Press Conference - Governor Scott and Administration Officials Weekly Update 8/19/2026

back. Start a minute early. >> Well, good afternoon everyone and thanks for being here. I've been focused on making Vermont more affordable my entire time in office. It's great to see that affordability seems to have finally caught on in politics and I believe most Vermoners welcome that as well. And while I appreciate others recognizing this very real challenge, talking isn't enough. We need action. What really matters is whether those candidates who have found affordability will actually vote for policies that lower costs and reduce taxes when the legislature returns in January. That will require some to move away from well-intentioned policies they've supported in the past, but are clearly adding to the affordability crisis for honors face. Whether it's housing, energy, health care, education, or taxes. After years of debate, Vermoners know we're not going to solve the affordability crisis by doubling down on policies that help create it. We need a common sense legislature willing to do things differently and support structural solutions to structural problems. You can expect me to continue pushing forward significant reforms in each of these areas. Focus on one thing, making Vermont more affordable. It's also why you can expect me to support candidates this fall who truly support that goal, regardless of political affiliation. Today, I want to talk about one area where we can show Vermont's real results and where we need to go much further, and that's tax relief. As you may remember, at the beginning of last session, I once against proposed tax relief for seniors receiving Social Security, military retirees, families with children, and working Vermoners through an expansion of the earned income tax credit, the most effective anti-poverty tool in our our tax toolbox. For years, I proposed these ideas without being able to get them across the finish line due to a supermajority, more focus on politics than everyday people. But in 2024, Vermoners elected a more balanced legislature. And we had a few more seats at the table, which meant more negotiation, more compromise, and more opportunity for our proposals to be taken up in committees. they could no longer ignore us or or override my vetos. And I don't believe we would have gotten this small amount of tax relief had the voters not weighed in from the voting booth. In a couple of minutes, Commissioner Schelise will talk about who benefited from these relatively small tax reductions. And you also hear directly from some of the people this relief has helped because at the end of the day, that's how we should judge government policy, not by what we intended to do, but by whether it actually makes life better and more affordable for the people we serve. Here's the bottom line. We need to keep pushing forward with practical solutions that deliver real results for Vermoners. And that's exactly what I intend to do. But the fact is, when we talk about making Vermont more affordable and strengthening our economy and communities, no governor can do it alone. Real change requires a legislature willing to move past the policies of the past, no matter how well-intentioned they might have been then, to deliver the results for honors want. So in order to do that, we still need more balance, more moderation, more common sense, and less ideology in the legislature. This makes the decisions for monitors will make this fall in the voting booth very, very important. So with that, I'll turn it over to Commissioner Schise. >> Thank you, sir. Um, I wanted to follow up on the governor's remarks with sharing uh some information. As the governor said, I think it's important we're accountable for uh and stand up and share uh the results of legislation that's passed so we can better understand its impact. This year, the tax department had one of its best years on record. Uh nearly 370,000 returns were filed in the state of Vermont. And of that, 240,000 had refunds. The median refund turnaround time was 12 days. And that means that $192 million went back into Vermonter's pockets. This didn't happen magically. Uh it happened over many years of investment in leadership at the tax department, improving process, upgrading and investing in technology, encouraging Vermoners to file electronically, all with a goal of getting money back into Vermonters's pockets faster. What I think is really important about Vermont is we pick up the phone. For anyone that called our taxpayer services division this filing season, they waited on average 48 seconds and they were able to speak to a real person. We fielded over 44,000 phone calls this season. That may not seem like a benchmark, but uh if those of you who don't know, that is bestin-class for any tax or revenue department in the country. We also take care to make sure that verers are paying the right amount of their taxes. Whether that means adjusting refunds down to protect the state assets or up to make verers get even every penny they owe back. This year 4,000 filers were actually determined to have owed larger refunds than they had been expecting to the tune of over $3 million. We also processed over 175,000 homestead declarations so far this year. 84,000 of those homestead received a property tax credit. As we process nearly 22,000 renter credits, that translates into over 11 million back into renters pockets statewide. With property taxing taxes having skyrocketed by over 40% in just five years, you can see just how important it is that we get this money back to Vermoners who need it the most. All that said, it's not just about how quickly we got the funds back to Vermoners. It's how much more we got back to them thanks to the governor's leadership and the 2025 tax relief package. I'm going to throw some numbers at you based upon