING 90-53 SENDING THE 8.5 BILLION STATE BUDGET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

CERTAINLY THE GOVERNOR IS JUST STARTING TO DIG INTO SOME OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

WE'LL START SEEING ACTION ON SOME OF THESE BILLS MID NEXT WEEK.

>> NOW, THE GOVERNOR AT HIS BRIEFING THIS WEEK FACED A BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT CAN YOU LIVE WITH?

WHAT WILL YOU LET THROUGH?

HIS OPENING STATEMENT MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT THAT BUDGET IS NOT GOING TO SURVIVE.

HERE WAS SOME OF WHAT PHIL SCOTT HAD TO SAY NOT ABOUT THE PRIORITIES CONTAINED IN THE BUDGET BUT BY ITS BOTTOM LINE.

>> WE SHARE THE SAME GOALS.

WE BOTH SUPPORT MAKING HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN SHARED PRIORITIES.

BUT I BELIEVE WE MUST DO IT IN A WAY VERMONTERS CAN AFFORD.

WE HAVE FIVE WEEKS BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THEY COME BACK AT THE END OF JUNE.

VERMONTERS WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER AND I'M READY TO DO JUST THAT.

>> END OF JUNE, JUNE 20th, THAT'S THE VETO SESSION.

THEY HAVE SET ASIDE THREE DAYS.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT THINKS IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH.

ANY IDEA HOW MANY -- THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT GIVEN US A NUMBER BUT THERE IS A LOT THAT COULD BE REJECTED.

>> RIGHT.

TO DATE GOVERNOR SCOTT WITH HIS LATEST VETO OF S.5, THE AFFORDABLE HEAT ACT, 3WR09 HIS TALLY TO 34.

I'M COUNTING WE MIGHT SEE FIVE OR SIX MORE.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF BILLS, PWRALTS BRO CHARTER CHANGE FOR YOUTH VOTING, POTENTIAL UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.

POTENTIALLY LAWMAKER PAY, RANK JOYCE VOTING.

THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT SAID EXPLICITLY HE WILL VEAL BUT HE HAS CONCERNS WITH THESE BILLS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A TKPWAOUBER TORPBL VETO THIS IS A TOOL THE GOVERNOR HALL UTILIZED BECAUSE HE'S ALWAYS BEEN IN THE MINORITY WITH A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY AND IN THIS CASE A SUPERMAJORITY AS WELL THIS YEAR.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON, NOT UNHEARD OF BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A VERY DYNAMIC VETO SESSION NEXT JUNE.

>> GUY, AS THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT WE HAVE FIVE WEEKS BEFORE THE VETO SESSION.

ASSUMING HE VETOES THE BUDGET AND WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH ELSE, ARE THERE BEHIND THE SCENES NEGOTIATIONS THAT WILL GO?

WE DON'T JUST ROLL THE DICE ON JUNE 20th, RIGHT?

THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEMOCRATS WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SOME ASSURANCE OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> SURE.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THEY WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IS WITH THE BUDGET, 8.5 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET IS WILL THE PROGRESSIVES COME IN AND SAY, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO JOIN REPUBLICANS AND WE'RE GOING TO VETO THIS BUDGET IF YOU DON'T RESTORE THE MONEY FOR THE EMERGENCY HOUSING, WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE HOMELESS HOTELS.

BRENDA SEATTLE, A HOUSING ADVOCATE, BEFORE SHE WAS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR AND IS STILL A VERY, VERY INVOLVED HOUSING ADVOCATE, WAS TO THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION WAS PRESSURING, PRESSURING THE LEGISLATURE TO PUT ENOUGH MONEY IN THERE TO KEEP THE EMERGENCY HOUSING GOING.

AND THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

IF WE DID WE NEED TO SPEND IT ON OTHER HOUSING PRIORITIES.

MEMBERS SITTING IN THE BAY WINDOW OF SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SHAKING THEIR HEAD GOING NO, CAN'T HAVE THIS.

THERE ARE NOW 17 LAWMAKERS, PROGRESSIVES AND DEMOCRATS, SAYING WE LOOK IF THAT MONEY ISN'T PUT BACK IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, WE MAY BE LOOKING AT A VETOED BUDGET.

>> ONE OF THE 17, THAT'S WHY THE HOUSE BUDGET ONLY PASSED WITH 90 VOTES BECAUSE 17 WHO THE SPEAKER COULD NORMALLY COUNT ON VOTED NO.

