►
From YouTube: CHI-22 State Representative Forum - 9/15/2022
Description
00:00:48 Opening Statements
00:05:28 Education
00:10:28 Health Care
00:16:44 Criminal Justice Reform
00:24:07 30 Second Answers
00:42:00 Closing Comments
This video belongs to http://www.cctv.org and published with permission under Creative Commons License CCTV Center for Media & Democracy Programming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
A
Hello
and
good
evening
welcome
to
ongoing
election
coverage
by
town
meeting
television.
My
name
is
Bridget
Higdon
and
I'm
the
managing
editor
of
the
Essex
reporter.
This
is
one
in
a
series
of
candidate
forums
brought
to
you
in
advance
of
the
general
election
on
November,
8th
I
am
joined
tonight
by
Democratic
State,
reps
Lori,
Houghton
and
Karen
Dolan
and
Republican
Seth
Adam
Manley,
who
are
running
for
the
two
state
representative
seats
for
the
city
of
Essex
Junction
in
Chittenden
22..
If
you
are
watching
this
discussion
live
tonight,
we
welcome
your
questions
at.
A
802-862-3966,
you
can
watch
town
meeting
TV
on
Comcast
channel,
1087,
Burlington,
Telecom
channels,
17
and
217,
as
well
as
online
at
youtube.com
town
meeting
TV,
we'll
start
tonight
with
opening
statements
from
each
of
our
candidates.
You
will
have
one
minute
to
introduce
yourself
Karen.
Let's
begin
with
you
as
an
incumbent,
please.
A
B
If
elected
again,
I
would
continue
to
do
that
would
build
on
the
foundation
that
I've
created
and
continue
to
listen
collaborate
and
hold
up
the
values
of
our
community.
There
really
are
a
number
of
critical
issues
and
that
are
on
the
horizon,
such
as
climate
action,
affordable
housing,
Mental,
Health,
Access
and
reproductive
Liberty.
That
will
benefit
greatly
from
my
steady
experience
and
Community
focused
leadership
and
I.
Look
forward
to
bringing
that
if
elected
again,.
A
C
Thank
you
very
much
and
Lori
great.
Thank
you
Bridget
again,
thank
you
for
having
us
I
always
enjoy
coming
here.
So
I
am
campaigning
for
my
fourth
term
and
I've
lived
in
the
city
of
Essex
Junction.
Now
the
city
for
20
years
and
my
family
owns
and
operates
a
small
business
in
the
city
as
well.
I've
served
previously
eight
years
as
a
village
trustee
and
on
countless
Grassroots
and
Community
organization.
D
You
know
we've
had
20
or
30
years
of
what
seems
to
be
single-sided
politics
and,
although
there's
a
lot
of
good
ideas
out
there,
I
think
we
really
need
to
open
up
dialogue
between
all
the
sides.
It's
really
important
to
express
opinions,
and
you
know
I-
think
Governor
Scott's
done
a
pretty
decent
job
of
providing
balance
and
compromise,
but
in
order
to
get
anything
meaningful
done
to
tackle
some
of
the
big
issues,
I
think
he's
going
to
need
some
more
help
from
Republicans.
D
Let's
see
I'm
a
veteran
of
the
U.S
army
I'm,
a
college
graduate
and
I'm
also
an
experienced
business
owner
so
I've
had
quite
a
number
of
years.
Owning
and
operating
a
small
business.
So
I
understand
some
of
the
challenges
there
and
you
know
what
I
can
bring
to
Montpelier.
I
believe
is
my
willingness
to
listen
and
talk
about
things.
You
know
I'm,
actually,
a
pretty
open-minded
conservative.
However,
you
know
sometimes
finding
the
best
solution
means.
D
A
D
Sure
you
know
so
you
know
this
is
a
issue.
That's
come
up
quite
often,
as
I've
talked
to
people,
you
know
around
the
community
and
I'm
a
big
supporter
of
Parental
choice
and
I.
Think
you
know
one
of
the
issues
that's
come
up.
Is
the
issue
of
parents
being
able
to
decide
where
their
children
attend
school?
You
know
I'm
a
full
supporter
of
that
now.
I
do
understand
that.
There's
concerns
about
that.
If
that
happens,
some
schools
may
become
underfunded,
but
you
know
I,
don't
see
any
reason.
D
We
can't
come
up
with
a
good
compromise
and
put
in
place
systems
that
when
a
school
does
become
underfunded,
you
know
we
can
put
in
measures
to
reform
the
school
and
improve
move
it.
Otherwise,
you
know
we're
just
gonna
end
up
with
failing
schools
if
we
just
force
force
using
them.
So
that's
probably
the
biggest
issue
yeah.
Thank
you
very
much.
C
Great
thank
you.
