>> THE REPORT CARD IS IN.
IT'S NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT.
>> OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN REQUIRES ATTENTION.
>> WILL FUNDING AND THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE LAW GET US WHERE WE WANT TO BE?
[SHOUTING] >> PROTESTS AT VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY AREN'T GOING AWAY.
BIG UNIONS JOINED IN.
>> WHAT ARE WAKE BOATS AND DO THEY NEED SPECIAL REGULATION?
NEW LEADER AT DCF, THIS WEEK, AND NEWS FROM THE STATE HOUSE, 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.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.
IT'S FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2023.
AROUND THE TABLE WE HAVE PAUL HEINTZ, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AT VTDIGGER.
PETER HIRSCHFELD, STATE HOUSE REPORTER WITH SRERPBLT PUBLIC, AND JOINING US VIA SKYPE, ANNE WALLACE ALLEN, STAFF WRITER AT SEVEN DAYS.
THANK YOU.
BUSY WEEK ONCE AGAIN.
WE'LL GET YOU UP TO DATE ON A COUPLE OF STORIES FROM LAST WEEK.
WE BEGIN WITH EVERY FOUR YEAR REPORT CARD FROM THE VERMONT CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.
THEY TELL US IF YOU DRIVE A CAR, PROBABLY ALREADY KNEW THAT THE STATE OF VERMONT'S INFRASTRUCTURE IS SO-SO.
THE GRADE WAS A C, OVER ALL, WHICH MEANS AS YOU HEARD AT THE OUTSET MEDIOCRE REQUIRES ATTENTION.
PAUL, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX.
>> IT SURE IS.
THIS REPORT CARD IS NOT GRADE.
LOOKS LIKE MINE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
I FEEL BAD FOR THE STATE.
WE ARE JUST ONE STATE AMONG MANY THAT IS STRUGGLING WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'RE DOING BETTER IN SOME RESPECTS THAN OTHER STATES PARTICULARLY WITH THE QUALITY OF OUR BRIDGES WE HAVE SEEN SOME GOVERNMENT.
ONLY 2.5% ARE IN REALLY POOR CONDITION AS OPPOSED TO 5%.
SO I THINK WE GOT A B-MINUS ON OUR BRIDGES, BETTER THAN OTHER AREAS.
OUR WASTE WASTE SYSTEMS HAD THE WORST RANKING LARGELY DUE TO ABUNDANCE OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE WHICH CAN FAIL AND CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, HOMEOWNERS AND WE'RE SEEING MORE OF THAT AS SEPTIC SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE GET OLDER AND OLDER.
THAT WAS A GRADE OF D-PLUS, CERTAINLY NOT GOOD.
THERE ARE SOME BRIGHT SPOTS.
THERE'S MORE FEDERAL FUNDING AVAILABLE NOW DUE TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW LAST YEAR.
THERE'S A LOT OF STATE FUNDING THAT WILL NEED TO BE APPROPRIATED OVER THE COMING YEARS TO START TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
>> IT'S NOT EASY TO COME UP WITH A NUMBER, BOTTOM LINE NUMBER OF HOW MUCH THE STATE IS IN LINE TO RECEIVE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.
IT'S MORE THAN $1.6 BILLION JUST FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.
SECRETARY JULIE MOORE SAID THERE'S $750 MILLION FOR WATER PROJECTS.
THAT'S A REAL AREA OF NEED.
CONGRESSWOMAN BECCA BALINT WAS AT THE STATE HOUSE FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK AND SHE ALLUDED TO ALL OF THAT MONEY THAT'S ON THE WAY THANKS TO THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.
>> IT IS THE LARGE PEST INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE SINCE THE EISENHOWER ADMINISTRATION.
IT IS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSIT EVER.
THIS IS EXCITING.
THIS IS GOING TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE US OUT OF TTHE OUT OF A C. >> REMEMBER THAT.
THE AVIATION WAS ANOTHER AREA OF SOME IMPROVEMENT THANKS LARGELY TO THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MAIN AIRPORT IN SOUTH BURLINGTON.
