New Leadership in the New Legislative Session

Episode 250!

This is the Montpelier Happy Hour's 250th episode! Thank you to all the listeners and guests who made reaching 250 . . .

Funding to mitigate disasters

Rep. Katherine Sims discusses H.105, which would establish a grant to fund community mitigation and resilience . . .

Opiates and moving past approaches that don't help

Communities across Vermont are witnessing more people struggling with opioid misuse. While the cry goes out to "do . . .

Vermont joins lawsuit against Meta.

Vermont AG Charity R. Clark and 42 fellow AGs have launched a lawsuit against Meta. The suit alleges the company . . .

Theme Park Vermont Take 2

Emilie and Olga dig into the issues behind picturesque Sleepy Hollow Farm, road closures in Pomfret, and Vermont's . . .

Dams, overpayments, and running state government

September 8, 2023 (prerecorded 9/7): State Auditor Doug Hoffer discusses his office's findings on the state's dam . . .

Our Political Ancestor Philip H. Hoff

Wow! It's September. Where did the summer go? This week, we will hear from the last governor in our series: Philip . . .

Our Political Ancestor Gov. William H. Wills

In this episode, we'll hear the January 1941 inaugural address of former Gov. William H. Wills. While serving as . . .

Our Political Ancestor Gov. John E. Weeks

August 18, 2023 (prerecorded 8/10): On this week's show we hear from our political ancestor Gov. John E. Weeks. So . . .

Our Political Ancestor Gov. Frederick Holbrook

August 11, 2023 (prerecorded 8/8): We continue hearing from our political ancestors this week with the 1862 inaugural . . .

Let's hear from our political ancestors: Thomas Chittenden

We've been thinking a lot about transitions lately and inheritances.  As modern Vermonters we have passively inherited . . .

Flooding 2023 - The crisis is over. Now the hard work.

July 21, 2023: People are cleaning their basements and rebuilding after the floods earlier this month. This is the . . .

The 2023 Legislative Session - the view from the cheap seats

June 2, 2023 (prerecorded 5/31): It's time to round up what happened during the 2023 Legislative session! John Walters . . .

Protecting Access to Health Care for the LGBTQ+ Community

May 26, 2023: HB Lozito, executive director of Out in The Open, joins today's discussion about two shield bills . . .

Shaping the future one data point at a time

May 19, 2023 (prerecorded 5/15): Kevin Chu, executive director of the Vermont Futures Project, shares with us a vision . . .

What it takes to drown your policy babies

May 12, 2023 (prerecorded 5/7): It is the end of the legislative session. Some policies will make it a final vote, and . . .

Protecting abortion and gender affirming care

April 28, 2023 (prerecorded 4/24): We're discussing shield laws that moved through the State House last week in this . . .

S.100, a policy for housing and land use

April 21, 2023 (prerecorded 4/17): Housing and land use policy go hand-in-hand. Changing one can change the other. . . .

The next phase of stabilizing Vermont's child care and pre-k system

April 14, 2023 (prerecorded 4/10): Chloe Learey, executive director of Winston Prouty Center of Child and Family . . .

Public funds to private schools

April 7, 2023 (prerecorded 4/2): Not every community in Vermont operates a public school. Many of these communities . . .

Reducing Vermont's greenhouse gas emissions and keeping heat affordable

March 31, 2023 (prerecorded 3/27): Rep. Kathleen James joins today's show to discuss S.5, the Affordable Heat Act. The . . .

Post cross-over, what is happening with Paid Family Medical Leave

March 24, 2023 (prerecorded 3/20): Today, we circle back to H.66, the Paid Family and Medical Insurance bill. If . . .

Town Meeting Roundup 2023

March 17, 2023 (prerecorded 3/13): John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer is back to chat Town Meeting. What . . .

Online sports betting in Vermont

March 3, 2023 (prerecorded 2/27): The Legislature is considering a bill to legalize and regulate online sports . . .

Seeking the (many) single solution to housing

February 24, 2023 (prerecorded 2/20): Yes, we are talking about housing again. Unfortunately, folks in Vermont are . . .

Fatal Partners

February 10, 2023 (prerecorded 2/8): A recent report by the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission showed that . . .

