>> VERMONT SENATORS PASS A BIG INCREASE IN THEIR LEGISLATIVE PAY.

GOVERNOR SCOTT SAYS OKAY IF ANNUAL SESSIONS ARE LIMITED TO 90 DAYS.

>> WELL, LET'S BE HONEST IF HE COULD THE GOVERNOR WOULD REDUCING TO NINE DAYS.

WHEN WE'RE OUT OF TOWN HE'S IN COMPLETE CONTROL AND HIS ADMINISTRATION DOES PRETTY MUCH WHEN THEY THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WHEN WE'RE HERE WE HAVE A CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> A BIG CROWD AT THE STATE HOUSE PRESSING TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

>> A LEGAL BATTLE OVER MIFEPRISTONE TRIGGERS AND OUTCRY AT HOME.

>> DESPITE HOUSING COSTS THAT ARE SKYEYE, SOME RESIST A LAW THAT COULD HELP, 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.

HAPPY SPRINGTIME.

IT'S FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023, AND AROUND OUR TABLE WE WELCOME BACK SASHA GOLDSTEIN, AN EDITOR AT SEVEN DAYS.

GUY PAGE IS THE EDITOR AT VERMONT DAILY CHRONICLE AND CAT VIGLIENZONI IS HERE, ANCHOR AT WCAX.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

OFF THE TOP WE'LL GET RIGHT TO THE STATE HOUSE.

TELL YOU THAT THE STATE SENATE ON FRIDAY PASSED A PRETTY SPORTY LEGISLATIVE PAY INCREASE.

WE WILL PUT THE NUMBERS ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT REALLY WE HAVE NOT TALKED VERY MUCH ABOUT OVER MANY, MANY YEARS, BUT IT'S SENATE BILL 39, AND IT WOULD REALLY OVERHAUL THE WAY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ARE COMPENSATED.

BOTH DURING THE SESSION AND ALL YEAR ROUND.

IT MOVES ON TO THE HOUSE BUT GUY, AS WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS, YOU CAN SEE LAWMAKERS GO FROM $800 TO $1,000 A WEEK BUT THEY WOULD ALSO GET $200 PER WEEK FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

LEADERSHIP WOULD GET A LITTLE MORE AS THEY DO NOW BUT IT ESSENTIALLY DOUBLES THE PAY FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT ALSO ADDS ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, THAT'S A BIG ONE, THAT PERHAPS HAS KEPT PEOPLE FROM RUNNING AS WELL AS $1600 EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT IF YOU NEED CHILD CARE OR ELDER CARE TO SERVE.

THIS WAS FAR FROM UNANIMOUS.

A VOTE ON FRIDAY OF 18-9 IN THE SENATE.

>> YES.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IT ALSO WAS NOT PARTICULARLY PARTISAN.

YOU HAD REPUBLCANS VOTING FOR IT, RANDY BROCK IN PARTICULAR FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY, THE MAJORITY LEADER, SAID I BELIEVE HIS WORD WAS YOU PAY PEANUTS YOU GET MONKEYS.

HE WAS ALL FOR A PAY INCREASE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE YOU HAD SENATOR TOM CHITTENDEN, A DEMOCRAT FROM CHITTENDEN COUNTY, SAY THAT THE IDEA OF PAYING LAWMAKERS WHILE THEY WERE ADJOURNED HE SAID WHEN WE'RE ADJOURNED WE'RE ADJOURNED.

WE SHOULDN'T BE PAID FOR THAT.

HE ALSO DIDN'T LIKE THE $69 A DAY OF NEW MONEY.

HE SAID MOST VERMONTERS ARE NOT REALLY GETTING A BENEFIT OF $69 A DAY FOR MEALS.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT'S THE GOVERNOR GOING TO DO WITH IT?

>> THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT THE SENATE TURNED DOWN TO GO FOR -- TO LIMIT THE SESSION TO 13 WEEKS WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAID SURE, I'LL GO FOR IT AS LONG AS IT'S 13 WEEKS.

THE SENATE SAID NO TO THAT EMPHATICALLY.

>> SURPRISE, SURPRISE.

>> RIGHT.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE HOUSE SAYS AND WHETHER THE GOVERNOR DECIDES TO VETO IT OR NOT.