So
one
of
the
reasons
that
I
ran
for
office
in
2016
was
because
I
spent
some
time
at
the
state
house
and
realized.
There
were
not
many
people
right
legislators
who
had
children
in
the
school
system,
and
so
for
me
it
was
really
important
that
we
have
Representatives
who
can
support
our
future
and
understand
what's
happening
in
the
schools.
My
son
I
started
when
he
was
in
third
grade
he's
just
started
high
school
and
our
school
district
is
absolutely
amazing,
as
are
most
throughout
the
state.
C
We
do
a
really
amazing
job
and
I
fully
support
the
collective
responsibility
of
ensuring
Equitable
outcomes
for
all
of
our
students,
and
with
that
I
was
happy
to
support
the
passage
of
s287
this
year.
Sorry
I
forget
what
the
ACT
numbers
are,
but
that
actually
updated
our
weights,
which
is
how
we
pay
for
how
we
figure
out
the
cost
of
funding
and
significantly
higher
weights
for
our
multilingual
students,
which
I
think
will
be
a
big
help.
There's
also
a
lot
that
was
in
that
bill.
C
C
But
really
we've
had
a
lot
of
changes
in
our
demographics
here
in
Vermont,
so
I
can't
really
say
if
I
support
it
or
not,
but
I'm
very
happy
that
we're
looking
at
how
that
could
impact
our
funding
going
forward
and
I
just
also
want
to
say
that
ewsd
is
a
really
valuable
partner
and
they
are
always
willing
to
come
down
and
support
our
efforts
in
the
state
house
and
it's
just
nice
to
have
that
partnership
locally.
Awesome.
B
Well,
first
I
will
say:
education
funding
really
is
critical
for
the
well-being
of
our
state,
not
only
for
our
youth,
but
also
for
the
future
of
Vermont
and,
as
Laurie
said
you
know,
I
also
have
two
school
age.
Children
so
I
see
firsthand
the
importance
of
supporting
a
quality
education
system
in
our
state.
B
I'm
also
proud
to
say
that
I,
as
of
tomorrow,
I'll
be
starting
as
a
substitute
teacher
in
my
district
and
I
really
look
forward
for
that
perspective
of
seeing
get
gaining
a
better
understanding
of
our
school
system,
because
in
Vermont
we
have
made
a
lot
of
progress,
as
Lauria
said
in
creating
a
progressive
tax
system
where
we
really
are
pulling
resources
together
to
fund
our
education
system,
it
takes
into
account
a
lot
of
factors.
Lori
mentioned
the
weights
The
Waiting
system,
but
the
downside
is
is
that
it's
really
complicated.
B
It's
a
complicated
system
and
it's
challenging
to
explain
so
this
makes
it
hard
to
really
explore
and
tackle
and
understand
all
those
issues.
It
also
can
make
it
hard
to
explain
to
other
people
and
build
trust
in
the
system,
and
so,
as
was
said
earlier,
I'm
looking
forward
to
the
reports
that
are
coming
out
from
our
education
committees,
our
ways
and
means
Committees
of
how
can
we
continue
this
work?
We
have
a
great
start
here,
but
there's
more
to
be
done
in
Vermont.
I
think
is
a
place
to
make
that
happen.
B
We
really
don't
have
time
to
wait.
Our
education
system
they're
shifting
now
with
to
meet
current
demands.
Our
funding
needs
to
as
well,
and
one
point
that
I'll
point
out
that
is
connected
to
the
committee
I
serve
on
institutions
is
our
school
construction
projects.
Our
school
buildings
are
very
old
they're
getting
older
and
the
general
maintenance
for
them
is
really
becoming
burdensome,
and
we
need
to
make
sure
that
there
is
some
secure
funding
source
in
there
and
that's
part
of
the
funding
mechanism.
We
need
to
look
at
great.
A
Thank
you
awesome,
let's
remind
viewers
that
if
you
have
questions
you
are
welcome
to
call
in
at
802-862-3966
throughout
this
forum.
Next
topic
here
will
be
Healthcare,
so
we
know
that
the
cost
of
Health
Care
is
putting
pressure
on
vermonters
and
the
state's
economy.
The
covid-19
pandemic
has
sharpened
our
focus
on
this
issue,
we've
kind
of
seen
how
important
it
is
and
how
it
trickles
into
other
aspects
of
life.
B
I
mean
I'd
be
happy
to
start.
I
feel
like
this
is
one
of
the
things
that
are
interesting
with
having
a
representative,
Houghton
and
I
serve.
Is
that
we
really
collaborate
well
together,
and
we
understand
that
each
of
us
has
different
ex
areas
of
expertise
in
knowledge,
and
so
Healthcare
is
one
of
the
ones
that
I
really
look
to
to
Lori
and
to
representative
Houghton,
for
we
kind
of
divide
and
conquer
the
work
in
this.
