Ethan Allen Institute Sponsors Common Sense Radio with Bill Sayre, broadcasting from from Station WDEV on both the Airwaves and the Internet.
Weekdays: 11 o’clock till noon.
On the airwaves at: 96. 1 FM, 550 AM, 96.5 FM, and 101.9 FM.
On the Internet with live streaming from: http://wdevradio.com/stream/
Join the conversation during the show by calling: 802-244-1777
The Schedule of Upcoming Shows of Common Sense Radio can be found on the Ethan Allen Institute Facebook Page.
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Bruce Shields joins Bill on todays show to examine the unintended consequences of the high cost of higher education - is college the best way to prepare for future challenges and opportunities? |
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On todays show, we are joined by Guy Paige from the Vermont Chronicle to hear about the challenges currently facing Vermont and how we can find ways to accomplish our goals when facing these challenges. |
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The important role of manufacturing in creating opportunity for all, today Chris Carrigan joins us from the Vermont Chamber to discuss manufacturing and it’s role in the Vermont economy. |
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Today, our guest is Vermont's Commissioner of Labor, Michael Carrington and Ken Boward from Experion Staffing to discuss the meaning and importance of Labor Day, what our workforce challenges are and how do we best create opportunities. |
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On todays show, we are joined by Zoe Calloway of the Tax Foundation to help us understand the unintended consequences of current tax policy. |
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How is Vermont effected by economic policy- both nationally and globally? We visit with Ryan Young who offers a view on the current situation. |
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On todays show we discuss Mental Health - what is the role of the State? Bill is joined by Tom Evslin, who has recently written a post considering the question - Does Vermont need a Mental Health State Hospital? |
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We discuss price inflation with Art Woolf - we learn about the causes and consequences. |
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One of the most important public policy issues we face in Vermont is how we find an efficient and effective way to make use of all the natural resources we have, we examine how well our working forests help us to contribute to our goals with Ed Larson. |
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On todays show we discuss the housing crisis in Vermont with Robert Letovsky. |
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Bill is joined by Chris Barbieri to discuss Chine - their economy, foreign policy, demographics and the military. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill today to discuss what history can teach us about how borders between nations or societies change. What are the implications and what may happen to borders in the future? |
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We explore the complex relationship between addiction and crime with and emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a free society. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill on todays show, they discuss what we can learn from history about the key reasons that can cause a great nation to decline and fall. |
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Julie Moore, Vermont Secretary of Natural Resources, joins Bill to review our environmental priorities, and the most cost effective way of achieving those priorities, particularly in light of, and in balance with, other public policy goals we have in our free and self-governing society. |
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Ryan Young, of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joins Bill to explore the cost and consequences of regulation, often undue and excessive, born by American families and businesses. |
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Sam Lincoln, logger, farmer, and former government official, joins Bill to examine the severe, but largely unrecognized, effect of the summer storms and consequent flooding, upon Vermont’s working forests, and the loggers and truckers and others all of whom earn their living from the product of our working forests. Candidate Questions: What can be done to increase public awareness of the effects of saturated soil and lost roads, upon the forest products industry? What are the connections between harvesting in accord with sound forestry and the well being of Vermont’s economy, environment and culture? What other factors affect the resource base upon which the forest products industry depends? |
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Economist Art Woolf joins Bill to consider the issue of inflation – causes, consequences, and solutions. Candidate Questions: What is the definition of inflation? How do we measure it? What can we learn from history? What are the causes? Monetary Policy? Why do some call inflation a tax – perhaps the cruelest tax of all? Fiscal Policy – Is the Phillips Curve still relevant? The role of Credit and Debt – Public and Private, including credit card debt and student loans and unfunded liabilities? The relation between Federal Debt and Gross Domestic Product? Why the difference between inflation adjusted retail sales and inflation adjusted services? The effect of higher interest rates? The role of productivity and supply side economics? The role of expectations – and long and variable lags? What policies can correct the situation? |
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Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Abbey Willard and Nicole Dubuque, and calling from the field, Anson Tebbetts, all join Bill to examine the effect of the heavy rains and flooding on Vermont’s working lands, and the people who earn their living by growing, harvesting, and processing the product of those lands. Also, we discuss the recovery process, and what the government is doing to ease the burden. |
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Tom Dunn and Kerrick Johnson, both of Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), join Bill to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Vermont and her people as electricity plays an increasingly important role in our lives – with special emphasis on innovations underway that will help us improvise and adapt to changing priorities as we make choices – as individuals, as families, and as a society. |
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Don George, President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, joins Bill with an update on what we should know about the challenges and opportunities ahead for his Company, the health insurance market, the health care industry. |
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Frank Koster, of One Day in July, joins Bill to consider the effect of high and rising debt in virtually all sectors of the economy – commercial and household, as well as federal and state governments -- with special emphasis on the intensifying squeeze on federal and state budgets as interest rates rise and interest payments take priority over other demands on the public treasury. What can be done to correct this situation? |
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Kevin Chu, of the Vermont Futures Project, joins Bill with an update on the key measures of the Vermont economy, and factors that affect the future course of the economy, prosperity and opportunity for our people. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill with reflections on the 100th Anniversary of President Calvin Coolidge taking the oath of office, administered by his father, in Plymouth Notch, at 2:47 AM. What can we learn that will be helpful in understanding the challenges and opportunities of today, and preparing for the future. Later, Gov. Jim gives an update on Mead Chapel Court case, and why the case is important to all those concerned about the meaning and application of cancel culture. |
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Brian Kemp and Cindy join Bill to discuss the role of agriculture in our working lands which benefit our economy, environment and culture. |
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On todays show we consider the idea of productive stewardship of our working forests and the people who earn their living in them and from them. |
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Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute joins Bill on todays show to discuss current policies affective Vermont. |
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One of the measures of the success of a society are the income and employment levels, Bill is joined by Ken Ballard to discuss the current situation in Vermont. |
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The importance of keeping Vermont affordable - Bill is joined by Guy Paige to talk about recent and upcoming legislation which will affect affordable living in Vermont. In the second part of the show, they discuss the recent floods and examine how we could prepare for future flood events. |
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Art Woolf and Bill take a close look at the economy with a focus on the labor market. |
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Bill is joined by Alan Thompson from the Vermont Woodlands Association to discuss the benefits of our working forests and upcoming events organized by the Association. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill on todays show - he discusses the anniversary of the Coolidge inauguration and the recent flooding in Vermont. |
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Current events and developments affecting Vermont - Austin Davis joins Bill to discuss the key laws and regulations which were recently passed. |
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The looming crisis facing the social security system - John Goodman joins Bill to discuss ideas for reform. |
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Senator Randy Brock joins Bill - they discuss the recent legislative session and the budget surplus. |
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Todays show considers the changes underway in our labor market - challenges faced by our independent contractors, the gig economy, and the importance of mobility and flexibility for our people and businesses. |
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Bobby Star, Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee joins Bill to reflect on the consequences of the recent flooding in Vermont and the resilience of the people. We examine the effect of the flooding on our farmers and the land. |
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Bill is joined by Betsy Bishop from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce to discuss the key legislative elements which were recently passed. |
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Robert Letovsky is Bills guest today, they discuss migration patterns and trade with China - how do they effect the people of Vermont. |
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Today we consider public policy questions - we explore, examine and consider the choices we have before us which will effect us now and in the future. John Klar of the Small Farm Republic and author of “Why Conservatives Must Embrace Local Agriculture, Reject Climate Alarmism, and Lead an Environmental Revival’ joins Bill. |
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The freedom of innovation, creativity, and initiative gives people the best chance at opportunity and prosperity for all, today we look at Regulation - Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute joins Bill. How much regulation is enough? How do we measure the cost of regulation? What are some good examples of regulation? |
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The education of our young people in Vermont. Art Woolf joins Bill on todays show to discuss the education system, the declining population of students, understanding why our costs per child are so high and discussing how we can apply energy, creativity and innovation to bring down the costs. |
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Todays show is brought to you by Champlain Valley Equipment. Bill is joined by Bobby Star, Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee to discuss what is currently happening in our legislature and regulatory systems. |
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How we adapt to changing weather conditions, we review policies, issues and the flexibility of a free society in addressing problems like those Vermont is experiencing this week, Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill. |
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Bill discusses economic factors which create prosperity - tax policy, the increase in State budget, new taxes and fees and competitive taxes with Zoe Callaway and Scott Hodge from the Tax Foundation. |
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Public choice options in health care - what are they, what do they aim to accomplish? Bill is joined by Dean Clancy, a Paragon Health Institute Public Adviser to discuss the latest policies. |
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The role of our rural society, economy, environment, and culture from which we all benefit in Vermont - we discuss the working farmlands, forests and the people who earn a living from them. |
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Tuesday, 4 July, 2023 |
No show today - Happy Independence Day! |
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Bill is joined by Bruce Shields to remember, honor and celebrate Independence Day. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to discuss the recently released results of the tests for our school children in Vermont - we make comparisons against other states and look at the costs and outcomes. How does the average student in Vermont compare to the average student in other states? |
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On today’s show we explore the trends, developments, news and interpretations of the national economy. Approximately two-thirds of the economic wellbeing of Vermont is determined by the national economy, if we understand the trends we can prepare for difficulties ahead and make the most of the opportunities, Ryan Young joins Bill today. |
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One of the questions we raise from time to time is how can we exercise more personal responsibility, we also ask the same of our government. Governor Phil Scott joins the show today to offer his perspective on the opportunities and challenges which face Vermont. |
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Joe Tisbert, President of the Vermont Farm Bureau joins Bill today to talk about current issues and what should be know about the recent legislative session. |
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Bill is joined by Former Governor Jim Douglas to talk about his insights and experience and to offer a historical perspective on spending, taxes, demographics, free speech. |
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Julie Moore, Secretary of Agency of Natural Resources, joins Bill with an update on the priorities of the Agency – short term and long term – and how they may have adjusted as a result of the recently completed Legislative Session. Related Questions and Issues. If Vermont becomes less affordable for families and businesses, how will that affect environmental quality? If higher interest rates and a weaking national economy, together, create ever more intense competition for funds in all budgets – federal, state, local, and private – what will be the effect on environmental conservation? Could it mean more common sense – and more efficient – ways to accomplish environmental goals. For example, in reducing CO2 concentrations, or the growth in such concentrations, in the atmosphere? What are the chief obstacles in meeting the target objectives of the Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA)? How do we measure the degree to which we have met those targets? What are the consequences – general and specific – if we do not meet those target objectives? Some have said that China builds 2 Coal fired electricity generating plants per week – each producing about 500 megawatts of power per week. Is this true? How can working forests and farms, and the rural culture and economy they support, help accomplish our Carbon goals – in a way that some believe is more efficient and effective. To what degree are their adverse, and possibly unintended, consequence for the people of our rural economy? |
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One of the biggest issues facing Vermont is how much money shall we spend as a State, how shall we spend it, how will we pay for it? We are faced with a choice to either dramatically reduce spending or raise taxes - today we are asking what are the similarities and differences between today and 1989. Guy Paige joins Bill to discuss. |
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Frank Koster, of One Day in July, joins Bill to take a closer look at the Federal Reserve’s Federal Funds rate – At about 5 percent, the rate is up substantially in the past year, but how does this compare with long term norms? How do changes in short term rates affect the economy – entrepreneurs and other businesses as they make decide how to invest, hire, and grow; individuals and families as they decide how to invest in homes, cars, appliances and furnishings; financial institutions as they bring together those who loan funds with those who borrow or invest funds, in determining the price of assets of all types and kinds – stocks and bonds, real estate, and others. What is moral hazard, and how does the principle of moral hazard affect financial institutions and their practices in borrowing, lending, investing, and risk taking. |
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Today, Bill is joined byTom Evlin, Entrepreneur, Inventor and Author to examine current issues - they discuss programs that are created in an emergency which then have a natural tendency to become permanent - focusing on the program implemented for those who were homeless during the pandemic. |
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James Ehlers joins Bill to discuss the challenges and opportunities for protecting the environment, while also achieving other social and economic goals in a free society, or any society? Related Questions and Issues. When should resources be owned in common, and when privately? How does this choice changes through time, and circumstance? What is the role of scarcity? And of ease of divisibility? And cost of monitoring, compliance, and enforcement? What is ecological overshoot? How is resource availability measured? Who decides how the amount of resource demand? Why do some say that human ingenuity and the entrepreneurial spirit to invent and innovate -- is the greatest multiplier of resource availability we have? What about the enormous accumulations of public and private debt, including unfunded liabilities? If we continue to borrow more to pay federal interest due, how will that affect the resources available to address present and future social and ecological challenges and opportunities? What role can working forests play in accomplishing ecological and social goals – and do so more efficiently and effectively than suppressing the harvest and productivity of working forests? Will this become more important as competition for limited federal and state funds become more intense? What other national and international risks and priorities, apart from environment and debt, compete for our attention and resources? |
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Katherine Loughead, of the Tax Foundation, joins Bill to discuss what we can learn from of her recently published report on State Tax Reform and Relief. What are principles of Sound Tax Policy? How does Vermont compare with other States? What are the implications for Vermont’s competitiveness and ability to retain and attract job creators, job seekers, and job holders. Later, with Father’s Day this coming Sunday, open phones. How do we remember and honor our fathers, and their important role in shaping our lives. The best memories and the Love. Also, our traditional Father’s Day reading, and music. |
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What role do our working forests play in our lives? We talk about the benefits of the working forests on our lives, economy and the climate. Ed Larson, a regular guest joins Bill today. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to examine the meaning of the descriptive phrase, “God-fearing” , and why the term, as recently as two or three generations ago, was often used to compliment a person or community, but today, rarely so. Related Questions and Issues: What can we learn from history? What does the less frequent use of the term tell us about society today, and in earlier days, what has changed and why? Has another idea or belief taken the place of God-fearing? What about the connection to mottos on our coins and currency, and court houses – in God We Trust? Do we now, as a society, put more of our trust in government? Do we see evidence of this in the displacement of private charities by government programs? Both in the services provided, and in the funding of those services? What is the connection to Governor Bradford’s account of the first Thanksgiving? What about the strength of religious belief in Vermont? What do recent surveys show? What do some authoritarian societies suppress religious beliefs, and others do not? What is the connection to the 1st of the Bill Rights in our Constitution? |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to examine the proportion of income taxes paid by middle and high income tax payers. Related Questions. What are the implications for public policy – tax, regulatory, housing, food, schooling, health care, and other programs? What are consequences for the for the attractiveness of Vermont as a place for entrepreneurs and other businesses to invest, grow, and hire? Why is the freedom to choose and the freedom to compete important to creating economic growth, prosperity and opportunity in a free society? How is mobility of capital like, and unlike, mobility of other resources? What are the unintended consequences? What are the complexities of evaluating what is fair, and unfair? What is the effect of income support programs? Are there better ways to help the vulnerable and those of modest means? |
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Marc Paquette, of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, joins Bill to take a closer look at the importance of Weights, Measures, and Metrology in our economy and society – past, present, and future. |
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Chris Barbieri joins Bill to discuss the factors that cause young people to leave Vermont, and what must change to make our State more affordable as a place to live and work. Later, Chris and Bill review the increased tensions between China and Taiwan, and the effects on our nation, and our people. |
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Mark Scott, Director of Wildlife at the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, joins Bill with an update on the challenges and opportunities for wildlife populations and their habitat, as we strive to understand and appreciate their connection to our working landscape, the people who earn their living from the working landscape, and the resulting culture and community that benefits us all. |
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John Pelletier, Director of the Center of Financial Literacy at Champlain College, joins Bill to discuss how we can apply the principles and tools of Financial Literacy as we evaluate choices before us in our personal lives, in our enterprises, and also in forming legislation and regulation that affect us all. |
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Ryan Young, of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, joins Bill to interpret and, when possible, simplify the complex, and sometimes contradictory signals coming from the Federal Government and the Federal Reserve about the health of the general economy – economic growth (production and income), inflation, interest rates, jobs, real wages and salaries, productivity, loan delinquencies, housing, durable goods. And the factors that will affect the future course of the economy – Federal spending, and taxes, monetary policy, consumer and business sentiment and confidence, debt burdens in all sectors, private and public, including unfunded liabilities. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider whether it is necessary or desirable to raise taxes and fees at a time of record revenues, high interest rates, inflation, and a slowing economy. Related Questions and Issues. What is the role of government in providing services and benefits for the people? Is it important to connect those who receive services with the cost of providing those services? Should low and moderate households who don’t have children, subsidize the cost of school lunches of higher income households who do? How about college loan forgiveness, paid for in part, by those working in the trades – electrician, plumbers, carpenters – who developed their skills on the job, but never went to college? Or also, paid in part, by college graduates who have repaid their loans already. Similarly for child care and Pre-Kindergarten education. Are there a better ways to achieve the goals of these public programs, particularly as public funds become more constrained, and competition for available funds becomes more intense. Why is it important for Vermont’s tax structure to be competitive with that of other States, for families and entrepreneurs and other enterprises as they decide where to start or grow a business? When we decide, as a society, to subsidize education, or most nay other service, is it better to subsidize the producer, or the customer? Why? What can we learn from the hotel-motel controversy about how difficult it is to reform a program, after it is in place? Is it true that Vermont has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the nation? As interest payments on the federal debt absorb an ever higher portion of the federal budget, what will be the effect on the availability of federal funds for other purposes? What about the looming crisis in unfunded liabilities – at both the federal and state levels. |