>> IT'S ALWAYS TOUCHY WHEN LEGISLATIVE BODIES TOUCH THE ISSUE OF THEIR OWN PAY.

BUT IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, AND SO LET'S HEAR FROM BOTH THE SENATE LEADER AND THE GOVERNOR ON WHETHER THIS IS THE TIME TO RAISE LEGISLATIVE PAY.

>> ASK VERMONTERS WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF THEY ARE NOT GOTTEN A RAISE FOR 20 YEARS.

THAT'S US.

WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A COLA BUT IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO WE SIGNIFICANTLY UPDATED OUR SALARY AND BENEFITS.

SO IF YOU DON'T DO THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS SOMETIMES WHEN YOU DO IT IT LOOKS A LITTLE MORE DRAMATIC.

>> I'M IN FAVOR OF INCREASING THE PAY AS LONG AS THEY REDUCE THE LENGTH OF THE SESSION.

I THINK THEY CAN GET THEIR WORK DONE IN 90 DAYS, GIVE THEM A CONTRACT AMOUNT.

>> 90 DAYS.

IS THAT REALISTIC?

THERE ARE THE ADMINISTRATION POINTS OUT A NUMBER OF OTHER STATES MUCH LARGER THAN VERMONT THAT HAVE SESSIONS THAT ARE EVEN SHORTER THAN THAT.

>> IF YOU'RE AN ACTIVIST LEGISLATE YOU'RE YOU WANT TO BE LIMITED.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO FLY WITH THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, IT'S SPECULATIVE, WHAT DIFFERENCE WOULD THIS MAKE?

I REMEMBER TALKING WITH REPUBLICAN SENATOR COREY PARENT, WHO IS IN HIS 30s, WHO SAID I CAN'T AFFORD TO SERVE IN MONTPELIER ANY MORE.

THESE ARE MY PRIME WORKING YEARS SO YOU END UP WITH A LEGISLATURE AS MANY HAVE NOTED FULL OF RETIREES AND SOME WHO HAVE INDEPENDENT MEANS AND CAN AFFORD TO SERVE FOR 12 GRAND A YEAR, WHATEVER IT WAS.

WHAT AFFECT MIGHT IT HAVE ON CAMPAIGNS GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK I DON'T KNOW ABOUT CAMPAIGNS NECESSARILY BUT I THINK IT WOULD INCREASE THE PEOPLE WHO DO RUN THAN SEEMS TO BE THE ARGUMENT FROM A LOT OF YOUNGER LAWMAKERS INCLUDING I THINK SENATOR BETHEL WHITE, WHO HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON THIS.

SHE MADE THE SAME POEUPBLT SHE THINKS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN SERVE ARE RETIRED OR WELL OFF.

I THINK SHE WORKS AT A CO-OP MAKING $15 AN HOUR PART-TIME.

YOU KNOW YOUR JOB HAS TO BE REALLY FLEXIBLE TO SAY THERE ARE SEVERAL MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME INTO THE OFFICE.

THESE ARE REAL CONCERNS THAT I THINK THE THINKING IS THIS HIGHER PAY COULD INCREASE THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE WHO CAN SERVE WHEN THEY HAVE MORE MONEY AND CANNOT RELY ON A JOB THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THEM.

>> RIGHT.

THIS WOULD ALSO SET UP A STUDY TO SEE WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE FURTHER ENHANCEMENTS TO PARTICULARLY TO LEGISLATIVE STAFFING.

>> STAFFING AND ALSO THE LENGTH OF THE SESSION.

THAT'S SPECIFICALLY SHOULD WE ADJUST THE LENGTH OF THE SESSION.

PEOPLE SAY GOSH, IT ALREADY MEETS 20 WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR ALMOST, MAYBE WE DON'T NEED A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

OTHER PEOPLE THINK IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> WE'LL BE WATCHING AS THIS MOVES TO THE HOUSE TO SEE WHETHER IT'S MODIFIED OR REMAINS INTACT.

BREAKING THIS FRIDAY, A SURPRISE FROM THE VERMONT STATE COLLEGES, THE NEW PRESIDENT WHO WAS TO BE THE INAUGURAL PRESIDENT OF THE NEW UNIFIED VERMONT TATE STATE UNIVERSITY IS OUT.

