>> VERMONTERS FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES IS TEMPORARY HOUSING ON THE WAY?
>> WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE SHELTERING IN PLACE IN PLACES THAT DON'T HAVE HEAT, WATER, ELECTRICITY.
>> THE GRANITE CITY HOPING JULY'S FLOODING WON'T ERODE THEIR KPWRO *ET.
WHERE THE CLEANUP STANDS.
>> AND AN 'EM BALLOTED STATE'S ATTORNEY FACING IMPEACHMENT SAYS HE'S OUT.
THAT AND MORE 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.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.
I'M CAT VIGLIENZONI.
JOINING US IS TIM MCQUISTON OF VERMONT BUSINESS MAGAZINES, NBC 5 REPORTER STEPHEN BIDDIX AND ALISON NOVAK OF SEVEN DAYS.
EMBATTLED STATE'S ATTORNEY JOHN LAVOIE SAYS HE'S STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
HE WAS ACCUSED OF REPEATEDLY USING INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE TOWARDS EMPLOYEES.
HE DENIED MANY OF THE CHARGES.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT.
DO YOU THINK HIS RESIGNATION WILL AFFECT THE INQUIRY AGAINST HIM?
>> YES, WHAT I'M HEARING IS THEY ARE STILL PLANNING TO MEET FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO GO OVER THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW.
IT WAS ORIGINALLY ANNOUNCED THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY.
SO WHAT I HAVE HEARD IS THAT SINCE HE HAS STEPPED DOWN THEY WILL NOT GO FORTH WITH ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT BUT ACCEPT HIS STEPPING DOWN AS A FULL CIRCLE FOR THIS INVESTIGATION.
>> HE WASN'T THE ONLY OFFICIAL FACING A POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT.
SHERIFF JOHN GRISMORE WAS AFTER VIDEO SHOWED HIM KICKING A DETAIN YEE.
A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THOSE THINGS IN THE IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE ARE HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATE OR MOVEMENT IN THAT CASE?
>> YES.
THAT WAS OUTSOURCED TO AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM THAT THE COMMITTEE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS FOR THAT.
WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THE INFORMATION THAT THAT LAW FIRM IS GOING THROUGH WITH THAT INVESTIGATION BUT THEY ARE LOOKING TO HAVE IT WRAPPED UP BY THE END OF OCTOBER.
>> WE'LL KEEP UPDATED.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RECOVERY FROM THE JULY FLOODING.
THIS WEEK WE HAVE LEARNED FLOODED OUT HOME OPENERS MAY HAVE TEMPORARY HOUSING FROM FEMA BEFORE THE COLD WEATHER HITS.
FEMA HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FOR FEMA TRAILERS TO BE SHIPPED TO VERMONT, SOMETHING LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.
>> WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE SHELTERING IN PLACE IN PLACES THAT DON'T HAVE HEAT, WATER, ELECTRICITY.
WE HAVE TO BE THINKING ABOUT IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WINTER COMING BUT ALSO ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY INTO THE FUTURE.
SO WE BUILD RESILIENCE AND MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSING AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.
>> TIM THE KWEUG QUESTION IS WHEN.
ANY TIMELINE FROM THE GOVERNOR OR FEMA ON THIS?
>> WELL, THEY ARE BRINGING THEM IN SHORTLY.
THEY COULD BE ARRIVING ANY MINUTE.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ALL SET UP FOR HABITATION UNTIL MID- TO LATE SEPTEMBER.
SO IT'S A LONG WAY.
ONE OF THE ISSUES IS GENERAL ROY, THE FEMA COORDINATOR HERE, SAYS THEY HAVE ABOUT 200 PEOPLE, 200 FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED FOR THIS PROCESS.
THE PROBLEM IS AS STEPHEN WELL KNOWS, THEY ARE VERY LIMITED AS TO WHERE THEY CAN PUT THEM.
THEY ARE ONLY DESIGNATED FOR WASHINGTON, WINDSOR AN MEMORIAL COUNTIES.