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Bill discusses with representatives from the Tax Foundation, Washington DC and Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the raising of our taxes this year. |
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Ed Larson, sitting in for Bill today, discusses the regional forestry industry with Erin Kessler, Editor of Northern Logger Magazine Editor. |
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Terry McGuire, founding partner of Polaris Ventures, joins Bill to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for life sciences, and the development of life-saving medicines, and human health. Candidate questions. What lessons have we learned from the Pandemic? What is the role of venture capital in fostering innovation, research, and development – viruses, cancer, memory? What is the role of government – do price controls help or hurt? What about personal responsibility – as individuals make choices about food, drink, exercise, and sleep. How will rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence affect life sciences? What is the role of sensors in monitoring measures of individual health – including those that provide information to individuals to help them alter their behavior. What are the risks for loss of privacy, and loss of autonomy and agency? How do we find the right balance? |
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Brian Dubie, Mike Dubie, and other Vermont Veterans, join Bill, in the continuing spirit of Memorial Day, to honor the fallen and their families, but also the benefits, too often overlooked and underappreciated, that Veterans provide to the Nation, as entrepreneurs, employees, and citizens. Related candidate questions: Why do Veterans make great employees? What difficulties do many Veterans face as they make the transition, returning from military to civilian life? Compared with full time military service, how is service in the National Guard and Reserves similar, and different, in its effects on the Veterans who serve, and those in the Nation they protect? Why is it important to honor those who sacrificed their in lives so that we could be free, and our nation secure? What are the implications of rapid advances in technology – including Artificial Intelligence -- affecting national defense, and the nature of war, and its consequences? |
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We revisit one of our favourite topics – the role and importance of our working lands and the people who earn their living on them. What obstacles do they face? Are there opportunities hidden inside these obstacles? What are the pros and cons of diversification? What is the role of capital investment? |
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Joining Bill today is Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute to discuss measures and trends of national economic growth - all of which have a profound effect on our well-being in Vermont. |
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Today Bill is joined by Entrepreneur Paul Ralston to discuss the budget and the taxes within it. They also examine expensive cost of going to college and whether it is necessary to prepare yourself for the jobs of today and tomorrow. They also discuss the unintended consequences of overly restrictive local regulation of farm and forest accessory activities. |
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Rob Roper sitting in for Bill today, he is joined by Guy Page, Editor and Founder of Vermont Daily Chronicle, to some of the top stories in the news and to look back over the last legislative session. |
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Robert Letovsky, of St. Michaels College, joins Bill to discuss the CHIPS and Science Act and how it will affect Vermont. Later Robert and Bill discuss the question of whether there is a correlation between measures of economic freedom and measures of prosperity? Related Questions: What is the Chips and Science Act? What was its purpose? Have there been some unintended consequences for our national debt? How will it affect Vermont, her employers, and job opportunities for her people? What proportion of the advanced Chips, upon which we rely, are made in Taiwan? If tensions escalate between China and America, does this put at risk the our supply of advanced Chips? What are the best measures of economic freedom and measures of prosperity? How do we measure economic freedom? How do we measure prosperity/ Why is prosperity important for Vermont and our people? What can we do to improve our level of prosperity? How can we increase Vermont tax revenue without raising tax rates? Why is it important for the cost of living to be affordable for the Vermont people, and the cost of doing business to be affordable for Vermont entrepreneurs and other businesses? What is the role of government in making Vermont more affordable? How does affordability and economic growth affect the availability of resources to help those who are vulnerable – temporarily or long term. How does the rate of inflation compare with income growth, economic growth, and short term interest rates? What are the implications. |
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Bill discusses the differences of opinion on how tax payers money should be spent, and why it is important to honor the principal of fiscal restraint, with Jason Gibbs, Chief of Staff for Governor Scott. |
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Myers Mermel, Ethan Allen Institute President, joins Bill to examine the great challenges facing Vermont, and how we can overcome them, often by recognizing them as opportunities? Related questions: What should we know about about the re What should we know about the recently completed Legislative Session? What remains to be resolved? Is there a difference between long term and short term challenges – and opportunities? Why is prosperity and growing real income important to opportunity? Why is it important for our tax structure to be competitive with that of other States? How do property tax burdens affect the cost and affordability of housing? How do regulatory burdens affect the cost of housing? How will the federal government decisions affect us in Vermont – particularly as to the carrying cost of federal debt – that will squeeze the availability of federal spending, including transfers to the States, as well as other federal programs. What about demographic challenges? |
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As we approach the debt ceiling, Bill continues the discussion on the importance of fiscal constraint with former Governor Jim Douglas. |
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Dan Feliciano joins Bill to discuss why fiscal restraint is essential if Vermont’s tax burden is to remain affordable for our people and their enterprises; competitive with tax burdens in other States; and thereby, fostering economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity; increasing tax revenue without increasing tax rates. Related Questions: How will Vermont be affected by reductions in federal transfers – e.g. hotel rooms for those who are homeless; subsidized meals for school children? What are the effects of inflation, higher interest rates, and restricted credit? What is the effect of higher taxes on the cost of living for our people, and the attractiveness as a place for entrepreneurs and other businesses to start or grow a business – hiring and investing in people and capital? Are there better ways – more effective and less costly – to achieve our social, environmental, and other public policy goals in Vermont and the nation? |
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Ed Larson joins Bill for a review of how new legislation and regulation will affect our working forests, and the people whose livelihood depends on these forests. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to celebrate Mother’s Day – it’s important role in our history, tradition, and culture. |
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Patti Casey, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, joins Bill with an update on the Tick and Mosquito situation as we head into summer. Related Questions: What should we know about the Surveillance Program? What is the historical perspective on ticks and mosquito populations? What factors affect these populations? What are the different types of ticks, with some posing more of a threat to wildlife such as Moose, and others posing more of a threat to humans. How can we best protect ourselves against ticks and mosquitoes? Are there side effects to the control measures, about which we should be concerned? What is the long term outlook for Tick and Mosquito populations. |
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David Beurle joins Bill to discuss the factors that will determine, largely, the future of our working forests, and the people who earn their living by growing, harvesting, managing, transporting, and processing the product of these forests – by making lumber, paper, and wood energy. Related Questions What are the benefits of sound management to the environment – wildlife habitat, songbirds, water and air quality, Carbon capture and storage? What about the benefits to rural culture and community. Can working forests managed in accord with principles of sound long term forestry be both productive and healthy? Can rural communities, rural society, be viewed as an ecosystem? Local government, and voluntary associations including charities and recreation and hunting clubs and anglers. Snowmobile clubs. Rescue Squads, Selectboards, Rotary and other service organizations. 4-H Clubs. Little League Baseball. Volunteer Fire Departments. What happens if the working forest resource base in restricted, or constrained? What are the chief obstacles to our forest products industry competing more effectively in global markets? What are the opportunities? What does it mean to say that for our industry, that prices are determined globally and costs, largely, are determined locally? |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to explore the meaning Unity as we strive to honor our State motto of Freedom and Unity – with special emphasis on the complex interconnections among where we live, how we earn a living, and how we travel from place to place. |
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Art Woolf join Bill to consider what we can learn from economic and demographic statistics about how best to improve the availability and cost of housing in Vermont. Related questions: What is the purpose of prices and costs in a market economy? Are the factors that can affect the demand for housing, and the supply of housing? If a person already owns a home, can higher prices, be a benefit? What is the ladder of ownership – trading up over time. Or, perhaps, downsizing. What is the role of government? What is the tradeoff between distance from job centers and home prices (and rents). |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore how rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will disrupt the job market – with perhaps surprising effects on which jobs will be in demand, and which will not. |
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John McClaughry joins Bill to reflect upon why it is important for government to live within its means – and not to overspend, overtax, or overregulate. What are the consequences if our governments do not adhere to this principle? What current legislative and regulatory proposals will test this principle? Why is government closest to the people better than distant government? What is the fallacy of in thinking that money from the federal government is free? |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to reflect upon what we can learn from history, to understand the present, and to prepare for the future – with special emphasis on the best way to effect social change. What is the role of one’s experiences, beliefs and perspective in determining whether, when, and to what extent one adheres to non-violent protest. What are examples of contradictions between the words and actions of our Founders, and other of our leaders throughout the course of our history? What are examples of using selective evidence, about and by, political leaders, past and present? Why does a free society provide the best chance for resolving differences peaceably? Why is the price of liberty, eternal vigilance? |
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Bill is joined by Jim Douglas to discuss the future of healthcare – how do we balance the goals of affordability, access and quality with the high and rising cost of healthcare. |
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Chris Barbieri, filling in for Bill, is joined by the Co-publishers of World Newspaper to discuss print media and what is happening in the publication industry for newspapers. The second half of the show Chris and Joe talk about golfing, is it a growing sport? What effect did the pandemic have on the golfing industry? |
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Spherion’s Ken Ballard joins Bill to examine the challenges facing Vermont’s job market, and what employers are doing to adapt and overcome. Later, Robert Letovsky, of St. Michaels College joins Bill to discuss the legislation to assist microchip manufacturers, and the implications for Global Foundries in Vermont, and for the taxpayers. |
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Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Ryan Young joins Bill with an update on inflation, interest rates, economic growth, and debt – all of which affect our households and businesses in Vermont. What are the factors that affect these trends? How can States prepare? |
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The Tax Foundation’s, Janelle Fritz joins Bill to examine how Vermont’s tax structure compares with that of other States, and with principles of sound tax policy. Later, Guy Page joins Bill to take a closer look at some of the Legislative proposals that will affect the cost of doing business for our job creators, and the cost of living for our job holders and job seekers. |
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Vermont Chamber’s Betsy Bishop joins Bill with a review of legislative proposals that will Vermont businesses and those that depend upon them – for products, services, employment, and tax revenue – with special emphasis on proposed new taxes of $461 million. Candidate subtopics: What are the unintended consequences? What is the effect on the competitiveness of Vermont businesses in national and global markets? And thereby the effect on the willingness and ability of Vermont entrepreneurs and other businesses to grow, invest, and hire? How can we increase tax revenue without raising tax rates? What has happened to wages and salaries adjusted for inflation? What are the limits what Vermont job creators can pay? Is there a better way to create and fund social programs? |
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Joining Bill today is Joe Tisbert, President of the Vermont Farm Bureau. It is hard to imagine an issue more important to the future of Vermont and her people that sustaining our rural economy and the people who work within it. Inflation, federal debt and unfunded liabilities are all affecting us, Joe and Bill discuss ways to use the resources we have more efficiently and effectively. |
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R.J. Smith and Bruce Shields join Bill to consider the meaning of free market environmentalism, and private ownership of property in safeguarding and promoting environmental goals, and at the same time, protecting the individual freedoms essential to prosperity and opportunity in a free society. |
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VELCO’s Kerrick Johnson joins Bill to consider the opportunities and challenges, benefits and risks -- for our economy, our environment, and our culture -- as we strive to expand the use of electricity in our lives. Candidate Subtopics: What is the role of innovation and technological advance? What will be the effect on the cost of living and the competitiveness of our businesses? What are the limitations on labor supply – particularly electricians, installers, and other skilled labor – and how will this affect the pace of new electrification – in the short term, and the long term. What about the availability and cost of raw materials to make batteries for transportation? What is transmission and why is it important to greater electrification? What is distributed generation, and what challenges (and benefits) does it create for transmission? What about the availability and cost of long credit, particularly as credit markets tighten? What about issues related to international competitiveness, and security. |
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One Day in July’s Josh Kruk and Frank Koster join Bill to consider the causes and consequences of recent stresses on our banks, and the nation’s banking system? What is a bank failure? When is a bank failure a sign of a healthy economy, and when not so much? How can one bank failure become many bank failures, a panic, and a contagion? What are the consequences, including unintended consequence of Federal rescue of a Bank? What is Moral Hazzard? What are the connections to high inflation, high interest rates, and stresses on individual banks, the banking system, and credit availability for businesses and households? |
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Art Woolf joins Bill with an update on the Vermont economy – review and outlook – and how the health of the economy affects opportunity and well-being for us all. Are there newly released demographic information that we should consider too? What is the role of public policy? How can Vermont best prepare for the future? |
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Elizabeth Sipple joins Bill to improve our understanding of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, and its role in strengthening our working farms and forests, and those who earn their living from the product of those lands, including those who grow, harvest, transport, and add value to those products. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to improve our understanding of new taxes and fees, perhaps as much as $500 million. How will it affect affordability for the cost of living, and competitiveness for our businesses? What are the unforeseen adverse consequences? Are there a better ways to achieve public policy goals without raising tax rates? |
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Today’s show looks at the housing situation in Vermont and how to alleviate the crising. We discuss the energy and creativity which can be unleashed when we take the free market approach. |
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Rob Roper Hosts today for Bill. James Ehlers joins Rob to explore how to find common ground on environmental issues in Vermont. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider why it is important to be careful, and exercise perspective, context, and balance when interpreting the life, legacy and contribution of historical figures – political, economic, and social. What can we learn from history? |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill on Good Friday to reflect upon the meaning of Easter, and the importance of religious freedom in a free, self-governing society. |
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Ryan Young joins Bill with an update on measures of economic well-being – inflation, interest rates, economic growth, employment – and the factors that affect them. |
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Bill broadcasts live from the Central Vermont Jobs Fair. |
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Today we look at the environment – how do we balance public policy goals how do we become more efficient and more effective in doing so? We focus on the Proposed Clean Heat Standard Legislation and ask the question – is there a better way? Julie Moore, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources is Bills guest. |
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We look at the agricultural issues, policies, and proposals underway in Montpelier which affect our farmers and those who depend on them, we talk with our guests about the many contributions that our farmers make towards improving our environment. |
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Robert Letovsky joins Bill to discuss the high cost of housing in Vermont, and what are the best ways to make it more affordable. Later, Robert and Bill consider whether now is the time to consider reforming entitlement programs, and if not now, when? |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to discuss and evaluate signals, sometimes conflicting, about the health of the economy – for both the nation and Vermont. |
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Mark Scott, Director of Wildlife for the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, joins Bill to discuss the complex issue of early succession habitat – what is it, why is it important, what are the various ways in which it can be lost, what happens if we lose it? |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss a wide range of public policy issues – from free speech to Fed. policy to foreign relations. |
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Joe Tisbert and Brian Kemp join Bill with an update on Agricultural Issues affecting Vermont’s working lands and the people who earn their living from the product of those lands. |
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Janelle Fritts, with the Tax Foundation, joins Bill to consider how well Vermont’s tax structure compares with sound tax policy, and how competitive our tax climate is compares with other States in the nation. What are the unintended consequences? What can we do to improve our ranking among the States? |
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Matt Cota, with the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, joins Bill to take a closer look at the proposed Clean Heat Standard – How will it affect families who heat their homes? Are there unintended consequences? Is there a better way? |
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In today’s show we discuss the complexities of achieving climate policy goals through land use and regulation - what is the proper role of Government? John McClaughry joins Bill to discuss. |
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Joan Goldstein, Vermont Commissioner of Economic Development, joins Bill to discuss the role of government in improving the business climate in our State – growing the economy by growing businesses, employment opportunities, and prosperity. |
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| Guy Page joins Bill to review key legislation that would affect the cost of living for our people, and the cost of doing business for our entrepreneurs and other businesses – with special emphasis on proposed mandated employee benefits that would increase taxes or regulatory burdens. Is there a better way? | |
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David Huber, of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, joins Bill to learn how our farmers protect the environment and animal health as they produce the food for our nourishment and enjoyment. |
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Bill is joined by Tom Evslin, a Vermont Entrepreneur - to discuss a wide-range of issues including reducing greenhouse gases, re-forestation, the Banking Bill. |
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| Wednesday, March 15, 2023 |
Art Woolf joins Bill to make sense of what’s happening in the economy – what are the similarities and differences between 2023 and 2007? And will 2024 be like 2008? |
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Our guest is former Governor Jim Douglas, who talks about his recent trip to Japan where President Coolidge and the Coolidge Foundation were honored. |
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Ryan Young joins Bill to discuss the connections among inflation, higher interest rates, lower bond prices, bank failures, and moral hazard. Illustrating for us how investing in better construction and maintenance as a way to reduce the risk of fire. |
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| Friday, March 10, 2023 |
Bill hosts Danielle Fitzko of Vermont's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreations, discusses Vermont Forests Strategic Roadmap, which was initiatied with Act 183 last year, a 10 year vision for Vermont's forest prodect sector and the sustainability of Vermont's forests. |
| Thursday, March 9, 2023 |
Vermont Senator Bobby Starr joins Bill to look at the obstacles and opportunties for Vermont farmers and loggers. |
| Wednesday, March 8, 2023 |
Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, discusses her controversial testimony on S.5 with Bill, in which she gave a higher cost estimate than what the S.5 advocates had given themselves. |
| Tuesday, March 7, 2023 |
Town Meeting Day! Jason Gibbs, chief of staff for Governor Scott's administration, joins Bill to discusses the Governor's priorities, and the tensions that exist between the Legislature and the Governor. |
| Friday, March 3, 2023 |
Janelle Fritz of the Tax Foundation joins Bill to discuss how Vermont can broaden our tax base and lower our tax rates, so our tax code doesn’t pick winners and losers |
| Thursday, March 2, 2023 |
Bill interviews John Pelletier, Director of the Center for Financial Literacy of Champlain College, dsicusses planning for our financial futures, at the personal, organizational, state and national levels. |
| Wednesday, March 1, 2023 |
Bill discusses the United States' changing relationship with China, with Chris Barbieri, Director of the Asia Division at Vermont Chamber of Commerce |
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Dan Feliciano joins Bill to discuss how it is that higher interest rates slow the inflation in the general price levels, including the price of labor, the price of assets, and the price of information. |
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How do we protect the environment whilst we are pursuing other public policy goals? Julie Moore, Secretary at the Agency of Natural Resources joins Bill to discuss. |
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Bruce Shields and Mike Covey join Bill to discuss the major challenges facing the working landscape – and those who earn their living by harvesting, transporting, and adding value to the product of our working forests and farms. |
