>> STATE LAWMAKERS WEIGH BIG SPENDING DECISIONS IN MONTH FEELER.

STATE REVENUES REMAIN FLUSH.

GOVERNOR SCOTT WANTS A LOT OF SURPLUS CASH RESERVED ALL OVER OUR STATE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE STATE OF VERMONT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY.

>> MEANTIME THE SENATE PREPARES TO DEBATE AND VOTE ON A MAJOR CLIMATE CHANGE BILL THAT AIMS TO CHANGE HOW MOST VERMONTERS HEAT THEIR HOMES.

ANOTHER IMPASSE COULD MEAN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COVERED BY UNITED HEALTH CARE MAY LOSE ACCESS TO VERMONT'S LARGEST HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

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.

HERE'S MODERATOR STEWART LEDBETTER.

>> WELCOME.

I'M STEWART LEDBETTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S FRIDAY, THE 24th OF FEBRUARY.

AROUND OUR TABLE WE ARE JOINED BY TIM MCQUISTON, EDITOR OF VERMONT BUSINESS MAGAZINE.

PETER D'AURIA IS THE EDUCATION REPORTER WITH VTDIGGER AND WE WELCOME ABAGAEL GILES, CLIMATE REPORT WERE VERMONT PUBLIC.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AS WE HEAD TOWARD TOWN MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN TWO WEEKS, THE LEGISLATURE IS HARD AT WORK COUPLE OF BIG PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO UPDATE YOU THIS WEEK, BUT TIM, FIRST, THE SCOTT ADMINISTRATION IS BOUND AND DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT VERMONT MAXIMIZES THE DRAW-DOWN OF FEDERAL FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR -- WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, LARGE AND SMALL, AROUND OUR STATE.

HELD A PRESS BRIEFING ON THURSDAY TO TRY TO MAKE THE POINT THAT IT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY INSANE NOT TO RESERVE THE 20% TPHAFP THE STATE MATCH SO THAT YOU CAN MAXIMIZE THE FEDERAL CASH.

HERE'S SOME OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY AT THURSDAY'S BRIEFING.

>> WE WILL SILVIO A MINIMUM OF FOUR FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE INVEST AND IN SOME CASES IT'S TEN TIMES THAT AMOUNT.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE THAT MATCH WILL COME FROM BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE A RECORD AMOUNT OF STATE SURPLUS, WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE WISE TO DEDICATE 150 MILLION OF IT TO GUARANTEE THESE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN WE NEED IT.

>> NOW, HE WAS QUICK TO SAY THAT HE HAS BEEN HEARING SORT OF GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THAT CONCEPT AS WELL AS SOME PERHAPS SOFTNESS ON THE PART OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

BUT HIS POINT IS NOT HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE.

>> VITAL MONEY AND BASICALLY FREE MONEY TOO, STEWART.

ALL THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT VERMONT ONLY PAYS 20%, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PAYING 70 OR 80% OF ALL THAT MONEY.

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO IS TAKE THE FLUSH WE HAVE NOW, THE SURPLUS, SET SOME OF IT ASIDE FOR MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE MATCHING FUNDS IN THE FUTURE.

IT'S AN UNUSUAL SITUATION.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THIS EVER HAPPENING, STEWART, CAN YOU?

WHERE WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SET MONEY ASIDE FOR A FUTURE THING.

THE LEGISLATORS TEND NOT TO LIKE TO SET ASIDE THINGS.

THIS HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH RAINY DAY FUNDS OVER THE YEARS, THAT SORT OF THING, SETTING MONEY ASIDE WHEN IT COULD BE SPENT NOW.

THIS IS SO CLEARLY A LOT OF MONEY THAT CAN BE HAD FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT'S EARMARKED, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS HAVE THE MATCHING FUNDS.

HE TALKED ABOUT NEEDING $79 MILLION FOR 341.5 MILLO IN PROJECTS.

THAT'S THE KINDS OF NUMBERS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE.

BRIDGES, ROADS, WATERWAYS, SEWAGE PLANTS.