BUT ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS, PETE, IS GOING TO BE WHO IS GOING TO DO ALL THIS WORK.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE STRIKING THINGS TO ME ABOUT THIS REPORT IS CONCERNS RAISED BY THESE ENGINEERS IN EACH OF THE AREAS THAT THEY LOOKED AT WERE RELATED TO WORKFORCE.
YOU NEED THE MONEY, RIGHT, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO PONY UP FUNDS, THE FEDS TO PUT SOME MONEY OUT THERE BUT REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE LACK OF A WORKFORCE TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE THE PROJECTS ONCE YOU HAVE THAT MONEY IN PLACE.
AND IT'S HIGHLIGHTED FOR ME THE UBIQUITY OF THIS WORKFORCE ISSUE AS YOU LOOK AT THE LITANY OF ISSUES THE STATE IS ADDRESSING WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION, HOUSING, BROADBAND, WE HAVE SEEN MORE MONEY COME INTO STATE TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE SHORT COME EUPBLGS IN THESE AREAS.
THERE'S STILL REALLY SERIOUS OUTSTANDING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER WE HAVE THE BODIES% NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE WORK.
>> IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAVE NO OTHER NEED FOR THOSE FOLKS GIVEN OWE HOUSING NEEDS.
THAT COMES TO MIND.
WE WILL SEE.
AGAIN, EVERY FOUR YEARS WE'LL SEE IF IN FOUR YEARS' TIME WE BUDGE.
LAST WEEK WE TOLD YOU ABOUT SORT OF THE FOMENTING UNREST ON THE CAMPUSES OF NORTHERN VERMONT UNIVERSITY, CASTLETON, VERMONT TECH OVER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE SOON-TO-BE RENAMED VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY TO DIGITIZE LIBRARIES AND CHANGE SOME OF THE SPORTS LEAGUES THAT STUDENTS WILL COMPETE WITHIN.
THOSE PROTESTS SHOW NO SIGN OF EASING OFF AT ALL.
THEY CONTINUED ON MONDAY IN CASTLETON.
THERE WERE MEETINGS LATE IN THE WEEK IN JOHNSON.
LET'S PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF SOME OF THE SOUND FROM THE PROTESTS THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT.
>> WE HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS HOW WE CAN BECOME MORE EFFICIENT, BECOME BETTER SO THAT WE CAN ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS.
WE CAN SERVE MORE STUDENTS.
>> THEY ARE NOT JUST TAKING AWAY BOOKS THEY ARE TAKING AWAY IMPORTANT REFERENCE LIBRARIANS.
ALL OF THE LIBRARIAN POSITIONS.
I FEEL LIKE THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS.
BOOKS AND READING, IT'S COMMUNITY.
LIKE INTEGRAL PART OF THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.
>> ANNE, YOU HAVE BEEN DIGGING INTO THIS.
STUDENTS SEEM REALLY UPSET.
THEY ARE AS WE CLOSE THE WEEK FAR FROM THE ONLY VOICES WE'RE HEARING IN THIS DEBATE.
>> RIGHT.
IT WAS A BIG SHOCK TO FACULTY, ALUMNI, EVEN COMMUNITY MIB'S WHO USE THE LIBRARIES OR WHO AS THAT STUDENT WAS SAYING SEE THEM AS INTEGRAL TO THE COLLEGE LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 350,000 BOOKS, PERIODICALS AND OTHER PRINTED MATERIALS THAT THE PRESIDENT AND THE TRUSTEES WHO SUPPORT HIS PLAN AND THE ADMINISTRATION WANT TO TAKE OUT OF THESE BUILDINGS AND REPLACE WITH DIGITIZED MATERIALS.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS A BIG SHOCK.
IT HAS ENGENDERED A LOT OF UPROAR.
THERE'S OF COURSE THREE DIFFERENT FACULTY AND STAFF UNIONS HAVE ACTUALLY ISSUED A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE PRESIDENT, WHICH IS A PRETTY SEVERE REBUKE.
THERE'S A MEETING PLANNED AT THE STATE HOUSE NEXT WEEK.
DR. PARWINDER HAS FOUND HIMSELF BEING SWEPT INTO ONE MEETING AFTER ANOTHER WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS PLAN.