THAT DENIES THE DEMOCRATS WITH A VETO PROOF 1KWR0R9 IF THOSE 17 HOLD TOGETHER AND THERE IS NO CHANGE MADE TO THE BUDGET.

SO IT'S A VERY INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

ONE OF THE 17, TAYLOR SMALL OF WINOOSKI, SAID THEY WANT TO SHUFFLE SOME MONEY WITHIN THAT BUDGET AROUND TO SOFTEN, TO PROVIDE MORE CUSHION AS, WHAT, 3,000 PEOPLE EXIT THIS MOTEL PROGRAM.

THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ARE BRACING FOR.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN JUNE 1 AND JULY 1.

LET'S LISTEN TO SUE MINTER WITH CAPSTONE, THE DESIGNATED AGENCY IN CENTRAL VERMONT.

>> WE'RE THINKING WITH OUR MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER LOCATION.

ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS BECAUSE WE DO KNOW THAT MANY OF THE GUESTS HAVE ACUTE MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> NOT CONFINED TO CENTRAL VERMONT.

NOW TO BRATTLEBORO, WHERE THEY TOO HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO BE EXITING THIS HOTEL-MOTEL PROGRAM IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE DO NOT -- WE DO NOT HAVE ROOM IN BRATTLEBORO, THE SHELTERS THAT WE HAVE IN PWRALTS BRO ARE ALREADY FULL.

>> SO TOWNS ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.

THAT'S WHY WE START TO HEAR CITY COUNCILS TALK ABOUT THEIR CAMPING POLICIES.

CAN YOU PITCH A TENT IN CITY HALL PARK FOR EXAMPLE.

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW YOU DEFINITELY CANNOT, IN BURLINGTON.

BUT THERE WAS A VERY LENGTHY CONVERSATION WITH CITY COUNCIL.

IT DIDN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING ON MONDAY BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING IN AND STUDYING THE CAMPING POLICY TO SEE IF THEY COULD HAVE SANCTIONED CAMPING IF AND WHEN.

IT REALLY IS WHEN ALL THE SHELTERS ARE FULL.

EVEN NOW THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH FULL ON A NIGHTLY BASIS SO WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WHEN THEY HAVE HUNDREDS, MAYBE THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.

>> DOES COMPLICATE MATTERS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE IF THAT GROUP OF 17 HOLDS FIRM.

>> I CAN'T THINK OF A SOMETIME WE HAVE SEEN THIS DYNAMIC PLAY OUT WITHIN A SUPERMAJORITY.

IN SOME WAYS MAINTAINING A SUPERMAJORITY AND HAVING EVERYBODY VOTE THE SAME WAY CAN BE REALLY CHALLENGING ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES LIKE THESE.

THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY OUT TO THE VETO SESSION.

WE HAVE ABOUT A MONTH.

SO A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS CAN HAPPEN, A LOT OF LOBBYING THAT CAN HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES TOO.

I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HOUSE SPEAKER KROWINSKI FRIDAY.

I ASKED HER, WHAT WILL THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH LAWMAKERS LOOK LIKE?

SHE SAID BASICALLY WE'LL BE TALKING TO LAWMAKERS SAYING WE NEEDING THIS BUDGET BECAUSE IF THIS BUDGET IS VETOED AND 9 VETO IS SUSTAINED THAT WILL CAUSE A LOT OF HARM TO VERMONTERS AS WELL.

THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS, MEDICAID, RAOERPL BURSTMENT RATES, HOUSING MONEY, CHILD CARE.

A LOT OF THIS MONEY WHICH SHE SAYS NEEDS TO MOVE.

THIS GROUP OF 17 KEEP AN EYE ON THEM.

>> THEY ARE THE WILDCARD.

>> A LOT PASSED, THOUGH.

CHILD CARE WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE SUPPORTS BUT THE DEMOCRATS SAY ISN'T WILLING TO PONY UP THE REQUIRED DOLLARS.

BUT HE EXPLICITLY TALKED ABOUT THAT AS AN AREA FOR EXCESS SPENDING.

THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS, THAT'S A $30 MILLION ADDITION.

AND S.5, THE UNKNOWN OVER WHAT IT MIGHT COST IN THE YEARS AHEAD WHICH NOBODY KNOWS.

