>> AS HUNDREDS FACE EVICTION FROM TAXPAYER FUNDED MOTEL ROOMS NEXT WEEK THE GOVERNOR FRIDAY OUTLINES THE PLAN.

>> THERE'S A LOT GOING ON AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MOVING AWAY FROM THIS PANDEMIC EMERGENCY PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR SOME.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THEM AS BEST WE CAN TO HELP THEM THROUGH IT.

>> WILL IT WORK?

THEN CHARGES OF HYPOCRISY AFTER THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TRIES TO LAY ALL THE BLAME ON THE ADMINISTRATION IN A NEW CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISER.

>> VERMONT'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER UNUSUAL HEAT FROM STATE POLICE.

THE LATEST YOUTH SURVEY SHOWS A LOT OF KIDS STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH, AND BEFORE WE CLOSE TONIGHT, A FAREWELL ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF "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 MOWED RATER STEWART LEDBETTER.

>> WELCOME, EVERYONE.

IT'S FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US AROUND OUR TABLE VETERAN PANEL, TIM METROPLEX KIWANIS TON, EDITOR VERMONT BUSINESS MAGAZINE, WILSON RING, CORRESPONDENT WITH THE SOERPBLTED THERE'S MONTPELIER , AND ANNE WALLACE ALLEN, REPORTER WITH SEVEN DAYS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

UP TOP OF COURSE WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT, THE LOOMING END OF THE STATE'S HOTEL-MOTEL PROGRAM WHICH HAS HOUSED THOUSANDS OF VERMONTERS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S GOING TO END THE FIRST OF TWO PHASES BEGINNING NEXT WEEKEND, JUNE 1.

HERE IS THE VIEW FROM ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO KNOWS THAT THE TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

>> I'M FEELING HELPLESS.

I'M LOOKING EVERY DAY FOR A PLACE.

SOMETIMES YOU GOT TO KEEP A LITTLE FAITH AND KEEP PLUGGING AWAY BUT I JUST DON'T SEE A POSITIVE OUTCOME.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THE PROGRAM IS ENDING, WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT, EVERYBODY WILL BE OKAY IN A COUPLE MONTHS.

THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE OKAY IN A COUPLE MONTHS.

>> WELL, ON FRIDAY, GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT IN MONTPELIER LAID OUT THE PLAN.

IT'S AN ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH HE SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN WORKING ON CONTINGENCY PLANS SINCE LAST FALL HE SAID.

TIM, WHAT DOES IT BOIL DOWN TO?

>> WELL, IT BOILS DOWN TO FRANKLY A LOT OF MONEY.

IT'S $8 MILLION A MONTH.

IF YOU TPWHRAEBG DOWN DO 3,000 PEOPLE THEY ARE PAYING A LOT OF MONEY PER NIGHT, $145 A NIGHT.

THERE'S TWO PHASES TO IT.

JUNE 1 ABOUT 800 WILL LOSE THEIR QUALIFICATION THEN ON JULY 1, THE OTHER 2,000 OR SO PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR QUALIFICATION.

NOW, THE PROGRAM IS NOT ENDING TECHNICALLY.

IF YOU STILL MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS, IF YOU'RE DISABLED, IF YOU HAVE A CHILD NOW UP TO 18 YEARS OLD YOU CAN STAY IN THE PROGRAM IF YOU'RE OVER 65 YOU CAN STAY IN THE PROGRAM.

>> DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FLEEING, THIRD TRIMESTER PREGNANCY.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL QUALIFICATIONS TO THAT.

THAT WILL RESTART THE CLOCK SO YOU'LL GET ANOTHER 28 DAYS IN THE PROGRAM.

THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHERE THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO COME FROM.

IT'S GOING TO COVER I WOULD THINK PRETTY CLOSE TO THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL IN THE PROGRAM.

IT'S ONLY 28 DAYS, THOUGH.