THEY CAN'T BE PUT BACK IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE WATER, SEWER AND ELECTRIC ALSO.
IT'S REALLY LIMITING HOW MANY WILL BE AVAILABLE.
IF PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE TRAILERS, WHICH LOOKS LIKE A LARGE 5th WHEEL TRAILER IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THOSE, NOT A FULL SIZE MOBILE HOME.
THEY WOULD HAVE THEM FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.
SIMILAR TO THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT FEMA IS PROVIDING SO A YEAR AND A HALF TOPS FOR THIS PROCESS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE.
IT COULD BE ONLY A HANDFUL AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS.
IT'S ONE THING FEMA WANTS TO DO TO HOUSE PEOPLE.
THAT'S THEIR GOAL.
>> DO YOU THINK THE NEED FOR HOUSING BASED ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED WILL BE MET BY THESE TRAILERS?
>> THAT'S LEFT TO BE DETERMINED A LITTLE BIT.
AS TIM MENTIONED THE LOCATIONS IS DIFFICULT.
THE CITY MANAGER IN BARRE, WHICH WE SAW THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO HOUSING, WHETHER IT'S 2nd STREET, 3rd STREET, THERE'S A LOT OF IT.
THE CITY MANAGER HAS NO IDEA WHERE THE TRAILERS COULD GO.
ANY LOCATION BIG ENOUGH IS IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
>> SPEAKING OF BARRE, OBVIOUSLY HIT VERY HARD BY FLOODING.
ALISON, IT'S BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF OR SO SINCE THE FLOODING HIT.
ARE THESE TEMPORARY HOUSING SOLUTIONS THAT THE CITY IS TRYING TO COME UP WITH ENOUGH FOR DISPLACED RESIDENTS?
>> I THINK ALSO THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
A LOT OF PEOPLE I TALK TO ARE LIVING IN VERY MAKESHIFT SITUATIONS RIGHT NOW.
SO PERHAPS CRASHING ON AN AIR MATTRESS IN A RELATIVE'S LIVING ROOM OR STAYING WITH A FAMILY FRIEND.
SO THESE PEOPLE AT SOME POINT ARE GOING TO -- THEY ARE GOING TO NOT BE ABLE TO STAY THERE MUCH LONGER.
SO I THINK THE QUESTION IS WHERE DO THEY GO WHEN THEY ARE NO LONGER WELCOMED IN THESE TEMPORARY APBGTS.
I THINK THAT STILL IS A VERY OPEN QUESTION.
>> DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH HOUSING BARRE LOST ARE, ROUGHLY?
THE LATEST FROM THE CITY IS A LITTLE MORE THAN 500 UNITS HAVE BEEN DAMAGED.
THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY LOST BUT DAMAGED TO THE POINT THAT THEY MIGHT NOT BE LIVABLE.
IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT A BIG CITY, THAT'S PROBABLY 10 TO 15% OF THE HOUSING STOCK IN THAT CITY HAS BEEN PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED.
>> DO THEY KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT GET SOME OF THESE FEMA TRAILERS?
>> I ALSO TALKED TO THE CITY MANAGER YESTERDAY.
HE SAID HE HAS NOT HEARD YET FROM FEMA.
HE HAD HEARD THE NEWS THAT THESE TRAILERS WERE COMING BUT HE HAS NO IDEA WHEN OR IF THEY ARE COMING TO BARRE.
>> IS THIS A COMMUNICATION BREAK DOWN OR JUST A SYMPTOM OF HOW MANY THINGS THEY ARE DEALING WITH NOW?
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES.
THERE'S A LOT OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS TALKING ABOUT WHAT CAPSTONE IS DOING, REALLY TRYING TO HELP RESIDENTS BUT THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLEX NEEDS WITHIN THE CITY.
>> IT'S BEEN WEEKS NOW AT THIS POINT.
WHEN YOU TALK WITH PEOPLE HOW ARE THEY FEELING THIS FAR INTO THE PROCESS?