>> IF YOU DON'T -- THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY FOR EXAMPLE IS READY TO GO AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT MATCH IT'S GOING TO POSTPONE THE WORK AND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY FLYNN LAID OUT SEVEN OR EIGHT SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

FROM FRANKLIN TO BRATTLEBORO, THERE IS A BRIDGE IN WEST RUTLAND THAT IS SLATED TO BE REPLACED IN 2029.

IT WILL BE 2035 BEFORE THEY GET TO IT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT MATCH FUND READY TO GO.

>> THERE'S SOME TIME LIMITS ON SOME OF THAT OTHER MONEY.

NOT ONLY YOU HAVE WORKFORCE ISSUES AND SUPPLY, YOU HAVE TO GET GOING ON IT NOW.

IT'S ALMOST THE GOVERNOR USED THE WORD BRAINLESS.

HE ALMOST COULD HAVE TRYING TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO SET IT ASIDE.

>> THE STATE CONTINUES TO SEE A ROSY BANK ACCOUNT.

JANUARY STATE REVENUES RELEASED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THIS WEEK, WE'LL PUT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON THE SCREEN AS WE ALWAYS DO FOR YOU.

AGAIN, FAR AND AWAY THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX AND TIM, ANOTHER STELLAR MONTH.

NO SOFTNESS THERE.

CORPORATE TAX RECEIPTS UP 50%.

THAT NUMBER IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

BETTER ROOMS AND MEALS, HOSPITALITY.

UP 10% IN JANUARY.

YOU ALWAYS LIKE TO TALK ABOUT GASOLINE AND MOTOR VEHICLE PURCHASES.

>> WELL, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY SOFT AND AS YOU KNOW THE TRANSPORTATION FUND AS OPPOSED TO THE GENERAL FUND, GENERAL FUND HAS BEEN DOING GREAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX AND CORPORATE INCOME TAX.

TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN THE WEAK LEG OF THE STOOL.

LATELY WE HAVE SEEN A SPURT IN PEOPLE BUYING VEHICLES WHICH HAS PUSHED THE TRANSPORTATION FUND OVER THE TOP.

THERE HAS BEEN AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM FOR YEARS, STEWART.

THAT'S BEEN THE GAS TAX FUNDING THE TRANSPORTATION EFFORTS.

THAT HAS THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF THINGS TO TRY TO WORK AROUND THAT.

USING A SALES TAX FEATURE, ALL THIS KIND OF THING.

NOW THE BIG THING IS ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

WHICH OF COURSE ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING ANYTHING TO THE GAS TAX.

SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT?

THERE'S A NEW PLAN THEY TALKED ABOUT THIS WEEK ABOUT DOING PERHAPS A MILEAGE.

WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR INEXPECTED THEY HAVE THE MILES AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END.

DOING 1.3 CENTS PER MILE, WHICH WOULD WORK OUT IF YOU DRIVE 12,000 MILES ABOUT $150 A YEAR, WHICH MIGHT BE A BIG CHECK TO WRITE WHEN YOU'RE GETTING YOUR CAR INEXPECTED.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT MORE EQUITABLE.

THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

YOU'LL BE DOING THE MILEAGE, GASOLINE CARS ARE GETTING NOW, AND THE E.V.s COMING ON BOARD THEY WANT TO GET TO 12% OF THE STATE'S FLEET OF EVs, IT'S GOING INTO BECOME A BIGGER ISSUE.

A SEPARATE THING FOR HYBRIDS.

>> LAWMAKERS HAVE KNOWN THIS DAY WAS COMING.

MORE OF US MOVE TO DRIVE ELECTRIC.

HERE WAS SOME OF THE POINTS OF VIEW AT THE STATE HOUSE ON THIS ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE KNOWN ALL ALONG THAT ONCE FOLKS START DRIVING ELECTRIC THEY WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE GASOLINE AND THAT'S NO LONGER PAYING THE GAS TAX.

EVERYONE IS USED TO PAYING A FEW CENTS EVERY TIME THEY GO TO THE PUMP.

WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THAT SO HOUSEHOLDS WOULDN'T BE HIT WITH A BIG EXTRA BILL.

>> THE IDEA IS TO STRUCTURE A RATE THAT WOULD MAKE IT THE EQUIVALENT OF WHAT THE AVERAGE VERMONTER IS NOW PAYING IN FUEL FAXES.