HE TESTIFIED IN A COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES THIS WEEK WHO WERE ASKING HIM WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT.
HE'S HOLDING MEETINGS ON ALL THE CAMPUSES TO TALK TO STUDENTS AND TALKING TO THE NATIONAL EDUCATION MEDIA.
IT'S A BIG STORY.
AS FAR AS THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS CAN TELL THIS IS THE ONLY CASE OF A SCHOOL GOING ALL DIGITAL WITH ITS LIBRARIES.
>> TO THIS POINT AS FAR AS WE KNOW THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN MEETING WITH AFFECTED GROUPS, STUDENTS, BUT HAS NOT BUDGED AT ALL.
FRIDAY WE HEARD FROM THE VERMONT LIKE RATHER ASSOCIATION ISSUING A RARE AND RATHER STINGING REBUKE OF THE DECISION.
THEY WRITE, CONTRACTING OUT WITH A 24/7 CHAT SERVICE FOR REFERENCE SERVICE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A LIBRARIAN WHO IS SELECTED, PURCHASED, CATALOGED AND CURATED A COLLECTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH FACULTY MEMBERS WHO KNOW WHAT A GIVEN PROFESSOR HAS ASKED FOR AND WHY, KNOWS THE CURRICULUM AND WHO CAN SUGGEST OTHER RESOURCES.
THE PROPOSAL TO CLOSE PHYSICAL CAMPUS LIBRARIES IS SHORT-SIGHTED.
FROM THE VERMONT LIKE RATHER ASSOCIATION.
THE VSEA ALSO PILING ON HERE.
>> FACULTY AND STAFF FEEL THEIR JOBS ARE OPEN ABOUT SAYING THE DECISION -- THE WORD STUPID IS BEING THROWN AROUND, EVEN DECEPTIVE.
PEOPLE FEEL THEY DIDN'T GET A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE SURVEY HE RELIES ON THAT SHOWS STUDENTS WERE WILLING TO UNDERTAKE THIS STEP.
HE'S GETTING PUSHBACK FROM THE SO-CALLED SURVEYED STUDENT BODY SAYING THAT WAS 500 PEOPLE INCLUDING MORE THAN 100 AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF VERMONT WHO ONLY HAVE A DIGITIZED LIBRARY.
THEIR ANSWERS WAORPBT BE THAT VALID.
HE'S STICKING TO HIS GUNS.
HE KNEW WHEN HE TOOK THIS JOB IN JULY HE WAS ENTERING A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION TRYING TO RIGHT THE SHIP OF THE STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM, SEVERELY UNDERFUNDED FOR MANY YEARS, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IT'S GOTTEN LARGE INFUSIONS OF CASH THANKS TO THE ARPA MONEY THE STATE GOT, ALSO FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAYING WE BELIEVE IN YOU.
THEY SET HIM ON A TASK TO REDUCE SPENDING BY $5 MILLION A YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS, $25 MILLION.
WHEN YOU TALK TO ADMINISTRATORS AND TRUSTEES THEY DON'T RULE OUT OTHER BIG CUTS THAT ARE GOING TO SHOCK PEOPLE.
THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THOSE COST SAVINGS.
HEELS NOT BACKING DOWN.
>> THAT'S THE REALITY, THOUGH, RIGHT?
ALL ABOUT MONEY.
>> RIGHT.
THIS ENTIRE PROJECT OF TRYING TO MAKE THESE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FUNCTION FOR LESS MONEY HAS BEEN FRAUGHT FOR YEARS.
WE OBVIOUSLY SAW THAT FROM YEARS AGO WHEN THE FORMER CHANCELLOR SOUGHT TO CLOSE AND CONSOLIDATE CAMPUSES AND THE REALITY IS SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE, BUT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING YOU TOUCH IN THAT SYSTEM IS GOING TO DRAW BIG BACKLASH LIKE WHAT YOU SAW HERE.
I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY FOR ANYONE TRYING TO RUN THAT INSTITUTION.
THERE ARE NO EASY CHOICES BUT THIS ONE CERTAINLY TOUCHED A NERVE AND UNDERSTANDABLY.