YOU TAKE IT ALL TAKEN TOGETHER AND IT'S A LOT OF NEW COST FOR VERMONTERS IN A STATE THAT IS ALREADY AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE COST OF LIVING IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S CONCERN ALL ALONG.

ESPECIALLY THAT COST IMPACT ON RURAL AND LOW INCOME VERMONTERS, PEOPLE THAT ARE RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF SOME OF THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET PROGRAMS.

WHEN YOU TALK TO DEMOCRATS THEY SEE THIS AS A FUNDAMENTAL RESHAPING, A SHIFT OF HOW GOVERNMENT SERVES THE MOST NEEDY AND VERMONTERS JUST IN GENERAL AT LARGE.

SO A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE OF HOW GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SERVING VERMONTERS.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM FILL BARUTH WAS AWFULLY HAPPY TO SEE FINAL PASSAGE OF THE WHAT WAS THE YEAR'S TOP PRIORITY, A BILL THAT WOULD TRY TO JUMP-START NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THAT BILL THERE ARE SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO ACT 250.

THINGS THAT WILL ALLOW OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS A VERY LARGE EXPANSION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND OTHER KINDS OF HOUSING.

MISSING MIDDLE, FOR INSTANCE.

>> AT HIS BRIEFING THIS WEEK GOVERNOR SCOTT SAID IT WASN'T ALL HE WANTED BUT IT WOULD DO SOME GOOD THINGS AND WE EXPECT HIM TO SIGN S.100.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE HOMELESS HOUSING IS PEOPLE WITH GOOD JOBS ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND HOUSING.

THAT'S A NEW THING IN VERMONT.

AND WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT RELAXES THE CAPS ON ACT 250 SOMEWHAT.

NOT AS MUCH AS WHAT SOME IN THE SENATE WANTED, NOT AS MUCH AS THE HOUSE COMMITTEE WANTED BUT IT DOES LOOSEN IT UP A BIT SO THAT A DEVELOPER CAN BUILD WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS ACT 250 REVIEW, WHICH IS A LONG AND DIFFICULT AND OFTEN JUST DEADLY PROCESS TO A PROJECT.

>> GUN REFORM.

BIG QUESTION MARK WHETHER THE GOVERNOR WILL LET THAT THROUGH.

HE LIKES SOME OF IT, DOESN'T LIKE A KEY PROVISION, THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD.

>> HE'S VETOED WAITING PERIODS BEFORE.

THIS BILL, THAT SWEEPING GUN BILL AIMED 59 SUICIDE PREVENTION AS YOU MENTIONED HAS A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS.

72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD, RED FLAG LAWS, AND OTHERS.

BUT I THINK THIS QUESTION POST BRUIN, IT'S REALLY THROWN INTO -- >> THE SUPREME COURT DECISION.

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S THROWN INTO DOUBT AND INTO QUESTION CURRENT AND PROPOSED LAWS HAVING TO DO WITH GUNS.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR DOES.

I THINK IT REALLY IS ABOUT ASSESSING WHAT WOULD A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE LOOK LIKE.

IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT IF PART OF IT IS CHALLENGED IN COURT THE OTHER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, RED FLAG LAWS AND OTHERS, CAN STILL BE ENACTED WHEREAS THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD MAY NOT GO INTO EFFECT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE UNUSUAL BILL THAT PASSED THIS YEAR THAT WILL OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE THE PAY AND BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE?

THAT MADE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THE AVERAGE PAY AND BENEFITS, DEPENDING WHETHER OR NOT FOLKS TAKE HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFIT, WILL BE AROUND $50,000.

WHICH IS FOR A LOT -- >> COST TO TAXPAYERS IF THEY TAKE THE HEALTH PACKAGE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THEIR TOTAL SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE WOULD BE AROUND 50,000 PER LEGISLATOR.

A LOT OF MY READERS ARE SAYING WAIT A MINUTE, THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN TALK ABOUT THIS AND THIS IS COMING UP SUDDENLY.

THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT, THIS SPLIT, THE HOOPER VOTE, WHICH IS THE BOB HOOPER, AN OLDER BURLINGTON LEGISLATOR, SAID FOR PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME, HE'S REFERRING TO WHITE MALES, WHICH USED TO BE MOST OF LEGISLATURE, THIS MAKES IT MORE DIVERSE.