the different incentives. Um, but as of August of this year, the child tax credit expanded eligibility, which was to raise it from age 6 to age 7, meant that $3.6 million went back to over 4,000 families who were benefited from that incentive. On average, about $925 per filer. The earned income tax credit expansion, we increased that from the federal rate of 38% to 100% for claimants without children. That change alone delivered an additional 2.4 million to nearly 11,000 filers or about $226 per filer. the Social Security exemption expansion, we increased adjusted gross income eligibility brackets up by $5,000. That put another $1.3 million in the pockets of nearly 8,000 Vermoners or on average about $168. One that I'm most proud of was the military pension and survivor benefit exemption which was passed this year as part of act 71 which allowed both military pensions and survivors from the income tax credit for households making up to $125,000 with a partial benefit for those making up to $175,000. They received over 1.9 million to more than 2400 military retirees or on average about $778 per military pension recipient. And then the new tax credit for veterans of up to $250 for veterans who make less than $30,000. That put nearly $440,000 back in the pockets of nearly $1,900 low-income veterans or about $232 that they weren't expecting. The 2025 tax package is worth celebrating, but as the governor said, it's still more work to be done. I'm proud that we have gone out into the community over the past year. We've gone to Brattleboro and Brighton, Rutland, and St. Albins's talking directly to Vermoners and the message has been clear. Vermont's affordability crisis is real. We've met with volunteer income tax assistants, also known as VITA. We'll be hearing from a representative from that here shortly who have preparation clinics throughout the state. These are largely volunteer-run organization helping vulnerable Vermoners file their taxes often under the same roof as where they get their resources for such thing as the food shelf and food banks. Our goal is to meet people where they are. In Brighton, we talked to the Northeast Kingdom Community Action volunteer who last year helped about 200 members of the community file their taxes. That volunteer effort resulted in over $200,000 in refunds to those recipients, about $1,000 per filer. When we went to Brock down in Rutland where volunteers helped $460 verers file their tax returns, we delivered $577,000 back into the community to those taxpayers. And in St. Albins's, volunteers with the Champlain Valley Action Economic Opportunity Organization helped over 325 tax returners. their total refunds amounted delivered back to the community uh more than we had ever anticipated, nearly $160,000 this year. And that's just to date. There's still more time. I'll speak to that in just a second. What's most exciting about the VITA folks is that they are more vulnerable Vermoners that need help filing their taxes to see the benefits they deserve than we have volunteers that can assist them. We need to spend time and reinvest in that as well. We estimate right now there's about 35,000 Vermonters who may qualify for refundable credits but are not receiving them. Why? Their incomes are low enough that they are not required to file a federal return. But if they file their federal and Vermont returns, they could receive hundreds, even thousands of dollars in refundable credits. The child tax credit, for example, that's up to $1,000 per child for those under the age of seven, due back to Vermonters to bring them if they make less than $175,000 per year. The refundable credit for low-income veterans up to $250 due back to them if they make less than $35,000. And that's money that's on the table that Vermonters could have in their pockets to pay their groceries, pay their fuel bill, or to pay for other family related expenses. This isn't the state's money. It's Vermoners's money. It should be circulating the state, helping families make ends meet, not sitting in the state coffers. We're working to engage with partners like volunteer uh income tax assistants, VITA offices to reach these populations. I want to be directly clear when I say to the listeners and your uh readers that if you haven't filed your 2025 tax return yet and think you may be eligible for these refundable credits, there's still time. You have until October 15th. If you're not sure you're eligible, my team would be happy to help. You can visit our website at tax.vermont.gov or call us at 802828-2865. We are extremely proud of last year's tax package, but as we all know and as we've heard from many Vermonters around the state, there's more work to be done. All of the efforts at all of us, but it's still not enough. Over 86% of the Verers pled in a recent UNH poll said they find the state unaffordable. We are already losing Veraters, as many of you know. The data shows we cannot afford to keep losing them. Young working Vermonters especially, we cannot afford to continue down this path. It's been heading in the wrong direction. We need to turn that around and we need legislators to come to Vermont who are prepared to listen. My team is working directly with the governor and other agencies to develop comprehensive tax relief package for the 2027 legislative session, assuming we're all back in the state house this January. We're hoping that legislators will be willing to work with us to deliver relief to Vermoners that they so desperately need. We must make it more affordable to build a life, run a business, or retire in Vermont. Tax relief is just one way we can do that. You'll be hearing more about the tax relief package in the coming weeks as we develop that. But it's really important that I think we hear from some other folks today. I'll turn it over to Agitant General Hank Harter and he in turn will turn it over to Laura uh to Laura Soff uh who's with the Capstone Community Action Agency. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Soldi. Governor Scott, thank you for having me here today to talk on these important matters. First want to thank the governor and the legislature for the improvements uh to the veterans and military retirees and survivor benefits tax tax exemptions. Those are real steps forward step forward that have a a long and lasting effect on our military retirees, survivors, and veterans. The guard is allin on workforce development here in Vermont. We want to attract more people to live and work in Vermont. We actively recruit soldiers and airmen coming off of active duty as part of our strategy to do this. These soldiers and airmen bring valuable skills with them. They enter the civilian sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, logistics, cyber security, project management, education, and public service just to to name a few. They become a Vermont taxpayer who spends on housing, groceries, and services. They also often bring their families with them, a working spouse, kids in school, etc. Many soldiers and airmen come coming off of active duty service want to continue serving, and the Guard is the perfect answer to that. These well-qualified men and women get full-time civilian jobs and join the Guard in a part-time role. They help fill our ranks so that the Guard is better prepared and better positioned to respond to things like pandemics, tropical storms, and summertime flooding. But Vermont is competing with other states for this talent. Vermont is the only state in New England that still levies state tax on military retired pay. New York also has no tax on military retired pay. people getting off of active duty and military retirees pay attention to these tax policies and is it a key and it is a key factor in where they decide to live and work. I'll give you an example and and we kind of have to redefine the word retiree. I think a lot of us when we hear that word think of somebody uh longer down the the path of life and and older in years. For our active duty folks, you can go into the military at 20 and if you do a full-time career for 20 years, you go in at age 20, you come out in your early 40s. You have a whole career or two ahead of you. And once again, those folks that may that we want to bring Vermont bring skills. They bring health care with them. They bring educational benefits often that they can spend right here in Vermont. Veterans and military retirees also start businesses at a meaningful at meaningful higher rates than the general population. They bring the same discipline and risk tolerance that serve them well while they were in uniform. It's important to make Vermont an attractive place to work and live. We all that are here know this and this is important for both our civilian workforce and to have a healthy and capable National Guard. The state and the guard want to attract and retain this kind of talent. Between the Vermont Veteran Tax Credit and the Military Retirement and Survivor Benefits Tax Exemption, the state put roughly $2.3 million back into the hands of Vermoners and veterans and survivors in less than a year. Once again, thank you to the governor and the legislature. And I want to give a shout out to the Vermont National Guard and Veterans Caucus that put a focus on this and this has been a longunning um effort. Uh but the caucus really put a focus on it and I think it helped us get over the finish line last session. This is real progress. However, Ver Vermont does have room to improve. If we want to be a state that not only honors service but actively competes to with other states, we need to keep uh the we need to keep our veterans and their families here in Vermont and attract more talent to both Vermont, our civilian communities, and the Guard. Thank you very much. Hi everyone, my name is Laura Sud off and thank you for inviting me to talk about the volunteer income income tax assistance program. BITA is what they call it. VITA is a statewide program and I am the central Vermont program coordinator. VITA helps low to moderate income folks in our communities to file their taxes for free and get the credits and refunds they deserve. We offer these services in Barry, Randolph, Marsville, Weightsfield, and all the surrounding towns. Many of our clients are elderly or just plain afraid of doing something that will be wrong. My team of 30 volunteers gives personal attention to all of them and make sure that they get the refunds they deserve. For low to moderate income verters we serve, a tax refund can make a meaningful difference. It can help family catch up on rent or utilities, buy groceries, pay for child care, or repair their car. The recent changes to the Vermont tax codes have assisted many of our clients. The $1,000 per child increase to the age of six instead of five is a tremendous help to any family who needs that money. The Vermont Veteran Tax Credit, now being given to eligible vets, is helping make their life more affordable in this highcost world. This $250 refundable credit combined with the reduction in their income taxes can make a big difference. And expanding the Vermont earned income credit to people without children gives a boost to someone who was working to get ahead. At Capstone, we do approximately 1,800 returns a year. I'm very proud of that. We file federal and state returns, including child tax credits, rent credits, and homestead and property tax credits. Last year alone, we filed for almost $600,000 in state refunds with our clients. Those refund dollars go directly into our local community. Rules and regulations are wonderful on paper, but the effects on people are real. Our clients include John, a vet, Vietnam veteran who scrapes by with barely enough