>> SO YOU COULD AVOID ADDRESS THE EROSION IN GAS TAX REVENUE.

WE WON'T ALWAYS HAVE THIS AVALANCHE OF FEDERAL CASH TO FIX OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

>> LIKE I SAID, THERE'S BEEN A RECENT RASH OF PEOPLE BUYING CARS.

THAT SKEWS THE NUMBERS THAT PEOPLE WOULD SEE.

IT'S NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS FRANKLY.

>> WELL, IT'S CHILLY THIS WEEKEND.

YOU PROBABLY TURNED UP THE HEAT.

MOST PEOPLE ARE PAYING MARKET PRICE FOR THAT HEAT IF IT COMES FROM OIL AND PROPANE AND KEROSENE, NATURAL GAS REGULATED.

THE STATE SENATE IS ABOUT TO CONSIDER ON THE SENATE FLOOR A MAJOR CLIMATE CHANGE BILL THAT WOULD ALSO SLOWLY MOVE VERMONTERS AWAY THROUGH A SERIES OF INCENTIVES FROM FOSSIL FUELS.

AB EGAIL, I HAVE ENJOYED YOUR REPORTING ON THIS.

IT'S COMPLICATED.

BREAK IT DOWN FOR US.

WHAT IS THE CENTRAL ECONOMIC ARGUMENT FOR WHY THIS IS A GOOD IDEA?

>> WELL, STEWART, I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS IN PLAY.

VERMONT HAS SOME BIG STATUTORY COMMITMENTS MADE TO CUT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

THEY ARE COMING IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, THE FIRST IN 2026.

AS YOU POINTED TO THE PRICE VOLATILITY FOR HOME HEAT HAS BEEN PRETTY DRAMATIC IN RECENT YEARS.

REALLY I THINK SINCE WE HAVE BEEN USING THEM.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA OVER THE LONG TERM OPTIONS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS IN THE ELECTRIC SECTOR AND FOR HOME HEAT TEND TO BE MORE PRICE STABLE.

THE THOUGHT IS THAT IF THERE'S A WAY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH MODERATE MEANS MAKE THAT SWITCH AND LESSEN THEIR DEPENDENCE ON THOSE FOSSIL HEATING FUELS THAT ULTIMATELY THIS WILL SAVE THOSE PEOPLE AND THOSE HOUSEHOLDS MONEY IN THE LONG TERM ON THEIR HEATING BILLS AND WILL HELP OUR ECONOMY.

>> BUT IT'S GOING TO RAISE I GUESS COSTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOW HEATING WITH OIL AND PROPANE AND KEROSENE.

MARKET PRICE.

THESE CREDITS THAT LOCAL FUEL DEALERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BUY TO CONTINUE TO SELL THOSE PRODUCTS ARE GOING TO RAISE WE THINK THE PRICE PER GALLON OF THOSE FUELS.

>> TRUE.

I THINK THE SORT OF FROM MY REPORTING WHAT I HAVE SEEN SO FAR THAT IS I THINK THERE'S BEEN PRETTY GOOD MODELING ABOUT THAT LONG TERM IMPACT.

THOSE SAVINGS IN THE LONG TERM, BUT WE'RE IN A PLEASE WHERE THERE HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD ANALOGY YET OF WHAT IMPACT THIS POLICY WILL BE.

THE BILL BEING CONSIDERED DOES INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THAT SORT OF ANALYSIS THAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT MAKES PROGRESS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR AND ULTIMATELY THE POLICY WOULD COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION FOR REVIEW ONCE THERE'S MORE OF A SENSE FOR, OKAY, WHAT'S THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS GOING TO BE AND WHAT WILL THIS PROGRAM LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICALITY?

>> THE STATE'S FUEL DEEMERS ARE BEATING THE DRUM TRYING TO PERSUADE CUSTOMERS WITH SOME EFFECT TO LET THEIR STATE SENATORS NOW HOW THEY FEEL.

ONE STATE SENATOR TOLD US HE RECEIVED 800 EMAILS IN THE LAST WEEK ON THIS ISSUE.