THIS MAKES IT SO PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL AGES, CAN RUN.

YOU HAD JAY HOOPER, A YOUNG MAN FROM RANDOLPH, SAYING HE'S A DEMOCRAT, HE VOTED AGAINST IT AND HE SAID WE HAVEN'T EARNED IT.

WE CAN HAVE A PAY RAISE WHEN WE YET.

THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE PAY RAISE.

THIS IS ALSO ABOUT -- CREATES A TASK FORCE TO STUDY WHETHER FOR EXAMPLE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE FULL-TIME, MEET MORE OFTEN OR ANY OTHER CHANGE TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THIS THING OR NOT.

INTERESTING THAT IT DOESN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION.

VOTERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IF THEY DISS HA PROVE TO REJECT LAWMAKERS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THIS.

WINNERS AND LOSERS.

IT'S VERY SUBJECTIVE THING.

GUY, WHAT'S ON YOUR LIST?

>> THE BIGGEST WINNER WAS JILL KROWINSKI, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

LAST YEAR SHE GOT EMBARRASSED BY THE FAILURE TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR SCOTT'S VETO IN THE CLEAN HEAT STANDARD BY ONE VOTE MOSTLY BECAUSE SHE AND HER LEADERSHIP DIDN'T COUNT HEADS WELL ENOUGH.

THIS YEAR WAS ABLE WITH A LOT OF HELP FROM EMERGE VERMONT, A DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S BOOT CAMP THAT SHE HAS WORKED ON VERY HARD, THEY OBTAINED A SUPERMAJORITY.

I WAS JUST THINKING, YOU KNOW, AS THEY WERE COUNTING THE HEADS ON THE S.5 OVERRIDE OF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, HOW MANY SEATS THERE WERE HELD BY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN FORMERLY REPUBLICAN MEN.

JUST SEEING SEAT AFTER SEAT AFTER SEAT.

MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY SWEET FEELING FOR HER TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAY, YEP, I HELPED GET THAT SEAT.

>> THAT WAS THE GROUP MADELEINE UNIONEN FOUNDED YEARS AGO.

>> SPEAKER CO-WRITTEN SKI WAS VERY ACTIVE EARLY ON.

>> ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

WINNERS AND LOSERS.

>> NUMBER ONE, YEARS AND YEARS OF WORK AND LOBBYING AND TRYING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON CHILD CARE REALLY PAID OFF FOR THAT GROUP IN THE PASSAGE OF THE $130 MILLION CHILD CARE BILL.

THE OTHER ONE, I THINK THE SENATE AND JANE KITCHEL.

THEIR CHILD CARE HAS BEEN A BIG PRIORITY OF THE SENATE.

IT CAME OUT ON TOP OVER PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

IT'S GOING TO BE PAID THROUGH A PAYROLL TAX SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHERE THE CONVERSATION GOES NEXT YEAR, AN ELECTION YEAR, FOR PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, WHICH IS A BIG PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE.

I THINK WESTBOROUGH KIDS, THE SENATE WRIT LARGE BUT ALSO JANE KITCHEL.

>> KATHARINE, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT A RATHER POINTED STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION LATE ON THURSDAY.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN WORD THAT THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL, CHARITY CLARK, PLANS TO CITE OR CHARGE TWO STATE TROOPERS FOR AN INCIDENT LAST SUMMER.

>> THIS INCIDENT IS BASICALLY A MAN HAD THE POLICE CALLED ON HIM BECAUSE HE WASN'T ACTING RIGHT.

THEY ENDED UP SHOOTING HIM WITH A BEANBAG.

NONLETHAL ROUND, ON A ROOF.

HE ENDED UP STUMBLING BACK THEN FALLING OFF THE ROOF A LITTLE BIT AFTER HE WAS SHOT WITH THE BEAN BACK ROUND.

NOW CHARITY CLARK IS PLANNING TO CHARGE THE TROOPERS WITH I BELIEVE SIMPLE ASSAULT AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT BUT THE ASSOCIATION IS OUTRAGED.

THEY BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED BY AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE PUBLIC.

THEY THINK IT POSES A VERY DANGEROUS PRECEDENT MOVING FORWARD.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME AN A.G.

DIDN'T UPHOLD TROOPERS' USE OF FORCE IN THE AUTOMATIC INVESTIGATIONS THAT FOLLOW.