money to pay all his bills. He's grateful when he learns of the $250 credit that he will receive. Mike, a young guy trying to live on his minimum wage job, can make his rent because he got the earned income tax credit that he did not expect. Shirley cannot afford taxes on her social security and appreciates the good news from her tax repair about the reduction in that tax. We also helped Wendy, a young mother with a few kids, to file her return, allowing her to get $1,000 for her son who is six. She tells her prepare that the refund will help her to afford the things the kids need like new shoes or a new jacket. Those are only a few stories to highlight the importance of these changes which can be complicated. People don't always know what credits are available to them. My teams are trained in tax rules and we take pride in helping as many people as we can. We appreciate the efforts of the governor and the legislature who recognize the needs of the community and we are pleased to act as a partner in that effort. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Laura. We'll now open it up to questions on topic first if we could. >> Um, can you say any more about the changes that you're hoping to propose in the upcoming session? Like any more specifics? Yeah, I mean we're we're building uh some ideas and uh it'd be premature for me to talk about any of those at this point, but uh we have a lot of ideas and again I as I said I think in a press conference or two ago um the some of them won't be surprises. They just dust off some of the proposals we've we've promoted um introduced over the last 10 years and you might see some of the same things. They were rejected by the legislature, but we'll take another stab at it if we have the uh the right makeup of the legislature. >> Safe to say it would include the full exemption that General was just talking. >> It probably it might in all that. >> Governor, you mentioned the legislature. You know, I'd imagine a lot of candidates running for office and a lot of people in the legislature are saying, "We are looking to pass taxes that are aiming to take wealth from some of the top earners or people that have already benefited from the big beautiful bill and redirect that wealth downward." What would you say to that? Well, again, I mean, when I hear some of uh the proposals and and uh the wide ranging numbers, u it gives me pause because we don't have that many rich people here in the state. Um and they benefit uh the state as well. They spend money, uh they have homes, they pay taxes, and so we don't want them to leave. And there's a certain point where I think there is tax flight in this state. I know some uh reject that don't think it's happening and I beg to disagree. I think if you talk to more uh CPAs uh you'll know they'll maybe anecdotally they'll be able to tell you uh how many or the the extent of the tax flight in Vermont, but it's it's real. It's substantial. So I don't want to lose them. Um I believe we need more taxpayers, not more taxes. I think we can do this and give uh taxpayers a break on the lower end of the scale. Um but um but we certainly don't want to force others to leave and make those financial decisions because they make them. >> What the next legislature does or does not do will hinge on the outcome of of the elections, but also who's going to be leading the chambers in 2027. I'm wondering for the House Speaker position spec specifically, what are what are you looking for hoping for in that next leader? Well, again, just someone who if I'm fortunate enough to be reelected, uh somebody I can work with, um have a rapport with and that will listen to one another and not be so politically charged that uh we can't accomplish anything because I I do believe that we we should share in uh our responsibility to to the people we serve and that's to give them a product that's uh that's affordable uh and uh and and then helps them in their time of need. So, it's a balance and I understand we'll see who surfaces. I I really don't know uh who will be the next leader in the House or the Senate. Uh but um but again, if I'm fortunate enough to be back here, I would like to just have a good rapport with them so we can speak honestly about the issues. >> Lori H. Hotton and Charlie Kimell have told their caucus that they're going to be seeking the speaker post. Thoughts on? Well, I I I only know I know Charlie a little bit more better. Um, and he's always I've always had a good relationship with him, but um but again, we'll we'll see what happens in their caucuses. I didn't hear you mention any Republicans either. >> You think the Republicans? >> Well, I you never know. I mean, we have an election to go through. There's 30 30 seats I think that are going to be empty. They're going to be filled by somebody. You never know. >> What did you take away from last Tuesday? I mean, what was your big, you know, when you were seeing the results coming in? Just what was going through your mind? >> Yeah. Um, I was, I guess, a little surprised uh about the gubanatorial, not shocked, but surprised. I knew uh Amanda was running ahead during the campaign, but um but I really thought that uh Ally would would come out in the end with more support. That surprised me. >> And the Chipping County uh states attorney race, I know you had personally told people to maybe pull a Democratic ballot. >> Yeah. You know, I just wanted people to understand that this might be the end of the line. This might be whoever wins that race was going to be the next sheriff or the next state's attorney. And I certainly have heard my share of complaints and blame uh over the last 10 years and uh and thinking that some might not participate in primaries uh naturally and uh that we should just warn them that this is the last stop here. who's ever elected could very well be the