THE EFFECTS NOT JUST ON STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS BUT ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS HUGE.
WE'LL SEE IF THE ADMINISTRATION STICKS TO ITS GUNS.% CERTAINLY THERE WILL BE MANY MORE UH UNPOPULAR CHOICES AHEAD.
>> LOTS TO GET TO UNDER THE GOLDEN DOME.
WE'LL BUZZ THROUGH THIS.
FIRST DURING GOVERNOR SCOTT'S WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCE HE WAS JUST BACK FROM A MEETING WITH HIS COLLEAGUES IN WASHINGTON.
HE TOLD REPORTERS HE HAS DUSTED OFF AN OLDY BUT GOODY.
I FORGET THE EXACT PHRASE, THE TDI NEW ENGLAND CLEAN POWER LINK.
WHICH SUDDENLY HE THINKS MIGHT LOOK ATTRACTIVE TO STATES IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE NEW ENGLAND GOVERNORS TO GO BACK TO THEIR FOLKS AND SEE IF WE CAN GET TO THE TABLE WITH TDI, AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS, IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AGAIN.
>> NOW, THIS IS A 2014, 2015 PROPOSAL, SO YOU'LL BE FORGIVEN IF YOU FORGET SOME OF THE DETAILS.
THIS WOULD RUN TWO THOUSAND MEGAWATT CAPACITY CABLES DOWN LAKE CHAMPAGNE SHORELINE ON THE VERMONT SIDE GENERATE AGO LOT OF TAX REVENUE.
PETE, WHAT WAS YOUR SENSE?
>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THE APPETITE FOR POWER FROM HYDRO-QUEBEC IS FROM THE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND STATES, RIGHT?
FOR VERMONT, THIS IS A PROJECT THAT'S GOTTEN ALL THE PERMITS, GONE THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES, SO THAT HURDLE HAS BEEN CLEARED.
THE QUESTION NOW IS CAN YOU FIND A MARKET FOR ENERGY, HYDRO ENERGY BEING PRODUCED IN QUEBEC.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR VERMONT?
WELL, A LOT OF PASSIVE INCOME, RIGHT?
THE STATE OF VERMONT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING.
TDI BUILDS THIS UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION LINE AND VERMONT GETS I BELIEVE A HUNDRED SOMETHING MILLION FOR CLEAN WATER EFFORTS IN THE STATE.
THEN SEVERAL MILLION A YEAR FOR PERPETUITY FOR AS LONG AS THE LINE IS IN OPERATION.
SO IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STATE TO REAP SOME BENEFITS OF A PROJECT THAT DOESN'T AFFECT US DIRECTLY IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE GETTING OUR ELECTRICITY BUT BECAUSE IT'S GOING UNDER OUR ACREAGE COULD BE A BENEFIT FOR US.
WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.
>> THERE WILL BE MUCH DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY AS WE TRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS.
THAT WILL AFFECT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND TOO.
AT THE GOVERNOR'S BRIEFING HE WAS ASKED, I THINK YOU ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT LAST WEEK'S BIG STORY, WHICH WAS THE 21 SCHOOLS THAT WERE HIT WITH A HOAX PHONE CALLS ALLEGING MASS SHOOTER.
TURNED OUT TO BE BALONEY.
WHERE ARE WE IN THE INVESTIGATION SNOW.
>> IT WAS INTERESTING, A LOT OF PEOPLE THANK GOD IT WAS A HOAX.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HURT.
THEY WEREN'T PHYSICALLY HURT, BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT EXPERIENCED A LOT OF TRAUMAS A RESULT OF THAT.
I KNOW SOME TEACHERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THAT EVEN DAYS, COUPLE WEEKS ON, STILL SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR CLASSROOMS.
SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME ACCOUNTABILITY HERE.
THE INVESTIGATION, THOUGH, WHILE NOT YET COMPLETE, APPEARS TO INDICATE THAT THIS SWATTING INCIDENT LIKELY ORIGINATED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
PHIL SCOTT WAS BLUNT ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS MEANS IT'S NOT TERRIBLY LIKELY THAT THE STATE OF VERMONT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CHARGE, PROSECUTE, HOLD THE ALLEGED OFFENDERS TO ACCOUNT.
