 Well, good morning. Thank you all for being here. We're going to price something a little bit different this week We don't have a theme a bunch of people here to talk about a new initiative But as we appear to be reaching the end of the legislative session I want to take some time to reflect on the work of the legislature as well as my team have done for the state of Vermont as you recall in January I shared my belief that we could set a standard of civility and good government that would be an example across the country That we could remind a completely Polarized country where too many see their side is always right and the other is always wrong That there is still more that unites us than divides us and that compromise is not a weakness, but a strain. I Committed to focusing on areas of agreement I'm working towards consensus and compromise when we can and to listen to all ideas to grow the economy Make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable And I asked lawmakers to give my ideas a fair shot To hear us out and to work with me to keep the focus on the merits of our proposals not political scorekeeping Today I want to thank the Legislature for doing just that Together we set a positive tone focused on the issues and we've already come together to show that good policy makes That that we've been Utilizing comes true with balance and collaboration One example is a bill I signed this week that will allow the Department of Financial Regulation to consolidate our licensing statute By over 70 pages which will lead to better compliance and more efficiency. The truth is Probably this bill wasn't covered this week And won't get much attention Because it doesn't sound all that exciting and there wasn't any drama surrounding it But it's against an example of good government and what we can do when we work together Another example is the budget adjustment act I signed It includes many good initiatives and retired and interfined loaned that will take care of part of our debt Again an example of good government in addition when we don't know where we'll end up We've made progress this session in addressing our demographic challenges by leveraging our assets and focusing on workforce development for starters The administration the house and Senate have made significant investments in our cradle to career education system by helping working families access high-quality child care Both chambers have also support higher education in order to keep opportunities when they're with you reach for Vermoners wanting to go to college In the area of workforce development the legislature has moved forward with many of our recommendations to fill the good jobs We know are available right now and recruit more people to Vermont knowing that we can't address the challenges through training programs Every job we fill Take some of the tax burden off someone struggling to get by Now I think we all recognize in these final days Tensions will rise and there will be areas where we just can't come to agreement I've already shared my concerns about raising taxes and fees above and beyond what I proposed and We're looking at more than a $50 million surplus and a potential revenue upgrade But disagreements are okay. It's just part of the process and we'll work our way through it Regardless of the end game drama and tension I think we prove it that the spirit of genuine collaboration Of a good fate give and take with a civil tone that we practice this session are important Because with the demographic challenges We all know exists in the growing budget pressures along with the economic challenges too many of our 251 towns cities and village are challenged by We must do all we can together to solve the problems our state faces and help Vermonters who elected us I'm hopeful we'll close out this session feeling on both sides Like we took important steps forward for Vermont and we'll be ready to do so again next year So again, I send my thanks to legislators my team for all the good ideas and hard work Still yet to come so with that be happy to try and answer some of your questions What are those areas where you think you just won't be able to come to agreement? Well, again, I think I've laid this out a bit especially when we're seeing revenue upgrades for this It appears will have no less than a fifty million dollar upgrade I mean I mean in terms of revenues or surplus So with that in mind, I'm not sure why we'd be contemplating raising taxes If we can if we can utilize a simple to that surplus I believe there'll be a consensus forecast probably in July that will upgrade that Further base spending so I just think at this point in time we should take a look at what we're proposing and we you know as you recall in the initial original budget that I proposed We didn't we live within our means and had everything that we're contemplating right now within that budget leaving aside the Pay-lead legislation what taxes have you identified in the budget in the revenue bill that you find? well Again, I think the the open question really is Water quality. I think that's the big one The initiatives with water quality we have included in our regional budget and that now They're looking for different sources To come up with the eight million dollars that they they need to satisfy that so I would say that that's a problematic area Software to not start yet. You know, we've been through this a few times I remember when I was in the Senate we started talking about it when I was lieutenant governor We debated this and in the Senate decided that we weren't going to cloud To Texas cloud so from my standpoint, I think that would be problematic again Considering that we have a surplus coming And we'll have I believe an upgrade in and base spending so I We could we could