THE GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY STEVENSON AND COMMISSIONER HANFORD, THE HOUSING COMMISSIONER SAID THIS WAS A PANDEMIC PROGRAM.

THIS WAS NOT A HOMELESS HOUSING PROGRAM.

THIS WAS A SAFETY PROGRAM EFFORT TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE DURING COVID.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S OFFICIALLY ENDED WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?

THEY HAVE AN RFP, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO WHO KNOWS WHO WILL COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK.

SOMEONE SAID WHAT'S THE MIRACLE?

WELL, THERE'S NO MIRACLE HERE.

THERE ARE STILL SOME EMERGENCY SHELTERS AVAILABLE.

THERE'S DOMESTIC ABUSE SHELTERS.

SO THERE'S NO SOLUTION BEYOND THIS 28 DAYS FOR SURE.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN UNDER FIRE FROM DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVES FOR NOT PROVIDING MORE FUNDING FOR AN OFF-RAMP.

THIS IS HOW THEY DEFENDED HIS APPROACH AT THE BRIEFING.

>> THOSE IN THE PROGRAM DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE ACCESS TO AND ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REACH OUT FOR SERVICES INCLUDING SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, COUNSELING, MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT OR JOB TRAINING.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER MANY IN THE PROGRAM ARE NO BETTER OFF THAN THEY WERE THREE YEARS AGO AFTER SPENDING ALMOST $200 MILLION, YOU CAN SEE WHY WE MIGHT CONCLUDE THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY.

>> IS THERE GOING TO BE A FLOOD OF PEOPLE CAMPING IN THE STREETS AROUND THE STATE?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WITH YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT AS WE NEED TO.

>> GOVERNOR SCOTT ON FRIDAY.

ALL HANDS ON DECK APPROACH INCLUDES A LOT OF NONPROFIT AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR, AND THE GOVERNOR SAID AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM NO VERMONTER SHOULD BE SURPRISED IF WE SEE MORE PEOPLE CAMPING IN PARKS STARTING AS SOON AS THE MIDDLE OR THE FIRST OR SECOND WEEK OF JUNE.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS WEEK ISSUED A FUND-RAISING APPEAL AND WE'LL PUT IT ON THE SCREEN.

IT DID RAISE SOME EYEBROWS BECAUSE AS YOU'LL SEE THEY LAY THE BLAME FOR THE END OF THIS MOTEL PROGRAM SQUARELY AT THE FEET OF THE SCOTT ADMINISTRATION.

PROGRESSIVES IN PARTICULAR CRYING FOUL.

>> I WAS APPALLED.

I THINK THAT WAS HEARTLESS TO TRY TO FUND RAISE AND POINT ONLY THE FAULT IN ONE DIRECTION AND WHAT SHOULD BE REALLY HAPPENING NOW IS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SITTING DOWN SAYING WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND PRIORITIZE VERMONTERS NOT FUND RAISE FOR A POLITICAL PARTY.

>> THIS BUDGET OF COURSE THAT DID NOT INCLUDE STATE DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE FEDERAL MONEY WAS PASSED BY DEMOCRATS.

ON FI DAY, THE ADMINISTRATION WENT OUT OF ITS WAY TO SAY THIS IS REALLY DRIVEN BY A SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS DID NOT COME UPON US SUDDENLY.

THE TIMING WITH THE PANDEMIC WAS IN SOME WAYS ANOTHER SYMPTOM OF A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HAD ACTUALLY FOR DECADES IN VERMONT WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH AND WE'RE SEEING NOW WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY WHEN PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO RENT HOMES AT HIGHER PRICES TO PAY FOR THE COST OF LIVING OR WHEN PEOPLE ARE OPPORTUNISTIC AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RISING RAINS TO RAISE RENTS.

PEOPLE IN MIDDLE CLASS HOMES ARE RENTING THOSE LOWER CLASS UNITS PUTTING AT RISK PEOPLE AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE INCOME SCALE.