SO YOU KNOW, YOU GET THE SENSE THAT PEOPLE WANT SOMEBODY TO PAY A PRICE FOR WHAT THEY DID.
IT'S LOOKING LESS LIKELY THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THE GOVERNOR DID SAY THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED TO VERMONT.
A LOT OF STATES HAVE DEALT WITH THIS IN RECENT MONTHS, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE IN PARTICULAR.
SO HE SAID HE'S GOING TO BE TALKING WITH OTHER GOVERNORS TO MAKE THE CASE TO CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING WITH SUCH FREQUENCY AT LEAST.
>> ANOTHER ISSUE THAT IS SCARY TO SOME IN MONTPELIER, THE SLATE RIDGE PARAMILITARY TRAINING FACILITY IN POLL LET.
THAT HAS PROMPTED SENATE BILL 3, WHICH PASSED 29-1 THIS FRIDAY.
PAUL, TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> THIS BILL CAME OUT OF SOME GROUNDBREAKING REPORTING THAT VTDIGGER ON SHRAEULT RIDGE AND WEST POLL LET.
THIS IS THE OPERATION WHERE IT'S BEEN ALLEGED THERE WAS TRAINING POTENTIALLY FOR PARAMILITARY PURPOSES, CERTAINLY ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT OF NEIGHBORS.
AN ARRAY OF VIOLATIONS OF VARIOUS BUILDING CODES.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM INTRODUCED THIS LEGISLATION.
IT WOULD BAN ANY TEACHING OR TRAINING RELATED TO THE FURTHERANCE OF CIVIL DISORDER.
AND THE BILL HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLY LITTLE OPPOSITION IT SEEMS.
>> WHICH I WOULD NOT HAVE ANTICIPATED.
IT'S SAILED THROUGH THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WITH LITTLE CHANGE.
AND OF COURSE IS HEADED TO THE HOUSE.
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT HAS NEWT SAIDETTE WHETHER HE WOULD SIGN THE LEGISLATION.
THAT'S OFTEN THE CASE.
HE LIKES TO KEEP HIS OPTIONS OPEN BEFORE A BIG PASSES BOTH HOUSES.
HE'S NOT ALSO COME OUT AGAINST IT.
WE'LL SEE WHERE THIS GOES.
>> THE GOVERNOR DID MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT LATE IN THE WEEK NEW LEADERSHIP AT THE DEPARTMENT OF FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
THIS IS A NAME WE KNOW.
>> YEAH, SO INTERIM COMMISSIONER HARRY CHEN IS GOING TO LEAVE THAT POSITION.
LONG TIME DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE CHRIS WINTERS WILL BE TAKING OVER.
HE SPENT MANY, MANY YEARS WORKING AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE UNDER NUMEROUS DIFFERENT SECRETARIES OF STATE.
MOST RECENTLY JIM CONDOS, RAN FOR THE POSITION HIMSELF, OF COURSE, LOST IN THE PRIMARY TO CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE SARAH COPELAND HANSAS.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE JOBS FRANKLY IT'S TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT WHY ANYONE WOULD WANT IT.
YOU ARE AT THE EPICENTER OF THIS HURRICANE OF FORCES CONSPIRING AGAINST SOCIETY WHETHER THAT'S HOMELESSNESS, CHILD WELFARE, AND JUST A LOT OF DIFFICULT, DIFFICULT ISSUES WITH NO OBVIOUS ANSWERS THAT ARE GOING TO FALL TO HIM NOW TO OVERSEE.
SO GOT A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF HIM.
>> ANNE, TOUGH JOB.
DID THIS APPOINTMENT SURPRISE YOU?
>> NO, BECAUSE I KNEW CHRIS WINTERS WAS LOOKING FOR A JOB WOULD END UP AFTER HIS CAREER IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.
I ALSO THINK THAT IT'S TRUE, IT IS A REALLY TOUGH JOB BECAUSE HE'S INHERITING THIS LONG RUNNING DISPUTE IN NEWBURY OVER THE DETENTION CENTER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE THERE.