next state's attorney. >> Well, go ahead. >> I'm wondering if you think that's proper though to get involved in a Democratic primary like that. I mean, running GOP, you know, I just encourage people to vote in the primary. I mean, some would say 22% is a an incredible amount. Really a big gain. I mean, it's it really is discouraging when we think 22% uh is acceptable. So just participating in voting I think is important. Um I just I just know how people think. They didn't go to the further the next step as to what that was going to mean when they did vote or not vote in this primary election especially in Chitten County. >> Why did you think Democrats would eventually rally behind Richards? I just think I I just assume that there are more uh Democrats in Vermont than progressives, but that's that's my only thought process. >> Um Amanda Du has taken a pledge not to accept any money from corporations, corporate packs for her campaign. Will you join her in that pledge? >> No. No, I'll take money from anyone. Um we it doesn't mean a whole lot from my standpoint. Um, it doesn't mean there's no quid proquo in giving a donation to us. >> Doesn't mean there's no quid proquo. >> No, I've never I'm not in my record. >> Double negative. >> What's that? >> You did a double negative there. Doesn't mean there is >> which is >> there is there is no there is no quid proquo >> um >> in giving a donation. Do do you think that uh corporations have undue influence over political institutions? >> They don't over me. >> Do you worry that um there's a perception that they do when you're accepting money from them? I mean, presumably these companies are making investments in your candidacy, right? When Altria gives you money, when Google gives you money, when Annheiser Bush gives you money, it's because they think you're going to steward state government in a way that advances their interests. No. >> Have Have you seen examples of of that having influence on me, for instance? >> I I just think again um if you there are some who say I'm not going to take from certain certain businesses. Um, and I've just followed I think has been traditional with both Republicans and Democrats. If you take money, just take the money, receive the money. Um, but if it doesn't influence you in any way, then no harm, no foul. >> After Burlington's weekend of crime, what would you say about the violence downtown? >> Well, there's still an issue obviously in Burlington. Um and I hope they get to they work through that. I know the chief is concerned about that as well. So um the accountability court that we put into place uh few months ago I think was uh very effective. I think we need to to focus on that and see if that needs to be uh intensified. >> Are you planning on extending BSB presence downtown at all? >> I'm sorry. >> Are you planning on extending BSB presence downtown? Not at this point, but we again can that can change uh depending on requests from the community and whether we see whether this was this increase was uh uh something that was going to be just sustained or that it was just a one-off terrible weekend, tragic weekend. >> Why was BSP only dispatched or put on until 1000 p.m.? My understanding is their entire I could be wrong but latest data we have is they had didn't make a single arrest their entire time there. >> Well they it was more about presence in the community. I think that uh if you talk with businesses, which I'm sure you have, and others uh that are visiting uh Burlington, that they were comforted by the fact that there were people there in uniform uh working not making arrests, but working in uh in tandem with the law enforcement in Burlington. So we were a resource for them and if we saw anything we obviously were in contact with them uh so that they could make the arrests. C can you say confidently still that it's an effective strategy to have the troopers there even though we saw this like weekend of some of the most like consistent violent activity the whole summer. Well, again, having them there earlier uh during the day and evening uh I think did give uh those who visited the community comfort that uh someone was helping and watching over them. So, I see Commissioner Morrison might want to have something to say about that seeing how she was a chief of Burlington and now our commissioner of public safety. >> Thanks, Governor. Um, I just wanted to point out that yes, that was a rough weekend, but look at the whole summer. The summers in Burlington historically over the 36 years that I'm aware of, it would not be unusual to have several stabbings, multiple shooting cases during the summer when activity picks up and frequently that's associated with the late night hours round bar closing. Okay, so Burlington has had an amazingly quiet run so far this summer. Now, I'm knocking wood. We don't want to jinx it, but that was one bad weekend in what has been a reduction in violent crime both in Burlington and in across the state. So, I think we need to avoid the temptation to make too much hay out of a bad weekend unless other factors present themselves. Um, and I also want to point out some um, just a couple practicalities about placing troopers on the marketplace. They can make arrests. It is not preferred because then they have to continue to return to the city to follow up on all of the legal process. they would have to come and be pulled away from their other state duties to come back for um depositions, you know, uh staff conference, whatever, whatever parts of the judicial process were to play out. It's not as simple as putting someone in handcuffs, writing an affidavit, and washing your hands with it. There's an ongoing commitment to pull that resource away from their regular duties. So that's why it is preferred that they intervene where needed and have a Burlington officer make the actual