A budget that meets people's needs

February 3, 2023: The budget process has begun in the State House. The House passed the Budget Adjustment Bill today. . . .

Designing policy as if it's New Year's Day 365 days a year

January 27, 2023 (prerecorded 1/23): We wish people a Happy and healthy New Year. What does a healthy policy look . . .

A return to paid family medical leave and MLK

January 20, 2023 (prerecorded 1/16): H.66, a bill to enact a paid family medical leave insurance program was submitted . . .

New Senator at Week 1

Windham County's new State Senator Wendy Harrison sits down with us to share her experience as the session begins.

Housing, child care, rural communities, and 2023

January 6, 2023: Hello to the New Year and a new legislative biennium! The Legislature opened this week. Governor . . .

Vermont needs a new normal and goodbye 2022

We celebrate our last show of 2022 with a breakdown of the annual State of Working Vermont report. The theme of this . . .

Taxes as infrastructure

December 23, 2022 (prerecorded 12/22): As vice-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, it's Rep. Emilie . . .

Checking in on the House Committee on Human Services

December 16, 2022 (prerecorded 12/15): Rep. Theresa Wood sits down with us today to discuss the potential work that . . .

Checking in with Health Care Committee

December 9, 2022 (prerecorded 12/6): Rep. Lori Houghton is a ranking member of the House Committee on Health Care and . . .

Checking in with Rep. Peter Conlon on the upcoming session

November 25, 2022 (prerecorded 11/23): Rep. Peter Conlon serves on the House Committee on Education. He stops by The . . .

Welcome to the post-midterm elections show!

November 11, 2022: The Friday morning political team is back and we're rounding up the midterms. Journalist John . . .

The quiet (in the storm) before the elections

(prerecorded 11/3): Elections are next week! While many folks have voted by mail, the official results are still days . . .

Checking in on the state of Vermont's rural internet

October 28, 2022 (prerecorded 10/25): It's a running joke on this show that whenever we discuss rural internet . . .

Candidate interview with Emilie Kornheiser

October 21, 2022 (prerecorded 10/19): The MHH's own Rep. Emilie Kornheiser joins today's show as candidate to the . . .

Candidate interview with Doug Hoffer

October 14, 2022 (prerecorded 10/13): Incumbent State Auditor Doug Hoffer joins the show this week to discuss some . . .

We continue our conversation on Proposition 2

Former State Senator Debbie Ingram was one of the early lawmakers to bring the Constitutional revision to the State . . .

Abolishing Slavery in Vermont

September 30, 2022: Vermonters will consider two amendments to the state constitution this November. Proposition 2, . . .

Candidate interview with Brenda Siegel

September 23, 2022: Brenda Siegel is campaigning against incumbent Vermont Governor Phil Scott. A small business . . .

Candidate Interview with Rick Morton

September 16, 2022 (prerecorded 9/10): Rick Morton is running to be one of Windham County's next state Senators. Today . . .

When the flood of money dries up

September 9, 2022 (prerecorded 9/7): Journalist John Walters takes a break from writing about the lead-up to the . . .

Candidate Interview with Tim Wessel

September 2, 2022 (prerecorded 8/31): Tim Wessel is running as an Independent for one of two Windham County Senate . . .

Candidate interview with Nader Hashim

August 26, 2022 (prerecorded 8/24): Nader Hashim, candidate for the Windham County Senate and former Vermont State . . .

Candidate interview with Wendy Harrison

August 19, 2022 (prerecorded 8/18): Wendy Harrison is running for one of two Windham County Senate seats. Along with . . .

Post Primary Chatter, Part One

Olga and Emilie discuss the results of the recent primary election

Candidate Interview with Chris Winters

July 29, 2022 (prerecorded 7/14): Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters, is running for his department's top seat, . . .

Candidate interview with Sarah Copeland Hanzas

July 22, 2022 (prerecorded 7/6): Election laws, climate change, and pensions are a few of the issues Sarah Copeland . . .

Candidate interview with Kitty Toll

July 15, 2022 (prerecorded 7/1): Kitty Toll is running for the office of Vermont Lieutenant Governor. A former House . . .