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Ryan Young joins Bill with an update on inflation, economic growth, employment, interest rates, national debt, and other national trends that affect us in Vermont, but over which we have little or no control. If time allows, Ryan and Bill will consider the off-budget debt accumulating in social security, Medicare, and Medicaid – and the consequences of pretending that these unfunded liabilities do not require reform. |
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Lake Champlain Chamber’s Austin Davis, joins Bill to review legislative proposals that will affect the cost of doing business for our Vermont entrepreneurs and other employers, and the cost of living for their employees, their customers, and their suppliers. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to examine legislative proposals, and the consequences, sometimes unforeseen and adverse, for our community – with special emphasis on the often overlooked effects of higher taxes on businesses, and the cost of doing business in Vermont. |
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| Friday, February 17, 2023 |
Laura Ginsburg, of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, joins Bill with an update on Vermont’s dairy industry, and the important role that our working lands, and all those that earn their living by growing and producing farm products – play in our economy, environment, and culture. |
| Thursday, February 16, 2023 |
Ken Ballard, President of Spherion Staffing, joins Bill with an update on the Vermont job market – what challenges and opportunities; what are the factors that will affect the market in the future. |
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Mark Scott joins Bill to examine the role of wildlife management in rural culture, and those who earn their living by growing, harvesting, and adding value to the product of our working forests and farms. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to consider why legislative accountability and responsibility is important keeping a free society free. Later, John McClaughry joins Bill to apply this particular principle to the controversial clean heat standard, under deliberation in the Vermont Legislature. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider what we can learn from history about the importance of fiscal restraint by government in a free society, as part of the process of balancing risks, and achieving multiple public policy goals that compete for limited resources. And then to apply those lessons to choices before us in Vermont, the nation, and the world. |
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Janelle Fitts joins Bill to describe how Vermont tax burdens compare with those in other States, and how that affects the competitiveness of our businesses, and affordability for their employees and customers. Later, John McClaughry joins Bill to describe some of the legislative proposals to raise taxes even higher, and the unintended adverse consequences for the Vermont people. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss the challenges facing those who earn their living by growing, harvesting, and adding value to the product of our farms and forests – and all of us who benefit from their work – not just food and wood – but cleaner water and air, a lower Carbon footprint, abundant and diverse wildlife habitat, recreation opportunity, scenic landscape, and rural culture. What government policies help, which hinder, and how are decisions made. |
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| Wednesday, February 8, 2023 |
Josh Kruk and Frank Koster, both of One Day in July Financial Advisors, join Bill with an update on financial markets, review and outlook, and the factors that help explain performance in 2022, and how those factors might change in 2023. |
| Tuesday, February 7, 2023 |
Dan Feliciano joins Bill to consider the benefits and burdens of advances in Artificial Intelligence – in virtually all aspects of our lives. For greater security and convenience, are we trading personal freedom and responsibility. Later Dan and Bill take up public policy controversies in Vermont, and strive to find ways to achieve the best balance of policy goals that compete for resources to pay for them. |
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Ryan Young joins bill to explain how federal decisions about monetary and fiscal policy have profound effect on us in Vermont – interest rates, inflation, economic and income growth, State budget – and how Vermont, as a State, can best adjust and adapt. |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore the rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence decision-making, and what that will mean – for better and for worse – for individual freedom and responsibility in a self-governing representative free society. Later, Tom offers his thoughts on the adverse unintended consequences if we push too hard, to fast with new regulations, taxes, and litigation intended to reduce use of Carbon intensive fuels. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to examine what we can learn from history to help us understand and address the public policy challenges and opportunities before us today – with special emphasis on parallels with the 1920’s when Calvin Coolidge was President or Vice President. |
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Ed Larson and Robbo Holleran join Bill to explore how harvesting forest products, in accord with principles of sound forestry, helps achieve multiple environmental goals, efficiently and effectively – with special emphasis on reducing Vermont’s Carbon footprint. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to consider what we can learn by a closer look at trends in family income in Vermont, and also, newly released information on the distribution of income taxes according to taxpayer income. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to consider what we can learn from the ideas of Federick Hayek that will help us understand and address the public policy challenges before us today. |
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Julie Moore, Agency Secretary for Natural Resources, joins Bill with an update on how best to achieve environmental objectives, in balance with other public policy objectives in a time when budgets – public and private – are increasingly squeezed by high inflation, and higher interest rates. |
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John Pelletier joins Bill to discuss the importance of financial literacy in a free society – and how best to accomplish it. |
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Gov. Phil Scott joins Bill to discuss his priorities for the role of government -- both for the coming year and long term – with special emphasis on the complex and difficult process of balancing public policy objectives. Later Ryan Young joins Bill to discuss the role of monetary policy in affecting the real economy – inflation adjusted income, economic growth, employment and interest rates. |
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David Coates joins Bill for an update on State Finances – review and outlook -- with special emphasis on factors that affect Vermont’s competitiveness as place where entrepreneurs and other businesses want to invest, grow, and hire. |
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Bill Rowell joins Bill with an update on Vermont Ag. issues – challenges and opportunities – with special emphasis on what Vermont farmers are doing to improve productivity and quality, while caring for their animals and their land. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill today to discuss individual liberty with listeners, during a question and answer session. |
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Former Governor Phil Scott and Bill discuss the importance of the separation of powers and the nongovernmental approach to sustaining our freedom in America. |
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Ed Larson joins Bill to discuss Vermont’s working economy, working forest and the challenges they face to remain sustainable. |
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Art Woolf, highlights the current state of the economy to understand how it affects Vermonters when the cost of living and inflation exceeds the growth of earnings, wages and salaries. |
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Robert Appel, J.D., joins Bill on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to reflect on his call to collect on the promises of the Declaration of Independence while considering how life circumstances shape our choices and perspective. |
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| Bill discusses tax structure, policy and trends with Janelle Moore. | |
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Ryan Young joins Bill to describe how monetary policy creates inflation, if and when the Federal Reserve finances large federal deficits. |
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Vermont Fish and o Commissioner, Christopher Herrick, joins Bill to discuss the mission of the Department he leads, how they accomplish it, with particular emphasis on the complex connections among the work of those who earn their living by growing and harvesting forest products, traditional rural culture, and an environment that benefits us all. |
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John McClaughry joins Bill to consider the consequences – particularly for rural society – if we over-regulate and over-tax the use of hydrocarbon fuels. What is effect on affordability and income, and the competitiveness of our businesses? What are some better ways to reduce our Carbon Footprint? |
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Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Anson Tebbetts, joins Bill with an update on the challenges and opportunities ahead for those who earn their living by growing and harvesting agricultural products. And how do we all benefit from our working farms and forests in ways that we often don’t fully appreciate or understand? |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill to take closer look at the potential breakthrough in nuclear fusion, and if it comes to pass, what it will mean to the cost and availability of energy. Also, what does the looming crisis in public debt, both on-budget and off-budget debt, mean for achieving public policy goals that compete for limited resources. |
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Ken Ballard joins Bill for an update on the jobs market – how has the nature of work changed as a result of the Pandemic, and what factors affect the supply of and demand for labor, that is, human effort and ingenuity. |
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Art Woolf and Fred Peet join Bill for an update on the housing market – and the complex combination of factors that determine the supply, demand, and price of housing. Factors including demographics, interest rates, household income, taxes on income and property, regulation, culture, and law. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider, as we begin 2023, the key public policy issues for Vermont, America, and the world. And what can we learn from history about how best to address these issues. |
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Today's show discusses Agriculture - the outlook for the year ahead, recent trends, the influence public policy has on our agricultural industries and the benefits agriculture brings to our society. |
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Health and Productivity of our Forests - how the role of our working forests and the people who earn their living from them are under-appreciated. Bill discusses the benefits of sustaining a rural culture, values and ideals with Ed Larson and Rob O’Hara. |
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Today we discuss inflation and ways in which higher interest rates reduce inflation - we discuss the how and why - with Dan Feliciano, Adviser to businesses and governments throughout the world. |
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Improving our lives and those of our community - economic freedom, political freedom, consent to govern - Bruce Shields joins us to discuss what we can learn from history. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins us on todays show to talk about the important role culture, traditions and heritage play in making a society good and great. |
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Bill is joined by David Coates to discuss the financial side of the economy - pensions, post-employment benefits, debt level, debt burden and the prospects for growing our economy. |
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Joining Bill today is Bruce Shields to talk about what we can learn from history with a focus on the religious aspects. |
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On todays show we learn about demographic trends and their connections with the economy. Art Woolf joins Bill to discuss. |
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Jim Stapleton joins Bill to discuss his recently published book - ‘What I Know …What I Believe: A Layman’s Epistemology |
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Economy, markets, investments - Matt Barowitz joins Bill to discuss the current labor situation in Vermont. Matt discusses the short and long term trends, demographically and economically, and conditions in the labor market - how do we measure the health of the labor market? Unemployment rates have risen again in November but remain historically low. |
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Bill is joined by Secretary of Natural Resources, Julie Moore to discuss the environment - our current policy goals, the role our working lands and forests play, and the benefits they provide which are not directly measured. |
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Dan Cunningham, Principal of One Day in July, joins Bill to discuss investing for the future. Deposit Beta and ESG Investing are the two issues covered today. |
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Paul Ralston and Bill discuss the current proposals to provide paid family leave to Vemont employees and the effect it may have on Vermonts competitiveness. |
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Brian Kemp from the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition joins Bill to discuss the enormous challenges facing our farmers, we learn more about our farmers, the coalition and its mission to serve farmers to enhance water quality, soil health, climate smart farming and their economic resiliency in the Champlain Valley. |
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Chief of Staff for Governor Phil Scott, Jason Gibbs, joins Bill to talk about current news, economic challenges and federal debt. |
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Understanding the causes and consquensces of the challenges we face, we look at the role of working forests with Ed Larson in achieving multiple public policy goals. |
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If people are fully informed they make better decisions - today our guest is Guy Paige, Editor and Publisher of the Vermont Chronicle - we look at the current issues facing Vermont including employment, economy, inflation. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill today to discuss what we can learn from the coming winter and how it effects energy markets in Northern Europe. |
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We explore in-depth some of the issues in the news, Dan Feliciano joins Bill to discuss new technologies, and the changing meaning of censorship. |
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On todays show, Bill is joined by John McClaughry, founder of the Ethan Allen Institute. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to take a measured look at the recent election results, crypto-currency and the work of the Coolidge Foundation. |
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Today, Bill is joined by Bruce Shields - they discuss what it is in economic success for a nation or society which influences and helps determine the global balance of power. |
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Today’s show is brought to you by Champlain Valley Equipment, Bill is joined by Joe Tisbert and Amber Parry to talk about the current issues facing us in the agricultural sector - inflation and rising energy costs are having a huge impact on our farmers and the people who earn their living from the land. |
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Economy, finance and the importance of freedom to choose and compete - Bill is joined by Art Woolfe to discuss the demographic trends and labor market consequences in Vermont. |
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Bill is joined by David Coach, who brings his vast experience in advising both companies and individuals on preparing financially for the future. We look at the financial and economic outlook for Vermont with an emphasis on retirements and other un-funded post retirement benefits. |
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Chris Barbieri joins Bill to talk about what it is we have to be thankful for, listeners join the conversation. |
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The importance of entrepreneurs in making a society properous - the hallmark of economic freedom. Bill is joined by Paul Ralston, former legistlator and Entrepreneur. |
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The role and importance of Thanksgiving in a free society. We look at some of the factors which make a free society flourish and explore the role of giving thanks itself - where we have choices in religion, employment, beliefs and the freedom to express those beliefs. |
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Bill is joined by Robert Letovsky, Professor of Business, St. Michaels College, to discuss student loans, proposed new taxes, accumulation of public debt and rising interest rates. |
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Working forests of Vermont and the people who earn their livings from them. Bill is joined by Ed Larson and Bruce Shields to discuss the importance of our rural eco-systems and the complex relationships between the forests and the people. |
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Governor Jim Douglas hosts today's show, joined by Prof. Matt Dickinson to discuss the national and local election results. |
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Paul Dane, Chairman of the Vermont Republican State Committee joins Governor Jim Douglas to discuss the political implications of the recent Congressional election. |
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Bill is joined by Joe Tisbert from the Farm Bureau to review the policy priorities set for the coming year including climate group changes, labor, and the supply chain. |
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Where would we be if our country were not protected and safe-guarded? Bill celebrates Veterans Day with some of the heroes from Vermont and explores why it is important to us to honor the brave. |
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One of America’s great characteristics is our belief in political freedom - former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to intepret the recent election results. |
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Janelle Fritz of the Tax Foundation joins Bill to discuss Tax Policy - understanding our tax rates, state competitiveness and how we can improve our ranking. |
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Bill is joined by Sean Higgins from the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington DC to discuss the current employment market and the future and health of the economy. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill for the first half of the show to examine how the role of language affects and shapes our narratives as we explore the choices we have when preparing for an uncertain future. Ed Larson also joins Bill to discuss our natural resources and how they should be managed for long term health and productivity. |
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Bill is joined by John McClaughry and David Fleming to talk about the role of our expectations for the economy, inflation, investment and pricing. What role do statistics play? |
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Bill is joined by Ken Boward from Experian Staffing to discuss the challenges facing us in the job market from both an employer and employee perspective. |
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How does public policy effect the economy and markets? We discuss free-trade between nations with Chris Barbieri and talk about the discouraging political changes in China and our national relationship with them. |
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On today’s show, Bill is joined by Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to discuss the complex connections between our rural economy, our environment and our culture, with an emphasis on the ecology of the working landscape and the people who earn their living from it. |
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With the many challenges facing Vermont in the months and years ahead, we look ahead and also take the opportunity to learn from history, comparing our situation to other states and other countries. Guy Paige joins Bill on today’s show. |
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What can we learn in Vermont from earlier times in history? How can we prepare for an uncertain future? Bill invites listeners to join the conversation. |
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Economy and markets - what can we learn? How does public policy affect them? Arthur Woolfe joins Bill to discuss the economy, markets, labor and job market. |
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Bill is joined on today’s show by Marian L. Tupy, Author of ‘Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet’ |
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Bill discusses the importance of our rural economy and ecology with Tommy O’Connor from the Vermont Farm Bureau. |
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We examine the importance of our rural culture and the ecology of a rural society with Bruce Shields as Bill’s guest today. |
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Dr. Martin Kulldorff, Professor of Medicine, Harvard, joins Bill to look back at the pandemic and examine how we, as a nation, responded to it. |
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In todays show we look at how we make decisions in society. Bill is joined by Matthew Strong. |
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Bill is joined by John McClaughry, Founder of the Ethan Allen Institute to discuss the affordable housing crisis in Vermont. |
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The environment around us seeks a natural equilibrium - Bill discusses how we can best take care of the environment to reduce our carbon footprint and how we can more efficiently and effectively reduce carbon dioxide concentrations. |
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Bill is joined by Art Woolfe to discuss the current demographic trends, both locally and nationally. |
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What is the difference between an employee and a contract worker? What is the role of government in the workplace? Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss how we can best protect our individual liberty. |
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Dan Cunningham from One Day in July Investment Advisers joins Bill to discuss economic cycles, inflation, interest rates and the credit crunch. |
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Economic freedom creates prosperity but this must be tempered with political freedom - Bill is joined by Chris Barbieri to discuss China - it’s economics, culture and global position. |
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David Coach joins Bill today to discuss the current financial situation in Vermont. The health of our finances and economy and factors which will effect us in the future. |
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Today we celebrate the manufacturing sector in Vermont, we take a look at it's history and how if correlates with prosperity. Patrick Boyle from the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Centre joins Bill to discuss. |
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To mark Manufacturing Month, we discuss what makes manufacturing so important to our economy - past, present and future. |
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Today we focus on and examine the environmental goals for Vermont. Bill is joined by Julie Moore, Secretary of the Agency for Natural Resources. |
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John Pelletier, Director of Champlain’s Centre for Financial Literacy joins Bill today to discuss the pro’s, con’s and consequences of cancelling student debt. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to look at the economy in Vermont - they discuss inflation, currencies and the value of the dollar. |
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Bill discusses the proposals in the Vermont legislation which effect the cost of energy - what impact will they have on our lives and particularly those who live and work in our rural areas. |
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Joining Bill on todays show is Ken Ballard, Owner of Spherion Staffing to discuss the current job market trends in Vermont. |
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Former Governor, Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss a variety of public policy issues facing Vermont today. |
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Todays show focuses on inflation - we look back through history and consider global inflation rates - what will it take to bring inflation back under control? Ryan Young of the Competitive Enterprise Institute joins Bill to discuss. |
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Bruce Shields and Matthew Strong join Bill today to discuss the current challenges facing Vermont including the economy, geo-politics, demographics, trade, and the global market place. |
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Pricing of pharmaceuticals and the unintended consequences of price controls, Robert Letovsky joins Bill to discuss. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss how different perspectives on science and politics effect each other - How do we use our scarce resources to balance public policy goals? |