So
you
know,
I
can
provide
a
brief
overview
of
my
understanding
of
the
needs.
B
You
know
one
in
particular
that
I
and
looking
as
the
Health
Equity
advisory
commission
that
we
established
I
think
is
in
2021
and
the
recommendations
that
are
going
to
be
coming
out
of
that
are
key,
but
really
if
I
was
asked
this
question,
my
first
thing
would
be:
let's
pick
up
the
phone
talk
to
Lori.
What
are
the
things
that
are
going
on
and.
A
C
And-
and
that
is
the
benefit
of
having
a
two-seat
District.
Quite
frankly,
we
can't
all
be
experts
in
everything
and
I'm,
not
an
expert
in
healthcare,
but
I
have
sat
on
the
health
care
committee
for
three
terms:
I
am
the
ranking
member.
So,
as
Karen
said,
we
have
the
health
advisory
committee
and
one
of
their
charges
is
actually
to
provide
guidance
for
the
creation
of
a
newly
created
office
of
Health
Equity.
So
I
really
look
forward
to
us.
C
Taking
that
action
again
hearing
what
they
have
to
say
this
coming
year
and
moving
that
forward,
we,
you
know
obviously
kovid,
showed
us
what
all
of
our
problems
are
in
that
area
and
we
really
need
to
focus
on
it.
The
other
thing
we
have
renewed
Partnerships
coming
with
our
federal
government,
so
we
have
a
new
Medicaid
waiver.
C
The
other
thing
that
we'll
be
working
on
this
year
is
working
to
integrate.
We
have
the
opportunity
to
integrate
mental
health
and
substance
use
disorder
together
right
now.
They
people
go
to
different
places
for
help
and
it
makes
it
very
difficult
and
then
my
my
personal
overarching
goal
would
be
that
we
actually
integrate
Primary
Care
mental
health
and
substance
use
disorder
in
one
place,
so
people
can
go
to
one
doctor.
D
D
Obamacare
was
billed,
as
you
know,
the
Affordable
Health
Care
Act
I.
Think
all
of
us
understand
that
what
happened
was
health
care
costs
or
at
least
Insurance
more
than
quadrupled
over
the
right
after
it
was
put
in
place.
Not
only
did
Insurance
quadruple
health
care
costs
themselves
went
up
now
we're
faced
with
a
situation
where
regular
people
can't
afford
it
and
now
they're
forced
to
go
on
to
these
subsidy
programs.
D
I
believe
the
only
way
to
go
forward
is
to
get
government
out
of
Health
Care
insurance
industry
and
get
government
out
of
the
health
care
business.
I
think
it
should
be
up
to
the
individual
health
care
providers
to
decide
for
themselves
what
treatment
and
how
to
you
know,
provide
that
treatment
to
their
patients
to
Foster
competition,
one
of
the
biggest
costs
in
health
care.
I'm.
Sure
you
understand
is
the
bureaucracy
that
they
have
to
go
through
to
meet
the
filing
requirements
to
the
government.
So
and
while
we're
on
that
topic,
I
know
there.
D
It's
a
big
thing
to
a
lot
of
people
about.
You
know,
there's
a
lot
of
talk
of
free
Medicare
for
all
you
know
again,
this
is
another
socialist
program.
That's
unworkable!
It's
unfeasible
and
I'll.
Ask
you
this
question.
You
know
I,
don't
believe
it's
a
god-given
right
for
anybody
to
have
goods
and
services
provided
to
them
for
free
the
only
example.
You
know
anytime
that
that's
going
to
happen.
What
the
only
way
to
accomplish
free
goods
and
services
is
to
have
a
slave
culture
or
to
steal
from
somebody
else
to
provide
those
Services.
A
It's
been
I
feel
like
it's
in
the
news
quite
often
right
now,
especially
in
Burlington,
you
represent
Essex
Junction,
so
it
is
a
different
place
and
it
has
a
different
issues,
but
some
of
them
are
similar.
So
let's
talk
about
how
Chittenden
County
addresses
crime.
Is
there
a
problem
with
policing
that
needs
reform?
It's
the
first
question
here
and
then
sort
of
I
guess,
along
with
that.
How
would
you
address
Community
safety?
We
know
that
police
departments
are
short
staffed.
There's
been
alternate
modes
now
to
talk
about.
Essex
has
a
restorative
justice
center.
C
Turn:
okay,
thank
you,
I'm
going
to
start
and
then
I'm
going
to
actually
do
the
same.
That
Karen
did
on
the
healthcare
I've
I've
learned
over
the
years
from
a
mentor.