Candidate interview with David Zuckerman

July 8, 2022 (prerecorded 6/30/22): Former Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman is running again for the position. As a . . .

Candidate Interview with Rory Thibault

July 1, 2022 (prerecorded 6/29): Washington County State's Attorney Rory Thibault is running to become Vermont's next . . .

Candidate interview with Charlie Kimball

June 24, 2022 (prerecorded 6/22): Former Rep. Charlie Kimball is running to become Vermont's next Lieutant Governor. . . .

Protecting our personal data

AG candidate Charity Clark joins us this week to discuss data protections and how Vermont could do better.

Michael Pieciak is running for State Treasurer

June 10, 2022 (prerecorded 6/9): Former Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Mike Pieciak, . . .

Capping off the 2021-2022 Legislative biennium

June 3, 2022 (prerecorded 6/2): Emilie and Olga take one last look at the biennium and state budget. What a ride it has been.

Welcome to Themepark Vermont

5/27/22 - Vermont's tourism economy. Yep, we're poking at it again. According to the state, Vermont welcomes more than . . .

What didn't happen during the Legislative session?

May 20, 2022: Journalist John Walters joins the show this week to help us sum up the biennium. What bill didn't make . . .

REBROADCAST Protecting reproductive freedom

May 6, 2022: Hello Beautiful People! In response to the leaked US Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, . . .

Workforce questions for a rural state

April 29, 2022 (prerecorded 4/27): Vermont struggled with workforce issues before the pandemic. Rep. Tristan Toleno . . .

Building budgets, policies, and other stories

April 22, 2022: Stories, beliefs, and assumptions season almost every step in the Legislative sausage-making. This . . .

Building a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Vermont

April 8, 2022 (prerecorded 4/6): H.96, legislation to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has passed the . . .

Supporting Reach-Up in the time of COVID

March 25, 2022: Vermont's anti-poverty program for families, Reach-Up, is undergoing some changes this legislative . . .

Everything that's old is new again

March 18, 2022 (prerecorded 3/14): In this episode we reflect on our experience of what's old is new. Again. In other . . .

Is it time to switch from pandemic planning to endemic planning?

March 4, 2022 - In recent news interviews, several Governors have said it's time to transition from approaching . . .

What's up with the vetoes?

February 18, 2022: Today, we discuss vetoes. How they work and how is the Legislature responding to Governor Phil . . .

An update on Vermont state pensions

Last year a task force met to decipher a path forward for plugging a multimillion dollar gap in the state employee and . . .

Can a tax credit reduce child poverty?

February 4, 2022: Rep. Emilie Kornheiser discusses efforts to expand the state's Child Tax Credit for income-eligible . . .

Redistricting and what changes it may bring

January 28, 2022 (prerecorded 1/25/22): Rep. Mike McCarthy joins us today to talk about the redistricting process . . .

The State of Working Vermont Report

January 14, 2022: Welcome back to the show Stephanie Yu, Deputy Director of the Public Assets Institute. In this . . .

Welcome 2022 and a new Legislative Session

January 7, 2022: Hello Beautiful People! We are happy to start our fourth year here on the show. It's a new year and . . .

Making a climate change plan a reality

December 17, 2021 (prerecorded 12/16): State Senator Chris Pearson of Chittenden County joins us today to talk about . . .

Protecting reproductive freedom

December 10, 2021 (prerecorded 12/9): With the US Supreme Court hearing arguments that may overturn a woman's right to . . .

Looking back at 2021 and curious about 2022

As 2021 nears its close, Journalist and Blogger John Walters reminisces with us about the big news stories, COVID part . . .

Municipal mask mandates

November 26, 2021 (prerecorded 11/24): The Legislature convened Monday for a special session to vote on allowing . . .

An update on the She-cession

Cary Brown of the Vermont Commission on Women and Al Johnson-Kurts of Change the Story help us revisit the pandemic . . .

Pulling the Many Threads of Vermont's Education Funding System

Emilie updates listeners on a task force charged with developing an action plan for implementing recommendations . . .

Rural issues in a rural state

October 29, 2021: A conversation about issues facing rural communities is a nuanced one in Vermont that is... well... . . .