IF WE SEE PEOPLE CAMPING, THE IMPACT OF SOME INACTION THAT HAS BEEN DRAGGING ON FOR YEARS AND HOUSING WILL BE APPARENT TO US BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ESCAPE THE FACT THERE'S A PROBLEM WHEN PEOPLE ARE CAMPING ON THE SIDEWALKS OR CITY PARKS.

>> EVERYONE HAS BEEN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH CONSTRUCTION EVERYWHERE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS BEFORE IT STARTS TO REALLY HAVE AN EFFECT.

>> THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELEASED THIS WEEK SOME MAJOR SURVEY RESULTS.

THEY DO IT EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS CALLED THE YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY.

AMONG THE FINDINGS, THIS SURVEY INVOLVES SOME 30,000 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COLLECTED THROUGH THE END OF DECEMBER OF 2021, IT TAKES THEM A YEAR TO PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER, MORE THAN A THIRD OF VERMONT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORT STRUGGLING WITH THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH.

LGBTQIA STUDENTS FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CONSIDER SUICIDE THAN HETEROSEXUAL KIDS.

HEALTH COMMISSIONER MARK LEVINE SAID THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THAT THOSE NUMBERS HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED OR THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS MAGICALLY GONE AWAY IN THE YEAR OR 15 MONTHS SINCE.

SO THERE IS THAT.

WILSON, THE STATE TROOPERS HAVE BEEN FIRE BACK AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OUR STATE IN UNUSUALLY FRANK LANGUAGE.

WHAT IS THE DISPUTE?

THIS INVOLVES THREE STATE TROOPERS THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL CHARITY KEY LARGO HAS CHARGED.

>> THREE STATE TROOPERS IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHERE THE TROOPERS WERE CHARGED CRIMINALLY WITH IMPROPER USE OF FORCE OR TOO MUCH FORCE OR WHATEVER WORDING YOU WANT TO BE IN.

IN MY YEARS IN THE BUSINESS I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION FIRE BACK LIKE THIS.

THEY ARE SAYING BASICALLY POLICE HAVE TO GO OUT -- NOT BASICALLY, THEY SAY POLICE HAVE TO GO OUT EVERY DAY AND MAKE MINUTE TO MINUTE DECISIONS IN REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND THEY DO THE BEST THEY CAN AND IN A LOT OF THESE CASES IF THEY ADOPT MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, THAT CAN BE HANDLED INTERNALLY BY THE STATE POLICE RATHER THAN CHARGING THEM CRIMINALLY.

>> THE UNION PUTS IT THIS WAY IN THESE CASES IT APPEARS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS WEAPONIZED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT IS TOUGH STUFF.

>> THAT IS TOUGH STUFF.

THERE HAS BEEN OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF ATTENTION OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ABOUT POLICE EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE, THEN TRYING TO BALANCE WHAT -- TRYING TO FIND THAT PROPER BALANCE.

POLICE SOMETIMES HAVE TO USE FORCE.

NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THEM USE TOO MUCH.

WHERE IS THAT LINE?

STREET HAVE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS EVERY DAY IN SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS.

EVERYONE IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO AGREE WITH THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING AROUND OUR STATE THIS WEEK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE RECORD FROST BACK ON MAY 17th AND 18th HAS HAD ON OUR SPRING CROPS AND THE NEWS IS NOT GOOD.

WE HAVE APPLES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST.

STRAW BERRIES.

>> BLUEBERRIES ARE IN DANGER.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A HIT FOR OUR PRODUCE FARMERS.

>> IT IS.

THERE'S A LOT THEY TOOK OFF BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE WANTED TO DO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND THIS COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THEM.

THAT'S A LOT OF REALLY SMALL FARMS AND OPERATIONS.

>> IN THE SHELBURNE VINEYARDS, THE GRAPES WERE HIT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE PUSHING IT AT THIS ELEVATION, THIS LATITUDE, AND THEY SAID THE INSURANCE FOR THE GRAPES THEMSELVES BUT NOT FOR THE WINE WHICH IS THE MUCH BIGGER COMMERCIAL PART OF IT.