HI CITED PERSONAL REASONS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ACCEPTED HIS RESIGNATION THIS FRIDAY, BUT SASHA, THIS IS KIND OF -- WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE PROTESTS OVER THE DIGITAL LIBRARY IDEA.

KIDS ARE PARTICULAR ARE PARTICULARLY VOCAL, CHANGING SOME OF THE LEAGUES THE UNIVERSITY, TEAMS COMPETE IN.

WAS THIS JUST A BAD FIT OR DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT TO SHARE?

>> HERE'S A GUY WHO CAME, OFFERED HIS LIFE.

HE MOVED HERE FROM TEXAS.

HIS BACKGROUND IS IN SCIENCE.

HE CAME IN ONLY LAST JULY.

SO HE'S BEEN HERE A MATTER OF MONTHS.

HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT CHALLENGE IN MERGING THREE DISTINCT COLLEGES AND MAKING THEM ONE.

THAT HAS NOT EVEN LAUNCHED YET.

HERE WE ARE THAT'S COMING UP JULY 1, AND A COUPLE MONTHS BEFORE THAT THERE AGAIN -- RIGHT NOW LOOKING FOR A PRESIDENT.

A FAMILIAR FACE IN MIKE SMITH, BUT IT'S A REALLY -- IT LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE THE ISSUE AT HAND IS THIS LIBRARY DECISION.

WE SPOKE TO MY COLLEAGUE JONATHAN SPIRO, A FORMER CASTLETON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT AND HE HAD CHOICE WORDS FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE CHANCELLOR AS WELL, AND SORT OF SAID THAT GRAYWALL WAS A FALL GUY FOR THE BOARD'S DECISION TO CUT THE LIBRARIES.

OBVIOUSLY HE HAD THIS MANDATE TO CUT A LOT OF MONEY OUT OF THE BUDGET BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKED AT THIS LIBRARY DECISION WHICH SAVED, SAY, $600,000, AS KIND OF A BIG SHOCK.

>> YEAH.

COUPLE OF THINGS THERE.

THERE'S EVEN A PENDING BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE TO BLOCK CUTS THAT WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL BEFORE VERMONT STATE UNIVERSITY COULD MAKE SIMILAR CUTS TO WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAID WHAT A TERRIBLE IDEA.

WE HAVE ISSUED AN EDICT THAT YOU HAVE TO BALANCE YOUR BOOKS THEN YOU TELL THEM THAT THEY CAN'T CUT.

>> THEY WERE BASICALLY TOLD THE COLLEGE SYSTEM WAS TOLD YOU HAVE TO CUFF 5 MILLION A YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS, GET YOUR FINANCIAL STATE UP TO PAR.

SO THEY MAKE CUTS AND FACE BLOW-BACK.

I DO THINK THE CHOICE OF MIKE SPH *EULT TO LEAD THEM AS INTERIM PRESIDENT IS INTERESTING.

HE'S BEEN LABELED BY MANY AS THE INTERIM FIXNER CHIEF.

HE WAS BROUGHT IN TO STABILIZE BURLINGTON COLLEGE BEFORE IT WAS SHUT DOWN.

OF COURSE HE WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC THE SECRETARY THERE.

HE'S NO STRANGER TO SITUATIONS WHERE HE MIGHT FACE TOUGH QUESTIONS AND HE MIGHT FACE BLOWBACK FROM MAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS BUT GIVEN THAT THEY WERE TOLD YOU HAVE TO CUT $25 MILLION HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

I THINK THEY BROUGHT HIM IN BASICALLY SAYING YOU KNOW HOW TO DO THIS.

>> HE CAN JUST MAKE HIS MOVES AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE LONG TERM, RIGHT?

HE'S BEEN RETIRED NOW -- HE'S RETIRED TWO OR THREE TIMES.

HI, SMITH, WE NEED YOU.

WE NEED YOU BACK.

BUT HE CAN -- I WOULD THINK HAVE A MUCH EASIER TIME.

>> SOUNDS LIKE HE WILL BE IN SOUNDS LIKE SIX MONTHS TO START AND SEE HOW THAT GOES.