That
again,
you
can't
be
an
expert
in
everything
and
Karen
really
is
on
this
one,
but
I
will
say
specific
to
Essex
Junction.
You
know
we
have
seen
crime
rise
like
everywhere
else.
We
had
a
bike
stolen
out
of
our
garage
one
Sunday
afternoon,
so
I
firmly
believe
in
the
work
work
of
the
restorative
justice
center.
C
I
firmly
believe
in
the
work
that
the
police
do,
but
I
also
believe,
there's
a
place
for
the
community,
and
we
need
to
support
people.
We
need
to
support
children.
We
need
to
support
families
in
such
a
way
that
they
don't
feel
that
crime
is
is
what's
going
to
help
them
get
out
of
whatever
situation
they're
in
and
so
to
have
the
resources
available,
not
just
the
police
resources
which
we
need,
but
to
have
crisis.
C
B
Well,
the
justice
system
really
is
an
area
of
focus.
For
me,
my
current
work
at
the
Essex
Community
Justice
Center
and
my
previous
job
I
was
a
service
provider
at
the
women's
correctional
facility,
and
it
really
provided
me
with
an
in-depth
understanding
of
our
justice
system
and
when
looking
at
how
crime
is
addressed
in
Chittenden,
County
I
feel
like
the
key
word.
B
And
so,
while
our
state,
you
know
really
values
local
control,
local
input.
I
think
we
need
to
balance
that
with
you
know,
what
is
our
responsibility
in
government
to
have
a
baseline
of
services
or
Justice
Tools
in
each
Community
to
show
that
there's
equity
in
the
system
across
the
state,
so
in
Chinden
County
we're
really
fortunate?
We
have
a
lot
of
the
tools
available
to
us.
B
Those
folks
who
are
in
those
positions,
those
stakeholder
positions,
really
have
bought
into
this
large
variety
of
tools
such
as
restorative
justice,
drug
courts,
the
traditional
sentencing
method,
methadone
clinics,
Court
diversion
you
know.
The
list
goes
on
for
that,
and
this
is
really
essential,
because
crime
is
a
complicated
issue.
B
How
we
need
to
address
crime
is
looking
at
our
safety
net
systems
and
when
our
safety
net
systems
are
strained
and
our
justice
system
is
drained,
that's
that's
not
going
to
work
out
they're,
they
go
together,
hand
in
hand,
and
so
looking
ahead
to
the
next
legislative
session.
I
want
to
look
to
really
build
up
our
safety
nets,
so
folks
aren't
having
those
gaps
and
systems
and
there'll
be
less
crime
and
folks
are
going
to
be
better
served.
D
Yeah,
you
know-
and
this
is
another
very
common
topic-
you
know-
obviously,
violence
violent
crimes
have
gone
up
tremendously,
especially
over
the
last
few
years,
and
you
know
they
always
talk
about
causation
versus
you
know
the
root
cause,
but
you
know,
obviously
we
can
say
Well
since
we've
defunded
the
police.
These
crimes
have
gone
up
tremendously.
D
We
need
to
look
at
enforcing
the
laws
that
we
have
on
the
books
and
there's
you
know
really
two
I
agree
and
I
can
definitely
compromise
with
the
ladies
about
finding
attacking
the
root
causes
for
the
crime
rather
than
taking
care
of
it
afterwards,
and
you
know,
one
of
them
would
definitely
be
our
education
system
again.
You
know
for
citizens
of
the
State,
you
know.
Definitely
we
need
to
provide
our
children
with
adequate
education,
it's
so
they
have
hope
for
the
future.
D
One
of
the
problems,
though,
is
a
lot
of
the
crime.
That's
being
committed,
it's
being
imported
from
the
bigger
cities
down
south.
So
there's
a
lot
of
things
that
we
can
work
on
and
you
know
I
would
look
forward
to
working
with
one
of
the
ladies
to
go
forward
to
find
out
real
solutions
and
not
just
provide
the
party
boss's
solution.
Thank
you.
A
D
D
D
C
Just
want
to
specific
to
Essex
and
I
think
they're
a
really
good
examples.
So
Burlington
has
had
the
street
Outreach
workers
for
a
really
really
long
time
and
my
first
term
in
session
Essex
Essex
worked
with
some
other
communities
and
came
to
the
legislature
and
said
we
want
to
do
our
own
type
of
street
Outreach,
which
is
more
of
a
what
they
call
community
outreach
because
obviously
there's
not
a
Church
Street,
and
that
was
put
into
place
funded
partly
by
the
state
by
the
towns
and
has
really
been
a
success.
C
And
so
when
people
people
say
to
fund
the
police
to
me,
it's
it
means
to
fund
it
appropriately
with
the
resources
that
are
needed
and
in
many
cases.