forecast that and we know we have the money We should we should look at that source so you can live with the budget that they've got right now leaving aside The water quality stuff the budget I mean there are some areas I yeah, I mean they're not spending a lot more than what we had contemplated now They left a number of things out, but that's okay. I mean we can we can work our way through it But again, I think that the big one is the the water quality issue because I think we need to find I've said that we need to fully fund the water quality initiative I think treasure Pierce laid that out in her letter to the legislature as well Now to fund it through the natural well again, I propose Utilizing the one source the estate tax that's in the in our budget and They they decided that they didn't want to go with that route, but Considering that we have more a general Coming to surplus and as well this I believe will have a consensus forecast so upgrade that we could utilize that Use the estate tax So you'd like to use this I mean it's coming you know be coming out of the general fund so we could Everything that they they have used because they use the money that that we had we had contemplated They used eight million dollars that was in the estate tax so we could use the estate estate tax again And use the satisfy some of their Backfill the general right because that's where they take it right money Um Have you begun that end of session intensive negotiating that happens? I don't know if it's intensive, but we've we've met a couple of times It looks like in some cases they are Again, there's a lot going on a lot of dynamics a lot of bills that have yet to be finalized So we'll see where it all ends up. Have you provided them with a minimum wage increase construct that you would be able to get Again, I'm looking at the aggregate and I say this a lot, but but it's real when you look the aggregate burden on Vermonters whether you're looking at The pay family leave whether you're looking at the increase taxes Whether you're looking at things outside of even our budget the burden on on Vermonters like the 15% Blue cross blue shield Upgrade their income Upgrade their their request to increase those rates. I mean that's that's going to impact Vermonters So I find that on the except house Democrats are hoping that you could get behind the 2026 At the earliest $15 minimum wage increase the slower rollout. Is there any, you know chance of you supporting that this year? Well, again, I'm looking at everything in the aggregate and I'm not sure where we're going to end up There's suffice it to say I'm not going to agree with everything Well again, we we I voted for that when I was in the Senate To tie it to the CPI That we were never going to have this conversation again if we tied the CPI and raised the The minimum wage here we are having the conversation. So again, I've voted for that We do have an increase in the minimum wage. I believe that natural growth in the economy is the answer It's not my initiative to raise the minimum wage as you as you well know. I mean I beat it that last year the You can you talk about the aggregate in that makes perfect sense, but you get the bill is one of the time So you have to make a decision on each individual point Is this is this the way of holding your cards close to your vest? Well, I don't know if it's the decisions when you get individual bills You know we're wrapping up. I mean there are some I think who believe that we'll get out of here on If that's the case then they will all come once and we'll be able to take the aggregate at that point Um, you've got a few days to sit with the abortion rights bill that has to be said We're gonna do it again. Yeah, I'm again. That's that's difficult in some respects. It's a very emotional issue for some You know, I'm pro-choice. I believe in a women's right to choose. I think we're seeing in real time Nationally the fears of many what's happening across our country and in the visual states So I believe we need to Women's right to choose. What are your thoughts about the governor's decision to sign the legislation in Alabama that makes that states? well, again, that's extreme in the opposite direction and I Again, I'm pro-choice and I believe in a woman's rights to choose So supply to suffice it to say I wouldn't be signing a bill like that in this day You signed this bill publicly I have made a decision on signing anything in public at this point in time There's a lot of bills coming in a lot of requests. So I will I'll take a look at it Sure, we haven't received the bill yet by the way What what you said you uh Support women's right to choose if you think it's important to protect those rights What's the downside of this legislation what about it is giving you pause to say Well, it's just emotional for for many people. I mean we see it. I mean and it's not just for Republicans to be honest with you I mean I have I have Democrats who are writing to us and saying, you know, this this is uncomfortable for me and You know for me in my standpoint Again, believe in a woman's right to choose and I believe that Governments should stay out of it. I don't believe that this is something that we should be involved in so This is a this is a time when this between a doctor and a woman And we should not be involved in this so I guess I'm just trying to take the emotion out of it as much as possible and reflect on that and and we'll see what what I do, but So what are your reservations or your reservations that the protections may go too far now my my I think what I'm I'm feeling from Some of the reaction that I'm receiving from many constituents across the state That they're just uneasy about this even though this is what we're doing right now. I mean, there's