ARPA and Vermont - think bigger

Katie Buckley of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Carolyn Wesley, chief of staff for the Vermont Senate Pro . . .

Guides to welcoming refugees into rural communities

October 8, 2021: Governor Phil Scott announced last month that the state will welcome 100 Afghans. This announcement . . .

Preparing for ARPA - a local perspective

October 15, 2021: Chris Campany from the Windham County Regional Commission joins us this week to chat money. ARPA . . .

Redefining dignity and the nature of work

October 1, 2021: For more than a year, Emilie and Olga have discussed COVID, how it has highlighted cracks our . . .

The state of housing after the end of the state's emergency order

September 24, 2021: During the height of the COVID pandemic last year, Vermont issued a state of emergency. This order . . .

A reading of the Vermont Constitution, part 1

August 28, 2021 (prerecorded 8/20): A special reading of the opening to the Vermont Constitution. We are taking a . . .

So, you want an energy grid powered by renewables?

August 20, 2021: In previous episodes, we've discussed equity and climate change. We've also discussed renewable . . .

Finding a home in a second home market

August 13, 2021: Housing availability, affordability, and wages are only a few of the contributors to Vermont's tight . . .

Building Vermont's Climate Action Plan

Aug. 6, 2021: On July 26, subcommittees of the Vermont Climate Council released reports outlining strategies to . . .

What is up with technology in Vermont?

July 30, 2021: We joke on this show about the mishaps and blow-ups with the internet and IT systems in this state. . . .

The long process of voting

What can we learn about Vermont's electoral process by looking through a national or international lens? Plenty. Julia . . .

Finding housing post-COVID

July 9, 2021: Vermont had a housing crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic. But, during the shutdown, the state launched . . .

A veto for a new rental housing bill

July 9, 2021: Governor Phil Scott vetoed S.79 a bill designed to improve the safety of rental housing in Vermont. . . .

Fairness, lawsuits, and the future of Vermont's education voucher system

July 2, 2021 (prerecorded 6/21): Many small Vermont towns don't operate a school or only offer classes up to a certain . . .

The Veto Override, local control, yes! Well, maybe?

June 25, 2021 (prerecorded 6/23): Vermont communities have long espoused the virtues of local control. Yet, . . .

Public health decisions in a pandemic and after

June 18, 2021 (prerecorded 6/17) - Anne Sosin specializes in public health. She has watched Vermont's response to the . . .

Cannabis in Vermont, where are we now?

June 11, 2021 - Vermont is wending its way towards the creation of a retail cannabis market. Earlier this year, it . . .

ARPA funding and changes in Vermont's health insurance market

June 4, 2021 (prerecorded 6/3): This week we follow up on some of the legislation that passed this session. Vermont's . . .

Summing up the Legislative (Zoom) Session

May 28, 2021 (prerecorded 5/24): Vermont's Legislature has gaveled out for the year. Which bills passed? Which didn't? . . .

A proposal for the future of Vermont

May 21, 2021 (prerecorded 5/17): The Vermont Council on Rural Development is convening a summit on the state's future. . . .

Because taxes pay for things we like. Right?

May 14, 2021 (pre-recorded 5/14/21): Want to start a ruckus at a family dinner? Say: taxes. Okay you can say other . . .

Voting rights for 16 and 17 year olds and Town Charters

May 7, 2021 (pre-recorded 5/3): The House has approved a potential charter change that would allow 16 & 17 year olds . . .

Finding the Best Way Forward with Prison Reforms

April 30, 2021: Vermont's Legislature is wrangling with various prison reforms this session. But which ones help? . . .

Burning the Legislative Christmas Tree - Adventures in Revising Tax Code

April 23, 2021: One of Olga and Emilie's favorite pastimes, is digging into the stories, systems, and assumptions . . .

A Windfall of Money and Future Sustainability

April 16, 2021 (pre-recorded 4/12): Vermont is poised to receive $2.7 billion from the federal government's latest . . .

Long-Term Funding Issues and Their Immediate Pains

April 9, 2021 (pre-recorded 4/5): Last week Speaker Jill Krowinski announced that the House would drop its proposal to . . .