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Todays show focuses on the importance of our working landscape and the people who earn their living from it. We look at agri-tourism in Vermont, the Eastern State Exposition and Vermont Maple 100. |
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Bill is joined by regular guest Art Woolf to discuss the importance of interest rates to our economy. |
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We take a closer look at the recent shortages of baby formula, we discuss the effects on young mothers and families, what are the causes of the shortage and how can we learn to deal with future shortages and avoid them? |
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Ed Larson joins Bill to discuss the ecology of the rural society - culture, environment, economy and community. |
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Rob Roper hosts todays show - we discuss Proposal 5, Article 22, Reproductive Liberty Amendment - our guest is Norm Smith, from Vermonters for Good Government. |
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Effect of energy on public and foreign policy - Tom Evslin joins Bill to discuss. Topics covered are renewables, regulatory reforms, energy sources, infrastructure, |
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The paradox of freedom - Bill is joined by Matthew Strong and Bruce Shields to discuss. How can we best understand choices in public policy? |
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Remembering 9/11 and the medical consequences, what are we learning and what can we learn going forward? Meg Hansen joins Bill to discuss her recent Commentary for the Ethan Allen Institute. |
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How best to exercise our freedoms - Dan Feliciano joins Bill to analyze current public policy issues. |
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Todays show discusses the how young people of today can best prepare to start a living in the economy of the future. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to examine the factors which effect the size and strength of the middle-class. How is the middle-class defined? Is it growing or stagnating in size? |
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Ken Ballard joins Bill to discuss the changes to the job market - the effects of the pandemic, changing values, and how we move forward. |
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Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Today at 11am on Common Sense Radio, with Bill Sayre. |
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Harvey Smith and Brian Kemp join Bill with an update on the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont agriculture – and what we should know about the people who earn their living from working lands – including forestland – benefit us in ways we may not fully appreciate. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss current issues with important public policy implications – working lands, student loan forgiveness, and the war in Ukraine. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss current issues with important public policy implications – working lands, student loan forgiveness, and the war in Ukraine. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to reflect on the causes and consequences of proposals to forgive student debt. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to examine the outlook for the economy, with particular emphasis on the labor market. |
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John McClaughry joins Bill to explore what we can learn from history about the indirect, long term, and largely unexpected, consequences of government price controls on most any product or service – for example, controls on the price of life saving medicines, expensive to discover and develop. |
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Former Gov. Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider what we can learn from the American history, as the States strived to make a more perfect Union, that will help us understand the challenges and opportunities today as we strive to make life better for our nation and her people, but also for other nations and their people – and the aspirational goal of worldwide peace and prosperity. |
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We take a closer look at Vermont’s State Finances - the current situation and outlook with David Coach. |
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Bill is joined by Michael Snyder to discuss the ecology of the rural economy and reducing Vermont’s carbon footprint. |
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Todays show is brought to you by One Day in July Investment Advisers, Dan Cunningham joins Bill to discuss what happens when a business enterprise increases in size compared to its competitors. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill today - if we look back in history, we find literature which talks about the experiences of people in other towns and places which in many ways are similar to what we face today, we discuss how we can learn from past experiences. |
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Meg Hansen joins Bill to consider the question of whether the middle class is in decline, and if so, would it be replaced by a modern version of feudalism, and what we must do to ensure a large and prosperous middle class. |
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Diane Norris and Brenda Deering of the Addison County Fair and Field Days join Bill to describe this important celebration of the traditions of Vermont’s rural heritage and culture. |
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Guy Page joins Bill to explore the meaning of local control – and the balancing of responsibilities and opportunities that go with local control – particularly in the realm of education. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore the role of storytelling technology as we interpret the past, perceive the present, and foresee the future – while conveying to future generations our cultural values, beliefs, and principles. |
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Economist Art Woolf joins Bill to consider the question as to whether the economy is in a recession – how can we tell – and why we should care. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider what we can learn from the life and legacy of President Calvin Coolidge, and how we can apply those lessons to the public policy issues of today. |
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Todays show is brought to you by Champlain Valley Equipment. Jackie Folsom of the Vermont Farm Bureau joins Bill to discuss the importance of our rural culture, economy and environment. |
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Dan Feliciano joins Bill to discuss the emergence of AI: Artificial Intelligence, the introduction of avatars which are indistinguishable from real-life people, fake news and machine learning. |
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We take a close look at how it is that free trade and free markets provide the foundation and motivation to experiment and innovate to help us improve our lives, Paul Ralston joins Bill. |
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The role of freedom in improving the lives of our people - we discuss the education sector and the recent decisions made by the Supreme Court. Rob Roper joins Bill. |
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Robert Letovsky joins Bill to explore how public policy on energy – sources and uses -- has profound and often unexpected effects on all other aspects of public policy, including affordability, environmental conservation, economic growth, and foreign relations. |
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Bruce Lisman and Tom Evslin join Bill to offer perspectives on three important issues affecting us all – governance, trees, and health care. |
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Mark Scott and Ed Larson join Bill to explore the complexities of the rural ecosystem in Vermont -- wildlife habitat, working lands and the rural culture and community sustained in large part by people who earn their living from working lands. |
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Janelle Fritz, Policy Analyst with the Tax Foundation and Governor Phil Scott join Bill today. |
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Former Gov. Jim Douglas joins Bill to consider what we can learn from history to help us make better public policy choices today as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future. |
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Chris Barbieri joins Bill to explore the relationship between Taiwan and China, and the importance of both nations and their relationship to our future.. |
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Julie Moore, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources, joins Bill to explore how best to protect the environment while achieving other public policy goals. |
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Ryan Young joins Bill to explore why inflation, at 9 percent, is at the highest levels in more than 40 years, what it means to us, and what it will take to bring it down. Later, Myron Ebell joins Bill to understand the new Presidential Executive Order on Climate Change, and how it will affect us – particularly those of us who live or earn a living in rural areas. |
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Meg Hansen joins Bill to explore public policy perspectives on two complex and sometimes controversial issues – election integrity and the meaning of citizenship in a nation state. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to take a closer look at the housing market – the factors that affect the availability and cost of housing – and what makes home purchases different than other purchases we make as customers. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore how the stories we tell ourselves about our history, shapes our understanding of the present, and our outlook on the future. |
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Laura Hardie and Harvey Smith join Bill to preview Vermont’s Breakfast on the Farm, which is Saturday, July 16th at the Gosliga Farm in Addison. |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore opportunities for regulatory reform, in a way that would both strengthen the economy and better the environment. |
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Ed Larson joins Bill to explore the many benefits of working forests, and the people who earn their living from them, to our Vermont economy, environment, and culture. |
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Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to review the importance of living within our means, sometimes called fiscal restraint, as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead – as individuals and as a community. |
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Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore how changes in technology affect and reflect our culture, how we interpret history, as we strive to understand the choices we have today as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future. |
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Guy Page joins Bill to explore current issues affecting us in Vermont, and can best address them if we are to honor our commitment to freedom and unity. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to explore how we can best balance public policy goals that compete for limited resources – especially in a time of high inflation and little or no economic growth --with particular stress in the markets for energy and food. |
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Jack McMullen joins Bill to examine what we can learn from history about financial bubbles, and why it is so hard to know we've been in one, until the bubble bursts. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to examine what key indicators tell us about the health of the economy. |
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On Matthew Strong discuss the importance of the Declaration of Indpenedce in fthe founding of the US |
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Bill interviews Nathan Lewis, co-athor with Steve Forbes entitled author of Inflation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, and How to Fix It |
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Bruce Shields and Bill discuss the nature of community, voluntary mutual aid vs. welfare. |
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John McClaughry and David Flemming join Bill to discuss the implications of the elections being determined by those in the middle of the left and right, and the ruling party overreaching their mandate. |
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Jim Duoglas discuss how we can make America a better country |
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Guy Page joins Bill to explore current issues affecting us in Vermont, and can best address them if we are to honor our commitment to freedom and unity. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to explore how we can best balance public policy goals that compete for limited resources – especially in a time of high inflation and little or no economic growth --with particular stress in the markets for energy and food. |
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Jack McMullen joins Bill to examine what we can learn from history about financial bubbles, and why it is so hard to know we've been in one, until the bubble bursts. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill to examine what key indicators tell us about the health of the economy. |
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On Matthew Strong discuss the importance of the Declaration of Independence in fthe founding of the US |
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Bill interviews Nathan Lewis, co-athor with Steve Forbes entitled author of Inflation: What It Is, Why It's Bad, and How to Fix It |
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Bruce Shields and Bill discuss the nature of community, voluntary mutual aid vs. welfare. |
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John McClaughry and David Flemming join Bill to discuss the implications of the elections being determined by those in the middle of the left and right, and the ruling party overreaching their mandate. |
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Jim Douglas discusses how we can make America a better country |
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John McClaughry, founder of the Ethan Allen Institute joins Bill to discuss the unexpected sharp increase in oil prices. |
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Importance of our rural culture - how can the rural economy succeed? Mark Scott joins Bill to help us understand the connections between Vermonts traditional rural living and our society. |
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The role competitive sports play in helping our young people prepare for an increasingly difficult future. Bill is joined by frequent guest Renee LeBurge. |
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The role art and literature has on influencing our beliefs, Bruce Shields joins Bill on todays show. |
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We take a closer look at the difficulties we face in supply chains, Lucas Jensen joins Bill to discuss. |
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Should we continue to keep our working forests? On todays show Bill welcomes Mike Coffey and Bruce Shields who offer their perspective. |
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How our immediate public policy objectives change - how do we adjust, what can we learn, how do we balance the priorities - Jim Douglas is todays guest. |
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Guy Paige hosts todays show - Editor and Publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle. We take a look at the headlines in the news today. |
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On todays show we discuss Inflation with Art Woolf - What is inflation? What impact does it have on our economy? |
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Todays show is brought to you by Champlain Valley Equipment, joining Bill to discuss Vermonts supply chain issues, the marketing of Vermonts farm products and the lessons have we learnt from the pandemic is Abby Willard. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss Energy - availability, affordability and our standards of living. What is the practical effect of more electrification in Vermont? |
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Bill is joined by Robert Letovsky to discuss the idea that profit is fundamental to a free market and importance of profit in making society wo. |
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How does the human impulse to experiment and innovate work? Dan Feliciano joins Bill on todays show. |
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On the anniversary of D-Day, we discuss our interpretation of the past and how it impacts the decisions we make today. Bruce Sheids joins Bill on todays show. |
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Guy Paige joins Bill to talk about how culture is conveyed to one generation to the next, why do we have culture clashes? We examine the possible reasons. |
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Economics and demographics - Bill is joined by Art Woolf to discuss the current situation in Vermont. |
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Chris Barbieri is Bills guest on todays show, t discuss how we adjust to changes in public policy, focusing on the growing market for electric cars. |
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We take a closer look at the importance of individual liberty and free society - Matthew Strong and Bruce Shields joins Bill to discuss how we interpret history, understand the present and prepare for the future. |
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On Memorial Day we honour those who sacrificed, General Mike Dooby and General Jonathon Farnham join Bill on todays show to discuss the importance of Memorial Day. |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill today to discuss how we can best accomplish and balance multiple public policy goals which compete for public resources. |
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Lem Ballard and Bill discuss how the Vermont job market has changed, why, and what the future holds. |
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David Coates and Bill explain how the deficit spending of current taxpayers narrows the choices that future taxpayers will have. |
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Jim Douglas and Bill try to answer the question, “How do transfer the freedom-loving values from one generation to another?” |
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Tom Torti and Bill discuss how to understand people with different points of view, once we can agree on fundamental goals. |
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In the first half, Guy Page answers Bill’s questions about his online newspaper the Vermont Daily Chronicle. In the second half, Mike Covey, Ed Larson and Bill discuss the economics of natural resources for Vermont. |
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Art Woolf joins Bill on todays show to discuss american culture and its comparison to other cultures around the world. |
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Bill is joined by Bruce Shields who offers a historical perspective on the consequences of people with great wealth who own and influence current media. |
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On todays show we take a closer look at the importance of our rural lands, Bill is joined by Ed Larson to discuss the recent proposals and agreements which will profoundly effect our rural economy. |
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On todays show, Bill discusses water quality in Vermont - how do we measure water quality and improvements and how can we continue to enrich our environment. |
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Bill is joined by Matthew Strong and Bruce Sheilds to discuss the rising inflation and interest rates - the causes, consequences and our understanding. |
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Dan Cunningham from One Day In July Investment Advisers joins Bill to discuss the psychological aspects of how we make decisions. |
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Examining the important questions and trends facing us in Vermont - Rob Letovsky joins Bill to discuss how the global situation effects Vermont. |
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The North Eastern Loggers and Equipment Exhibition takes place today and tomorrow, Ed Larson joins Bill on todays show to discuss the future of our working forests. |
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Todays show is live from the North Eastern Loggers and Equipment Exhibition, Bill is joined by Guy Paige to discuss the issues currently being reported in the Vermont Chronicle. |
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Why is preserving, promoting and defending individual freedom important to sustaining our freedom - Bill is joined by David Fleming and Bruce Shields to offer a historical perspective. |
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Matthew Strong hosts todays show, we discuss demographic shifts and the resulting pressures facing Vermont and how our labor force economic development is affected. |
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We take a closer look at the current legislative proposals, Ed Larson joins Bill on todays show. |
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In the first half, Guy Page answers Bill’s questions about his online newspaper the Vermont Daily Chronicle. In the second half, Mike Covey, Ed Larson and Bill discuss the economics of natural resources for Vermont. |
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Tom Torti and Bill discuss how to understand people with different points of view, once we can agree on fundamental goals. |
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Jim Douglas and Bill try to answer the question, “How do transfer the freedom-loving values from one generation to another?” |
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David Coates and Bill explain how the deficit spending of current taxpayers narrows the choices that future taxpayers will have. |
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Lem Ballard and Bill discuss how the Vermont job market has changed, why, and what the future holds. |
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Reaction to the ground invasion of Ukraine by Russia - Tom Evslin joins Bill on todays show. |
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Ken Ballard joins Bill to examine the changes which have occurred in the job market and discuss the impact of the pandemic. |
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Bill is joined by Diane Bothfeld from Champlain Valley Equipment to take a look at the importance of our working lands and people. |
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On todays show, Bill is joined by Bruce Shields to examine the consequences of the global pandemic and the depression, despair and anxiety it has caused too so many people, we consider the possible connection with the productivity levels in our industries. |
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Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss our values, objectives, goals and beliefs, looking back to examine what we can learn from history. |
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What are the causes and consequences of consolidating government power? Bill is joined by David Fleming to discuss. |
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Guy Paige joins Bill to explore the continuing strike by the Truckers - how should we describe, interpret and understand them? We discuss importance of language, perspective and culture as we learn from the past and prepare for the future. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to offer his perspective on current public policy. |
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Matthew Strong is todays guest, joining Bill to discuss centralized authority, what are the trends in our society towards centralized authority, is it good, bad or in-between? |
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The working rural economy in Vermont, how we tax and manage the lands - who should make the decisions? Ed Larson of the Vermont Forest Products Association joins Bill. |
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Inflation - what lessons have we learned from the past which can be applied today? Art Woolfe joins Bill on todays show. |
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Boundaries between nations - Jim Douglas joins Bill on todays show. As Russia prepares for an invasion in Ukraine, we discuss how boundaries are established. |
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The Vermont labor market - we discuss the current trends with Ken Ballard from Experion Staffing. |
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Todays show is brought to you by Chaplain Valley Equipment, we examine and explore the importance of our working landscape in Vermont. |
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Bill is joined by Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute to discuss the national job market statistics and employment data. |
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Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss and examine the dilemma’s and predicaments faced by a free society. |
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As we approach the third year of the pandemic, we acknowledge the importance of friendships and family. Bill is joined by David Coach, they discuss the looming pension crisis. |
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Finding opportunities when faced with challenges - we take a closer look at addictions in our society - the causes, consequences and how we can take a positive look at addressing this problem. |
