The Montpelier Happy Hour

Wages and what it costs to work and live in Vermont with Katrina Menard

May 22, 2026: Have you heard of the Vermont tax? If not, it's a tongue-in-cheek way to explain the calculation many Vermont workers make: do they choose Vermont and a high quality of life, or move away for better wages? In this episode, Public Assets Institute State Policy Fellow Katrina Menard shares data on the state's income gaps, including rising income inequality, and on what most residents earn relative to the cost of living. She also shares insights on what policy changes could shift the equation. Read the PAI's brief on income inequality: https://publicassets.org/research-publications/despite-growth-vermonts-lowest-wages-arent-livable [https://publicassets.org/research-publications/despite-growth-vermonts-lowest-wages-arent-livable] The JFO's Basic Needs Budget: https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Subjects/Basic-Needs-Budgets/WLegislative-Joint-Fiscal-OfficeBasic-Needs-Budgets-and-Livable-Wage-Report1-15-2025.pdf [https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Subjects/Basic-Needs-Budgets/WLegislative-Joint-Fiscal-OfficeBasic-Needs-Budgets-and-Livable-Wage-Report1-15-2025.pdf] Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net [http://rhtt.net]

Education reform, budgets, and layers of bureaucracy with Sen. Scott Beck

May 15, 2026 (prerecorded 5/11): State Senator Scott Beck discusses H.955 (education reform), CESAs, and the state budget. He also shares his thoughts on how to lower costs and make Vermont more affordable. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net [http://www.rhtt.net/]

News Roundup with Randolph T. Holhut: H.995 education bill, lawmakers retire, Brattleboro and Hinsdale debate bridges

May 1, 2026: The Commons News Editor, Randy Holhut, joins this week's conversation. He updates listeners on local issues and examines potential education changes that could affect Windham County schools. He also shares memories of reporting on outgoing Representatives Mollie Burke and Leslie Goldman. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net [http://www.rhtt.net/]

Act 181, Primary Candidates, and the Legislative Session without End with John Walters

April 24, 2026: John Watlers from The Vermont Political Observer is back! In this episode, we discuss the ongoing Legislative Session, Act 181, and Primary Candidates. Read John Walters' work at The VPO: https://thevpo.org/ [https://thevpo.org/] Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net [http://www.rhtt.net]

REBROADCAST: Housing and Land Use

April 17, 2026: With Act 181 in the news, here is a rebroadcast of the first conversation with then Rep. Bongartz about the revisions to Act 250 that eventually became Act 181. From the January 26, 2026, broadcast: Rep. Seth Bongartz joins this week's show to continue the housing conversation. Bongartz has worked on a number of housing-related bills and will share his insight on what's working (or not). Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net [http://www.rhtt.net]