Community Broadband and The Last Mile

April 2, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/29): When describing Vermont's cell and broadband service, words like "spotty," . . .

Land Sovereignty - What it is and What it is Not

March 26, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/22): Vermont's Legislature is considering a few bills this session focused on promoting . . .

Transitioning to a Low Carbon Future

March 19,2021 (pre-recorded 3/15): Vermont's largest contributions to greenhouse gases are transportation and heating. . . .

Reducing Harm and Building Connection

March 5, 2021 (pre-recorded 3/4/21): The COVID pandemic has taken most people's focus this past year overshadowing . . .

Civil Debate, or the Lack Thereof

February 26, 2021 (pre-recorded 2/22/21): Self described Constitution Wrangler Meg Mott is holding a series of events . . .

Supporting Older Vermonters with Dignity

February 19, 2021 (pre-recorded 2-15-21): Last year, the Legislature passed Act 156. Known as The Older Vermonters . . .

Expanding Child Care Takes More Than Adding Programs

Last year, the Vermont Legislature passed a bill to help expand early education and child care. But, as the pandemic . . .

How to recover from a pandemic (while still recovering from a recession)

February 5, 2021 (pre-recorded on 2/1): Many people hardest hit by the pandemic were still recovering economically . . .

Taxes, fairness, and sustainability

January 28, 2021: Death and taxes might be two certainties in life, but on this show, we're about the taxes. Vermont's . . .

When staying home is not staying safe

January 21, 2021: A theme on this show during this pandemic has centered on the spotlight that is COVID-19 and the . . .

Welcome 2021!

January 8, 2021: The calendar has turned a page, 2020 is over, and a new year has begun. Whew! And yet... the year may . . .

New leadership looks towards new biennium

Jan. 1, 2021 (pre-recorded 12-18-20): Vermont lawmakers start a new two-year cycle in January. Yet, with the COVID-19 . . .

NPAs and Increasing Participation in Government

December 25, 2020 (pre-recorded 12/17): In Olga and Emilie's search for effective ways to increase citizen involvement . . .

Privacy in a Digital Vermont?

December 18, 2020 (pre-recorded 12/15): In the age of facial recognition and virtual lives online, what does this mean . . .

Housing and COVID-19 in the New Year

December 11, 2020 (pre-recorded 12/10): Vermont's response to homelessness might be one of the bright spots of the . . .

New Leadership in the New Legislative Session

December 4, 2020 (pre-recorded on 11/27): Sen. Becca Balint is the new president pro tempore (or pro tem as we tend to . . .

The Ongoing Protections of Civil Liberties

November 27,2020 (pre-recorded 11-24-20): Falko Schilling of the ACLU Vermont discusses the organization's work during . . .

The Issues That Haven't Gone Away

November 13, 2020: Journalist and blogger John Walters joins the show to talk about where we go next in Vermont now . . .

The Elections Happened, Now What?

Emilie Kornheiser and Olga Peters discuss this week's presidential and state elections. What has changed? What hasn't? . . .

COVID, Elections, Uncertainty, and All The Feels

October 30, 2020 - For many, the pandemic and next week's presidential election are only the tip of the emotional . . .

A Livable Wage in Vermont?

October 23, 2020: Wages. What is up with wages in Vermont? It seems state agencies, economic development types, the . . .

Health Care is Affordable, But Can Vermonters Pay?

October 15, 2020: The state has worked for decades to create a more affordable health care system. Yet, according to a . . .

The Labor Movement in Vermont

October 9, 2020: Speaking in labor terms, Vermont is an "at will" state. So what does the labor movement look like in . . .

The True Value of Farming?

October 2, 2020: Vermont has built its brand on cows, rolling hills, and maple syrup. But what is the reality for . . .

The Legislative Session's End

September 25, 2020: As Vermont's legislative session for 2020 comes to a close, months after its traditional deadline, . . .

What's Next for Hazard Pay?

September 11, 2020: Two bills aimed at getting money directly to people during the COVID-19 pandemic are working their . . .

State Revenues and the COVID Penalty

September 4, 2020: We all know the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted state revenues, but, as the Legislature returns to . . .