>> WHAT I THINK I LEARNED IN MY REPORTING IS THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE KIND OF QUANTITATIVE DAMAGE OF THE FLOOD BUT THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF KIND OF TRAUMA THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THROUGH ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAD TO FLEE THEIR HOMES IN SOME CASES OR HAVE LOST ALL THEIR BELONG INNINGS.
I THINK ONE OF THE ANYTHINGS I HAVE HEARD IS FIGURING OUT THAT'S NOT A PROCESS THAT YOU CAN RESOLVE EASILY AND HOW TO MAKE SURE THOSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING WHAT THEY NEED BUT ALSO THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH HAVING GONE THROUGH THIS VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT.
>> THERE WAS A LOT OF OUTPOURING INITIALLY TO HELP FLOODED CITIES, A LOT OF ENERGY, URGENCY.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST MESSAGES I REMEMBER HEARING FROM PEOPLE FROM THOSE FLOODED COMMUNITIES WAS THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE FORGOTTEN ONCE THE INITIAL OUTPOURING HAD WEANED.
DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN BY SOME PEOPLE NOT SEEING THIS DAY-TO-DAY?
>> IT'S EASY WHEN YOU'RE IN OUTSIDE THE AREAS AFFECTED TO FORGET WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.
ESPECIALLY IN BARRE, PROBABLY MONTPELIER, A LOT OF OUT OF STATE HELPERS CAME N. ONE WOMAN SAID IT WAS ALMOST COMICAL.
EVERYONE SAYING HOW CAN I HELP YOU EVERY FIVE MINUTES.
A LOT OF OUT OF STATE HELPERS ARE GONE.
I STILL THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT BUT THERE LIKE THE HOUSING QUESTION THERE'S NO EASY ANSWER OR RESOLUTION.
>> STEPHEN, THEY HAVE TEASING THE RETURN OF THE VERMONT STRONG LICENSE PLATES.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEM, HOW MUCH THEY COST, HOW MUCH MONEY WILL GO TO FLOOD RELIEF?
>> LICENSE PLATES WILL BE READY TO GO MONDAY FOR ORDER ON THE STATE'S DMV WEBSITE.
SUPPOSEDLY YOU CAN PICK THEM UP AT THE PLACE AS WELL.
THEY COST $35 APIECE.
YOU CAN BUY THEM IN PLUCK BUT THEY REMAIN AT THE $35 PRICE.
THERE'S A NEW PARTNERSHIP WHERE THE STATE IS WORK CANNING DARN TOUGH.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUNDLE WHERE YOU CAN GET A VERMONT STRONG PLATE WITH A PAIR OF VERMONT STRONG SOCKS.
YOU CAN'T GET THE SOCKS SEPARATELY.
THEY COME IN A BUNDLE.
THAT WILL EQUAL $70 AND 100% GOES TO FLOOD RECOVERY EFFORTS.
>> P-PLT A LOT OF PEOPLE BOUGHT THEM.
THE STATE PASSED A LAW ALLOWING PEOPLE TO KEEP THEM ON THE FRONT OF THEIR CARS.
DO YOU SEE THE SAME ENERGY FOR THESE NEW PLATES OR DID THE WINDOW OF INTEREST AND EMERGENCY PASS ALREADY?
>> CAT, BEFORE THE SHOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.
I THOUGHT ACTUALLY THIS WEEK THAT THERE IS NOT THE SAME KIND OF LEVEL -- THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST, DON'T GET ME WRONG, BUT WITH IRENE IT WAS ONE BIG EVENT INSTEAD OF THIS SORT OF ROLLING EVENT THAT KEPT HAPPENING AND HAPPENING.
SO EVERYTHING CAME TOGETHER MUCH MORE QUICKLY WITH IRENE THAN IS HAPPENING NOW.
THEN IT'S PLAYED OUT.
SOME OF THE COMMENTS, WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO GET THESE THINGS OUT HERE.
SO THERE'S NOT QUITE THE ENTHUSIASM.