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Chris Barbieri joins Bill to discuss the important role that freedom plays in society. |
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On todays show, we discuss our working lands, the traditional uses we have for them and the people that earn their living from them. |
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On todays show we ask the question - Why do great nations fail? - we examine and discuss how they struggle with difficult issues with Rob Roper, President of the Ethan Allen Institute. |
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Renee Leburge joins Bill on todays show to discuss the current shortages of people in the labor market, the supply chain issues we face and what we can learn from our experiences in the pandemic. |
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Bill is joined by Bruce Shields and Governor Phil Scott to discuss public policy, business and personal choices we make throughout the day and in our lives. |
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Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore the ways in which we can accomplish our public policy issues, focusing today on carbon dioxide. |
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Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss our natural tendency to ask governments for help - we take a closer look at federal deficits, government spending and balancing the federal budget. |
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On todays show we discuss the hard work, dedication, ingenuity of our rural, agricultural and forestry sectors. |
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We discuss the Vermont schools and education trends which have been aggravated and intensified by the pandemic - John McClaughry joins Bill on todays show. |
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David Fleming joins Bill on todays show to discuss the question - what is the effect of growing population on individual freedom? |
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Ken Ballard joins Bill on todays show to discuss the most efficient ways of making our economy work. |
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Dan Cunningham joins Bill to discuss how we should prepare for our retirement and how we can prosper whilst still helping those who are vulnerable in society. |
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On todays show we discuss and examine divisions in society, we consider different views and look at the factors which influence people - culture, education, history and experience. |
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Our guest today is former Governor Jim Douglas, he joins Bill to discuss freedom of speech and freedom of expression. |
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Matthew Strong is todays host, he is joined by Meg Hansen, they discuss what we can learn about ourselves, our society and our communities. |
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The focus of todays show is energy and its importance to our economic prosperity. We discuss the effects of carbon dioxide on climate change, our use of energy and how we can balance competing public policy goals. |
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On todays show we take a closer look at important trends, issues and questions facing us in Vermont. We discuss demographics with Art Woolf. |
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Bill is joined by our guest, Steve Collier to discuss agriculture in Vermont - the priorities, challenges and opportunities facing our farming communities. |
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Todays show is hosted by Matthew Strong, his guests are Bruce Shields and Lisa Lamberton. |
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On todays show we examine the differences in culture based on where people live, how closely they live together and how they earn their livings - we reflect on how government policy can work to accelerate or de-escalate the tensions between cultures with John McClaughry. |
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Understanding the past, ourselves and our future as we enter the third year of the pandemic, Bruce Shields joins Bill to discuss how our understanding of the past effects our outlook for the future and how our perceptions can change. |
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Art Woolf and Bill discuss the state of Vermont's economy, explaining factors that influence people's decision to work such as inflation, and the labor market, |
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Chris Barbieri from Vermont's Chamber of Commerce joins Bill in the 1st half of the show to discuss the parallels between a strong Vermont economy and a strong world economy. Then David Flemming from the Ethan Allen Institute joins Bill to discuss federalism. |
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Brian Dubie and Bill discuss gratitude to veterans and national defense. |
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John McClaughry joins Bill Sayre to discuss American optimism in the face of difficult circumstances. |
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UVM professor Eric Munson discusses entrepreneurship with Bill. |
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Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to discuss his experience working on a examining issues concerning Vermont’s border with Canada. |
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Monday, October 11th, 2021 |
Matthew Strong and Bill on how the Pandemic has affected our perspective on a Mandated Minimum Wage |
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021 |
Ed Larson and Bill on balancing public policy goals in the National Forest, including the benefits to absorbing Carbon Dioxide. And storing Carbon. |
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Bruce Shields and Bill on the role of working forests in our economy, environment, and culture |
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Harvey Smith, Brian Kemp, Abbey Willard, Ryan Patch and Bill with an update on Ag. Issues |
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Mat Barewicz and Bill on why is Labor in short supply |
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Arthur Woolf on Sweden, Germany, and USA on how different cultures addressed the challenges of the Pandemic |
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Robert Letovsky and Bill on Why is the cost of Housing is so high. |
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Bill and Matthew Strong discuss the history of individualism. |
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Rob Roper and Bill Sayre examine how redrawing district lines will reshape state politics, and then discuss Climate Council |
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Guy Page fills in for Bill to interview UVM business professor Eric Monsen and Brian Judd about entrepreneurship. |
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Bill and guest Julie Moore, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, consider how we can protect Vermont’s environmental resources |
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Governor Jim Douglas and Bill remember the 9/11 attacks. |
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Bill discusses Vermont's working farms and forests with Sam Lincoln, logger, vegetable farmer, deputy commission for parks and recreation. |
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Former gubernatorial candidate Dan Feliciano joins Bill to discuss the threats of bureaucratic decision making to the national and global supply chain. |
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Guy Page, filling in for Bill, interviews Eric Metaxas to discuss the importance of protecting and cherishing freedom in America |
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Matthew Strong joins Bill to discuss the connection between religious liberty and prosperity. |
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Monday, July 26th, 2021 |
What factors will determine the size and cost of the federal infrastructure legislation, and how we will pay for it? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2021 |
What can learn from the Calvin Coolidge presidency in the 1920s, that will help us address and resolve some of the great challenges that we face today, many of which are the same as 100 years ago – such as how to repay the enormous federal debt in the aftermath of national emergency. Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to explore. |
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Wednesday, July 28, 2021 |
What are the best ways to grow the economy, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of advancing technology, demographics, and changing attitudes toward the role of government in society? Dan Feliciano joins Bill to examine. Later, Governor Phil Scott joins Bill to reflect upon the why growing our economy is necessary if Vermont and the people of Vermont are to succeed in overcoming challenges, making the most of opportunities, and accomplishing policy goals in the years ahead. |
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Thursday, July 29th, 2021 |
As we emerge from a global pandemic, what have we learned about Vermont’s working lands, and the people who earn their living from those lands, and how we all benefit from both? Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to explain. |
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Friday, July 30th, 2021 |
Is the sharp increase in home prices good or not so good for the people of Vermont? What are the factors that have contributed to these higher prices? How will these factors change in the future? What about the rental market? Economist Art Woolf and real estate attorney Fred Peet join Bill with an update on the housing market and how it affects us. |
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What factors will determine the size and cost of the federal Infrastructure legislation, how we will pay for it? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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How can we best ensure that we honor our pension obligations to teachers and State employees while meeting the other obligations of State government, including tax rates competitive with those in other states? David Coates joins Bill to examine. |
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What are the skills in greatest demand in the labor market, from our job creators, and how can our job seekers, particularly our young people, acquire those skills? Dan Feliciano joins Bill to explain. |
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What is the role of Vermont’s working forests, and the work of our rural people, in reducing our Vermont Carbon Footprint? Commissioner and State Forester Michael Snyder joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Friday, July 2nd, 2021 |
How high are our Vermont standards for the teaching of history and civics to our students through high school, and how does Vermont rank compare with the other 49 States? The Fordham Institutes Amber Northern join Bill to examine. |
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Monday, June 21st, 2021 |
Are we in the early stages of a price inflation surge? Or just a temporary blip? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. What are the causes and consequences of inflation? Is inflation a tax that affects everyone, regardless of income? And perhaps low income households more so. Also, will the new Pre-K legislation do affect the taxpayer cost of childhood schooling the same way that Act 60 has affected the taxpayer cost of K-12 schooling? And is there a better way? |
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Should non-citizens have the right to vote in municipal elections? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider the pros and cons. What is the Dillon Rule? Should Municipalities have the right to decide for themselves? Also, with more than half a year of perspective, what is another way to interpret what voters wanted in the election of November, 2020? |
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2021 |
What is the important role that Vermont farmers play in reducing our Carbon footprint? Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Ryan Patch joins Bill to explain. |
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What is important to learn from the newly released estimates of Vermont employment and population. Art Woolf joins Bill to examine. |
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What is the outlook for the Vermont State Spending and Tax situation, after the massive infusion of federal largess ends? The Governor’s Chief of Staff, Jason Gibbs, joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 |
Why might empowering parents with the freedom to choose the school where their children are educated help lessen some of the building tensions, throughout the nation, in parents and public schools. Rob Roper and Matthew Strong join Bill on Zoom and Facebook Live to explain, as the radio show is pre-empted by the Governor’s Press Conference to announce the lifting of Pandemic related restrictions in the State of Emergency. |
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 |
Further exploring Monday’s question about schooling, what can we learn about the when it works best to make collective choices politically, and when it works best to make such choices by empowering individuals to choose among competing suppliers, with income support for the customers. Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill on Zoom, as the radio show is pre-empted by the Governor’s Press Conference. |
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Why is it important to know about Amazon Sidewalk, and how we as individuals, and as a society, find the right balance between convenience and privacy? Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore. Why are there eerie similarities to what George Orwell foresaw? Should Amazon customers have been notified? Why, at least in this case, would it have been better to require customers to opt in, rather than opt out? |
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What can we learn about the importance of free speech from Voltaire’s Candide, recently produced as an operetta, and performed virtually, i.e. on video, by Middlebury’s Opera Company? Former Governor Jim Douglas, who narrates the Candide operetta, joins Bill to explain, including Voltaire’s role in creating the culture that half a century later led to the American and French revolutions. |
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Why are framing lumber prices down almost 50 percent since May, after almost tripling during the previous year? Ed Larson joins Bill to take a closer look at why prices are so volatile, and what it means for the economy and to the environment. |
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On todays show we take a closer look at the cost and quality of education in Vermont. Art Woolf is Bills guest. |
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The important role that our working landscape plays in our lives in Vermont - Bill is joined by Harvey Smith to discuss agriculture, working farms, and what the recent legislature has accomplished. |
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On Memorial Day we honor those who have fallen in service to our Country. Rob Roper, President of the Ethan Allen Institute joins Bill. |
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We take a closer look at the idea of free speech, examine and test the idea of why our Founders thought freedom of speech was so important and why it is important today. Former Governor Jim Douglas is todays guest. |
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John McClaughry joins Bill to discuss and examine the education of our children in Vermont. |
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On todays show we discuss recent changes to public policies including the rising costs of gasoline, infrastructure, vaccination passports and the proposed changes to our taxes. Rob Roper is todays guest.
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One of todays biggest issues is the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and different ways we can find to reduce it. Our guest is Ryan Hatch of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to discuss the role agriculture can play. |
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Dan Cunningham joins Bill to discuss the unintended consequences of tax increases on investments. |
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What key issues, under deliberation by our Legislature in Montpelier, and by our Congress in Washington DC, will affect profoundly the freedom and prosperity of the Vermont people, now and for generations to come? Today, as the federal government, in the name of infrastructure, contemplates massive increases in spending, debt, and taxes, Roper Roper joins Bill to take a closer look at the long term consequences, and the importance of federalism, the separation of powers, and the Constitution. |
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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting our economy, environment, and community – especially policies with unintended consequences that hurt the very people the policies were designed to help. And then asking the question, is there a better way? And finding that usually there is, if we are mindful of the power of freer markets – more choice for customers, more competition among those who produce goods or services, and more humility among those in government, and among us all, when we are tempted to believe that we can make better choices for other people than they can make for themselves. |
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Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 |
What are the factors causing such sharp increases in the price of homes, and the raw materials and labor from which new homes are constructed? Bruce Shields and Guy Page examine this issue, and other issues affecting the future of Vermont and her people. |
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Thursday, May 6th, 2021 |
If broadband technology and access continues to improve, and if migration patterns of the last year continue, what will be the effect on the Vermont economy? Tom Evslin joins Bill to explore. |
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Friday, May 7th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting our economy, environment, and community – especially policies with unintended consequences that hurt the very people the policies were designed to help. And then asking the question, is there a better way? And finding that usually there is, if we are mindful of the power of freer markets – more choice for customers, more competition among those who produce goods or services, and more humility among those in government, and among us all, when we are tempted to believe that we can make better choices for other people than they can make for themselves. |
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What key issues, under deliberation by our Legislature in Montpelier, and by our Congress in Washington DC, will affect profoundly the freedom and prosperity of the Vermont people, now and for generations to come? Today, as the federal government, in the name of infrastructure, contemplates massive increases in spending, debt, and taxes, Roper Roper joins Bill to take a closer look at the importance of federalism, the separation of powers, and the Constitution. |
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting our economy, environment, and community – especially policies with unintended consequences that hurt the very people the policies were designed to help. And then asking the question, is there a better way? And finding that usually there is, if we are mindful of the power of freer markets – more choice for customers, more competition among those who produce goods or services, and more humility among those in government, and among us all, when we are tempted to believe that we can make better choices for other people than they can make for themselves. What proposed legislation, in Montpelier and in Washington DC, may greatly reduce our ability to detect whether someone has voted in the name of another person, thereby, making mischief more tempting and irregularities more likely.
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What can we learn about the importance of our working farmland and forestland, and the people who earn their living from those lands, to our economy, our environment, and our culture? Sam Lincoln joins Bill to explain. Later, Governor Phil Scott joins Bill to reflect further on the same question.
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What have we learned from the global pandemic from which we are emerging, that will be helpful to our job creators, job seekers, and job holders, as they strive to create prosperity and opportunity for themselves, their customers, and for us all? Spherion’s Ken Ballard joins Bill to explore. |
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Friday, April 30th, 2021
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Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting our economy, environment, and community – especially policies with unintended consequences that hurt the very people the policies were designed to help. And then asking the question, is there a better way? And finding that usually there is, if we are mindful of the power of freer markets – more choice for customers, more competition among those who produce goods or services, and more humility among those in government, and among us all, when we are tempted to believe that we can make better choices for other people than they can make for themselves..
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What can we learn about the future of economic wellbeing of our nation and state from emerging evidence about employment, prices, income, money and credit? Art Woolf joins Bill to consider.
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 |
On Earth Day, renown free market environmentalist R.J. Smith joins Bill for to explain why private ownership of property so often results in better stewardship, and greater protection of the environment, than government ownership of property.
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What should we know about the Champlain Valley Farmers’ Coalition, and their efforts to improve water quality, while growing food products for our nourishment, and sustaining the working landscape that benefits our rural economy, environment, and culture. Brian Kemp joins Bill to explain.
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What should we know about the unintended consequences of a legislative proposal to impose a penalty of as much as $5,000 dollars on contractors who don’t register with the State? Is this an illustration of the classic difference between those who like more government regulation and those who see a better way to protect customers. John McClaughry joins Bill to consider.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 |
What proposed legislation, in Montpelier and in Washington DC, may greatly reduce our ability to detect whether someone has voted in the name of another person, thereby, making mischief more tempting and irregularities more likely. If so, will that reduce confidence and trust in the outcome of such elections, especially among those whose candidates lose elections? Why is election integrity important? How can we achieve the right balance between making it easy to vote once, but difficult to vote more than once. If some people do vote more than once, is that equivalent to suppressing and disenfranchising the vote of other people who vote for a different candidate? Matthew Strong and Rob Roper join Bill to explore these questions.
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What key issues, under deliberation in our Legislature in Montpelier, and in our Congress in Washington DC, will affect profoundly the freedom and prosperity of the Vermont people, now and for generations to come? Rob Roper joins Bill to review.
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In one of the holiest times of year for the Judeo-Christian culture and religions, what should we know about the free exercise of religion clause in the 1st Amendment, it’s importance to us – including it’s connection to other freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights. What are some examples of the important role of religion in American history and culture, including rural America. |
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As we emerge from the year-long worldwide virus pandemic, what have we rediscovered about agriculture that prepares us for an ever changing future? Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Abbey Willard and Laura Ginsburg join Bill to consider. |
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As our state and nation near the end of both an historic recession and an historic pandemic, what are the public policy choices before us, and how will the choices we make affect our people now and in the future. How do we find the right balance between, on the one hand, helping the vulnerable and those who require temporary income support, and on the other hand, slowing future economic growth and opportunity, by stifling the incentives to work, save, and invest, and to become independent and self-reliant? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore.
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What should we know about Vermont’s environmental priorities, and how best to achieve them? Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore joins Bill to examine. |
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As Vermont and American emerge from the global pandemic, what have we learned about the economy, and also about how which government policies best help sustain the economy recovering from a pandemic. Art Woolf joins Bill to explore.
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What principles are at stake, and what questions should we ask, as we investigate the role of the National Guard in Washington DC, since the beginning of this year. Also, over the National Guard troops in Washington, DC? Also, what should we know about the legislation that would profoundly change our election law in Vermont, in ways that likely make it more difficult to detect mistakes, often unintentional, in the process of casting and recording votes. Rob Roper joins Bill to consider.