THAT'S A LOT IN MONTPELIER.

ANYTHING THAT YOUR MEMBERS TALK ABOUT?

>> WE'RE GETTING IT FROM BOTH SIDES.

VERMONT GAS IS IN THE MIDDLE.

THEY HAVE BEEN SEEN AS SORT OF THE GOOD GUY OR THE BAD GUY DEPENDING HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

IT'S INTERESTING HOW THEY ARE VIEWED.

OBVIOUSLY FOR THE FUEL DEALERS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE FUEL DEALERS ASSOCIATION IT'S REALLY GOING TO IMPACT THE RURAL PEOPLE WHO NEED RIGHT NOW THEY ARE GETTING FUEL OIL OR DIESEL OR PROPANE, THAT TRANSITION PERIOD THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

IT'S LIKE THEIR ARGUMENT IS LET'S SEE THE NUMBERS.

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS FROM YEAR ONE TO FIVE.

YOU CAN MODEL IT OUT, 15 YEARS, SEE WHAT THE SAVINGS ARE GOING TO BE BUT WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE SHORT TERM COST?

>> POLITICALLY THIS APPEARS TO BE ON TRACK FOR A SENATE VOTE BY THE END OF THIS COMING WEEK BEFORE THE TOWN MEETING BREAK.

IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MANY NO VOTES THERE ARE.

FOLKS EXPECT THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY VETO THIS BILL AS HE DID LAST YEAR'S VERSION.

AND THAT MARGIN REALLY COMES INTO PLAY.

THE HOUSE NOT SO MUCH.

PEOPLE EXPECT THAT THE MARGIN WILL BE SIGNIFICANT IN THE HOUSE BUT THE SENATE MAY BE WHERE THE ACTION IS THIS YEAR.

WE'LL BE WATCHING.

>> PETER, THE STATE COLLEGES WERE BACK ON HOT SEAT THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS AN EVENT EARLY IN THE WEEK AT THE STATE HOUSE.

A LOT OF PASSION OVER THIS PLAN TO MOVE LIBRARIES, STATE COLLEGES DIGITAL.

END THE SPORTS LEAGUES THAT SOME OF THE VERMONT STATE COLLEGE TEAMS PLAY IN.

BUT THE STATE COLLEGES BRASS WAS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE POINTING OUT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX.

>> WE ARE IN A SITUATION STRUCTURALLY WHERE THE VERMONT STATE COLLEGES HAS TOO MANY THINGS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT IT NO LONGER HAS THE ABILITY TO TIGHTEN ITS BELT.

>> THEY HAVE A -- THEY ARE IN THE HOLE.

>> YES.

THE NUMBER I HEARD AS FAR AS THEIR STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IS 25 MILLION.

I THINK THE REFRAIN WE HAVE HEARD FROM THEM REPEATEDLY WE HAVE TO MAKE HARD CHOICES.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS MOVE IS GOING TO LEAD TO THE LOSS OF SEVEN FULL-TIME THREE PART-TIME JOBS AND I THINK SAVE AROUND $600,000 AND WE HAVE HEARD THERE WILL BE MORE HARD CHOICES TO COME.

YOU MENTIONED IT'S GOTTEN A LOT OF PUSH-BACK.

STUDENTS ARE VERY, VERY UPSET.

FACULTY VERY UPSET, STAFF VERY UPSET.

THEY SAY WE DON'T WANT THESE CUTS TO COME TO THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE.

SOMETHING ELSE I HAVE HEARD, EVEN BEFORE THESE CHANGES WERE ANNOUNCED IS THAT THIS SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY FUNDED.

WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE MONEY THAT WE NEED.

SO THIS WAS ANNOUNCED I THINK A MONTH AGO.

MAYBE A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT.

I DON'T SEE ANY SORT OF QUIETING DOWN OVER THE CONTROVERSY.

>> NOR IS THE ADMINISTRATION BACKING DOWN EITHER.

>> NO, IT'S INTERESTING.

I THINK THEY HAVE SORT OF NOT NECESSARILY MADE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES TO WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BUT SAID -- I THINK THE LANGUAGE AROUND THIS IS CHANGING A LITTLE BIT.