Unfortunately,
there
needs
to
be
restorative
justice,
which
should
be
funded
more
than
they
are,
and
there
needs
to
be
community
outreach
to
help
the
police
as
well.
A
A
D
Sure
yeah,
you
know
actually
right
off
the
I
won't
get
to
choose
my
committee
I'll
be
assigned
by
the
Speaker
of
the
House.
Of
course
you
know
I'd
be
comfortable
in
just
about
any
committee
and
one
of
my
main
goals
would
be
to
look
at.
You
know
excessive
bureaucratic
spending,
so
you
know
my
dream
would
probably
be
to
you
know,
probably
be
the
appropriate
Appropriations
Committee
but
I'm
sure,
there's
quite
a
few
of
them.
That
I'd
be
able
to.
You
know,
lend
my
analytical
ability
to
to
work
on
state
issues.
A
C
So
and
the
reason
is
it's,
it's
complicated
as
someone
once
said,
and
we've
had
a
lot
of
turnover
in
our
committee
and
so
to
have
someone
who
has
some
knowledge
base
to
move
us
forward
to
some
really
important
things.
We
need
to
continue
pushing
the
integration
of
mental
health
and
physical
health.
We
should
not
be
looking
at
those
as
separate
entities
of
a
person
they
need
to
be
integrated
and
then
we
need
to
transform
our
mental
health
system
of
care,
which
is
going
to
be
really
really
important
to
the
future
of
our
youth.
B
Yeah
I
think
maybe
I
fall
in
between
for
both
of
the
previous
responses,
because
I
I
feel
like
the
one.
The
committee
that
I
want
to
be
on
is
one:
that's
really
making
progress
for
vermonters.
My
you
know
the
reason
I
ran
for
office
and
want
to
continue
is
to
give
back
to
my
community
and
there's
also
this
passion
for
continuous
learning
and
really
understanding
how
the
government
works
for
our
state,
and
so
with
that.
B
I
really
feel
that
all
areas
of
the
legislative
work
are
important
and
my
goal
is
to
make
progress
and
move
the
work
forward.
You
know
my
background
is
in
the
justice
system,
so
Judiciary
would
be
at
the
top
of
the
list
for
me,
but
also
Corrections
govops.
Those
all
fit
nicely
with
my
background,
but
I
like
Seth
shared,
like
I,
can
see
myself
fitting
into
any
group.
I.
Think
that's
a
trait
that
I
bring
and
I
would
really
value
the
learning
of
whatever
committee
I'm
on.
B
Because
this
is
one
that
I've
been
talking
a
lot
about
with
folks
and
we're
definitely
hearing
from
community
members
about
this,
and
for
me
the
answer
is
yes:
there
there
needs
to
be
more
Legends.
This
isn't
new,
it's
even
in
the
previous
session
and
now
going
into
the
you
know
preparing
for
the
next
one
just
hearing
about
it
all
the
time
we
have
needed
better
gun
control.
Legislation
in
recent
events
are
only
reinforcing
this.
B
We
need
to
look
at
things
such
as
waiting
periods,
safe
storage,
gun
deaths
as
a
public
safety
issue,
a
health
issue
and
vermonters
can
really
have
access
to
guns
in
a
way
that
ensures
safety
for
all
vermonters.
So
I
think
that
this
is
time
we
need
to
have
these
conversations,
and
there
are
things
that
are
already
in
the
queue:
let's
move
them
forward,
so
that
we're
all
we're
all
safer.
Okay,
I'd.
D
Be
happy
to
go
next
sure.
So,
basically,
you
know,
and
that's
all
fine
and
good,
however
I'd
like
to
point
out
one
thing
to
any
of
the
viewers
is
that
the
availability
of
guns
and
ammunition
hasn't
changed
significantly
over
the
past
20
or
30
years
matter
of
fact,
it's
actually
gotten
more
restrictive.
However,
we
have
seen
an
increase
in
gun
violence.
The
reason
for
that
is
not
guns,
and
you
know
a
lot
of
course
I'm.
A
second
amendment
supporter
I
think
what
we
need
to
look
at
is
the
cause.
D
It's
just
like
you
know.
If
the
number
of
traffic
accidents
go
up,
do
you
ban
vehicles
now?
What
you
do
is
you
look
at
why
the
vehicles
are
killing
people
or
whatnot
and
again
one
of
them
would
be
education
and
yeah.
So
I
probably
had
a
few
other
comments
here.
I
I
did
prepare
for
some
of
these
things.
If
you
just
bear
with
me
well,
yeah
I
guess
that's
about
the
best
thing.
I
could
say:
okay,
thanks
a
lot
sure.