I THINK WE'LL SEE WHAT ONCE THEY ARE AVAILABLE AND ONCE THE -- A CAP ON IT THEY WON'T BE AVAILABLE, THE SOCKS WON'T BE AVAILABLE FOREVER SO YOU MAY WANT TO GET TO THOSE QUICKLY IF YOU WANT THEM.
THERE'S PICTURES OF THEM.
SORT OF A DARK GREEN WITH THE VERMONT STRONG LOGO ON IT.
SO I THINK WE'LL SEE AFTER THE FACT HOW MUCH MONEY REALLY COMES IN AND AS STEPHEN SAID HALF GOES TO THE VERMONT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, HALF TO THE GOVERNOR'S RECOVERY FOR BUSINESSES.
EVERYONE HOPES IT WILL BE A VERY POPULAR ITEM ALSO MARKETED OUT OF STATE.
THERE'S A LOT OF OUT OF STATE INTEREST IN WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.
>> VERMONT OF COURSE IS RELYING ON FEMA FUNDING FOR THE RECOVERY.
VERMONT STRONG PLATES WON'T FIX COMMUNITIES AS MUCH AS THEY MIGHT HELP.
>> TALKING ABOUT THE RECOVERY, REALLY IMPORTANT THING THAT ALSO HAS NOT HAPPENED IS GETTING CONGRESS TO HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL ALLOCATION WHICH IS GOING TO BE VITAL.
LIKE THE CARES ACT, ARPA FOR THE PANDEMIC.
THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> CHALLENGING BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES IN THE COUNTRY NOW WE THINK OF MAUI WITH THE WILDFIRES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GETTING HIT BY A ONCE IN A CENTURY TROPICAL STORM.
OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SAYS THEY ARE WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT MORE MONEY COMES IN.
>> IN THE STATE WE HAVE SOME 4,000 PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES WERE DAMAGED, 800 BUSINESSES WHO WERE DAMAGED.
A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.
THEY NEED HELP.
WE HAVE TO REBUILD AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO GET THE FEDERAL SUPPORT THAT WE NEED.
>> WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO CONVINCE OUR COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM THAT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN VERMONT, IN HAWAII, WE ARE THE CANARIES IN THE COAL MINE.
THIS KIND OF CATASTROPHIC DISASTER THAT IS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS COMING TO EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
>> STEPHEN WE KNOW HOW GRIDLOCKED CONGRESS IS WITH THE DEMOCRAT CONTROLLED SENATE, THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE.
ARE THEY OPTIMISTIC THEY CAN STRIKE A DEAL ON THIS ACROSS PARTY LINES?
>> VERMONT'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS OPTIMISTIC IN SECURING WHAT THEY HOPE IS A FULL $BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL PACKAGE.
I ASKED THE QUESTION OF WITH THE NATURAL DISASTER IN HAWAII DOES THAT PUT VERMONT TO THE BACK OF THE LINE?
HE SAID THE MORE THESE NATURAL DISASTERS HAPPEN CREATES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITHIN CONGRESS.
A REPUBLICAN MAY NEED HELP FOR HIS STATE, A DEMOCRAT MAY NEED HELP FOR HER STATE.
HE SAID IT'S ALMOST CREATING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITHIN CONGRESS IN D.C. >> IF WE DON'T GET THAT MONEY THAT WOULD BE A BIG PROBLEM.
TIM, THEY ARE RELYING ON THE FEDS TO STEP IN.
>> THEY ARE REALLY COUNTING ON T. JUST REBUILDING THE HOUSING IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE.
FEMA IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
THAT'S NOT THEIR PROTOCOL.
THERE WOULD NEED TO BE A SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.
>> A REMINDER IF ANYONE WANTS TO HELP, LOCAL LEVEL CLEANUP DAYS ARE HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND AROUND THE STATE TO PICK UP THE DEBRIS FROM THE FLOODING.
I THINK WITH ALL THE FOCUS ON FLOODING IT'S EASY TO FORGET THE BIG NEWS FOR FAMILIES IS SCHOOL IS STARTING BACK UP.