THIS EMAIL THAT CAUSED SO MUCH ALARM SAID ALL DIGITAL LIBRARIES GETTING RID OF SEEMED LIKE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE BOOKS, KEEPING A FEW SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

NOW THEY ARE SAYING VERY CLEARLY WE'RE NOT CLOSING THE LIBRARIES.

WE'RE NOT TAKING ALL THE BOOKS OUT OF THE LIBRARIES.

I THINK -- I CAN'T NECESSARILY SPEAK TO THEIR MOTIVE BUT I GOT TO IMAGINE THAT THE CONTROVERSY HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN THAT.

>> THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SENT A STERN LETTER TO THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE, POSTMASTER GENERAL THIS WEEK, COMPLAINING ABOUT ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH BASIC MAIL SERVICE IN COMMUNITY AFTER COMMUNITY AROUND OUR STATE.

WE HAVE ON THE SCREEN PART OF THE STATEMENT.

WE WRITE WITH GREAT CONCERN REGARDING THE ONGOING STAFFING CRISIS AND RESULTING MAIL DELAYS ACROSS VERMONT.

THE DELEGATION WRITES WE RECEIVE PARTICULARLY HIGH VOLUME OF CALLS FROM THE TOWNS OF HINESBURG, INSUFFICIENT STAFFING RESULTING IN POOR SERVICE.

WE HAVE HEARD SIMILAR REPORTS FROM WILLISTON, SOUTH BURLINGTON AND IN WINDHAM COUNTY.

THESE ISSUES ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE BETTER.

STOWE IS ALSO ON THAT LIST THEY SAY.

THEY DON'T GET MAIL FOR TEN DAYS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ONE TO DELIVER IT.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME, TIM.

>> IT'S A REALLY CURIOUS THING.

YOU'LL SEE THE POSTAL TRUCKS DRIVING AROUND ON ANY DAY IN THE EVENINGS ON SUNDAY EVENINGS.

THEY ARE NOT DELIVERING MAIL.

WELL, SOME OF THE BLAME THERE IMPLYING OR SUGGESTING EVEN AND PEOPLE ARE GOING BANANAS AS YOU CAN IMAGINE ABOUT THE POST OFFICE BEING BEHOLDEN TO AMAZON BECAUSE THEY PAY THEM A PREMIUM FOR DELIVERING PACKAGES.

THAT'S WORKED WELL FOR THE POST OFFICE BUT NOW THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO THAT IN THE REGULAR MAIL, APPARENTLY.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

I LIVE IN WILLISTON.

THERE WILL BE DAYS IT WON'T COME, A COUPLE OF DAYS WHERE WE GOT THE MAIL TWICE.

WHO KNOWS WHY THAT WILL HAPPEN.

IT COULD COME ON SUNDAY NIGHTS.

>> REALLY?

>> IT WILL COME ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT.

I THINK IT'S WHEN THEY CAN GET PEOPLE IN THERE WORKING A SECOND JOB OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THESE WERE JOBS THAT USED TO BE REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT TO GET BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM.

IT'S A REAL HORNET'S NEST.

>> NO RESPONSE YET FROM USPS.

YOU WONDER IF THERE ARE CHECKS IN THAT UNDELIVERED MAIL, MEDICATIONS.

REAL ISSUE.

>> WELFARE CHECKS AND WHATEVER.

YES.

IT'S NOT JUST BIRTHDAY CARDS.

IT CAN BE REAL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTATION.

SOCIAL SECURITY SENDS COUNTLESS THINGS.

>> WE ALSO WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE APPARENT IMPASSE THAT WE ARE AGAIN SEEING BETWEEN UNITED HEALTH CARE, NOT A HUGE COMMERCIAL INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT IT COVERS BETWEEN TWO AND 3,000 PEOPLE IN OUR REGION IN VERMONT AND IN NORTHERN NEW YORK.

BETWEEN UNITED HEALTH CARE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT HEALTH NETWORK.

UNITED HEALTH CARE HAS LET UVM KNOW WHEN THE CONTRACT EXPIRES APRIL 1, THEY WILL NO LONGER BE IN NETWORK.