C
Support
the
Second,
Amendment
and
I
support
additional
gun
safety
legislation,
so
in
Vermont
suicide
is
one
of
the
leading
causes
of
death
and
90
percent
of
suicides
that
lead
to
death
are
done
with
a
firearm
and
of
the
people
who
survive
suicide
attempts.
Ninety
percent
of
them
do
not
go
on
to
commit
suicide,
so
we
have
a
problem
with
guns
and
I'm
not
looking
to
take
a
gun
away
from
anyone.
I
am
looking
to
ensure
that
people
who
are
in
a
moment
of
Crisis,
and
that
does
not
equate
to
a
mental
health
situ
situation.
C
It
is
a
moment
of
Crisis
that
they
should
not
be
able
to
walk
out
and
purchase
a
gun
immediately.
There
needs
to
be
a
waiting
period.
I
also
believe
that
we
can
have
some
reasonable,
safe
storage
requirements
so
that
people
Youth
and
people
who
should
not
have
access
to
guns
do
not
have
that
I
think
it
is
and
I
don't
quote
me
on
this
I
believe
it
is
43
percent
of
Vermont
households
have
guns
I'm,
not
looking
to
take
those
away
from
anyone.
C
I
am
looking
to
ensure
that
the
people
who
should
not
have
access,
especially
our
children
and
people
in
a
moment
of
Crisis,
don't
have
access
and
I
just
also
want
to
be
very,
very
clear
that
people
who
suffer
from
a
mental
health
illness
are
usually
harmed
by
others.
They
don't
harm
others,
and
so
I
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
not
equating
gun
safety
legislation
and
mental
health,
because
they
are
two
separate,
very
distinct
things.
Okay,.
A
Thank
you
thanks.
Very
much
I
want
to
throw
a
little
bit
of
a
curveball
here
and
I
want
to
talk
about
housing
because
that's
an
issue,
that's
not
on
this
list
here,
but
we've
touched
on
it
in
a
couple
different
ways
already
and
it's
on
a
lot
of
people's
minds
in
terms
of
Vermont.
Where
are
we
going
to
build?
You
know
how
do
we
make
what's
already
here
affordable?
A
B
Yeah
well
in
preparing
for
this
and
kind
of
thinking
about
what
are
my
priority
areas
in
the
next
legislative
session.
Where
do
we
think
a
priority
is
for
the
budget?
I
think
that
is
exactly
it
like.
Affordable
housing
has
to
be
at
the
top
of
the
list,
and
so
I
I
can't
say:
I
have
all
the
the
right.
You
know
the
answers
at
the
top
of
my
head,
but
I
know
that
the
that's
the
conversation
we
need
to
be.
Having
and
answering
some
of
those
questions
that
you
just
shared
like
how?
B
B
B
Having
these
discussions
and
looking
at
it
through
the
lens
of
yes,
we
need
housing,
but
also
what
do
we
need
to
look
at
for
equity,
in
housing,
for
affordable
housing,
for
the
zoning
piece
of
it
and
coming
up
with
recommendations
that
then
come
to
the
city,
council
or
the
select
board
and
I
feel
like
that's
the
process
we
need
to
do
and
I
know
there
are
the
housing
experts
you
know
again.
That's
not
me.
B
I
can
do
the
the
criminal
justice
and
that
piece
of
it
and
come
together
and
come
up
with
those
Solutions
as
recommendations
and
then
it's
up
to
us
as
a
legislature
to
prioritize
and
kind
of
look
like
what
can
we
make
happen
what's
realistic
on
the
ground
and
I
think
that's
also
where
we
need
to
prioritize
our
budget.
We
need
to
make
this
happen.
C
So
I
will
just
everything.
Karen
said
you
know
we
passed
act
250
legislation
last
year
and
we
passed
a
rental
registry
Bill
and
both
were
vetoed
by
the
governor
and
I.
Think
that
would
be
a
big
help
to
get
us
to
some
affordable
housing
quickly.
The
we
have
invested
a
lot
of
money
over
the
last
couple
years
from
the
federal
government
from
our
own
budget
into
Building
Homes,
that's
going
to
take
two
three
years.
We
have
an
issue
right
now
where
people
need
a
place
to
live
immediately.
C
I
don't
have
that
solution,
but
I
think
the
conversation
in
the
state
house
this
year
needs
to
be
okay.
We
Bridge
we
had
a
bridge
right.
We
had
a
bridge
from
the
federal
government.
We
got
some
money,
we
were
able
to
put
some
people
into
housing,
but
there
were
problems
with
that.
One
of
them
was
the
wraparound
services.
So
we
need
money
for
that.
C
Now
we're
coming
into
the
situation
where
the
rental
emergency
fund
is
ending
far
too
soon,
and
so
we
need
need
to
get
back
in
there
in
January
and
say
this
is
about
the
people.