I DON'T KNOW, I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION DO YOU REOPEN A SEARCH, THE SCHOOL -- THEY WILL HAVE LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSITY AT THAT POINT, SO MAYBE THEY WANT TO BRING HIM IN, LET THINGS SETTLE DOWN A BIT THEN GET BACK TO BUSINESS.

>> BRING IN A GOOD LAUNCH IF YOU WILL.

THEY ARE LOOKING LIKE THIS LET'S NOT HAVE THE LAUNCH MARRED BY NOT KNOWING WHO ADVICE RUNNING THE COLLEGE AT THAT MOMENT.

>> THERE'S SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS HERE.

THIS IS A SYSTEM LOSING STUDENTS, ENROLLMENT IS DOWN.

HE HAD AGREEWALL HAD A MANDATE TO BRING THAT BACK UP BIG TIME.

IT'S A QUESTION OF WHAT THE SHAKEUP WILL DO FOR THOSE NUMBERS AND GOING FORWARD WHAT CONFIDENCE DO PARENTS HAVE SENDING THEIR STUDENTS TO THE SCHOOL.

>> THEY HAVE HAD A 20% DROP IN ENROLLMENT OVER THE PAST DECADE AND THEIR COSTS ARE HIGHER THAN SOME COMPARABLE UNIVERSITIES IN OTHER STATES.

SO THEY ARE HAVING THAT DIFFICULTY AS YOU MENTIONED IN ATTRACTING STUDENTS TO GO TO THESE COLLEGES.

>> THE INTERIM PRESIDENT HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM.

DOES HAVE FULL SUPPORT OF THE SCOTT ADMINISTRATION, A STATEMENT FRIDAY WE'LL BE WATCHING.

BACK TO THE STATE HOUSE, ONE OF THE BIG TICKET ITEMS THAT THE SENATE WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO ADVANCE THIS YEAR IS A REAL INCREASE IN ACCESSIBILITY FOR VERMONT CHILD CARE.

THE WELL RESOURCED ENERGIZED LOBBYING GROUP ORGANIZED A RALLY THIS WEEK THAT WAS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

TO TRY TO KEEP LAWMAKERS' FOOT ON THE GAS HERE AS THIS BILL NOW MOVES CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE.

LET'S LISTEN NOW TO ONE OF THE SPEAKERS AT THIS WEEK'S LET'S GROW KIDS RALLY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> WE KNOW THAT WELL "SUPPORTED," HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE SYSTEMS.

[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] IT LEADS TO HEALTHY FAMILIES AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

>> SO CAT, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF -- SOME AT THE STATE WONDERED WHETHER THE STATE CAN DO BOTH A HUGE CHILD CARE EXPANSION AND LAUNCH A UNIVERSAL PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE.

THEY ARE BOTH EXPENSIVE, BOTH REQUIRE A PAYROLL TAX.

THIS RALLY THIS WEEK DOES SUGGEST THERE'S A LOT OF PUSH BEHIND CHILD CARE.

>> IT'S ADMIT ACTUALLY AN ISSUE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BEATING THAT DRUM FOR QUITE A WHILE.

LET'S GROW KIDS HAS SPENT YEARS GETTING READY FOR THIS.

EFFECTIVELY THIS MOMENT.

SO THEY ARE USING ALL OF THE MOMENTUM THAT THEY HAVE GATHERED OVER THE PAST CALL IT A DECADE HONESTLY, ALMOST, TO TRY TO GET THIS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

I DON'T THINK IT HAS EVERYTHING IN IT THAT THEY WANT.

THE FOUNDATION, THE RAND FOUNDATION REPORT SAID HAD QUITE A BIT MORE IN IT FOR CHILD CARE THAT ULTIMATELY LAWMAKERS PUT IN, HOWEVER IT DOES MAKE CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE, MORE PAY FOR EDUCATORS WHICH WERE TWO STICKING POINTS IN MY REPORTING FOR THE PAST SEVEN, EIGHT YEARS HAVE COME UP IN EUFRL SINGLE REPORT.

THE QUESTION IS STILL UNANSWERED WHETHER THEY WILL TAKE PAID FAMILY LEAVE OR CHILD CARE IN THE SAME SESSION.