THE INSURANCE COMPANY WROTE TO SAY THAT DESPITE RECEIVING NEARLY 20% IN HIGHER REIMBURSEMENT RATES OVER THREE YEARS UVM IS PROPOSING MORE THAN 15% PRICE HIKE IN A SINGLE YEAR.

THEY THEIR DEMANDS ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE.

THEY ARE NOT AFFORDABLE FOR VERMONTERS, NEW YORKERS AND EMPLOYERS.

WE REMAIN OPEN TO CONTINUED NEGOTIATION SHOOS THE HEALTH SHOULD THE HEALTHNETWORK BE OPE.

IT APPEARS AS IF A DIVORCE IS ON THE WAY OR IS THIS JUST BRINKSMANSHIP?

>> UNITED HEALTH IS DOING THIS AROUND THE COUNTRY, TRYING TO SQUEEZE THE LOCAL HOSPITALS.

THEY ARE NOT BIG HERE BUT NATIONALLY THEY ARE A HUGE COMPANY.

THEY CAN USE THAT MUSCLE TO TRY TO PUSH DOWN RATES, COSTS ON THEIR SIDE WHERE THE HOSPITAL IS LOSING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND ARE TRYING TO GET MORE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THEIR SERVICES.

YOU CAN STILL GO TO THE HOSPITAL IF YOU'RE A UNITED HEALTH CARE PATIENT BUT YOU WOULDN'T GET THE SAME RATE.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY.

>> IN NETWORK AND OUT OF NETWORK.

>> PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

WHERE YOU DON'T GET THE SAME RATES.

SOMETIMES YOU DON'T GET THE SERVICE AT ALL.

IN THE CASE OF CANCER PATIENTS, IF YOU'RE PREGNANT ALREADY BEING SERVED THEY WOULD STILL COUNT.

I DON'T SEE IT COMING BACK.

IF YOU'RE A UNITED HEALTH CARE INSURANCE CUSTOMER I DON'T SEE IT COMING BACK.

FIRST OF ALL THE NUMBERS ARE NOT -- 2600 SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT IN THE CHEM OF THINGS IT'S NOT THAT MANY PATIENTS REALLY.

THEY DON'T NEED US FRANKLY HERE IN VERMONT.

IN NORTHERN NEW YORK.

IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THOSE PATIENTS TO GET BACK INTO A NETWORK UNLESS THEY CHANGE THEIR HEALTH CARE.

>> UNITED SUGGESTING THOSE FOLKS MAYBE GO TO RUTLAND OR POTSDAM OR DARTMOUTH FOR THEIR CARE.

>> IT IF YOU LIVE IN THE UPPER VALLEY THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE YOU'RE GOING ANYWAY.

IF YOU'RE HERE IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE NEXT HEALTH CARE.

>> HE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THIS WILL HAVE A SERIOUS IMPACT ON OUR PATIENTS WHO ARE UNITED HEALTH CARE COVERED BY UNITED HEALTH CARE AND WE'RE DISAPPOINTED UNITED HAS MADE THIS DECISION RATHER THAN TRY TO COME CLOSER TO THE PAYMENT RATES APPROVED BY THE GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE BOARD THAT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE COST OF PROVIDING HEALTH CARE IN 2023.

IN LINE WITH THE RATE INCREASES NEGOTIATED WITH THE OTHER VERMONT INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THROWS THE TWO SIDES TO THAT COIN.

WE'LL SEE WHERE THIS LANDS AS WE GET CLOSER TO APRIL 1st.

>> PETER, YOU HAD SOME INTERESTING REPORTING ABOUT A COMPLAIT FILED BY THE NAACP AND OTHERS UNDER THIS NEW STATE LAW THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO BRING FORTH A COMPLAINT WITH THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION OVER OFFENSIVE SCHOOL MASCOTS.

THE ISSUE IS BACK.

>> YEAH.

SO THE LAW THAT YOU'RE MENTIONING THIS PAST SESSION BASICALLY REQUIRES THE STATE AGENCY OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A MODEL POLICY FOR HAVING MASCOTS, SCHOOL BRANDING, LOGOS, SLOGANS THAT ARE INTENDED TO BE EQUITABLE AND WELCOMING TO ALL STUDENTS.