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Thursday, March 11th, 2021 |
What can we learn about the history of the American Red Cross, and the important role they play sustaining the health and wellbeing of our people, especially in times of community crisis, including floods, tornados, and global pandemics. And what can each of us do to help? Red Cross’s Kevin Mazuzan and Mario Lopez join Bill to take a closer look. |
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What is important to know about how financial firms bill their customers, including methods that are difficult to see and understand? Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explain. |
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What is important to learn from the $1.9 Trillion, $5,800 per person, Budget Bill that, and how it will be adopted into law? Also, what are the unintended consequences of a proposed Vermont law that may create a hidden tax on vacation homes? Rob Roper joins ill to examine these and other current public policy issues. |
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Friday, March 5th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. |
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What is the best way to reduce the multi-billion dollar unfunded pension liability for our Vermont schoolteachers and State employees? David Coates joins Bill to explore. |
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What is the best way to reduce the multi-billion dollar unfunded pension liability for our Vermont schoolteachers and State employees? David Coates joins Bill to explore. |
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Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. Today, a look at the band Rush, and their role in American culture. |
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Does one’s interpretation of the Bill of Rights depend on who is President? Should it? What are the consequences? Also, with almost two weeks to reflect upon the legacy of Rush Limbaugh, what are the key factors in his appeal to so many millions of loyal listeners to his radio show for more than 30 years? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. |
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Friday, February 26th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. Today, how do opinions on the Bill of Rights change, depending on who is President of our nation? And what are the consequences? |
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What is important to learn from a careful study of Vermont’s Labor Market Statistics? Vermont State Labor Department Economist Matt Barewicz joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we know about the challenges and opportunities ahead for Vermont job creators as they strive to hire, grow, and invest? Spherion’s Ken Ballard joins Bill to examine. |
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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. Today we examine why our founders believed so strongly that if we are to safeguard our liberties, we must be eternally vigilant; and that if we are not, those liberties may be, and likely will be, steadily surrendered to an ever more expansive government, and almost the popular purpose of greater security or safety. Many good examples are found among the State of Emergency Executive Orders issued with increased frequency by our Presidents, and by the Governors of our several States. |
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Which policies help and which hinder, unintentionally, the well-being of our children? Why are good intentions so often not sufficient, for good policy? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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Friday, February 19th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. |
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Why is financial literacy important for our students and their teachers to learn and exercise? Champlain College Director of Financial Literacy John Pelletier joins Bill to explain and to illustrate using Game Stock as an example of how markets work. |
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What can we learn from an experiment in the Winooski Schools to provide social services directly to students, with the aim of making it easier for them to learn, while improving their lives and the lives of their families? Winooski Superintendent Sean McMannon joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead. |
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Tuesday, February 16th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. Nick Murray, of the Maine Policy Institute, joins David Flemming and Bill to discuss how we can measure limitations on a Governor’s Emergency Power, and how Vermont ranks among the 50 States. |
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Is it necessary to “turn the screws” and “break the will” of those who use fossil fuels, as the Massachusetts Climate Czar is reported to have said recently? Or are persuasion, incentives, and growing more trees a better way, and more compatible with the ideals and values of a free society? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Friday, February 12th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. |
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What principles should guide Vermont tax policy, and what changes, if any, should we make to align our policy more closely with those principles? Paul Ralston joins Bill to explore. |
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What should be the policy priorities for Vermont agriculture in the year ahead, and what are the challenges and opportunities we strive to accomplish those priorities? Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to examine. |
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. We will continue our discussion of Monday, about what policies, in the last two decades, are factors in Vermont’s slower growth, compared with the nation as a whole, in jobs, income, and population. |
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As the Federal Government is poised to borrow and spend an additional $1.9 Trillion dollars, about $23,000 for a family of four, is now a good time to consider whether this is the best way to foster recovery in both the nation’s health and nation’s economy? Also, what is the meaning of political unity? Rob joins Bill to consider. |
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Friday, February 5th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. Today Rob joins Bill to discuss how best to make use of a $29 million Federal Allocation to Vermont for purposes of public transit. |
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What can we learn about the level and trend of median family income in Vermont? And what are the factors that affect median income, including newly released employment statistics? Art Woolf joins Bill to explain. |
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What are the Governor’s policy priorities for the year ahead, and what are the challenges and opportunities as his Administration strives to accomplish those priorities? The Governor’s Chief of Staff Jason Gibbs joins Bill to examine. |
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. We will continue our discussion of Monday, about what policies, in the last two decades, are factors in Vermont’s slower growth, compared with the nation as a whole, in jobs, income, and population. Today David joins Bill to examine the effects of the Pandemic on businesses and jobs. |
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Rob joins Bill to continue their review of proposed changes to Vermont’s tax structure. Particularly as it will affect the ability of the economy to grow, create jobs, and improve the well-being of our people. |
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. Today the proposed changes to the property tax. |
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As a new American President establishes his policy priorities, what should we know about China, her economy, government, and culture? Chris Barbieri joins Bill to explore. |
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 |
Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. We will continue our discussion of Monday, about what policies, in the last two decades, are factors in Vermont’s slower growth, compared with the nation as a whole, in jobs, income, and population. Today the proposed new tax on services. |
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What can we learn from history about the dangers of attempting to suppress or cancel politically unpopular expression and thought? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to examine. |
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What might concern us about the draft recommendations of the Vermont Tax Commission Report? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. |
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What should we know about the important role that working lands, and the people who work them, play in the Vermont rural economy, environment, and culture? And what should we know about the challenges and opportunities ahead? Farm Bureau President Joe Tisbert joins Bill to examine. |
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 |
Inauguration Day. No Common Sense Radio show today, as WDEV will broadcast live the Inauguration of Joe Biden as President. The events of this day exemplify one of the important hallmarks of the noble experiment in self-government, known as The United States of America – namely the peaceful transition of executive power. |
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Rob and Bill discuss the facts and proposals presented in the Public Assets Institute report, regarding the depressing state of Vermont's working class. |
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What can we learn from the last 30 years of Vermont history about whether a bigger role for government has improved the lives of our people and competitiveness of our businesses as they strive to grow, invest, hire, and pay taxes. Rob Roper joins Bill to consider, after commenting on the historic and disheartening events in the last two weeks, in Washington, DC., as we aim to improve our understanding of what happened, why, and the implications for us as individuals and as Constitutional Republic. |
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, government living within its means, and the health and wellbeing of the Vermont community. |
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What should we know about the performance of financial markets in the 2020, how that compares with past years, and what factors will determine performance the years, and the years ahead? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explore. |
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What proposals under consideration by our lawmakers in Montpelier will affect our cost of living, employment opportunities, and the proper balance between individual freedom and community interest? Guy Page and Bruce Shields examine. |
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Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper and David Flemming join Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. Today, taking a closer look at the 5th Amendment to the Constitution, particularly the importance of due process, the rule of law, and the right to own and use private property. |
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What three timely cases illustrate the importance of considering unintended consequences when evaluating choices in public policy: (1) Should the Congress impeach President Trump?; (2) What will be the effect on free speech and other liberties if social media is regulated like other media?; and (3) How does the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine show important differences in judging the proper role of government? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper joins Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. |
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On Vermont Gubernatorial Inauguration Day, what should we know about the history of Vermont Governors, and the role that an Inauguration Speech plays in describing the Governor’s vision of the future, and how to accomplish it? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to examine. |
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How are families and individuals making use of their stimulus checks, and what can we learn this experience about fiscal policy and federal debt? Art Woolf joins Bill to consider. |
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Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper joins Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. |
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With Congressional certification of the Electoral College imminent, what past Presidential elections were as close or closer than one in 2020, and what can we learn from them? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore |
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Friday, January 1st, 2021 |
No show today. New Year’s Day. Usually a day for friends, family, football, and when necessary for recovery from celebration the previous midnight, but this year is a little different.. More quiet, somber, and reflective. |
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2020 |
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Thursday, December 31st, 2020 |
With history as our guide, what are the most important lessons we can learn from our experiences in 2020, and how can we apply those lessons in 2021 and the years beyond? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to explore. |
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Vermont Agriculture: Yearend Review and Outlook. Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to consider? |
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper joins Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. |
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As our traditional Christmas Eve show was pre-empted by the Governor’s Press Conference, we bring it to you today: On Christmas Eve, what should we know about the connections between the Judeo-Christian values, and the ideals of a free and self-governing society? Bruce Shields joins Bill to examine. |
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Friday, December 25th, 2020 |
No show today. Christmas. A day to be with loved ones, in person and in spirit, and to remember our many blessings -- hope, peace, joy, and love. |
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On Christmas Eve, what should we know about the connections between the Judeo-Christian values, and the ideals of a free and self-governing society? Bruce Shields joins Bill to examine. |
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What are the challenges and opportunities ahead for Vermont’s farmers, and Vermont agriculture? Senator Bob Starr and Representative Harvey Smith join Bill to take a closer look. |
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’c1lock, and continuing past Noon, the Radio Show will not air today. However, at 11 o’clock you can watch Common Sense Video, the video counterpart of Common Sense Radio, via Face Book Live, as Rob Roper joins Bill to discuss public policies affecting the economy, the environment, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. |
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What factors will determine the nature of the compromise Pandemic Relief legislation today in Congress? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Bill asks Rob about what America has in common with other world powers in history that eventually dissolved. When prioritize outcomes above the health of institutions, we all suffer. |
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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 |
What is behavioral economics and what can we learn from it that will help us be better savers and investors, preparing for future expenses, unexpected and expected? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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How do we best grow the economy, with all the benefits that provides, while at the same time conserving our environment and sustaining our communities. Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore, joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to explore. Click here to view the Clean Water Portal. |
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(Video) Rob Roper joins Bill to discuss public policies affecting economic growth, affordability, competitiveness, tax and regulatory policy, and government living within its means. |
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After the Supreme Court declines to hear the last Constitutional challenge to the results of the November election, and an important Senatorial election looms in Georgia, what are the most important political lessons we can learn as a most unusual election year comes to a close? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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(Video). A new Pro TCI poll is bunk. Bill and Rob explain why. |
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What should we know about the 1619 Project, and what should we know about it that you won’t often hear? Peter Wood, author of ”1620: A Critical Response to the 1619 Project,” joins bill to take a closer look. |
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With the recent cyberattack at UVM Medical, what should we know about cybersecurity, and how best to achieve it? Entrepreneur, scholar, and author Tom Evslin joins Bill to explain. |
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(Video) Rob Roper joins Bill to interview Len Britton and Bradford Broyles about their newly released film, a satirical comedy, entitled ”Free Lunch Express,” about Vermont’s most famous socialist. |
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Monday, December 7th, 2020 |
Vermont property taxes, already among the highest in the nation, are projected to rise another 10 percent this year, about 5 times the rate of inflation. Why so high, and what can be done to slow the increase? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Friday, December 4th, 2020 |
(Video). Bill and Rob the potential 9% property tax hike and the need to reform Vermont's tax system. |
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How does our working landscape, and those who earn their living working it, benefit us all, as they sustain our rural economy, environment, character, and culture. Vermont Farm Bureau’s Jackie Folsom joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What can we learn about the contradictions between who is supposed to benefit and who actually benefits as new laws, regulations, policies, and programs are created and amended by government? John McClaughry joins Bill to explain. |
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Tuesday, December 1st, 2020 |
(Video) Bill and Rob discuss the SCOTUS religious liberty case, and why some might not have faith in the election process. |
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What was the Supreme Court decision last week regarding religious freedom, and why is it important to us all? Also, why in close elections is there an almost irresistible temptation for the losing side to believe there were mistakes and mischief, and why does this show the importance of in person voting whenever feasible? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 |
Due to Governor’s Press Conference on the Virus Pandemic, and on Policy Responses, starting at 11 o’clock, and continuing past Noon, the Show will not air today. |
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Thursday, November 26th, 2020 |
No Show on Thanksgiving Day. As we near the end of a strange and difficult year, a day to remember and be grateful for the many blessings of liberty that God has bestowed upon us, including the opportunity to live in a country that values and respects the natural tension between freedom and unity, and persistently strives to find the right balance between the two. |
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 |
What is the true story of the First Thanksgiving, Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore this question, and to explore other foundations of Thanksgiving – religious, historical, economic, and political. |
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 |
David Flemming joins Rob Roper and Bill to take a closer look at the downgrade in the outlook for the State of Vermont’s credit rating, the reasons for the downgrade, and the implications for State Government spending and borrowing, and for the Vermont economy. |
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Monday, November 23rd, 2020 |
What can we learn from the Election results, nationally and in Vermont, about the popularity of Carbon taxes? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. |
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Friday, November 20th, 2020 |
(Video) Rob and Bill Discuss Vermont's vulnerable electric grid and nuclear energy with Meredith Angwin. |
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What are our farmers doing to create a more sustainable food system, absorbing and storing carbon, while feeding the nation and much of the world? Debbie Borg, of US Farmers and Ranchers in Action, joins Bill to examine. |
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What are the unintended consequences of well-meaning, but overzealous, regulation of entrepreneurs striving to earn a living? Burlington landlord Ericka Redic joins Guy Page to illustrate with the example of rental housing in Burlington. |
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 |
Is Free Speech Under Attack? Bill and Rob Discuss |
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Why is freedom of speech a fundamental human right, essential to a self-governing free society; and how does the cancel culture threaten that freedom. Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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(Video) Rob joins Bill to discuss his appointment to the Vermont Legislative Apportionment Board, which makes recommendations the the Legislature for redrawing voting districts in the Vermont House and Senate for the 2022-30 elections. To find more info about the Apportionment Board you can visit the VT Secretary of State's website, with information about future meetings if you would like to participate. |
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Bill is joined by Rob Roper, they discuss our right to free speech - one of the fundamental parts of our consitution. Why is free speech so important if a free society is to survive? What is cancel culture and how does it threaten free speech? |
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On todays show, we examine the effects of the global pandemic and the role of the life sciences in responding, the innovations and discoveries which have been made. |
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(Video) Former Vermont Gubernatorial Candidate Dan Feliciano joins Bill and Rob to discuss how we can spot voter fraud using Benford’s Law. Dan also discusses the most common mistakes he sees small Vermont businesses making during the Covid era. |
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How do the recent National elections affect financial investments now and in the future? |
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(Video) - Rob and Bill discuss EAI's new poll on support or lack thereof for TCI |
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What is a business’s corporate culture, why is it important, and how is it shaped by tone and actions of the business leader? Win Smith, entrepreneur and author of “Catching Lightning in a Bottle: How Merrill Lynch Revolutionized the Financial World.” joins Bill to explain and to give examples. |
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David Flemming joins Bill to discuss the chances that unintentional mistakes by those who vote by mail could equal the number of similar mistakes in the Vermont Primaries this year, and what that could mean for our election outcomes. Later, Governor Phil Scott joins Bill to describe the Governor’s priorities, how he has addressed them, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. |
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(Video) - Journalist Guy Page joins EAI President Rob Roper and Common Sense host Bill Sayre to discuss the current state of news media in Vermont, |
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What are the three ways to spin economic statistics, and how will you see them employed, by both campaigns for President, in describing economic growth in the closing days before the election on November 4th? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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(Video) Global Warming Solutions Act. + |
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What should we know about the important opportunities and challenges ahead for the forests of Vermont and America? American Forests CEO Jad Daley joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn from Vermont’s newly released employment report about the outlook for the Vermont economy, job seekers, job holders, and job creators? Art Woolf joins Bill to evaluate. |
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(Video) Mail in Ballots, early voting and fraud. + |
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Has Vermont’s highly progressive tax structure, designed to make the cost of government fall more fairly on our people, have the unintended consequence of making our cost of living higher than average, and our wages and salaries lower than average? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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What should know about the International Dark-Sky Association, and their efforts to reduce light pollution, and make it easier for us all to observe and appreciate the stars in the night sky? Association Executive Director Ruskin Hartley joins George Rieger and Bill to take a closer look. |
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Is it really true, as some say, that only the rich benefit from a rising stock market? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to examine. |
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If the filibuster were eliminated in the United States Senate, will the effect be to make both the Senate and the Supreme Court more closely resemble the House of Representatives? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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What actions, often unrecognized, have our farmers taken to improvement the quality of our Vermont streams, rivers, and Lakes? Champlain Valley Farmers Coalition President Brian Kemp joins Bill to explore.
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Why is it important keep do our best to open, restore, and grow the economy, safely, is important not just for our economic wellbeing, but also for our health, our environment, and our government. Entrepreneur Andrew Puzder joins Bill to review.
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What are some of the profound changes in our Constitutional government are at risk if the filibuster rule is eliminated by the United States Senate? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain.
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What should we know about the key issues facing Vermont agriculture, and the people who earn their living from our working farms and forests? Vermont Farm Bureau President Joe Tisbert joins Bill to explain. |
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Does the drop in Vermont’s unemployment rate conceal underlying problems in our job market? Art Woolf and Bill take a closer look. |
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What can we learn from California’s about how the Global Warming Solutions Act likely will mean in Vermont for our electricity costs and reliability, for wood stoves, for farm tractors, logging skidders, construction equipment, trucks of all kinds, and now, gasoline powered automobiles? Rob Roper considers.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 |
What should we know about the people who earn their living producing hard working Vermonters who produce maple syrup, and the challenges and opportunities before them. Vermont Sugar Makers’ Association Executive Director Hope Allison, UVM Extension’s Maple Specialist Mark Isselhardt, and USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Wendy Wilton all join Bill to take a closer look. |
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Is raising the minimum wage the best way to improve earnings for low income workers, and reduce their reliance on government assistance programs? Tom Evslin and John McClaughry join Bill to examine. |
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Is it possible to have errors of 1 percent in Universal Voting by Mail, as ballots are mailed, unsolicited, to every name on the voter checklist? If that happens, what are the potential consequences for the integrity of affected elections in Vermont, and in the Nation? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain.
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Why is financial literacy more important than ever to the people of Vermont, as we weather the economic storm caused by the coronavirus global pandemic. John Pelletier, Director of Financial Literacy at Champlain College, joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Could the destructive wildfires in the western United States have been foreseen when harvesting on national forests was severely restricted starting 30 years ago? Guy Page and Bruce Shields examine. |
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Monday, September 14th, 2020 |
If it is a Vermont environmental goal is to reduce Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere, why is the Global Warming Solutions Act the wrong way to do so? And what is a better way? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 |
As the Legislative Session nears an end, in this year of global pandemic, unprecedented in the last 100 years, what should be the priorities for Vermont agriculture, and all those who benefit from our rural economy, environment, and culture. Senator Bobby Starr joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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As stock market indexes near or exceed all time highs, what should we know about how these indexes are calculated, what price earnings ratios are, and the connections between market indexes and the economy? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explore. |
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On the national holiday to honor American labor, how do policies meant to help labor, sometimes have unintended consequences with the exact opposite effect. Rob Roper joins Bill to explain.