This
is
about
the
family,
whose
children
are
going
to
school
and
they're
going
to
have
to
be
yanked
out
of
a
school
to
go
to
another
school
district
or
we'll
now
have
to
live
in
their
car.
You
know
it's
if,
if
you
don't
have
a
home,
you
can't
do
a
lot
of
things
and
it's
hard
to
have
a
job.
Take
a
shower.
C
D
So
yeah,
you
know
this
is
another
big
issue
and
I
really
appreciate
the
questions
that
you
guys
asked
here.
They
are
very
spot-on
questions.
You
know,
I,
don't
know
if
there's
an
easy
and
quick
solution
to
it.
I
definitely
don't
believe
in
just
handing
out
money.
Just
like
the
old
saying
you
know,
give
a
man
a
fish
feed
them
for
a
day,
teach
them
to
fish
feed
them
for
a
lifetime.
Some
of
the
issues
that
we're
facing
are
a
little
deeper
than
just
a
matter
of
availability
of
stuff.
D
We
do
know
that
Chittenden
County
has
seen
a
tremendous
amount
of
growth.
You
know
people
are
moving
here
from
across
the
state
and
from
out
of
state
as
well,
and
you
know,
I
do
have
some
ideas.
I
need
to
do
some
more
research
on
it,
but
I
think
a
lot
of
people
are
still
talking
about
deregulation
so
that
our
Builders
can
afford
to
get
in
and
build.
Currently,
a
lot
of
them
have
to
build
the
most
expensive
type
housing
available,
just
to
be
able
to
pay
for
all
the
regulatory
process.
D
D
A
Think
housing
is
one
of
those
places
where
it
has
become
unaffordable
for
a
lot
of
people
who
are
already
here
and
then
people
who
maybe
want
to
move
here
and
especially
when
we
think
about
the
workforce
situation
in
Vermont
and
our
demographic
challenges,
making
the
state
attractive
comes
down
to
having
attractive
places
to
live
that
are
affordable.
So
that
way
you
can
work
in
our
health
care
industry
or
in
our
education
field
in
order
to
get
things
done.
So
if
anybody
wants
to
further
comment
on
that,
you
can
yeah.
B
I'm
curious
because
I
think
part
of
this
was
we
can
have
exchanges
back
and
forth
as
well
and
so
and
I
just
appreciate
the
concept
of
the
deregulation
and
having
government
out
of
it.
I
I
agree
like
I,
want
to
be
fiscally
responsible
and
spend
money
wisely.
I
think
the
piece
that
I
have
found
that
goes
along
with
it
is
that
we
need
some
eyes
and
ears
on
monitoring
how
programs
roll
out,
specifically
around
equity
and
I,
because
I
have
used
that
the
fish
phrase
before
but
I
think
it's
like.
B
But
if
do
we
know
that
everybody
has
access
to
a
pond
where
there's
fish
and
what
kind
of
fish
are
they?
Are
they
minnows
or
are
they?
You
know
Big
Fish,
and
so
that's
what
I
want
to
make
sure
our
government
is
using
money
for
to
make
sure
everybody
has
access.
So
I
would
just
be
curious
to
understand
them
because
I
want
that
I
want
it
to
be.
How
can
we
be
as
efficient
as
possible,
but
also
make
sure
that
we're
looking
out
for
everybody.
D
A
I'm
here
probably
for
another
question
before
we
get
some
closing
comments,
so
let's
end
on
a
note
about
democracy
as
we're
in
the
center
for
democracy
here
today.
So
let's
talk
about
a
vibrant
democracy
relies
on
widespread
understanding
of
complex
issues
and
participation.
By
many,
please
tell
us
three
ways:
we
might
improve
accessibility
to
local
politics
here
in
Vermont,
Lori.
C
Let's
start
with
you,
one
is
a
Civics
education
in
our
schools.
Don't
think
of
this
as
another
mandate
on
the
school
system.
I
don't
want
to
do
that,
but
we
need
to
ensure
that
our
children
understand
what
is
out
there.
What
they
can
do,
how
they
can
affect
the
world
they
live
in.
We
need
people
like
us
to
continue
to
hold
monthly
conversations
while
we're
in
session
and
ensure
that
we're
bringing
what's
happening
to
Montpelier
to
our
communities.
It's
really
important
that
we
have
to
educate
everyone
increase.
Your
viewership
I
think
is
really
really
helpful.
C
You
know
in
Essex,
we've
used
this
to
get
so
many
issues
out
this
forum
and
it's
really
really
important
and
the
last
one
I'm
sorry
I
think
that's
four,
but
the
last
one
is
to
continue
allowing
Zoom
legislation
is
what
I'll
call
it.
You
know
we
need
to
make
sure
people
can
see
into
our
into
our
committee
rooms
and
our
votes
on
the
floor
and
I.