nothing that's changing It's just codifying what's what's in practice. So just trying to get people to to Understand that this is uh, this is something that's being done right from out right now But they need to get comfortable with it. Why are you being so non-commentals that you didn't until the end of the session I'm paid them to believe in a way Guns abortion like you're still not ready to say Well, I think they need to work it out. I mean we're seeing there's a a lot of difference between the house and the senate This isn't just about the differences between the legislature and the administration or me They need to work out their differences first and then I have something to react to I You know, there's their bill and they have worked out the differences. Yeah, and then you're still not Well, they haven't they haven't taken a final vote on the on the gun bill yet So where are you on the gun door right now? Again, you know, I'll I'll when they when they pass it. I'll take a look at it I've been going to look at Some of the data. I haven't read the bill completely yet. I'd like to look at the data to see See if it it holds up Is it safe to say you would veto or pay me bill if it was if the program is funded by an mandatory payroll tax Yeah, I'm not in favor of the payroll tax. So that's it. Yes, you would well Again, I want to look at things in the aggregate and see where where the burden The financial burden is on parameters, but that's a big burden for guys. You remember As you might recall last last year, I vetoed the pay family leave that was supposedly only 16 million at that point. I mean, I think that was the All-in 16 million and then it grew to 80 million I think in the house. I think the senate is 27 million maybe right now In my plan volunteer Voluntary plan That is universal Has zero cost Senator rude told john his column this week that by you sort of stepping out of the Legislative session that you sort of said the democrats amongst themselves in fighting And we certainly seen that play out. Was that intentional? Well, I last year, I mean you you saw it again There was a quite a reaction when I Set some lines in the sand and it was Adversary I'm trying to change the tone and I think that what we've seen this year Is that there's a different tone. It's more civil regardless of where our disagreements are. We're talking I mean, I think that's important. So I I think it's intentional. It was intentional for me to get to this point where we're still talking And I think that's important. Does that change your approach to Detoing not vetoing a bill If you are, you know, if If you are being more collegial more cooperative Well, I certainly ends It enters the equation. I mean, I'm trying to do whatever we can to work together. So I'm not trying to be out of this area I did that last year and I'm not sure that it worked out all that well Oh, one of the things we're not talking about is what you've characterized as unsustainable growth in the education fund Do you have any concerns that that is? Yeah, absolutely. We're spending 67 or the last year and there are fewer students So that continues to grow but I didn't I didn't find a whole lot of partners in trying to to limit that growth Last year and we had a lot of ideas on what we could do There wasn't a lot of interest. So, you know, you need to move on I mean, if this is what what they want and they have the majority They can they can do what they want. So I have to pick my battles And we're trying to work towards areas where we have common goals and and work from there The other thoughts on what's become sort of merge special education and high 46 the lids Do you think that that bill is important that it gets through the session? Would you like to see it delay in the special education reforms? You know, I I was I thought There was going to be a delay in the beginning and again, I was supportive of that Um, I still am supportive of a delay if they can come together But but you know, we're getting closer closer to July one And uh, you know people need some time And and I believe that we're our agency of education is trying to help Communities and districts uh adhere to the law which is why one I think you've had uh, it's s 49 Pia foley bill. I think that's been on your desk for a few days Oh, yeah, yeah, there's a few yeah, it was that was yesterday. All right. Yeah But there's a few more there's a few more bills today. I'm gonna have to look through. Okay Better do today, I believe So it doesn't sound like you're just starting to have those final conversations. It's not very intense You're taking that kind of a more hands-off approach Being upfront as you were before Is that about where we are right now? Well, again, it's it's a lot of differences between the house and the senate that they need to work out I don't know what to react to And I'm not taking sides on it. You know, there's there's an opportunity for them to to work out their differences And then you'll wait sure You given leadership any private Counsel on what you're willing to do or nothing Were they flying flying? I think I I'm answering the same question. So I'm answering here today In the same manner in the same manner. So they don't know what you'll do. I'm being transparent But not really because they don't know what you stand for don't stand sure. I've said that uh, you know I think we have to look at things in the aggregate It showed me where you're going with with all these bills and And then I can react but I I can't I can't I'm not going to pick in shoes and and as I think john or somebody has said, you know When these bills come piecemeal meal, uh, and I started uh, I started uh saying okay to this one Okay, the next one and pretty soon you run out of options So I I need to know where they're