I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW THAT EITHER QUITE FRANKLY OR IF THEY ARE THEY ARE NOT LETTING IT ON IN THEIR PUBLIC STATEMENTS.

THERE WAS THAT COMMENT THAT WAS MADE DURING THE RALLY THEY SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS WITH OR WITHOUT REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE AT LEAST THINKING ABOUT AN OVERRIDE OF A VETO IF THEY NEED TO.

>> ON PAPER THEY HAVE THE NUMBERS GUY, THE ELECTION WAS VERY KIND TO DEMOCRATS AT THE STATE HOUSE AND DESPITE THE GOVERNOR'S LANDSLIDE WIN HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW AIRING THIS SUNDAY THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S CLEAR TO HIM NOW, NOT SURE IT WAS AT THE OUTSET, THAT IN HIS WORDS DEMOCRATS KNOW THEY HAVE THE SUPERMAJORITY AND THEY ARE HELL BENT TO GET ALL OF THIS THROUGH THIS YEAR.

HE KIND OF I THINK IS STARTING TO SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL THAT THEY CAN JUST OVERRIDE THE BUDGET, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY WANT TO.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED IN THE LAST MONTH IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DEALS ARE DONE.

THERE'S JUST NOT ALWAYS ENOUGH MONEY BECAUSE THAT MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.

SOMETIMES THEY DO SEEM, STEWART, ABLE TO PULL A RABBIT OUT OF THE HAT, WE JUST FOUND AN EXTRA $50 MILLION.

MAYBE THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> GREAT POINT.

THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

HOUSING WAS THE YEAR'S NUMBER ONE ISSUE, RIGHT?

EVERYONE CAMPAIGNED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HELP SOLVE THE STATE'S SEVERE SHORTAGE OF HOUSING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THE NUMBER YOU HEAR IS THERE ARE 1,000 AVAILABLE HOUSES AND APARTMENT AROUND OUR STATE TOTAL AND WE HAVE 25,000 JOB VACANCIES AROUND OUR STATE.

THE TENSION AT THE CAPITOL HAS NOT BEEN HOW MUCH MONEY TO THROW AT HOUSING IT'S BEEN WHETHER TO EASE RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPING NEW HOUSING WHICH TAKES THE FORM OF EXEMPTIONS FROM ACT 250 PERMITTING AND REQUIRING LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ACCEPT HIGHER DENSITIES IN CERTAIN AREAS OF OUR STATE.

IT APPEARS THE SENATE CONSIDERED AND TOOK THOSE REFORMS OUT.

THE HOUSING COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY NIGHT ACCORDING TO REPORTING IN VTDIGGER SAID NO WAY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOUCH IT.

THAT WOULD SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT THE HOUSE IS NOT GOING TO REVISIT THIS IDEA AS THE OMNIBUS HOUSING BILL S.100 MOVES THROUGH THAT CHAMBER.

THIS WAS A COMMENT WE GOT FROM THE STATE TREASURER, A DEMOCRAT, WHO WAS DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT ACT 250 REFORM IS NOT AT THE MOMENT PART OF THE MIX.

>> YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT.

WILL YOU PRESS DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE TO BE A LITTLE BOLDER?

>> YES.

IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE, BOTH AN ECONOMIC ISSUE THAT WE CARE ABOUT AT TREASURER'S OFFICE BUT ALSO A SOCIAL ISSUE LIKE EVERY ONE OF OUR ISSUES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH COMES BACK TO HOUSING.

YOU CAN'T HAVE HOUSING FIRST FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IF WE DON'T HAVE HOUSING.

WE CAN'T WORK OUR WAY OUT OF THE HOMELESS PROBLEMS NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY BY TWO DIFFERENT SURVEYS WITHOUT MORE HOUSING.

WE CAN'T APPROPRIATELY TREAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER UNLESS WE HAVE PLACES THAT ARE STABLE AND SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE.

EVEN MEDICAL WAIT TIMES.

HOSPITALS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME RECRUITING NURSES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND HOUSING.

>> THAT SHORTAGE OF COURSE IS DRIVING PRICE THROUGH THE ROOF WHICH, YOU KNOW, MEANS YOUNG PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD A STARTER HOME.