Think
we've
done
it
very
well
through
covet
and
I
think
we
will
continue
to
do
that
and
we
should
great.
D
So
yeah-
and
this
is
you
know,
I've
just
recently
got
involved
in
politics
and
you
know
frankly,
I
didn't
realize
how
much
stuff
was
going
on.
You
know
again
I'm
going
to
go
back
to
my
fallback.
You
know
education
is
a
big
one.
You
know,
especially
our
kids,
but
even
you
know
our
adults.
Maybe
we
should
open
up
continuing
education
classes
and
you
know,
make
them
attractive
to
people
so
that
they
know
more
about
stuff.
D
B
Yeah
I
think
I
would
repeat,
some
of
that
have
been
shared
I
again,
because
I
have
two
school-aged
children
like
engaging
our
youth,
even
though
I'm
in
the
legislature
I'm
surprised,
you
know
like
what
they
don't
know
and
how
they
think.
I
spend
my
time,
and
it's
like
this-
is
it
this
is
being
involved
in
local
politics.
B
I
am
happy
with
I
think
it
was
last
year
the
year
before
we
passed
legislation
around
creating
a
youth
Council
in
the
state
and
I.
Think
that's
great
and
that's.
What
we
need
to
do
is
so
folks
can
see
the
pathways
see
where
they
can
share
their
ideas
and
and
go
with
it
to
make
change.
I
do
also
agree
with
continuing
access
to
government
through
whether
it's
in
the
legislature,
by
having
everything
on
YouTube
and
it's
recorded,
that
I
was
just
listening
to
a
committee
today.
B
You
know
it
could
be
there,
but
I
didn't
have
to
be
in
Montpelier
and
then
I
also
think
you
know.
We
really
need
to
take
some
time
to
examine
our
part-time
legislature
and
how
accessible
is
that
and
is
it?
You
know
if
folks,
don't
see
that
they
can
be
a
part
of
the
legislature
because,
like
how
can
I
fit
into
something
that's
part-time
and
all
this
flexibility
that's
needed.
B
A
You
can
read
your
local
newspaper
support
as
well.
Yes,
they
do
and
yeah
I
think
it's
really
important,
especially
that
youth
aspect
that
a
couple
of
you
mentioned.
You
can
go
to
select
board
meetings,
you
can
go
to
school
board,
meetings,
sit
and
watch
and
listen
run
for
office
yourself.
If
you're
18.,
you
know,
there's
lots,
you
can
do
I.
C
A
D
D
If
we
did
work
together
and
you
know
no
matter
what
happens,
you
know
I
definitely
agree
with
the
Democracy
conversation
we
just
had
if
any
of
you
at
home
are
concerned
about
any
issues,
whether
you,
like
my
opinion
or,
if
you
like
their
opinion
or
something
in
between
you,
really
should
get
involved.
There's
a
lot
of
stuff
going
on
in
local
politics
and
the
best
way
forward.
I
believe
is
Grassroots
efforts.
There's
a
lot
you
can
do
right
in
your
community.
That's
the
best
thing.
I
can
say.
Please
consider
me
for
a
vote.
B
Started
with
saying
it's
been
an
honor
to
serve
the
city
of
Essex,
Junction
and
I'll
end
with
that
as
well,
that
it
really
has
been
a
true
honor,
along
with
representative
hoen
and
I,
really
look
forward
to
the
opportunity
to
further
carry
the
voices
of
community
members
in
another
biennium
and
I
hope.
I
can
count
on
folks
vote.
Awesome.
C
Thank
you
and
I'll
finish
it
up:
I
Echo
Karen.
It
has
been
a
true
honor
to
serve
Essex,
Junction
and
I
love.
Our
city
I
appreciate
the
continued
support
of
our
community
and
I,
really
look
forward
to
continuing
my
time
in
the
state
house
and
bringing
the
voices
of
Essex
Junction
down.
There.
I
encourage
residents
to
reach
out
with
questions,
to
talk
about
issues
and,
as
Seth
said,
you
know,
get
involved
as
much
as
you
can
and
I
would
appreciate
your
vote
and
thank
you
for
hosting
us.
I
always
enjoy
these
forums.
Sure.
A
A
Ch17.Tv,
please
don't
forget
to
vote
on
or
before
November
8th
ballots
will
be
mailed
to
all
registered
voters
in
the
state
and
to
confirm
you
are
registered
and
will
be
receiving
a
ballot.
You
can
visit
the
Secretary
of
State's
online
portal
at
MVP
.vermont.gov
again.
My
name
is
Bridget
Higdon
and
thank
you
to
Lori,
Karen
and
Seth
for
joining
me
today.
Thank
you
for
watching
at
home
and
please
have
a
great
night.