arrest to follow through on. So I I I don't still want people think there's some mystery behind why it would show up as zero arrests. >> What do you think of the latest twist in this DFA plan closing audience? >> Um yeah, I was uh I guess surprised about that. I hadn't uh hadn't considered whether it had something to do with the union or not. I I thought it was an economic reasons that they were leaving uh production issues and so forth. So, we'll just have to wait and see how that plays out. >> Have you asked or anybody else to look into this? Yeah, I mean obviously we've been talking uh amongst uh both the Agency of Commerce, Community Development and with agriculture about this and and we'll just have to wait for it to play out to see uh what's real and what's not. >> Do you have a position right now? >> I don't. Um again, I I was disappointed that they were leaving. Uh we need a distribution facility or uh um as well as a facility to uh deal with with the milk here in in Vermont on our own turf. Uh but um but again it's just an unfortunate situation. I hope they I hope they stay. Um, I hope u they could find a way to uh to do business here in Vermont because I think it will have a a negative effect on uh those in the farms and so forth surrounding the state. >> We're a few weeks out since the announced closure of Finch Paper down in um Glenn's Falls. I think uh I know you opined on it a few weeks ago. Any news or update as to whether that situation has gotten any better for the forest products? Yeah, I don't it's not getting any better. Um and uh we're trying to find find solutions um other markets for some of the pulpwood and uh and other ways to to reduce the costs on on the loggers themselves because they need a place to deliver their their product and uh a place to sell and in order to stay in business. So, this is a a big a big uh issue for us here in the state, but as well for for Northern New York uh too. So, but we're looking at alternatives. Julie, anything you want to add to that? Yeah, I would only add, Governor, that uh we uh filed uh paperwork with the Public Utilities Commission to create an emergency exception for wood uh softwood that was already cut potentially to be used at the McNeel and Rygate Biomass facilities. Um, we expect that that process could take several weeks to several months, but um, hope it is a a good fake gesture to the the foresters and loggers working in the woods right now that we are doing what we can to try and find outlets for that that important timber. >> And governor, I mean, maybe secretary as well, some are saying that this could also have consequences for forest management, for current use, for conservation. I mean, is is that something that's on your radar as well in addition to the UB? >> Absolutely. This this will have a dramatic effect on long logging industry uh throughout. So, we're very concerned about that. >> Julie, >> yeah. U you know, we conducted a a survey of foresters and loggers shortly after the Fitch paper announcement um and found almost immediate effects. uh a significant portion of the the low-grade wood, so the hemlock that isn't suitable for building materials is typically had been sent to the the Finch paper mill. Um and so it's literally thousands of tons of wood uh that no longer has an outlet. And um as foresters and loggers are putting together management plans and budgets, they've made assumptions about how far they'd have to transport that material to market. And so the closure of that closest market is having a particularly significant effect on logging operations in Bennington, Rutland, and Addison counties. >> We'll go to the phones next starting with Keith Rotten Herald. >> Uh, nothing today. Thank you. Ed, Newport Daily. Ed, if you can hear me, you're still on mute. All right, we'll go to Paul, Boston Globe. Hi, Governor. Um, are you concerned about the Chipman County Sheriff's Department's apparent cooperation with US Border Patrol last month in the federal immigration detention that led to deportation of farm worker Alex Himenez? >> Yes, I I'm I'm concerned about the action that was taken and how that uh could or might have violated the fair and impartial policing that we all agreed to. So, yeah, I'm concerned about it. I'm I'm I assume. >> Can you elaborate on that? >> Well, I just under certain conditions uh we have uh have committed to not working uh to identify proactively identifying uh some who may be here illegally or not and uh and reporting that. So uh this was I I feel a clear violation of that action. Just to be clear, you think it's a clear violation of the state's fair and impartial policing policy, or am I misunderstanding that? >> Yeah, that's that's what I'm Yes. >> Um given the likelihood that this sort of cooperation can take place um in these interactions along the border, um do you believe that Vermont police agencies should continue to take part in Operation Stone Garden? Well, that's that operation is farreaching. Um, and uh isn't just ICE is not the only entity that is included in that. So, uh there are many good parts of that operation uh in terms of drug drug trafficking and so forth. So, I am I'm believe that we should continue uh to utilize that. But uh again, just to remind everyone, law enforcement, sheriffs, and so forth, that we made a commitment to the policies here in Vermont, and we do not want to stray from that. Commissioner Morrison. >> Sure. Thanks, Governor. Um Paul, I'd be happy to forward you some information about Operation Stone Garden. And to your question, u it is specific in the Operation Stone Garden um material that it is not for the purpose of enforcing any civil um immigration or detention orders. It is specifically to be um this this is my wording um a force multiplier along the very um rugged terrain frequently uh lakes, roadways, fields, etc. to