COVID-19, second homes, and rural communities

August 28, 2020 (pre-recorded Aug. 25): Has COVID-19 sparked an urban exodus? Matt Dunne of the Center for Rural . . .

What Did We Learn and What Does it Mean for January?

August 21, 2020 (pre-recorded 8/14): Rep Selene Colburn joins the show to discuss the Aug. 11 primary and what it . . .

The Party After the Primary

August 14, 2020: Secretary of State Jim Condos joins the show to talk about the state primary. With COVID-19, many . . .

100 Years, and Still So Much to Do

August 7, 2020: A century ago, Congress ratified the 19th Amendment. Women have accomplished a lot with their . . .

Planning Beyond Crisis

July 31, 2020: Dru Roessle of the state Agency of Human Services joins the show today! As one of the agency leads for . . .

The donkey, elephant, and moose days of August

July 24, 2020: With Vermont's primary elections less than a month away, candidates are hitting the Zoom forms. John . . .

Shining the light of regulation on cannabis

July 17, 2020: Vermont has spent years taking baby steps towards a taxed and regulated cannabis market. A market, . . .

COVID's public health crisis within the private insurance system

July 10, 2020: In the world of health insurance, “affordable” means consumers get what they pay for. Vermont's Chief . . .

Racial justice and political courage

July 3, 2020: The Vermont Legislature recently passed bills intended to increase racial justice and decrease police . . .

And the Legislature recesses... thanks, COVID-19

June 26, 2020: The State Legislature is in the process of recessing for a couple months. Lawmakers will then resume . . .

Hungry communities before and after COVID-19

June 19, 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of hungry households in Vermont. But. People were hungry . . .

Budgeting with uncertain money

June 12, 2020: Surprise, surprise, COVID-19 upended the economy. So, in the midst of uncertain state revenues, the . . .

COVID-19 and the ominous silence of domestic violence

June 5, 2020: "Stay home, stay safe," was the way most Vermonters protected the community from the spread of COVID-19. . . .

Vermont ended homelessness, for a few more days at least

May 29, 2020: It's worth celebrating that Vermont ended homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now what? As . . .

COVID-19 and a laundry list of economic inequities

May 22, 2020: The economic and social fall out of COVID-19 has hit service jobs hard. Many of these jobs are held by . . .

Essential Vermonters

May 15, 2020: As Vermont enters its COVID-19 recovery phase, communities look to the future. In today's episode, . . .

Tracking COVID-19 and moments for optimism

May 8, 2020: Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, Michael Pieciak, is busy crunching . . .

Naming the bread and the roses

May 1, 2020: It's May Day! And, the COVID-19 pandemic is still happening. And, people struggle to pay their rents and . . .

The uncertain ripple effects of COVID-19

April 24, 2020: Vermont Digger Reporter, John Walters, joins the conversation. John, Emilie, and Olga discuss how . . .

Why more representation is better than less

April 17, 2020: Windham County has a new House Rep. Meet Kelley Tully, who was recently nominated to fill the Windham . . .

The consequences of incompetence

April 10, 2020: Many Vermonters with autoimmune diagnosis have lost access to their medications. Why? According to . . .

Sewing bees filling holes left by the government during COVID-19

April 7, 2020: Governor Phil Scott has asked all Vermonters to wear face masks when in public. In this bonus, Emilie . . .

Remaining patient and trusting during COVID-19

April 3. 2020: We know that COVID-19 is scaring us. What is it teaching us? In this episode Emilie and Olga discuss . . .

What can Vermont control around evictions, mortgages and COVID-19?

April 1, 2020: It might be April Fools' Day, but the economic impacts on people's lives from COVID-19 are no joke. . . .

Welcome to Vermont, COVID-19...

March 30, 2020: Today Governor Phil Scott announced new restrictions on lodging and a directive that all people . . .

Federal funding and acknowledging the long haul

March 27, 2020: A lot has happened in Vermont this week: A Representative called for a quorum. House Speaker Mitzi . . .

COVID and our Human Economy

Olga and Emilie give a quick update on changes in our community.

COVID-19 and the Cracks in the System

The Corona virus has created a sense of uncertainty for workers and business owners alike. Rep Kornheiser and Reporter . . .