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As we strive to foresee the future of the Vermont economy, what will happen to job creation, government budgets, family income, and our population? Art Woolf joins Bill to explore. |
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What lessons can we learn from the experiences and wisdom of Calvin Coolidge that will help us understand and address public policy challenges that we face today? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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As more families choose home schooling, accelerating the decline in public school enrollment, are there ways we can slow the growth in public school spending, and thereby, slow the growth in property taxes? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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How has the pandemic affected the dairy farmers of Vermont and New England, and how have they and all the markets that depend on the milk they produce, adapted t sustain, and when possible, increase, demand for dairy products. New England Dairy’s Michael DeAngelis joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 |
What are Vermont’s environmental priorities, have they changed as a result of the global pandemic, and how do we best accomplish these priorities? Vermont Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to examine. |
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As we pursue the goal of making it easier for voters to cast their ballots this November, could the unintended consequence be to disqualify many of those ballots, and thereby disenfranchise voters who cast them? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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How has the virus pandemic affected the Chittenden County region, the part of Vermont where economic and population growth are strongest, and what can we learn from their experience that will help the rest of Vermont? Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce’s Tom Torti joins Bill to explain. |
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 |
What should be Vermont public policy priorities in the midst of the virus pandemic, as many of our businesses struggle to recover from a steep recession, and as job seekers struggle to find work, and also as massive deficits loom in both Federal and State budgets? Paul Ralston joins Bill to explore. Later, Governor Phil Scott joins the conversation to give his perspective on the same question. |
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As the Vermont economy recovers from the most sudden and deepest recession since the Panic of 1837, is now the time to be adding new regulatory burdens on job creators, job holders, and job seekers? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn about the USDA’s Farm Service’s assistance for Vermont farmers? Wendy Wilton, Director of USDA Farm Service in Vermont, joins Bill to describe. |
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What role do corporations play in creating opportunity and prosperity in a free society, for people as investors, as employees, and as customers. Also, how do declines in the value of the US dollar, relative to other currencies, affect the stock market? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explain. |
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As we observe ever greater limitations on the liberty of the Hong Kong people, what can we learn about disturbing changes underway in mainland China, and about how those changes may affect us in Vermont and America. Vermont’s China expert, Chris Barbieri, joins Bill to consider. |
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Is the Vermont housing market stronger than we might expect in the midst of a global pandemic? How could that be? Attorney Fred Peet and economist Art Woolf join Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about the Northwestern Vermont economy, particularly manufacturers, and the role they play in creating opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont? Using the tools and ideas of financial literacy, Frank Cioffi joins Bill to explain. |
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What have we learned from recent experiments in universal vote by mail – in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania? Also, how should we decide when and how schools should reopen? Rob Roper joins Bill to evaluate. |
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What should we know about agritourism in Vermont, and related opportunities and challenges, particularly in a time of global pandemic? Liberty Hill Farm’s Beth Kennett joins Bill to explore. |
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Are recent policies and practices of the Securities and Exchange Commission an example of regulatory excess, that go well beyond what the Constitution allows. George Rieger joins Bill to explain. |
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As the pandemic forced millions of families to practice homeschooling, what have we learned that will make homeschooling more effective and more attractive to families in the future? Retta Dunlap joins Rob Roper to consider. |
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 |
How has the virus pandemic affected pension reserves for Vermont school teachers and state employees? Using tools of financial literacy, David Coates joins Bill to examine. |
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How do we decide when it makes sense to get four year college degree, and when there are better options? The Fordham Institute’s Amber Norther, joins Bill to explore the findings of their new report, What you Make Depends on Where You Live: College Earnings Across States and Metropolitan Areas. |
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What recent Supreme Court case removed one of the chief obstacles to giving more school choice to more families in Vermont and in America? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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How has the pandemic affected Vermont’s Ski Industry, and how do we all benefit as the industry recovers? Also, which government policies will help, and which will hurt, our economic recovery? Sugarbush Resort’s Win Smith joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What challenges does the Coronavirus Pandemic create for both Vermont State Revenue, and Vermont State spending? Chief of Staff Jason Gibbs joins Bill to explain. Later, Vermont Chamber President Betsy Bishop joins Bill to discuss the health of the economy, as her members see it, and the Chamber’s policy priorities. |
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How much does mass mailing of absentee ballots elevate the risk of voter fraud? And Is there a better way? Jason Snead, of the Honest Elections Project, joins Rob Roper to examine. |
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What are the important issues facing Vermont’s farmers, the land they work, and all those who depend upon them. Senator Bobby Starr joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we know about current demographic trends, and how they will affect opportunity for the Vermont people, competitiveness for Vermont business, tax base, and the demand for public services? Art Woolf joins Bill to explore. |
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 |
As we celebrate and honor our independence as a nation, and the principles on which it was founded, what can we learn from Calvin Coolidge, Frederick Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln as they did the same? Guy Page joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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How will the Global Warming Solutions Act, newly passed by the Legislature, affect freedom of choice for the Vermont people, and the competitiveness of Vermont business? John McClaughry joins Bill to explore. |
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Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 |
What is it about the legal structure of a corporation that makes the stock market work both as a place for growing companies to raise capital and as a place for ordinary American to invest their savings? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explain. |
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What individual liberties, enshrined the Bill of Rights, have we surrendered, at least temporarily, for the sake of community safety and security during the pandemic? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine the tradeoffs, and whether we are finding the right balance. Later they are joined by John Klar to further explore the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and an upcoming Independence Day celebration on the Statehouse lawn. |
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How has the pandemic affected Vermont’s Ski Industry, and how do we all benefit as the industry recovers? Sugarbush Resort’s Win Smith joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What should we know about the popular theory that Christianity is an early form of socialism? Lawrence Reed, renown libertarian and author of Was Jesus a Socialist?, joins Bill to explore. |
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How is Vermont’s dairy industry fairing through the pandemic, and what can we do to improve the situation? Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Alyson Eastman, and Agency General Counsel Steven Collier join Bill to take a examine. |
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Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 |
Freedom and Unity. Striving to understand the pain, the frustrations, and the fears of those whose experiences are different than our own – balancing individual liberty with community interest – in a time of global pandemic, economic crisis, and racial tension? Guy Page joins Bill to explore. |
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Thursday, March 12th, 2020 |
What should we know about a proposed Constitutional Amendment that would greatly endanger our traditional freedoms, and thereby, the blessings of liberty? John McClaughry and Bill explain |
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2020 |
What should we know about John Klar, and what he believes should be the priorities for our State government? John Klar joins Bill to explore. |
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 |
Did you realize that global Carbon Dioxide emissions were flat in 2019? And what is most effective and efficient way to close the gap between Carbon Dioxide emissions and absorptions? Tom Evslin and Bill examine. |
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Monday, March 9th, 2020 |
Why is the right to own private property an essential liberty in a free society, and what legislative proposals in Montpelier would diminish that right? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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How much has the standard of living improved since 1800 for the typical person living in a developed nation, and what is the single most important force propelling this improvement? Professor Deirdre McCloskey joins Bill to explore. |
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What does the latest jobs report tell us about Vermont’s demographic crisis, and how it will evolve into a fiscal crisis if current trends continue? Art Woolf and Bill examine. |
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How should we know about how the Corona Virus may affect your personal financial investment strategy, and financial markets generally? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What proposed legislation will affect those who earn their living by harvesting, transporting, or adding value to the product of the working landscape? Ed Larson and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn about the China’s economy, politics, and their struggle with the corona virus? Chris Barbieri joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we know about the parallels between modern environmentalism and medieval religion? Bruce Shields and Bill explore. |
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How can we use the tools of financial literacy to understand the looming crisis in how we will pay pensions and post-retirement insurance for our teachers and state employees? David Coates joins Bill to examine. |
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How will advances in technology affect the way Vermonters live and work in the future? Asher Crispe joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What can we learn about the challenges and opportunities before Vermont agriculture, including both our farmers and the land they own and work. USDA’s Vermont Farm Service Director Wendy Wilton joins Bill to review. |
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What can we learn from a Vermont small businessman who is also a Town Selectman about how Legislative proposals will affect his business and his Town Government? Chris Viens joins Rob Roper and Bill to explain. |
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What proposed legislation will raise the cost of doing business for our entrepreneurs, and make it more difficult for them to grow, hire, and invest? Guy Page joins Bill to explore. |
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Is the Legislature that wants to hold the Executive Branch accountable for reaching Carbon Emission goals, the same Legislature that is unwilling to hold themselves accountable for the disruptive ways in which those goals would be achieved? John McClaughry joins Bill to explain. |
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What can we learn from the Utah experience about how to reverse our demographic crisis, grow the economy, and create jobs? Todd Bingham, President of the Utah Manufacturers Association, joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Could it be that Vermont as a state is already Carbon Neutral? Tom Evslin joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we, and our Legislators, know about a proposed law that will give the government immense new powers to change how we live, the cost of living, and our ability to earn a living. Rob Roper joins Bill and Bill to review. |
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What are the key challenges facing Vermont businesses as they attempt to grow, hire, and invest? The Vermont Chamber’s Betsy Bishop joins Bill to review. |
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What can we learn from the experiences of a former Governor, about the importance of government living within its means, even when, perhaps especially when, the economy is prosperous? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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In what ways will the spread of the Corona Virus affect the stock market? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to consider. |
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Is there a way to reverse declining school populations, and at the same time, lighten the burden on those paying school taxes? Campaign for Vermont’s Pat McDonald joins Bill to explain. |
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Did you know that we spend, through taxes and fees, more than $200 million a year on initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions? Are we getting our money’s worth? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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Why is economic growth important to improving the lives of our people, and what policies help or hinder the ability of the economy to grow? Art Woolf joins Bill to consider. |
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What should we know about proposed reforms in Act 250 that will affect the cost of living for our people, and the cost of doing business for our entrepreneurs. Guy Page joins Bill to review. |
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What innovations can reduce the cost of education, while improving student performance? Brad Ferland and Asher Crispe join Bill to evaluate. Later, Governor Phil Scott joins Bill to consider why it is important for government to live within its means if we want to grow the economy, make the cost of living more affordable for our people, and the cost of doing business more affordable for our job creators. |
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What is the Global Warming Solutions Act, and what should we know about what the solutions would be, how much they would cost, and who would pay for them? John McClaughry joins Bill to examine. |
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How will two popular pieces of legislation – paid leave and higher minimum wage – hurt the very people who were intended to be helped? And what is a better way? Rob Roper joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What should we know about the harmful effects on mental health of high potency Marijuana? MD Psychiatrist Libby Stuyt joins Bill to describe. |
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Broadcasting live from the Vermont Farm Show, Bill interviews leaders in Vermont agriculture. Vermont Agricultural Development Director Sarah Isham and Vermont 2 Plus 2 Student Louise Terwilliger. |
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Broadcasting live from the Vermont Farm Show, Bill interviews leaders in Vermont agriculture. Yankee Farm Credit Senior VP of lending, Chris Bessette and Breanna de Smit, representing Vermont Future Farmers of America. |
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Broadcasting live from the Vermont Farm Show, Bill interviews leaders in Vermont agriculture. Show Manager Jackie Folsom, Show President and Sheep Association President David Martin, Dairy Farmer Peter Briggs, and Vermont Woodlands Association Director Kathleen Wanner. |
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What important efforts are underway in the State Treasurer’s Office to improve the financial literacy of our young people, and people of all ages? State Treasurer Beth Pearce joins Bill to explain. |
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What are the chief challenges and opportunities for Vermont farmers, and the rural economy, environment, and culture from which we all benefit? Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to examine. |
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What is important to understand about the complex issue of civil liberty in our justice system, including our prison system? Civil Libertarian Robert Appel joins Bill to explore. |
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How can we best improve financial literacy among Vermont students, and how can those students employ what they learn to understand whether there are adequate reserves to pay the pensions of retired teachers and State employees? Champlain College’s Director of Financial Literacy John Pelletier joins Bill to explain. |
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How does Vermont’s demographic crisis elevate the risk of a fiscal crisis for our State Government? Art Woolf joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What four legislative proposals, intended to help working Vermonters, likely will have, on balance, just the opposite effect. Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What does a new report tell us about the fiscal health of Vermont’s towns. David Flemming joins Bill to examine. |
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How do we decide and achieve the right balance between wellbeing of children and the rights and responsibilities of their parents? Brad Ferland and Asher Crispe join Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about a new proposal to reform Act 250, a proposal supported by both the Governor and a leading Environmental Group? Guy Page and Bruce Shields take a closer look. |
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With health care insurance costs rising rapidly, what can we learn from Singapore’s system of paying for health care? John McClaughry joins Bill to explain. |
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What is the Global Warming Solutions Act, and how will affect our job holders, job seekers, and job creators? Rob Roper joins Bill to review |
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Are there opportunities to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that deserve more careful investigation than they have gotten? Tom Evslin and Bill explore. |
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What should be the priority policy issues for the Legislature in the session upcoming? Campaign for Vermont’s and Vote for Vermont’s Pat McDonald joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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How will the stock market react to whether tensions between Iran and the United States escalate or deescalate? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn from careful study of history that will help us understand the longstanding tribal and religious tensions in the Middle East? Bruce Shields joins Bill to consider. |
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What is the Legislature proposing that will raise the cost of living for the Vermont people, and the cost of doing business for Vermont entrepreneurs and other job creators? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What are the chief public policy issues facing Vermont agriculture in the year ahead? Senate Ag. Chairman Bob Starr joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What should we understand when evaluating education quality in Vermont? Art Woolf and Bill consider. |
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Wednesday, January 1st , 2020 |
No show on New Year’s Day. A day to spend family and friends, perhaps watching football, perhaps reflecting upon the year behind us, and also the year ahead of us. |
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2019 |
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What is the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), and what can we learn about how it will affect us at home and at work? John McClaughry and Bill examine. |
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What is the Legislature proposing that will raise the cost of living for the Vermont people, and the cost of doing business for Vermont entrepreneurs and other job creators? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What are the chief factors affecting the competitiveness of Vermont businesses in national and global markets, and their ability to grow, hire, and invest? John Goodrich and Bill explain. |
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What public policies affect the cost of living for the Vermont people, and the cost of doing business for Vermont entrepreneurs and other job creators? Guy Page and Bill consider. |
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Wednesday, December 25th, 2019 |
No show on Christmas Day. A day to spend with your family, and to let your heart be filled hope, joy, peace, and love. |
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What should we know about the history of Christmas in America, and it’s role in reconciling individual liberty with the proper role of government in society? Bruce Shields and Bill explore. |
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What are the major public policy issues affecting Vermont’s working forests, and the people who earn their living from the product of those forests? Ed Larson and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn about how the economic well being for the middle-income families has improved greatly as the economy has grown? Art Woolf and Bill review. |
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As Christmas shopping reaches a crescendo, what should we know about Vermont retailing. Erin Sigrist, of the the Retail and Grocers Association, joins Chris Barbieri to explore. |
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Should the State of Vermont force small schools to close? Or is there a better way to control costs? David Kelley and Bill take a closer look. |
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What should we know about the gap between the utopian ideal of socialism, and the reality? John McClaughry and Bill examine. |
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Should we be surprised that school consolidation, under Act 46, has made so little progress in controlling education costs, and the property taxes to pay those costs? Rob Roper and Bill explain. |
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What issues under consideration by the Legislature will affect the competitiveness of Vermont job creators, and thereby the well being of Vermont job holders and job seekers? Guy Page and Bill take a closer look. |
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What important policy issues affect our Vermont farmers, and the rural economy, environment, and culture which affect us all? Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to examine. |
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How can emotion affect personal investment decision making? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to consider. |
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What are the key environmental policy priorities for Vermont, and how can we make progress achieving them, without making it harder for people to afford to live in Vermont, and harder for our businesses to compete in national and global markets? Julie Moore, Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, joins Bill to explain. |
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Should the Electoral College be abolished? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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With Vermont property taxes already among the highest in the nation, why are they project to rise another 6 percent, about 3 times the rate of inflation? The Vermont Tax Department’s Craig Bolio and Jake Feldman, join Chief of Staff Jason Gibbs and Bill to take a closer look. |
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When government mandates that all employers must provide a particular benefit to all employees, how do we decide if that is more fair, or less fair, than allowing each employer to decide for themselves? Art Woolf and Bill explain. |
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With Vermont school costs and property taxes among the highest of any state in the nation, are more mergers, some by force, the answer, or is there a better way? John McClaughry joins Bill to explore. |
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What should be the priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session, and why so? Former Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn from marketing research about how to name a controversial idea for which we want to build and sustain popular support. Rob Roper joins Bill to illustrate with examples in current-day public policy. |
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What more can we learn about the meaning of Thanksgiving, and the important role of gratitude in sustaining the ideals of a free society. Matthew Strong and Bill explore. |
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Thursday, November 28th, 2019 |
Thanksgiving Day. No show today. A time to be with family and friends, and to count the many blessings which have been bestowed upon us by our Creator, by our founders, and by all their successors who ever since have strived to secure the blessings of liberty and justice for all. |
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What should we know about the true story of America’s first Thanksgiving, and how the Pilgrims discovered the importance of private property in creating prosperity and opportunity for their community, and for our nation? Bruce Shields joins Bill explain. |
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What criteria can help us decide when government should intervene to control the choices that individuals make in their personal lives? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What is financial literacy, and how can we use the tools of financial literacy to understand the state of our economy? Art Woolf joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we know about a Climate Change policy proposal created by retired senior officials who worked for previous Republican Presidents. Middlebury College’s Jon Isham joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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How does Vermont’s business tax climate rank among the 50 states, and what must we do to improve our ranking? .. David Flemming and Bill review the analysis by National Tax Foundation. |
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How do Vermont electricity costs compare with those in other states of the union, and what accounts for the differences? Guy Page joins Bill to examine. |
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The tale of two Climates, Business and Environmental, compatible or conflicting? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What is Travels with Charlie and how will it help us learn to discuss controversial policy issues in a civil and respectful manner? Travels with Charlie Co-creators Bradley Ferland and Asher Crispe join Bill to explore. |
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As the snow falls and the temperature drops, it’s a good time to remember the important role of our ski industry in Vermont’s economy, environment, and culture? Sugarbush’s Win Smith joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What should we know about how best to save and invest, so that we have the resources to pay for unexpected expenses, and to have adequate income for retirement? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to review. |
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What do national rankings tell us about the quality and cost of Vermont education, compared with other states? Art Woolf joins Bill to examine. Later, Gov. Phil Scott joins Bill to consider his policy priorities are for State government, and how best to accomplish them. |
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What is the Transportation Climate Initiative, and why will it be a leading issue for both the environmental and the business climates in the upcoming Legislative Session? John McClaughry and Bill explain. |
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We are the land of the free because we are the home of the brave. Honoring our Veterans, Guy Page and David Flemming explore. |
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What is important to know about another of Vermont’s native sons who became President? John Pafford, author of Chester Arthur: The Accidental President, joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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How do our working forests, and the people who work them, improve wildlife and songbird habitat, improve water and air quality, and reduce our carbon footprint? Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Ed Larson and Bruce Shields explain. |
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Who are the future leaders of Vermont business, government, and non-profits? John Boutin joins Bill to interview three winners of Vermont Business Magazine’s Rising Star Awards: Abbie Corse of Corse Family Farm; Rachel Allard of Union Street Media; and Evan Carlson of Do North Coworking. |
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What are the chief challenges and opportunities before Vermont agriculture, and the farmers who are so critical to sustaining Vermont’s working rural landscape. Harvey Smith and Bill consider. |