>> WELL, THAT IS AN ABBREVIATED SUMMARY OF THE NEWS OF THE WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE MORE NEXT WEEK.

THIS IS A SPECIAL WEEK HERE ON OUR PROGRAM.

FIRST TO YOU, WILSON RING, WRAPPING UP A 40-YEAR CAREER IN THE NEWS BUSINESS NEXT WEEK INCLUDING THREE DECADES AT THE AP BUREAU IN MONTPELIER, MUST BE BITTERSWEET.

>> IT IS BITTERSWEET.-I HAVE BED HUMMING AULD LANG SYNE EVERYWHERE I GO.

I THOUGHT ABOUT THE THINGS I HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST THREE DECADES FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 40 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, I FOUND IT YESTERDAY THE FIRST STORY I EVER GOT PAID FOR WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 1982 I WROTE A FEATURE STORY ABOUT A GUY FROM RICHMOND WHO SOLD HORSES.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE TIMES PAID ME FOR IT BUT IT WAS REAL MONEY AND I WAS THRILLED.

THEY PUT THE TAG ON THE BOTTOM, WILSON RING AS A WRITER FROM MIDDLESEX, WHERE I WAS LIVING AT THE TIME.

WHO KNEW WHERE THE FUTURE WOULD TAKE US.

I HAVE TO SAY, STEWART, I CAN'T FORGET THE FIRST TIME YOU AND I RAN INTO EACH OTHER ON THE TRACKS IN WILLISTON DURING THE MONTREAL AMTRAK MONTREAL DERAILMENT IN THE SUMMER OF 1984.

>> THAT WAS A BIG STORY.

>> WE WERE BOTH AS GREEN AS THEY COME.

THERE WE WERE ON THE TRACKS.

>> GOT YELLED AT FOR QUESTIONING TOO CLOSE.

>> DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST TIME ON THIS PROGRAM?

>> I DO.

IT WAS IN THE SUMMER -- SUMMER, PROBABLY THIS TIME OF YEAR, HILLARY CLINTON CAME TO VISIT WOODSTOCK AND I HAVE TO SAY I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BUT OTHER THAN HER ARRIVING IN WOODSTOCK, BUT IT WAS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN ON BUT THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME.

I ABSOLUTELY REMEMBER IT.

PEOPLE OUT THERE KNOW, THE FIRST TIME YOU DO THIS YOU'RE REALLY WORRIED YOU'LL SAY SOMETHING STUPID ON THE AIR, RIGHT?

>> EVERY TIME.

>> NO, NO, NO.

>> YOU GUYS ARE ON THIS PROGRAM PARTICULARLY YOU AND ANN AND TIM, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROGRAM SO MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN MY FAVORITE PANELISTS.

DO YOU REMEMBER -- REALLY I REMEMBER THE PROBLEM FOR ME IS TIMING THE END OF THE SHOW ALWAYS.

TIM MCQUISTON JUST HAS A PENCHANT, IT'S 42 SECONDS, 41, 40, END OF THE SHOW.

YOU KNOW, STEWART, THERE'S ONE OTHER THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND I'M TURNING GREEN.

THE TIMER ON IT -- [LAUGHTER] >> MY HEART FAILURE I THOUGHT WOULD BE EVIDENCE ENOUGH.

ANNE, DO YOU REMEMBER FIRST COMING ON THIS PROGRAM?

>> I DO.

CHRIS GRAFF WAS THE MODERATOR.

I WAS YOUNG, FOOLISH, ALSO TERRIFIED I WOULD SAY SOMETHING STUPID.

THEN I WENT WITH ANOTHER A.P.

REPORTER TO WATCH OURSELVES ON TV.

WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A TV AT THE TIME.

WE WERE IN A BAR AND THEY ASKED US TO SWITCH IT TO "VERMONT THIS WEEK" AND THEY WERE PERPLEXED BUT THEY DID IT.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> I THINK MY HEAD WAS BURIED IN MY HANDS.