deter and to intercept uh trafficking. It can be human trafficking, gun trafficking, drug trafficking. It can be a variety of things, but it is not intended to focus on um civil immigration issues at all. And as the governor said, there's a lot more to our securing our borders and our homeland security than ICE. Um >> yeah, thank you, Commissioner. And I I do understand that that's not the state's uh intent, but I do, you know, it does seem like the federal government's um intentions might be different from the states. And governor, just back to you on that, just to restate the question. Um, given that Operation Stone Garden, you know, the very point of it is to have state and local officers who are patrolling near the border, it does seem quite likely that they will find themselves in this sort of a situation like the sheriff's deputy did. Um, and that, you know, could put them in this challenging situation. Um, so you don't have concerns about the impact this continued cooperation program could have on law enforcement officials and make it difficult for them to abide by the FIP? >> Yeah. Well, again, Operation Stone Garden is uh vast. It uh we work with other law enforcement south of us as well. It's throughout the whole Northeast. So, that's one piece of this. But I do believe law enforcement can separate the two. They understand the lines and they have to stay within the lines. That's end of the story. >> Uh if I have time, I've got another question for the Azure general, but I'm not >> sure taking too much time here. Um thank you, sir. I realize you're limited in what you can say about federal deployments. Um, but what can you tell us about the 158th Fighter Wings uh continued presence in the Middle East? Um, how many people remain deployed? How are they holding up? What has the impact been on their families? And when can we expect them to return home? >> Yeah, I I appreciate the the question, Paul. Uh, they are still in the Sentcom theater. They're still doing their mission under the federalization and the title 10 mobilization. We have had the opportunity and the wing commander here in Vermont has worked hard to partner with uh Air Force Central Command uh to swap out some of the airmen. So there's still Vermoners going in and some Vermoners coming out. And so about uh 2thirds of the airmen that left in December have been uh replaced and been able to come back home. But that that means that other Vermoners are are downrange doing the mission. Um, and you know, it's a challenging time for their families. Once again, uh, Colonel Blair and his staff here in Vermont and and up at headquarters where I work, we are doing everything in our power to, uh, support the families. That's really all we can do because we're, as you've stated, we're not in operational control of of the mission. I wish I had a date, a firm date to let you know when our men and women of of the Air Guard are going to be coming home. Uh but that mission is continuing and and there's no solid date uh for them to return at this time. >> Have you expressed concern directly to the Pentagon or um ex or in any way asked the Pentagon to con consider sending the 158th uh back home on the Sooner side? >> I've been in touch with my National Guard leadership and certainly with you know with the governor and keeping the governor appraised of what I know. But I've certainly made sure that they are aware, which they are, of the length of time that the 158th has been mobilized. Uh, but they are part of a bigger picture that we don't have control over. So, uh, the answer is yes. I've I've um, you know, our our airmen are resilient and they're trained to do their job. Uh, but these have been challenging conditions and they've they've uh they've uh done well and they're doing well, but not without challenges. So, yes, the answer is yes. is I've I've expressed my concern to my leadership in DC on the National Guard Bureau side about the length of the deployment. >> Thank you. >> And Barber. >> Okay, we'll try it again. Um, good afternoon. I have a couple of questions and the first one is govern I realize that you are making some changes and differences in in the tax rates between oil and refills but of course the elephant the corner of the room is property taxes and do you have any ideas um that you're going to bring to the legislature to put a hold on these property tax increases? Yeah. Well, again, as you probably are well aware, over the last two cycles, we've been able to use general fund money uh to prevent vast farreaching um uh property tax increases. Uh and we'll be building our budget surrounding that with that uh with that in mind. Um but the but the bigger the bigger issue is uh education reform and uh the transformation is going to we believe give us better quality but also lower the costs of education. When we're spending per pupil one of the highest in the nation um and not getting the results that we we need and expect uh we have a problem. It's a structural problem with the with the system. So we uh we believe wholeheartedly uh in moving forward with the transformation education transformation and we think that that will be um advantageous to us in terms of the property taxes and so forth in the future but it's not instantaneous. >> Okay. The other question I have is in regarding to the policing in Burlington. The decision was made by the Browns and taxpayers to cut their work through a police force. And this is a consequence. At what point does your administration act today bringing state police to Burlington to do general police duties when they have other communities that they also have to care for? Is there a line in the sand where you say enough is enough that we can't ignore taking care of other communities at the expense of decision that was made by Burlington? >> Yeah. Well, again, I think uh defunding