AND AS PART OF THAT LAW, PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A CERTAIN MASCOT THAT'S OFFENSIVE, LIKE A RACIAL STEREOTYPE CAN SUBMIT COMPLAINTS.

SO THIS WEEK WE SAW SORT OF LIKE ONE JOINT BIG COMPLAINT MADE ABOUT EIGHT DIFFERENT SCHOOL MASCOTS IN VERMONT.

>> WE'LL PUT THE LOGOS ON THE SCREEN AS WE HEAR FROM YOU.

>> YEAH.

SO THERE'S A NUMBER OF THEM.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE SORT OF -- THE ARGUMENT GOES FROM THE NAACP AND THE DOCUMENT WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROMOTES INDIGENOUS LEARNING AND EDUCATION, THESE ARE OFFENSIVE TO NATIVE AMERICANS, SORT OF BASED ON NATIVE AMERICAN STEREOTYPES.

THERE'S THINGS LIKE THE RAIDERS IN THERE.

THE THUNDERBIRD.

THERE'S THE VERMONT COMMON SCHOOL FLYING TURTLE AND THESE ARE SORT OF VIEWED AS BEING KIND OF TWISTED SACRED FIGURES IN SOME INDIGENOUS MYTHOLOGIES AND RELIGIONS.

I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MOST OF THE SCHOOLS THERE.

I KNOW A LOT OF THEM ARE ON BREAK.

BUT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE SCHOOL BOARD AND IF THE BOARDMATION THE DECISION THAT THEY DON'T LIKE IT IT CAN DO UP TO THE STATE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS MADE UNDER THIS LAW.

TO ME THIS SEEMS LIKE THE LARGEST AND POSSIBLY THE FIRST, BUT WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

>> YEAH.

THE COMPLAINT TO SECRETARY DAN FRENCH SAID SCHOOL BOARDS LISTEN TO STORIES OF ITS OUR LEGACY, IT'S BEEN OUR HISTORY WITH LITTLE TO NO UNDERSTANDING THIS LEGACY IS PAINFUL AND OFFENSIVE TO MANY.

IT'S NOT A POSITIVE MEMORY FOR EVERYONE.

SO THERE'S A PROCESS NOW, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO SORT IT OUT.

>> WE SAW THIS IN A NUMBER OF PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I THINK POSSIBLY MOST LOUDLY OR THE LOUDEST IN RUT LEND WHERE THE RAIDERS BECAME THE RUTLAND RAVENS, THE RAIDERS.

IT'S JUST RUTLAND.

HUGELY DIVISIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HAD THIS MASCOT FOR DECADES.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT, TIM.

SEVEN DAYS DID SOME PRETTY IMPRESSIVE REPORTING ON THURSDAY ABOUT FEDERAL INDICTMENTS THAT GOES AFTER SAM BANKMAN FRIED OF THE FAILED CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE FTX, WHO FUNNELED ALLEGEDLY A LOT OF CUSTOMER MONEY INTO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES THAT BENEFITED VERMONT CONGRESSWOMAN BECCA BALINT.

>> THAT WAS CITED IN THE INDICTMENT CRYPTICALLY.

BUT YOU COULD PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.

SAM WAS PUTTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS INTO BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE TRYING TO GET CURRY FAVOR WITH CONGRESSMEN.

SO A ENACT "SUPPORTED" REPRESENTATIVE BALINT GOT 1.1 MILLION, ABOUT A MILLION WENT TO HER.

SHE'S WORKING WITH THE FEDS AND SHE HASN'T BEEN IMPLICATED IN ANY WRONGDOING.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

THAT IS WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THIS EDITION OF "VERMONT THIS WEEK."

THANKS, EVERYBODY.

TIM MCQUISTON, EDITOR OF VERMONT BUSINESS MAGAZINE, PETER D'AURIA, EDUCATE REPORTER WITH VTDIGGER, AND ABAGAEL GILES WITH VERMONT PUBLIC.

STAY WARM THIS WEEKEND.

COME COME BACK AND SEE US RIGHT HERE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.