>> YOU CAN'T WATCH IF YOU'RE ON.

>> IS THAT REALLY TRUE?

>> I NEVER WATCH MYSELF.

NEVER.

>> AFTER ALL OF THESE DECADES IN THE VERMONT MEDIA I THINK I HAVE DEVELOPED THE HIDE OF ARY NO, SIR REDUCE.

I LISTEN TO IT ON VPR, VERMONT PUBLIC, AND I'M LIKE, THAT'S ME.

>> IT IS ERIE WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR OWN VOICE FOR SURE.% >> SOME PEOPLE REMEMBER JACK BARRY WHO FOUNDED THIS PROGRAM IN 1982.

>> HE HE WAS FAMOUS FOR ASKING QUESTIONS HE KNEW YOU DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO.

>> PETER FRAME DID THAT TO ME ONCE.

WILSON, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF S-- SOME NUMBER.

I KNEW THE BILL BUT HAD NO IDEA THE NUMBER.

HE SOMEHOW DEFINED IT AND THEN I COULD TALK.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE NUMBER.

>> THIS BUSINESS HAS CHANGED A LITTLE SINCE YOU STARTED.

>> WE COULD PEND THE NEXT HOUR TALKING ABOUT HOW THE NEWS BUSINESS HAS CHANGED.

>> IN VERMONT THERE'S A LOT FEWER OF US THAN THERE USED TO BE.

IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT FROM BACK WHEN YOU GUYS WERE STARTING OUT.

A LOT LESS INDEPENDENT RADIO COVERAGE.

A LOT LESS LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE, MUCH.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS PEOPLE DON'T READ OR WATCH THE LOCAL NEWS AS CLOSELY AS THEY USED TO.

I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ISN'T AS MUCH INSIDER POLITICS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THE MEDIA AS THERE USED TO BE.

THERE USED TO BE A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE A.P.

AND THE BURLINGTON STATE HOUSE.

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS AT THIS TABLE ANY MORE, THE POWER OF POLITICS.

>> WE DON'T BUT THIS HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN CONVERSE CIVILLY ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY IN OUR STATE.

THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT.

>> I REMEMBER.

>> I'M CURIOUS.

EVEN CARRYING THE SHIP OF STATE HERE FOR ALMOST 17 YEARS.

ONE OF MY MEMORIES WITH YOU WAS ROSS SNEAD AFTER THE AGER BILL WENT INTO LAW.

HE HAD THIS FABULOUS SOLILOQUY.

THIS IS LIKE MAGIC ON THIS SHOW, TIM JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO WE HAD THOSE MOMENTS THERE.

>> IT'S BEEN WHEN I THOUGHT BACK ON THIS, MY LAST SHOW AS WELL, WE HAVE COVERED A LOT FROM IRENE TO BERNIE SANDERS' RUNS TO CANNABIS TO THE END OF VERMONT YANK YEE -- >> THINK OF OF THE WAR IN IRAQ.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT STILL BREAKS MY HEART, THE FUNERALS I WENT TO.

SOME OF THE VERMONTERS WHO WERE KILLED WHEREVER, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN.

>> I REMEMBER HOW I FELT WHEN I GOT THE CALL TO TAKE OVER THIS PROGRAM.

CHRIS GRAFF WAS THE FIRST TO CALL ME.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE A PIECE, THE ONLY PIECE IN ALMOST 17 YEARS THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING.

[LAUGHTER] >> FROM THE VERMONT PUBLIC TELEVISION STUDIOS, NOW IN OUR 25th YEAR, THIS IS "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

>> A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW INAUGURAL IN MONTPELIER AS A NEW SHRUG GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS.

TOP STORY IN VERMONT FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2007.

>> I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

>> I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> IN 2007 "VERMONT THIS WEEK" WAS UNDERGOING A FORMAT CHANGE.