IN THIS CASE THE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION SAID WE OBJECT TO THE CRIMINAL SAYS OF A SPLIT SECOND PUBLIC SAFETY DECISION.

THIS IS AS WE SAY A BRAND NEW A.G., WHO TO THIS POINT HAS NOT COMMENTED.

SAID SHE REALLY CAN'T.

WE'LL PUT THE QUOTE ON THE SCREEN.

PROSECUTORS ARE SUBJECT TO PARTICULAR RULES OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT PREVENT US FROM COMMENTING AT THIS TIME.

NONETHELESS, WE HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST OF THIS I'M SURE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> YOU ALSO WILL HAVE THE VERMONT CRIMINAL COUNCIL DECERTIFYING I BELIEVE THREE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

A LOT OF SORT OF CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF POLICE AND WHO ARE ALREADY EXTREMELY UPPEDSTAFFED.

SO THERE MAY BE A GROWING CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AMONG POLICE OFFICERS THAT VERMONT IS A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IN.

>> THE FEDERAL JUDGE IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT JEFFREY CRAWFORD HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF THE CITY OF BURLINGTON WHICH HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY HIT BY LAWSUITS TO BLOCK CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY.

WE VERY RARELY BUILD A NEW HIGHWAY OR QUASI HIGHWAY IN VERMONT.

THIS WHICH WE USED TO CALL THE SOUTHERN CONNECTOR DATES BACK CAN WE REMEMBER, PROBABLY TO THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION.

>> YES.

>> KATHARINE, THE MAYOR WHEN YOU SPOKE TO HIM THIS WEEK WAS UNDERSTANDABLY OVERJOYED.

>> NOW THAT UNCERTAINTY IS GONE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD FULL STEAM WITH ALL ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT.

I HAVE LONG THOUGHT IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THIS COMMUNITY THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR THIS HAS DRAGGED ON UNRESOLVED.

I HOPE THIS IS A REMINDER TO PEOPLE THEIR LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN GET BIG THINGS DONE.

>> NOW, AS WE COULD SEE FROM THE PICTURES THERE'S CONSTRUCTION UNDER WAY.

IS THIS THE END OF THE LITIGATION?

>> WELL, THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE FOR AN APPEAL, RIGHT?

HOWEVER, THE JUDGE PRETTY HANDILY STRUCK DOWN ALL OF THE POINTS THAT THE PLAINTIFFS WERE MAKING.

THE CITY AND THE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, THE STATE HAVE BEEN HEDGING THEIR BETS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN BUILDING DESPITE THIS OUTSTANDING LAWSUIT.

THEY HAVE DONE TONS OF STORMWATER GRADES AND BE ABLE TO GIVE DRIVERS MORE OPTIONS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE WE ACTUALLY SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THE CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY.

NEXT YEAR THEY HOPE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO DRIVE ON THIS PORTION THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.

LIKELY WON'T BE UNTIL 2027 UNTIL THE WHOLE THING IS FINISHED.

>> SO WE'RE FOUR YEARS OUT.

THIS IS THE ROAD THAT CONNECTS THE ROAD TO NOWHERE AS IT'S CALLED, END OF THE 189 CONNECTOR SPEED CARS INTO DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON.

>> THE FAKE HIGHWAY AS I LIKE TO CALL IT, I WAVE TO IT AS IT ENDS, DRIVERS CAN GET OFF THERE AND GO STRAIGHT UP TO BATTERY STREET INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE SOUTH END.

IF ANYONE HAS DRIVEN THROUGH THE SOUTH END OF BURLINGTON THERE'S A VERY PESKY STOP SIGN THAT PEOPLE ARE BACKED UP AT FOR A LONG TIME ON PINE STREET.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE AN AWFUL LOT OF NEW ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME BUT THE TRANSPORTATION BILL APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS IS ENORMOUS.

ALL TIME RECORD.

MORE PAVING, BRIDGEWORK, CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS AS WELL.

GOING TO BE A BUSY SUMMER FOR SURE.

THERE WAS A PERSONNEL CHANGE AT THE STATE CAPITOL FOLLOWING ADJOURNMENT.

THIS INVOLVES THE CAPITAL POLICE CHIEF AND NO ONE IS QUITE SAYING MUCH ABOUT IT.

>> THIS IS AN INTERESTING ONE.