IT'S GONE ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPREME COURT.
SO HE'S GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF FINDING A SOLUTION TO HOUSING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES.
IT'S LIKE THE PRESIDENT OF THE VERMONT STATE COLLEGES.
HE KNEW HE WAS GETTING INTO SOMETHING, IT'S GOING TO BE -- THE FOCAL POINT FOR A LOT OF OUR CHALLENGES RIGHT NOW.
>> WHILE WE HAVE YOU, YOU HAD SOME REPORTING THIS WEEK IN SEVEN DAYS ABOUT THE CONTINUING SPIKE IN ILLEGAL CROSS INNINGS AT THE U.S.-CANADA BORDER.
WHAT IS DRIVING THAT?
DO WE KNOW?
WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT MIGRANTS BEING BUSSED UP FROM NEW YORK CITY TRYING TO ENTER CANADA, BUT THE SAME IS TRUE IN REVERSE.
>> ONE OF THE REALLY INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THIS SPIKE IN MIGRATION WHEN I TALK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THIS AREA AND WORKING WITH MIGRANTS AND WHO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IS THAT THE TRAFFIC EBBS AND FLOWS AT THE BORDER AND BOTH WAYS.
THERE'S ALWAYS FORCES AND THEY ARE REALLY WORLDWIDE FORCES.
THERE'S A LOT OF LEGAL MATTERS, IMMIGRATION AND VISA MATTERS THAT COMPEL PEOPLE TO MOVE IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER.
RIGHT NOW THAT DIRECTION IS PRIMARILY INTO THE U.S. OVER THE NORTHERN BORDER FROM MONTREAL FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WHICH AS I SAID IN SOME WAYS ARE WORLDWIDE.
WE HAVE SEEN THE TRAFFIC OF PEOPLE COMING IN NOT THROUGH BORDER STATIONS BUT THROUGH THE WOODS, RISE EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, CLIMBING SINCE LAST SPRING 'HIT A HIGH IN DECEMBER OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, MANY TIMES MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
IN THIS CASE FOR SOME REASON LIKE IN DECEMBER IT WAS MAINLY MEXICANS.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAD THE MEANS IN MEXICO TO FLY TO CANADA AND CROSS THE BORDER THAT WAY.
SOME OF THE GROUPS IN THE U.S. THAT WORK WITH REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS SAY THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY IMPACT FROM THOSE CROSS INNINGS AT THE BORDER NECESSARILY N. MANY CASES THEY ARE PICKED UP BY SOMEONE WHO TAKES THEM STRAIGHT TO NEW YORK CITY OR SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THEY SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A BIG INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE APPROACHING THEM FOR HELP, MIGHT BE FROM UKRAINE OR AFGHANISTAN OR SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT THEY ARE WORKING WITH A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.
I ALSO TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK ON THE VERMONT BORDER TO ASK WHAT THEY HAD SEEN AND INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE MIKE MAR COT, HE HAS A GAS STATION THERE.
HE TALKS TO PEOPLE ALL DAY WHEN THEY COME IN.
NOBODY HAS REALLY EXPERIENCED ANY IMPACT FROM THIS SURGE IN TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR THE BORDER PATROL WHICH IS WORKING OVERTIME.
THEN ONE I TALKED TO HAS LANDED IN NEW YORK WHO SAID HE HAD SEEN SOME EN CROSSING THROUGH THE WOODS WHILE HE WAS IN A TREE STAND.
IT'S A REALLY INTERESTING PHENOMENON, BUT WE DO KNOW THE BORDER PATROL IS PUTTING UP NEW TOWERS.
THEY HAVE A LOT OF PLANS FOR INCREASING THEIR SURVEILLANCE UP THERE.
>> WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT.
I WANT TO GET TO YOU, PETE.
THE SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE ON FRIDAY UNANIMOUSLY VOTED OUT THIS YEAR'S VERSION OF A CLEAN HEAT STANDARD.
IT HAS ONE OF THE MOST ARTFUL OF BILL TITLES, IT'S LONG.