going But we're getting that point. I mean, we'll know a lot more I think if they are going to adjourn On saturday night, we'll know a lot more in a week Has it been productive to this point here? I think so. I mean, I that's oh, you weren't here for my opening statement. I'm gonna do that. It was great I talked about you know, how collegial I think this has been productive it's been and it's been a lot of Good will a lot of good work has been done by all all the above legislators and and our our folks. I mean just the Working together in committees. I think it's been Again a willingness to listen to one another and I think that's regardless of the outcome I think that's been helpful and we can show Uh, the nation and others when there there's so much controversy and so much polarization that that's a different way Even if you even if you end up differently, you know, we can still we can still agree and we can still get along I'm sure neil would share his footage with you I Again, we'll see what the final product is But they're They're having their debates They're dealing with the issues the same issues that I'm dealing with and they're dealing with their constituents So, uh, you know, I've highlighted that that I believe that for mother's a burden That we have to live within our means. I think we have to focus on on workforce development They've been they see it as well. I mean, they're hearing it from their own communities So they're reacting the same way that I'm reacting. So I think that's helpful Um, on the waterways, uh, clean up One option that I hear that the descendants considering Using this on the unexpected revenue to fund the water cleanup for one more year and then come back in in january again Would you refer to have a permanent source than a one time? Yeah, I would prefer in fact again I laid out a path forward the estate tax The federal government said that's uh, that's viable. We're okay with that if you want it. That's a dedicated source We're we're good with that. So let's just use the estate tax and we have general fund coming in Problem solved But mr. Nice guy doesn't mean you're not going to veto from um, whatever you think Brace that sort of aggregate for which has not been fine You're perfectly willing to veto stuff, right? Well, I think I I've shown in the first two years that I don't mind using the veto pen, but I've been You know, I'm not using that as a threat this year I'm trying to find a path forward so that we can get out of here Living within our means and giving Germanus what they want I'm going to jump it past this year without their success for you Well, no, I want paid paid leave with a voluntary plan. I want family leave. I think that's important I think it would be beneficial So I would like to see family leave passed by the voluntary plan And then you can always do something else with it. You know, that's the beauty of this plan You know, we can we can try it out. We can test drive this and and then we can see What the opportunity is the challenges are Within this plan and then if they want to go to a mandatory plan at some point in the future It's all in place and it's easy to do at that point You're not taking a car right out of the truck No You're going to which are you going to race this on or this season? I hope to do a few. Yeah I know I said, you know it appears the groceries and retailers are okay with it and It's passed by a wide majority. I'm Probably wanted to To take a look. I didn't see I don't believe No, I thought it was interesting though, I mean, I I don't know who else is going to to What their name out there? I mean, I've heard some other names floating around so I'm not I'm not ready to To get behind anybody at this point But I thought he was interesting. He's articulate very forthright Didn't agree with everything that he said, but but there were a lot of a lot of things I agreed with him on He's an interesting guy Oh, sure Yeah, yeah, I like there's a few charlie bait And maybe they'll run You guys do seem to be showing there's another way to Well, you know, I think If we're going to change the dynamics across the nation We all have to act appropriately in our own backyards. And I think that that's why I'm taking this seriously and I I believe In civility and I believe in respect and I'm trying to To show that we can do this in a different way again, we we're going to get to areas of disagreement And that's that's okay They have options. I have options And we'll just work work our way through it There's a climate people who are You know, but And Well, we know climate change is real We have to do better. We're trying to take some steps In terms of our infrastructure 60 of our carbon emissions who do the transportation So we have to take this seriously And we're we're doing some things this year in the budget and otherwise weatherization and so forth But we we've got to you know, we've got to pick our priorities as well I mean, we want to clean up the lake when we want to help for monitors and And again, it's all about prioritizing where we focus and We're doing what we can in terms of climate change But it's not enough to meet any of our climate goals Yeah, I mean We've got to Again, I I believe the answer is going to be in transportation when you have 60 percent of it carbon emissions Are emitted through transportation. That's where that's where it's at With the with many new initiatives in terms of transitioning to electric vehicles I think that's that's part of the answer. That's why we want to incentivize that Trying to to get more For monitors to adapt to that but we need the charging infrastructure at the same time To make sure that we have that in place when as we transition to electric vehicles Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you