SENIORS CANNOT DOWN SIZE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT SOMETHING FOR SALE.

WHAT'S THE ISSUE HERE?

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A FEW WEEKS BACK, THE 10-5-5 VERSUS 25-5-5.

>> EVERYONE AGREES IN THE URBAN AREAS DESIGNATED HOUSING AREAS, 25 UNITS, DENSITY, ALL GOOD.

THAT SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM ACT 250.

HOWEVER, THE REAL PUSHBACK IS WHEN YOU GO OUT INTO THE RURAL AREAS.

THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL SAID ABSOLUTELY 25 UNITS OVER ACROSS FIVE MILES OVER FIVE YEARS EXEMPT FROM ACT 250.

THAT WAS FINE UNTIL THE SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY COMMITTEE SAID NO WE'RE GOING BACK TO TEN.

KEEP THE STATUS QUO.

WHAT WAS THOUGHT MIGHT HAPPEN, WHAT THE RURAL CAUCUS WANTED IN THE HOUSE IS RESTORING THAT 25 HOUSING CAP.

THE COMMITTEE DISCUSSED IT SOMEWHAT STRENUOUSLY APPARENTLY AND DECIDED, NO, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WITH THE 10 IN THE RURAL AREAS.

SO NO CHANGE.

>> WELL, WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT ONE AS WELL.

THE WEEK HAS SEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I HAD TROUBLE PRONOUNCING, MIFEPRISTONE.

THANKS TO A FEDERAL JUDGE IN NORTHERN TEXAS A WEEK AGO, WHO ESSENTIALLY THREW OUT THE FDA'S APPROVAL OF ONE OF TWO MEDICATIONS THAT'S WIDELY USED FOR ABORTION AND FOR MISCARRIAGE.

THAT PUT THE FUTURE OF THOSE DRUGS HERE WELL OUTSIDE OF THE TEXAS BORDER VERY MUCH UP IN THE AIR.

GOVERNOR SCOTT THOUGHT THIS WAS A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT TO HAVE A JUDGE HAVE THIS POWER.

IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPEALED AND ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AN APPEALS COURT IN FACT STAYED PART OF THAT TEXAS DECISION.

STILL THE VERMONT MEDICAL SOCIETY AND EVERY PHYSICIAN GROUP UNDER THE SUN IT SEEMED PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING WE VEHEMENTLY OPPOSE REGULATIONS, RESTRICTIONS OR MANDATES THAT IMPEDE ACCESS TO EVIDENCE BASED CARE, MIFEPRISTONE HAS BEEN SAFE AND LEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE FDA APPROVED IT OVER 30 YEARS AGO.

FOR NOW, SASHA, NO CHANGE.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE.

WE'RE KIND OF IN A WAIT AND SEE PERIOD.

IT'S BEEN A HARD ONE TO FOLLOW BECAUSE IT'S BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH.

A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TALKING ABOUT GETTING THIS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT KIND OF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

YES, IT'S REALLY AN UNPRECEDENTED THING LIKE GOVERNOR SCOTT SAID.

I THINK IT'S RAISING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FDA'S AUTHORITY AND SORT OF FEDERAL JUDGES.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE JUDGE HIMSELF AND HIS DESIRE TO OVERTURN ABORTION AND STATE BY STATE.

BUT YOU'RE SEEING TOO THAT ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IT CAN HAVE IMPACTS LIKE YOU SAID BEYOND STATE BORDERS.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, SASHA, ABOUT SOME REPORTING THAT YOU HAVE COMING OUT ABOUT THE NEW LEGAL MARKETPLACE FOR CANNABIS.

A QUESTION THAT MANY OF US DIDN'T CONSIDER WHEN THIS WAS MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK.

CAN WE HAVE TOO MANY SHOPS?

[LAUGHTER] THEY ARE NOT DOING THIS FOR FUN.

PRESUMABLY HE LIKE TO MAKE A BUCK.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 50 LICENSED RETAILERS ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT NINE OF THOSE SO FAR HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO RETAIL NEARS BURLINGTON.

BURL TORN IS A CITY OF 45,000 PEOPLE.

WE'RE TALKING THERE'S ACTUALLY 12 TOTAL SHOPS THAT HAVE APPLICATIONS IN TO OPEN IN BURLINGTON.