ALISON, YOUR CONVERSATIONS IN úSOME OF THE FLOODED COMMUNITIES LIKE BARRE, DO YOU KNOW IF IT'S AFFECT THE START OF THEIR SCHOOL YEAR AND IF SCHOOLS MAY HAVE PLANS TO HELP STUDENTS WHOSE HOME LIFE HAS REALLY BEEN DISRUPTED?
>> COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I TALK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF BARRE SCHOOLS TO ASK DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
HE SAID THEY HAD STARTED GOING DOOR TO DOOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THE FLOOD IN THE AREAS FLOODED TO TRY TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES THAT THEY SERVE.
I THINK IT'S STILL GOING TO BE A SURPRISE WHEN SCHOOL STARTS NEXT WEEK IN SOME CASES AS TO WHERE FAMILIES ARE.
I IMAGINE THERE ARE SOME THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH.
I THINK SCHOOLS WILL HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE FIGURING OUT WHAT THE FAMILIES NEED.
>> VERMONT OF COURSE DOES NOT HAVE A PERMANENT EDUCATION SECRETARY NOW.
THEY ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THAT.
WHERE DOES THAT SEARCH STAND NOW?
DO YOU KNOW IF THEY HAVE ANY STRONG CANDIDATES OR ARE WE ABOUT TO GO WITH INTERIM SECRETARIES, NO STRANGERS TO THE DEPARTMENT TO HELPING RUN IT.
>> ACCORDING TO THE CHAIR OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TODAY, THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON THE JOB DESCRIPTION.
THEY ARE MEETING NEXT WEEK.
THEY HAVE A COMMITTEE THEY HAVE CONVENED OF THREE STATE BOARD MEMBERS AND THEY WILL MEET NEXT WEEK TO HONE THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE SECRETARY.
THE ISSUE I THINK WAS THAT IN LATE "MARCH" DAN FRENCH ANNOUNCED HE WAS RESIGNING.
HE RESIGNED IN APRIL THEN IT TOOK THREE OR FOUR MONTHS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SEND A LETTER TO THE STATE BOARD ASKING THAT THEY COMMENCE SEARCH FOR A NEW SECRETARY, WHICH IS WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN FOR THE SEARCH TO START.
THESE ARE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.
I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW THEIR TIMELINE IS THEY HOPE TO RECOMMEND THREE CANDIDATES TO THE GOVERNOR IN NOVEMBER.
WE WILL GO A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH NOT A PERMANENT SECRETARY BUT HEATHER, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, IS SERVING IN THAT ROLE NOW.
>> HAVE YOU HEARD SCUTTLEBUTT A LITTLE TO WHETHER SHE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN STAYING IN THAT ROLE.
>> IT'S SOMETHING I HAVE WONDERED AS WELL.
>> MANY SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY STEEP COSTS.
YOU HAVE LEARNED ANOTHER SCHOOL IS DEALING WITH IT.
IT'S AFFECTING HOW THEY START THEIR SCHOOL YEAR.
>> I LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT BELLOWS FALL UNION HIGH SCHOOL I THINK THEIR RESULTS CAME BACK MID AUGUST.
THEY FOUND ELEVATED LEVELS IN A LOT OF BUILDINGS IN THEIR SCHOOL INCLUDING AN AUDITORIUM AND GYM, LEVELS THAT MAKE IT SO THEY CAN'T USE THOSE SPACES.
THEIR LATEST IS THEY ARE GOING TO START BY HAVING SOME CLASSES OUTDOORS UNDER TENTS WHILE THEY PUT IN FILTRATION SYSTEMS, DO MORE TESTING TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET THE LEVELS DOWN.
I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT PCB TESTING IS STILL CAUSING DISRUPTIONS WITHIN SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.
>> A BIG PRICE TAG FOR MANY OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH I IMAGINE IT PUTS THEM IN A BIND.
SCHOOLS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR HAVING A LOT OF MONEY.
>> YEAH.