STEWART LEDBETTER WAS THE OBVIOUS CHOICE AS NEW HOST.

HE HAD JOURNALISTIC CHOPS, HE KNEW TELEVISION, HE AND I GOT ALONG QUITE WELL WITH EACH OTHER.

HOPEFULLY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PROGRAM.

ASIDE FROM ASKING A CERTAIN VOLUNTEER OUT FOR A DATE WHO BECAME MY WIFE IRISH STEW WAS THE BEST PROFESSIONAL DECISION I EVER MADE.

THANK YOU, STEWART, FOR CONTRIBUTING TO "VERMONT THIS WEEK" AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THIS REQUIRES A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND THOSE ARE HARD TO DO.

DOES THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, THE MEDIA IS A BIG BUSINESS IN VERMONT, YOU LOOK AT THE BIGGEST BUSINESSES IN VERMONT THEY ARE THE MEDIA.

>> IT'S HARD TO ENVISION "VERMONT THIS WEEK" WITHOUT STEWART LEDBETTER LEADING THE PANEL.

SITTING AROUND WITH STEWART AND OUR REPORTERS AND CHATTING ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THE WEEK WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF BEING A REPORTER IN VERMONT AND COVERING GOVERNMENT IN POLITICS.

STEWART, YOU HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLE STEWARD OF THE SHOW.

I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE PLAYED A SMALL PART IN ITS HISTORY ALONGSIDE OF YOU.

I WISH YOU WELL.

>> WHAT ABOUT PETER SHUMLIN?

HE'S RUN STATEWIDE BEFORE AND HE'S BEEN ON TELEVISION DAY AFTER DAY.

HE'S PLAYED THE YANKEE CARD BRILLIANTLY TO THOSE DEMOCRATS THAT I TALK WITH.

YET HE'S PRETTY FAR DOWN HERE.

DOESN'T THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

IT SHOWS HOW HARD NAME RECOGNITION IS TO ACHIEVE.

MOST OF THEM KNOW THIS.

>> A GENTLEMAN SPOKE TO ME RECENTLY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF "VERMONT THIS WEEK," IT'S A MUST SEE PROGRAM FOR THOSE AROUND HIM AND HOUSE HIS WIFE ABSOLUTELY LOVES STEWART LEDBETTER.

THE SAME SENTIMENT WAS ECHOED BY A MAN IN MILTON THIS WEEK.

THE BESTEST, THE BEST EFFORT.

>> THE PRAISE IS DUE NOT ONLY FOR HIS INTEGRITY AND NARRATIVE TO MAKE UP NEWS EVENTS.

THAT'S AN UNCOMMON SKILL, ONE WELCOME TO VERMONT WHISTLEBLOWERS WANT THIS WEEK'S NEWS.

I HAVE BEEN TPOERPBLTD TO HAVE BEEN WATCHING HIS CAREER.

I SPAN THAT OF STEWART'S.

I WILL MISS HIM AS A MODERATOR BUT I WISH HIM THE BEST AS HE USES HIS NEWLY FOUND TIME TO EXPLORE LIFE'S OFFERINGS.

ERE'S CHEERS TO STEWART LEDBETTER.

>> GOVERNOR SCOTT AGREES NO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM NEEDS ADDITIONAL MONEY BUT NOT SURE IT NEEDS NEW TAXES.

THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THIS ADMINISTRATION BUDGET COMING UP ON JANUARY 23.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

PETER IS RIGHT.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT THOSE BUMPERS ARE THERE IN TERMS OF NO TAXES, NO FEES.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE IS RAISE EXPECTATIONS AMONG VERMONTERS ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT HE'S GOING TO OUTLINE IN TWO AND A HALF WEEKS OR SO.

>> STEWART, CONGRATULATIONS AS HOST OF "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

YOU MADE THE SHOW FUN TO WATCH, FUN TO BE PART OF.

I FORGIVE YOU FOR ALL THE TIMES YOU TURNED TO ME ON THE CAMERA AND I WASN'T READY!