I THINK THE SUMMER IS GOING TO BE A BIG TEST.

THERE'S A LOT OF TOURISTS COMING N. PEOPLE WALKING DOWN CHURCH STREET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR WITH THE NICE WEATHER MIGHT PRESIDENTS A FEW EXTRA SHOPS, LEGAL SALES BEGAN LAST OCTOBER.

IT'S REALLY ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU'RE RIGHT, THE STATE DID NOT SET A CAP.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO SET CAPS ON ANY OF THE LICENSES THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING.

UNTIL IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO.

MASSACHUSETTS IS AN INTERESTING EXAMPLE.

THEY OPENED IN 2018 AND THE FIRST STORE THERE TO ACTUALLY FAIL BECAUSE -- TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS WAS ONLY LAST DECEMBER.

IT MIGHT TAKE TIME TO SETTLE OUT, BUT IT'S KIND OF SHOCKING I GUESS RIGHT OFF THE BAT TO SEE THIS MANY STORES OPEN AND WE'LL SEE IF THEY JUST KEEP COMING OR IF THERE'S THE APPETITE TO FUEL THAT MANY IN BURLINGTON.

>> OR IF SOME CLOSE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MAKE ANY MONEY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE THAT SOME OTHER STATES DON'T HAVE.

WE HAVE HEARS COMPLAINTS FROM THE MONTPELIER AREA ON THIS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR STORY IN SEVEN DAYS NEXT WEEK.

YOUR PAPER ALSO COVERED THE CONTROVERSY IN BURLINGTON OVER THE ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE JON MURAD AND AN INCIDENT THAT APPARENTLY TRANSPIRED LAST SUMMER AT THE "U" VM MEDICAL CENTER, THAT INVOLVED THE CHIEF THREATENING A TRAUMA SURGEON UP THERE.

WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> THIS WAS LAST AUGUST AND OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS THE HEIGHT OF A LOT OF GUN VIOLENCE AND THIS TRAUMA SURGEON WAS TREATING A GUNSHOT VICTIM, AN 18-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN.

THE POLICE WERE ON SITE AS THEY OFTEN ARE AT HOSPITALS SORT OF KEEPING AN EYE ON HIM IN CASE HE WAS A VICTIM.

I THINK THEY HOPED HE MIGHT SAY WHO HAD SHOT HIM.

MAYBE SOME INVESTIGATORY LEADS.

OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THE SURGEON WAS PRETTY UPSET WITH HAVING OFFICERS IN THE ROOM.

THE CHIEF SHOWED UP AND PER THE SURGEON'S TELLING THREATENED TO ARREST HIM AND DRAG HIV TO JAIL.

IT'S UNCLEAR FOR WHAT, INTERFERING WITH AN INVESTIGATION.

THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY -- THE SURGEON WAS UPSET ENOUGH ABOUT IT THAT HE FILED A COMPLAINT, A CONFIDENTIAL COMPLAINT WITH THE POLICE COMMISSION WHICH DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TEETH, THAT COMMISSION, AND WHAT WAS INTERESTING AS THIS CAME UP THIS HAPPENED BEFORE A VERY CONSEQUENTIAL VOTE IN BURLINGTON ABOUT POLICE OVERSIGHT INCLUDING OVERSIGHT FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE.

THAT FAILED IN "MARCH."

THAT QUESTION.

SO WE'LL FAST FORWARD TO TODAY.

WE UNDERSTAND THE CHIEF APOLOGIZED DIRECTLY AND PROFUSELY TO THE DOCTOR.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

>> YES.

>> SO WE'LL SEE.

FOR NOW THAT IS SOME OF OUR STATE.

THE NEWS OF OUR STATE THIS WEEK.

THAT'S "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

MANY THANKS TO OUR PANEL, FIRST AND FOREMOST OUR PANEL, SASHA GOLD STAOEPBT FROM SEARCH DAYS, GUY PAGE FROM THE VERMONT DAILY CHRONICLE AND CAT VIGLIENZONI FROM CHANNELING 3.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AHEAD.

COME RIGHT BACK HERE TO SEE US NEXT FRIGID DAY NIGHT.