BUT THIS IS THE 2023 VERSION TO TRY TO GET THE STATE CLOSER TO ITS STATED GOALS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THIS GOING?
>> BY ALL ACCOUNTS THIS IS A PROPOSAL DESPITE SOME HEATED OP THANKS YOU'RE SEEING BOTH FROM FUEL DEALERS AND FROM CLIMATE ADVOCATES THAT DO NOT THINK THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO GO.
THIS BILL HAS THE SUPPORT NEEDED IN THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS.
GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT MADE IT VERY CLEAR THIS IS NOT SOMETHING HE SUPPORTS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO PRESS THE PAUSE BUTTON ON CLIMATE ACTION PENDING A TWO-YEAR STUDY TO KIND OF GATHER ALL THE INFORMATION THE STATE WOULD NEED, COME UP WITH MORE FINE TUNED COST PROJECTIONS LOOKING FORWARD.
LAWMAKERS, THOUGH, SAY WE HAVE THESE NEW CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION MANDATES.
WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING QUICKLY.
SO IF IT PASSES AND IF THE LEGISLATURE IS ABLE TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, WHICH WE PRESUME WOULD COME, IT WILL GIVE THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION A COUPLE OF YEARS TO PUT SOMETHING INTO PLACE AND GET THIS NEW CREDIT BASED SYSTEM IN THE MARKET.
>> A HOUSE PANEL THIS WEEK ADVANCED THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS' UNIVERSAL PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BILL.
NOW IT'S GOT MANY MORE STEPS TO GO BUT THIS WOULD BE THE COMPULSORY SYSTEM THAT WOULD RELY ON A NEW PERIL TAX AND COVER EVERYONE WITH 12 WEEKS OF INCOME REPLACEMENT.
SO WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.
ANNE, BEFORE WE GO, WE HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT, I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A WAKE BOAT BEFORE BUT WE DID THIS WEEK.
DREW A BIG CROWD IN GREENSBORO.
LET'S LISTEN.
>> ALLOWING WAKE BOATS ON SMALLER LAKES IS LIKE SOMEONE SMOKING A CIGAR IN A CROWDED ROOM.
>> TO ASK SOMEONE TO DO THAT IN A BROAD LAKE ON LAKE CHAMPAGNE WHERE THERE'S FERRIES AND TONS OF BOAT TRAFFIC IT'S NOT AN OPTION.
>> THIS FAVORS THOSE THAT ARE WEALTHY WHERE THEY CAN LEAVE THEIR BOAT IN A SINGLE PLACE.
>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION HAS PROPOSED THIS RULE WITH THREE BASIC CAVEATS.
BOTTOM LINE IS YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO USE ONE OF THESE WAKE BOATS ON THE SMALLEST LAKES AND PONDS IN OUR STATE.
WHERE IS THIS GOING NEXT?
>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE BIGGEST LAKE REGULATION MOVE SINCE 1995 WHEN THEY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SET WHERE YOU CAN TAKE JET SKIS.
MORE HEARINGS.
THERE ARE 31 LAKES WHERE BOATS WOULD BE ALLOWED AND SO THEY ARE SETTING OFF ACROSS THE STATE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE LIKE THEY DID IN GR GREENSBORO TO SEE WHAT THY THINK OF THIS.
MANY SAID THEY WANTED THE LAKE TO BE -- BOATS TO BE BANNED ALTOGETHER BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGE AND NOISY AND THEY CREATE WAKE.
OR TO BE LIMITED TO 1,000 FEET FROM SHORE WHEN BEING USED.
>> WE'LL BE WATCHING.
I HAVE THIS ON GOOD AUTHORITY, PAUL, THESE ARE A LOT OF FUN.
>> YEAH.
MAYBE WE SHOULD GO OUT TOGETHER SOMETIME.
>> NOT WITH YOU DRIVING.
THAT WILL DO IT FOR US FOR "VERMONT THIS WEEK."
THANKS, EVERYONE.
PAUL HEINTZ, VTDIGGER, PETER HIRSCHFELD FROM VERMONT PUBLIC AND ANNE WALLACE ALLEN FROM SEVEN DAYS.
I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.