FRANKLY SO MANY OF THE SCHOOLS ARE OLDER IN VERMONT.
WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T TEST BECAUSE WHAT'S GOING TO TURN UP?
THAT'S A BIG CONCERN TOO.
WHAT IS THE SAFE LEVEL?
SHOULD WE TEST THEM ALL?
WHAT IF THE MAJORITY COME BACK BAD WHAT WILL WE DO?
THERE'S NO MONEY FOR T. >> THEY HOPE TO GET MONEY OUT OF THE POTENTIAL SETTLEMENTS.
>> THAT COULD TAKE A WHILE.
SO YOU HAVE CLASSES UNDER TENTS ALL WINTER?
>> MARK ANYTHING BACK TO THE PAP DEMOCRATIC.
>> THIS IS A DISRUPTION FOR KIDS THAT HAVE HAD SEVERAL YEARS OF DISRUPTION.
THAT'S WORTH NOTING TOO.
>> STAFFING WAS A BIG CONCERN FOR MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
FROM WHAT YOU'VE HEARD HOW IS THIS YEAR'S SCHOOL STAFFING SITUATION SHAPING UP?
>> I HAVE HEARD IT'S LESS OF AN ISSUE THIS YEAR ALTHOUGH I THINK IN CERTAIN POSITIONS, PARA EDUCATORS, THOSE WHO WORK WITH STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION THOSE ARE HARD POSITIONS TO FILL.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS THIS LAST WEEK WITH A NUMBER OF PARENTS WHO HAVE STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY WHO ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR KIDS ARE STARTING OUT THE SCHOOL YEAR NOT HAVING PLAN IN PLACE, NOT HAVING A PARA EDUCATOR ASSIGNED TO THEM, WONDERING HOW THAT IS GOING TO BODE FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
I THINK THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE BUT WE'RE IN THE HEARING ABOUT THE MORE WIDESPREAD STAFFING SHORTAGES WE HAVE THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
>> VERMONT ENERGY REGULATORS GIVING THE GREEN LIGHT TO MORE HOME BATTERY BACKUPS.
1200 PEOPLE ON A YEARS LONG WAIT LIST ACCORDING TO GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER.
WHY DID REGULATORS HAVE A CAP ON HOW MANY COULD GET INTO THE PROGRAM AND THEN WHY WOULD THEY LIFT IT NOW?
>> WELL, THEY WANTs BECAUSE OF THE FLOODING.
PEOPLE NEEDED ENERGY AND THEY COULDN'T GET T. THEY COULDN'T GET ELECTRICITY SO THAT'S THE DEMAND.
THEY PRETTY MUCH LIKE ANYTHING, CAT, WHERE YOU HAVE A NEW PROGRAM YOU WANT TO TEST THE WATERS, SEE HOW IT'S GOING.
DEMAND HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS.
GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER IS S-LG IT AS A WAY TO SECURE THE GRID SO THEY CAN TAP INTO THE HOME BATTERIES, THE TESLA ONES ON THE SCREEN OR OTHER ONES, WHEN ENERGY IS PEAKING AND IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THEM TO BUY ENERGY OVER THE WHOLESALE MARKET, THE SPOT MARKET.
A HOT OR COLD DAY IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE.
REGULATORS LIKE THAT.
IT'S GOING TO REDUCE RATES.
THAT'S A GOOD THING.
BUT THERE IS A COST ON THIS SIDE AS WELL.
THEY WANTED TO -- I THINK THEY WERE JUST THE PUC WAS LOOKING TO SEE HOW THE PROGRAM WAS WORKING.
IT'S WORKING GREAT ACCORDING TO GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER NOW THEY HAVE OPENED IT UP SO ALL THOSE PEOPLE -- OF COURSE VERMONT TALK ABOUT DISTRIBUTED ENERGY THERE'S PEOPLE LIVING ALL OVER THE PLACE AT THE LAST MILE, SECOND LAST MILE.
IT'S REALLY HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE HINNTER LAND HAVE SOME ENERGY SECURITY.