WE STILL DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT WHY CHIEF ROMEI HAS DEPARTED HIS POSITION AS CAPITAL POLICE.

HE HAS BEEN THERE SIX YEARS CAME BY WAY OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN ALABAMA.

WE LEARNED THURSDAY I BELIEVE WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY THAT HE'S NO LONGER EMPLOYED.

SERGEANT DALE MANNING IS STEPPING UP AS INTERIM CHIEF SO HE'S A FAMILIAR FACE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

THE SERGEANT AT ARMS ISSUED THIS STATEMENT BASICALLY SAYING THAT WHEN THERE IS PERSONNEL -- THEY COULDN'T COMMENT BECAUSE IT'S A PERSONNEL ISSUE BUT THEY SAID THEIR POLICY IS TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK AND TO HELP PEOPLE NOTIFY THEM OF DEFICIENCIES IN THEIR JOB PERFORMANCE AND THEN GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE.

BUT AGAIN WE DON'T KNOW WHAT LED UP TO THIS EXACTLY SO I THINK THERE'S MORE TO COME.

>> ALSO AT THE STATE HOUSE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THIS WEEK NAMED THE IMPEACHMENT PANEL THAT IS GOING TO BEGIN ITS FACTFINDING, CALLING WITNESSES, THIS CONCERNS THE ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT SEPARATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE STATE'S ATTORNEY JOHN LEBESE SROEU FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY.

AND THE COUNTY SHERIFF NEWLY ELECTED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, SHERIFF GRISMORE.

YOU CAN SEE THE NAMES ON THE JEAN.

THESE ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND THIS PROCESS WILL BEGIN REALLY ON MONDAY.

THERE'S ALREADY SOME CONCERN, GUY, OVER GRISMORE SAYS SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT IMPARTIAL.

>> SURE.

COUPLE FRANKLIN COUNTY LAWMAKERS THERE.

ONE OF THEM, MIKE McCARTHY FROM ST. ALBANS CITY, WROTE A LETTER TO GRISMORE SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST SAYING YOU OUGHT TO DROP OUT OF THE RACE.

GRISMORE IS SAYING THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN UNBIASED PANEL AND THAT IS THE CHARGE, THAT IT BE UNBIASED AND HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY BE IF SOMEONE IS ALREADY ON THE RECORD SAYING I OUGHT TO DROP OUT.

APPARENTLY THE FRANKLIN COUNTY GOP INDICATED AS WELL HE SHOULD DROP OUT.

CAROLYN BRANAGAN -- >> SHE DIDN'T WANT HIM ELECTED TO BEGIN WITH.

THIS PROCESS AS WE SAID BEGINS ON MONDAY.

THIS IS WHAT THE CHAIR, NOT McCARTHY BUT THE CHAIR, HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE PROCESS TO COME.

>> EVEN IF WE'RE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION CERTAINLY THE INTENT IS TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT, AS TRANSPARENT AS WE CAN BE IN MAKING SURE VERMONTERS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

>> WE'RE TOLD THIS COULD TAKE MUCH OF THE SUMMER BETWEEN AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AND TRIAL THE SENATE WOULD HOLD.

SO WE'LL BE WATCHING AS THAT BEGINS.

BEFORE WE RUN QUICKLY GOOD NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREST PARKS AND RECREATION.

THOSE SPONGY MOTH CATERPILLARS, WHICH HAVE BEEN SUCH A NUISANCE IN PARTS OF VERMONT, WE'LL SHOW THEM TO YOU FROM LAST SUMMER, MAY NOT BE AS BOTHERSOME THIS YEAR.

TURNS OUT THAT THESE CATERPILLARS, WHICH HAVE VORACIOUS APPETITES AND DEFOAL CONFEDERATED VERMONT FOREST LAST YEAR, DIDN'T DO SO WELL OVER THE WINTER AND OUR WET SPRING ALLOWED A FUNGUS TO SPREAD.

THAT IS A NATURAL PROCEED TORE FOR THESE LITTLE DEVILS.

SO FPR SAYS WE SHOULD SEE FAR LESS DAMAGE TO OUR TREES, TO OUR BEACH AND MAPLE AND OAK TREES THAN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO THERE'S THAT.

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

MANY THANKS TO CALVIN CUTLER, GUY PAGE, AND KATHARINE HUNTLEY.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.