the police uh years ago in Burlington, we're just still continuing to see uh the effects of that initiative. Um, and I think uh they're challenged in terms of of trying to hire more law enforcement in Burlington. That's been per a perennial issue for them as it is for us. I mean, there our workforce challenges are real here in Vermont, whether it's a construction business or in education or the state uh our state workforce as well. Everyone is suffering from a workforce challenge. And that's why we're talking about all the things that we should be talking about, whether it be uh more affordability uh solutions, whether it's tax uh tax incentives, uh tax breaks uh for those who who need them. Uh and trying to build more housing to bring more people in. Uh but uh but I get it. You know, when they see us going in to help Burlington and and there's another community that's been struggling and economically depressed for a long time and seeing that everything Burlington has and why can't they just uh do for themselves and and protect themselves? Uh but we have an obligation uh here in the state. Our state police have an obligation as well uh to make sure that all parts of the state are as safe as possible. So, if we see an area that uh we should get more involved in the way we we uh we direct law enforcement, we'll we'll do it. Um and this and it may be somewhere else next. We don't know. But uh we're all challenged by this. But uh but it's our largest city in the state and it gets the most attention and it gets the most headlines and and it has a really does have a negative effect when we have the unsafe nature of our largest city uh that's being promoted nationally. Uh that has an effect on our economy as well. So uh we'll continue to make the decisions we need to make uh to protect the whole state. Thank you for being here. >> Tom Davis, Compass, Vermont. >> No questions today. Thank you very much. >> Back to the room. >> Governor, speaking of um quality of life um issues, can you maybe talk a little bit about sort of your administration's decision to install, I believe, burn noises in front of your office? >> Um I may have Secretary Clark come up. she is uh overseeing the buildings and general services that's in her portfolio and I can add something to it after if she doesn't include it. >> Great. Thank you, Governor. So, the decision to install the birding noise device came after a long process and trying many different um mechanisms to address some of the activity that we were seeing in that area. um going back several months to include uh altercations that were breaking out in that area, defecation um with the results being uh left on the porch and in the lawn. Uh used needles, a fire on the porch. Over that time, we tried, I think, um, gradual ways to address some of those issues, including adding portaotty that was regularly cleaned right in that area, signs asking um, folks to please use the portaotties in that area. I personally witnessed one day a group of children uh, playing hideand go seek in that area. um and uh not only children but we all kind of recreate and visit this area. And so we took a further step after trying more gradual approaches to address some of the I would say what is probably illegal activity um that wasn't curtailing to take um another try by installing this bird noise that goes off I think between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. in an effort to not have folks um behave in a way that we we don't want them in public spaces that are used by many. writing that. >> I think she uh she covered it very well. But, you know, the other solution would be uh to make arrests and that's not what we're trying to do. We're just trying to get people to act appropriately when they're in this community, the capital of the state, and uh and misusing some of the state resources and buildings. >> And I guess what would be the char? Maybe this is a Commissioner Morrison question, but like what what would somebody Well, >> fires and one. I mean, I guess what would be like sort of what would that what are they doing wrong exactly being there? >> Yeah. I mean, starting fires and having fights and altercations and so forth and even sleeping on the on the on the grounds is uh is a civil offense. >> Yeah. Even defecation um needles and u windows were also broken in that area. Um, so this is not a decision that happened lightly or overnight. You can tell it was the building over months of trying to meet people and their needs in that area um that ultimately were not successful. >> And has BGS engaged with like Melier's homelessness task force or something? I mean, I know this is something they've been sort of grappling with like every like a lot of towns in Burlington or in um Vermont, a lot of uh places have been grappling with this. Have you engaged with the city of Montpielar about maybe additional resources for them too? >> I I will say that the BGS enga uh engages with the city of Montpillar regularly on many issues. I can't speak specifically um to the issue of homeless. Though I will say myself and BGS have had conversations with the Agency of Human Services um about bringing services to some of the individuals that um we see not only on state property here in Montpillar but around the city. >> How do you feel that good deal was signed for the US Canadian tariffs? >> Yeah, we'll see how long that lasts, but u but I think it's hopeful in some respects. Uh we had um the eastern premers and New England governors uh last week and uh they were again hoping that there would be some resolution in this and and again this is short term so we'll see what happens in the long term. We have a long ways to go to rebuild this relationship with our friends in the north. >> Are you going to raise a thunder road? >> Uh not this week. All right. Thank you all very much.