>> ARE YOU HEARING FROM REGULATORS POTENTIALLY HOW THIS COULD BE A SPRINGBOARD TO SOMETHING ELSE?
>> NOT QUITE HEARING ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
>> YEAH.
TAKING A LOOK AT ANOTHER ISSUE THIS WEEK THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH PUT OUT NEW GUIDANCE ON REDUCING SUICIDES IN THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE.
THIS IS AN ISSUE LAWMAKERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR QUITE A WHILE.
ALISON, WHAT ARE KEY TAKE-AWAYS YOU THOUGHT WERE STANDOUTS?
>> THIS IS A DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH PLAN.
IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING A PLATFORM WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN GO TO GET RESOURCES ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION INITIATIVES AND OTHER INFORMATION.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY CITED IS THE ENACT VERMONT'S SUICIDE RATE IN 2021 WAS THE HIGHEST IT HAD BEEN EVER AND THAT COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WE HAVE A HIGHER SUICIDE RATE.
I ALSO KNOW FOR LOOKING AT THE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY THAT STUDENTS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.
TEENS I THINK ABOUT 35% ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
THOSE RATES ARE HIGHER FOR LOW BLOOD PRESSURE STUDENTS AND FEMALE STUDENTS.
I THINK THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR THE STATE.
>> SCHOOLS I IMAGINE ARE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THIS PLAN.
>> I THINK SCHOOLS KIND OF -- THEY WORK WITH THE STATE BUT I THINK SCHOOLS DO THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL THINGS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
>> STEPHEN, IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION LAWMAKERS WERE PRETTY FOCUSED ON THIS IDEA BUT WITH I BELIEVE IT WAS A FIREARMS BILL.
DO YOU THINK THAT LED ANY MOMENTUM TO THIS?
>> I THINK IT JUST FOLLOWS A TREND OF THE STATE IN GENERAL TRYING TO BECOME MORE AWARE OF THIS TOPIC, HOW THEY CAN DO MORE.
ESPECIALLY STARTING WITH THE YOUTH AND WORKING ITS WAY UP.
A BIG REASON FOR THE BILL THAT BECAME LAW THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, YES, THERE'S NOW A 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD.
THERE'S NOT NECESSARILY A SAFE STORAGE BUT NEGLIGENT STORAGE PROVISION THAT IS IN THAT BILL TO TRY TO PREVENT YOUTH FROM GETTING THEIR HANDS ON FIREARMS AND MAKING DANGEROUS DECISIONS.
THEY ARE TRYING TO START IT YOUNG SO IT DOESN'T BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE AS THEY GET OLDER.
>> DOUBLE DIGIT RATE HIKES ARE IN FRONT OF THE CARE MOUNTAIN HOSPITALS.
TAKE A LESSEN TO WHAT THE CEO OF THE STATE'S LARGEST HOSPITAL HAD TO SAY.
>> WE'RE DOING MORE COMPLEX CARE, SEEING MORE COMPLEX PATIENTS.
THEY OFTEN TIME NEED MORE STAFF WHICH COSTS ARE GOING UP FOR OUR STAFF.
THE EQUIPMENT IS OFTENTIMES MORE EXPENSIVE.
IF WE'RE STARVED IN OUR BUDGETS IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.
>> A LOT OF THINGS ARE OUTSIDE OF THE BOARD'S CONTROL.
WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO MAKE SURE IT'S OPERATING AS EFFICIENTLY AS IT CAN WHILE PROVIDING THE CARE EVERYONE NEEDS.
>> DO YOU THINK THE GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE BOARD WILL BUY THAT ARGUMENT FROM DR. LEFFLER?
>> THEY UNDERSTAND.
THEY WON'T ALLOW THE RATES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ESPECIALLY AT THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER.
WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE COMMERCIAL RATES TO GO UP BY 13.4% IN ONE YEAR.
THE BUDGET THEIR TWO YEAR BUDGET IS GOING UP BY 24%.
THEY UNDERSTAND IT.