WHAT I REMEMBER IS YOU WERE A GREAT CHAMPION OF ALL THE PANELISTS APPEARED OUR WORK COVERING VERMONT POLITICS.

ALL VERMONTERS OWE YOU A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE, ENERGY AND HEART YOU PUT INTO THE SHOW AND KEEPING VERMONTERS INFORMED ABOUT HOW THEIR STATE OPERATES.

I TOAST TO YOU ON A JOB WELL DONE, MY FRIEND.

ALL THE BEST.

>> WOW.

THANKS, EVERYBODY.

>> STEWART, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS ABOUT THIS SHOW?

>> ALL OF YOU.

THESE FRIDAY VISITS HAVE BEEN JUST GREAT.

THANKS TO ALL THE PANELISTS.

I HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF YOU OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.

IT'S TRUE, I REMEMBER DISS TEUPGTLY GETTING THAT CALL.

I WAS SO THRILLED.

ONE OF THE THREADS, STEWART, IS YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A GOOD FRIEND TO US AND TO ME WITH A GREAT HEAD OF HAIR.

[LAUGHTER] >> LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES YOU >> LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES YO%-ú, RIGHT?

WE HAVE ALL -- BUT WE STICK WITH IT.

AND IN A PLACE THAT WE LOVE.

THAT'S REALLY BEEN I THINK THE KEY.

I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD AGREE, WILSON.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AS YOU HEAD OFF INTO THE RETIREMENT SUNSET NEXT WEEK.

>> WHAT A PRIVILEGE FOR ALL OF US TO BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE WITH HAPPENED ABOUT WHATEVER THE TOPIC IS.

>> WELL, TO YOU AT HOME, REALLY, A WORD OF THANKS.

WE ONLY SUCCEED IN LIFE WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS.

IT STARTS WITH MOM AND DAD AND THEN THE MANY WE MEET ALONG THE JOURNEY.

YOU DON'T SEE THEIR FACES BUT THERE'S A FABULOUS TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO WORK ON THIS PROGRAM AT VERMONT PUBLIC EVERY PRY DA, HOLT, BRIAN, KALEY, MIKE, DAVID, KIANNA, KYLE, JOEY.

YOU'RE THE BEST.

TO JOE MA REASON WHO YOU JUST HEARD FROM WHO TOOK A CHANCE AND HIRED ME ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, WELL, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GRATEFUL.

TO MANAGEMENT AT NBC 5 WHERE I% WORK THE REST OF THE WEEK AND WERE ACCOMMODATING AND LET ME DO THIS, I HAVE LOVED YOU ON THIS PROGRAM.

I KNOW IT'S SPECIAL FOR MANY OF YOU.

EVERYWHERE I HAVE TRA *FLD CROSS OUR STATE YEAR AFTER YEAR PEOPLE HAVE COME UP TO ME IN A STORE OR ON THE SIDEWALK TO COMMENT ON SOMETHING THAT YOU SAW OR WISHED WE HAD SAID ON THIS PROGRAM.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A STATE WHERE PEOPLE VALUE NEWS AND FAIR ANALYSIS AND FEELING CONNECTED.

WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY ALMOST ALL OF THE JOURNALISTS THAT WE INVITE TO OUR TABLE EACH WEEK SAY YES.

BUT EVERYTHING HAS ITS TIME.

ITS CYCLE.

A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO I STARTED TO THINK THAT MAYBE IT WAS TIME TO STEP AWAY AND LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THEIR SHOT.

I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL TAKE OVER YET, SO STAY TUNED.

I DO KNOW IT IS NOT EASY TO PUT THIS SHOW TOGETHER EVERY WEEK SO PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH THOSE WHO STEP UP OVER THE SUMMER.

FOR EACH OF YOU WATCHING AND LISTENING TONIGHT, HUGE THANKS.

IT'S BEEN GREAT.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

FOR NOW, GOODNIGHT AND HAVE A WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.