THERE'S THREE ELEMENTS.
THERE'S THE REGULATORS LOOKING OUT FOR EVERYONE'S COST AND THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SYSTEM.
THERE'S A HOSPITAL BASICALLY PROVIDING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE.
THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WHO DON'T LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE BECAUSE THE RATES KEEP GOING UP SO THEY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR PREMIUM HOLDERS.
IT'S NOT WORKING WELL FOR ANY ONE OF THOSE GROUPS SO THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY.
WHAT THE UVMC WANTS TO DO IN MIDDLEBURY AND CENTRAL VERMONT AND BERLIN, GIVE US THE MONEY TO GET BACK TO BASELINE.
WE HAVE HAD TO PAY SO MUCH FOR WORKFORCE, TRAVELING NURSES, INFLATION AND THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY.
WE'RE GETTING OLDER, TAKING MORE HEALTH CARE, LESS COMING BACK BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE ARE GETTING MEDICARE FOR THE MOST PART.
NOTHING IS REALLY WORKING WELL.
THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR THE ALL PAYER SYSTEM TO KICK IN SO THE POPULATION WILL BE HEALTHIER.
THAT WILL TAKE A WHILE.
GIVE US ENOUGH MONEY TO GET THROUGH THIS PERIOD HERE.
IT'S A BAND-AID BUT REALLY EXPENSIVE.
WE HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND GET THROUGH IT.
>> COUPLE OF FUN STORY TO END OUR BROADCAST.
TIM, YOUO UP LESLIE FRY GOT THE 2023 GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE.
WHAT IS THAT?
WHY DOES IT STAND OUT?
>> WHEN I LOOKED AT THE STORY I WAS THINKING I THINK THE BASIC ISSUE IS THAT VERMONT WANTS TO BE A PLACE OF ARTS, RIGHT?
SO FINDING SOMEONE THAT CAN REPRESENT VERMONT AND VERMONT'S UNIQUENESS AND BRING PEOPLE INTO THE STATE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU ALWAYS SEE, CAT, IS THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY PROUD OF WHERE THEY LIVE.
THIS IS PART OF THAT I THINK.
>> FINALLY THE TEN BEST DAYS OF SUMMER OFFICIALLY UNDER WAY.
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FAIR KICKING OFF FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN ESSEX JUNCTION.
NEW HIGHLIGHTS, A DIVER WITH SHARKS, A COMEDIAN AND MAROON ARTIST REPLACING THE LONG TIME HYPNOTIST WHO USED TO COME TO THE FAIR.
A WHOLE PHR *ET PLETHORA OF NEW FOODS, DEEP CRIED MAPLE COOKIES.
WHAT'S MISSING, LONG TIME FAIR FOOD STAPLE AL'S FRIES OPTED OUT OF THE TEN BEST DAYS OF SUMMER.
I'M GOING TO PEPPER OUR PANNISTS WITH FUN QUESTIONS.
ALISON, FAVORITE PART OF THE FAIR, FOOD, ANYTHING YOU WANT.
>> I'M NOT MUCH OF A RIDE PERSON BUT I DO ENJOY DEEP FRIED OREOS.
>> OH!
STEPHEN?
>> I LOVE THE CONCERTS.
WHEN THE FAIR COMES FOR THE TEN BEST DAYS OF SUMMER WE GET SOME PRETTY BIG ARTISTS.
RHYMEY GREEN, TYLER HUBBARD AMONG OTHERS.
>> ARE YOU GOING TO SEE LUDICROUS?
>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.
>> I LIKE THE SHOWS.
THERE'S ALWAYS THE DOG SHOWS.
I REALLY LIKE HYPNOTIST.
HE RETIRED BUT THAT WAS A HOOT TO WATCH.
>> OF COURSE THOSE ARE THE TEN BEST DAYS OF SUMMER.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THANKS TO OUR PANEL, TIM MCQUISTON, STEVE BIDDIX AND ALISON NOVAK.
TAKE CARE, EVERYONE.