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What are some widely believed myths about the economy, and how do they differ from reality? Art Woolf and Bill take a closer look. |
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How should we define energy burden, and how is it connected to more efficient use of energy at home and at work? Efficiency Vermont’s Kelly Lucci joins Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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What lessons can we in Vermont learn from the California’s experience with regulating the environment, energy, and other parts of the economy. John McClaughry joins Bill to examine. |
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What accounts for the natural resilience of our two major political parties, making it unlikely that either with disappear any time soon? Scholar Michael Barone, author of How America’s Political Parties Change (And How They Don’t), joins Bill to explain. |
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What can we learn about the importance of a friendly business climate in Vermont, as Ever Ready Battery closes its factory in Bennington? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What is the Vermont Traditions Coalition, and how do they help sustain the values, the culture, the livelihoods of those who live, work, and recreate as part of Vermont’s working forests and farms. Executive Director Mike Covey joins Bill to explain. |
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What can we learn from the surprising and humorous stories told by our retired Vermont Fish and Game Wardens? Author Megan Price joins Bill to discuss the newly released volume of her book, Vermont Wild. |
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What proposed energy and environmental legislation will affect the cost of living for our people and the cost of doing business for our job creators. Journalist Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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What is causing health insurance costs to rise so rapidly, and which policies will help slow the rise, and which will not. Jason Gibbs, Governor Scott’s Chief of Staff, and Bill review. |
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What should we know about voluntary and cooperative self-regulation, which quite often is more effective and less costly than government regulation, as well as more reflective of what people value. Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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As the trade war with China continues, and also with continuing protests in Hong Kong, what should we know about Chinese history, culture, politics, and the economy. Chris Barbieri joins Bill to examine. |
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What should we know about the costs and benefits of proposed universal child care? Ali Richards, of the Permanent Fund and Let’s Grow Kids, joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti, and Bill, to take a closer look.. |
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Is it time to rethink Vermont health care reform? John McClaughry and Bill explain. |
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As Vermont’s population ceases to grow, who is leaving Vermont, where are they going, and why? And what can we do to remedy the situation? |
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How will proposed Carbon Taxes affect you at home, at work, and while driving. Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What should we know about the history, heritage, and culture of the world famous Vermont Granite. Vermont Granite Museum Director Scott McLaughlin joins Bill to explain. |
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Why are manufacturers important to creating opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont, and what is being done to help Vermont manufacturers to become efficient and to find talent, so that they continue to be competitive in global markets. Vermont Manufacturing Extension’s Bob Zider, and Vermont Technical College’s Pat Moulton, join Bill to review. |
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How much of the total return in the stock market is from the best performing 4 percent of stocks, and what are the implications of this remarkable statistic? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill take a closer look. |
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What can we learn from one who has earned his living in Vermont’s working forests about how best to sustain our rural economy, environment, and culture? Logger, author, and storyteller Bill Torrey joins Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about how stricter restrictions on mineral extraction, i.e. mining, make it more difficult and less likely that we will reduce our carbon footprint? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What memories, experiences, and beliefs cause you to feel good about America, and give you hope for the future, in our nation’s continuing noble experiment in self-government? St. Michael’s Robert Letovsky and Bill explore. |
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What is the outlook for the economy, and how do economic trends affect financial markets? Key Bank’s National Director of Portfolio Strategy, Brett Hilliard, joins Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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How is one of Vermont’s leading ski areas helping their employees with affordable housing and transportation? Sugarbush CEO Win Smith joins Bill to explain. |
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What underestimated factor may make it difficult for food biodigesters to succeed in their goal of producing renewable energy? Guy Page joins Bill to examine. |
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What should we know about the work of Department of Motor Vehicles, and how it affects our vehicles, our driving, and our safety? Motor Vehicle Commissioner Wanda Minoli joins Chris Barbieri to review. |
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Is the shortfall in our pensions for our State employees and local teachers greater than we think? Champlain College’s John Pelletier and Bill take a closer look. |
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Broadcasting live from the Manufacturing Expo, Bill interviews the Vermont Chamber’s Chris Carrigan and other exhibitors about the important role that our manufacturers play in creating opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont. |
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As the earth’s climate continues its long history of constant change, what should we know about the causes and consequences of that change? And what should we do in response? Entrepreneur and innovator Tom Evslin and Bill explore. |
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What can we learn from our experiences during the strong economy of 2007, that might help us find the right policies today on government spending and taxation? Then Governor Jim Douglas joins Bill to review. |
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What do taxpayer migration patterns tell us about the effect of high taxes on where people live? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn from the history that will help us better understand how a global climate strike will affect our politics, economy, and culture? Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about the important, but often unrecognized, responsibilities of our State Treasurer in protecting and promoting the financial integrity of our State Government. State Treasurer Beth Pearce joins Tom Torti and Bill to review. |
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What are the chief policy priorities for our Governor, and how well have we done in accomplishing those priorities? Governor Phil Scott joins Bill to examine. |
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As our job creators struggle to find qualified employees, what can we do to increase the size and skill of our workforce? Rene Laberge joins Bill to take a closer look |
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How does Medicaid health insurance impose a hidden tax on private health insurance and the people and businesses that pay for private health insurance. Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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Who are Vermont’s fastest growing companies, and what has made them successful? Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin and Key Bank’s Don Baker join Bill for a conversation with three award winners. |
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Broadcasting live from the Tunbridge World’s Fair, Bill interviews Steve Webster and other exhibitors and attendees about the traditions and heritage of one of Vermont’s premier agricultural fairs. |
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What guidelines should we follow to evaluate how well our savings are preparing us for retirement and other large expenses we may we face in the future. One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill consider. |
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What are the chief priorities for our Agency of Natural Resource, how will they accomplish them? Agency Secretary Julie Moore joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What can we learn from the experiences of a first year lawmaker in Montpelier, about how new law, regulation, and public policy are created? Representative Chris Bates and Rob Roper join Bill to describe. |
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Is there a disconnect between science and science-based policy? Guy Page and Bill explore. |
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What should we know about the work of the Secretary of State, particularly in protecting the security and integrity of the voting process in Vermont? Secretary of State Jim Condos joins Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What factors will determine Vermont’s energy future? Avram Patt joins Chris Barbieri to consider. |
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With the cost of educating our Vermont children, and the property taxes to pay those costs, among the highest of any state in the nation, is there a better way, hiding in plain sight? John Goodrich and Bill explain. |
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Monday, September 2nd, 2019 |
No.Show today, as WDEV covers the Labor Day Parade in Northfield, which this year honors the 200th Anniversary of Norwich University. |
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What are some under-rated but important policy issues affecting Vermont and her people? Jason Gibbs, Chief of Staff for the Governor, joins Bill to explore. |
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What are the challenges and opportunities facing Vermont’s working forests, and the people who work them? Bruce Shields and Ed Larson join Bill to take a closer look. |
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Are we in the midst of a real life experiment demonstrating how restricting free trade among nations, diminishes the economic well being of the people, and increases the risks of conflict. Dan Feliciano and Bill explain.. |
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What factors, some within our control, others not, are putting our rural communities in peril? Paul Ralston and Bill examine. |
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What role should our schools play in encouraging and facilitating political activism among their students? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Why is the cost of educating our Vermont school children so much higher than that in other states with whom we compete for job creators and job seekers? And what can we do to make our costs more competitive? Art Woolf and Bill examine. |
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Can we use energy at home and at work in ways that both save money and are better for the environment too? Efficiency Vermont’s Rebecca Foster joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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Is it true that Brattleboro is facing unexpected social and economic problems — including store closings, homelessness, and abandoned, dilapidated homes, sometime inhabited by those overtaken by drug addiction? Is this evidence of why it is important to grow the economy, and to create an economic environment in which businesses want to grow, invest, and hire? Guy Page joins Bill to explore. |
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What is the Index of Economic Freedom, and how can it help us understand the connection between prosperity and the economic freedom. Matthew Strong joins Bill to explain. |
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As one prominent, young Vermonter moves to North Carolina, and another to Wisconsin, might we ask if the business climates in those two states makes them a more attractive as a place to live and and to build a career? Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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What is most important to know about our forests, and the benefits they provide to our economy, our environment, and our culture? American Forests’ CEO Jad Daly joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to explain. |
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What are the chief challenges and opportunities facing Vermont farmers and the working landscape in which they live, and from which they earn their living? Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Alyson Audet Eastman joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What is an inverted yield curve, and why do some economists think it portends a recession in the not too distant future? And, on the day of the largest stock market decline thus far this year, how can you lessen the effect of such losses by diversifying the kinds of investments you make? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill explore. |
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How will we pay for maintaining Vermont’s roads and bridges when an ever great proportion of our gasoline tax funded Transportation budget is going to encourage people to use electric vehicles, who of course, don’t pay gas taxes, and when people who prefer gas fueled cars are trading their older cars for newer ones that get more miles per gallon? John McClaughry and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn from the ongoing work in Vermont’s rural communities about how to improve economic opportunity for people who live there, while sustaining Vermont’s environment and rural culture? Broadcasting live from the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Annual Conference on Leadership, Bill interviews speakers and participants, including Megan Camp, Jenna Koloski, Monique Priestley, Sarah Waring, and Jay Hooper. |
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What does the recently released State Revenue Report tell us about the health of the economy? Art Woolf and Bill explain. |
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How do we help prepare our young people, and people of all ages who are seeking jobs, to be part of the workforce of the future? Frank Cioffii joins Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What does Freedom and Unity, our Vermont State Motto, mean to us today, and how can it help us better understand one other when we look across the political divide? Bill Schubart joins Bill to examine. |
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What should we know about Chinese economics, politics, and culture that could be helpful in understanding and resolving the trade tensions between our country and theirs? Chris Barbieri and Bill explore. |
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What is the better way to retain and attract young people to our state – child care subsidies and more mandated employee benefits, or lower taxes and a faster growing economy? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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How can improve the safety of our Vermont loggers, and in so doing, improve the sustainability of our working forests, and all the economic and environmental benefits those forests provide. Sam Lincoln and Bill explore. |
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What are the principal threats to election security, and how do we best address those threats? Secretary of State Jim Condos joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What new laws, under deliberation by the Legislature, will affect the cost of living for our people, and the cost of doing business for our job creators? Matthew Strong and Guy Page examine. |
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What changes in federal regulation over health care and health insurance will foster more and better choices for patients, more competitive pricing among providers, while sustaining quality and access for all. Dr.Josh Umbehr joins Bill to review. |
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What is the Tax Payer Bill of Rights, and how does it help government live within its means, and the people to prosper? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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Why is it important to have a thriving private sector economy, if we are to improve the lives of our job holders, job seekers, and all others in our communities who benefit when businesses hire, invest, and grow. The Vermont Chamber’s Betsy Bishop and Charles Martin join Bill to explore. |
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What is policy entrepreneurship, and how can it help us understand and solve difficult environmental and social problems? Paul Ralston and Bill take a closer look. |
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Wednesday, July 24th, 2019 |
Red Sox Baseball today. Conversation with Sec. Julie Moore will be rescheduled. What are the chief environmental issues facing Vermont, and what are we doing to understand and address them? Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore joins Bill to examine. |
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Why do excessive tax burdens, despite the best of intentions, tend to harm prosperity and opportunity for our people at home and at work. Americans for Tax Reform’s Patrick Gleason and Bill explain. |
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What nationwide Presidential campaign is learning about the difficulties that businesses face when forced to comply with a mandated minimum cash wage? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What is Block Chain, i.e., Distributed Ledger, Technology and how is it affecting the way business will be done in the future? John Burton and Bill explore. |
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How far behind are we in funding the pensions and retirement health care for our Teachers and State employees, and what can we do to start closing the gap? David Coates and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is ESG Investing, and is it the best way to harness the strength of your investments to pursue socially responsible goals? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill explain. |
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What should we know about the longer term trends in housing markets, including trends in housing prices? Malcolm Stewart, publisher of The Informed Vermonter, joins Bill to review. |
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Is it possible to sustain the freedoms enumerated in our American Bill of Rights if a large portions of our voting population don’t know what they are nor what they mean? Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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What legislation and regulation under consideration in Montpelier will affect the cost of living for the Vermont people and the cost of doing business for Vermont businesses. Guy Page and Bill review. |
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How can travel and tourism businesses combine their efforts to market their region as a place for travelers to visit, dine, and enjoy. Tom Carton, of the Burlington Regional Marketing Organization, joins Tom Torti and Bill to explain. |
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How will proposed legislation mandating higher wages and benefits affect Vermont small businesses, the jobs they create, and the taxes they pay? Dan Feliciano joins Bill to examine. . |
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What are the keys to an entrepreneur’s success, and thereby, to helping grow the Vermont economy, creating opportunity and prosperity for the Vermont People. UVM Professor of Entrepreneurship, Erik Monsen, joins Bill to explore. |
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Is it possible to honor Betsy Ross, and the American flag commissioned by George Washington, and still be opposed to slavery? Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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What is the natural goodness that we find in our young people, and how do we help them become even better, as they prepare to succeed in an every rapidly changing world of the future? Rene LeBerge joins Bill to explain. |
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Thursday, July 4th, 2019 |
Independence Day. No Show today. A day to celebrate and honor America’s Independence from monarchy, marking the beginning of the noble experiment in self-government, known as The United States of America. |
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What should we know about Declaration of Independence, and the ideas it embodies that were revolutionary then, and remain so today? Bruce Shields joins Bill examine. |
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What can we learn from the controversy in Oregon over a proposed carbon tax there, and how it affected those who live and work in rural areas. John McClaughry and Bill evaluate. Later, John and Bill discuss recent changes in health care regulations that help to promote greater choice for patients, and greater competition among providers. |
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What is civil forfeiture, and why should its expanded use concern us all? David Flemming and Bill review. Later, David and Bill discuss recent Supreme Court decisions that show a subtle but profound shift in Court philosophy to more closely reflect the original intent of our Constitution, and the ideals of a free society. |
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What should we know about the big issues affecting housing in Vermont? Attorney Fred Peet and Economist Art Woolf join Bill to explore. |
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Why is the price of milk so low, how does this affect the vibrancy of our rural communities, and what can be done to correct the situation? Bobby Starr, Chair of the Senate Ag. Committee, joins Bill to examine. |
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What are the risks to the Vermont and American economies, if the trade war with China does not end soon? Chris Barbieri and Bill take a closer look. Later, Secretary of Administration Susanne Young and Bill consider how best to grow the economy, make the cost of living affordable for our people, and the cost of doing business affordable our job creators, while protecting the most vulnerable among us. |
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What can we learn about how to reconcile the tensions between reason and faith? The Acton Institute’s Samuel Gregg, author of Reason, Faith, and the Struggle for Western Civilization, joins Bill to explain. Later, Meg Hansen and Bill discuss how best to address the opiate crisis in Vermont. |
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What two Supreme Court Cases, decided last week, show a subtle but profound shift in philosophy to more closely reflect the original intent of our Constitution, and the ideals of a free society. Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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What is the Medical Monitoring bill that passed the Legislature, and why did so many job creators ask the Governor to veto it? Central Vermont Chamber’s Bill Moore and Bill explain. |
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What is BTV Ignite, and how does foster prosperity and opportunity by helping new entrepreneurs with high speed, high capacity internet? BTV Ignite’s new Director, Adam Roof, joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to examine. |
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What policies should State Government follow if we want our economy to grow, our job creators to hire, our people to afford to live here, and our government to live within its means, while caring for the most vulnerable? Former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill take a closer look. |
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What Legislation that passed in the Session just completed, will have the greatest effect on us at home, and at work? Guy Page and Bill review. |
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What lessons do our young people learn from the consequences they receive from disrupting a public event, whether it be a parade, a speech, or a legislative debate. Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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What is the Vermont River Conservancy, and what role does it play in helping to sustain Vermont’s environment, while at the same time respecting traditional land uses and opportunities for economic growth and development. Executive Director Steve Libby and Bill examine |
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What little known statistics should we know to tell properly the story of why tourism is important to Vermont’s economy and to the Vermont brand? Travel and Tourism Commissioner Wendy Knight joins Chris Barbieri to explore. |
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What is Project Learning Tree, and how does it help our young people learn about the importance of working forests, and the people who work them, to our environment, economy, and heritage? Bruce Shields and Ed Larson, leaders in the Vermont Sustainable Forestry Initiative, explain. |
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Who are Vermont’s Small Businesses of the Year, and what can we learn from them about how best to create opportunity and prosperity for their customers, their people, and for the people of Vermont. Steve Gagnor of 14th Star Brewing, and other winners, Michael Ly, Lisa and James Myers, join Darcy Carter of the Small Business Administration, John Boutin of Vermont Business Magazine, and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What responsibilities do school teachers have to help their students understand both sides of controversial issues, before encouraging them to engage in protests, particularly protests disruptive to public meetings or other public events? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What should we know about how media has changed, why, and how it will continue to change in the years ahead? Louie Manno and Tom Beardsley join Bill to explore. |
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What is the role of non-profit enterprise in sustaining our economy and our communities? Scott McArdle and Tere Gade join Tom Torti and Bill to review. |
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How is it that newly imposed tariffs almost always start a trade war in which everybody loses? Dan Cunningham and Bill explain. |
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What should we know about markets for Vermont dairy products, and how those markets affect Vermont farmers, and us all? Agency of Agriculture’s Laura Ginsburg and Bill take a closer look. Later Vermont Farm Bureau’s Jackie Folsom and Bill discuss other Vermont Legislation that affects farmers and our rural economy. |
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As the 75th Anniversary of D-Day approaches, why is it important for our young people, and us all, to learn the history of our nation and the principles on which we were founded? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. |
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What can we learn from the deliberations of the Legislative Session just completed? Paul Ralston and Bill consider. |
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What important policy issues affecting Vermont and her people deserve a more careful review than they customarily get in newspapers or other media? Bruce Shields and Guy Page examine. |
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How can more efficient use of energy improve our lives at home and at work? Tom Torti and Bill are joined by a representative of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation to explain. |
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How do culture and history help explain our American belief in the importance of individual freedom? What happens to America if we take our freedoms for granted, and gradually loose them? What can each of do to defend and promote our freedoms, so that future generations may enjoy them too? John Goodrich and Bill take a closer look. |
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Monday, May 27th, 2019 |
Memorial Day. No radio show. Today is a day to remember all our American heroes who gave their last full measure of devotion to defend our nation and the freedoms we all are blessed to enjoy. We also remember those heroes who have returned home injured, many times in ways that are not outwardly visible. And we remember our first responder heroes, who were lost or injured, protecting us from peril in our communities throughout the land. |
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What does the latest jobs report tell us about our economy, our government, and our future? Art Woolf and Bill explore. Later, Art and Bill take a closer look at the latest report on State tax revenue. |
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 |
Red Sox Baseball. No Common Sense Radio today. |
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As our young people spend more time connecting through social media to a digital world, are they disconnecting from family, traditional social institutions, and nature? University of Southern California’s Julie Albright joins Bill to discuss her new book, “Left to their Own Devices: How Digital Natives Are Reshaping the American Dream. |
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Remembering the wit and wisdom of John Mitchell, and his warning about the threat to prosperity and opportunity if government grows too big, and individual liberty too limited. John McClaughry and Bill recall. |
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As our Legislators prepare to return to their homes throughout Vermont, what new taxes and regulations are ahead for Vermont families and businesses? Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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What should we know about lobbying in Vermont? Joe Choquette III joins Chris Barbieri to explore. Later Chris helps us learn more about our network of highways and roads, and how decisions are made to repair and maintain them. |
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What are the chief energy and environmental issues facing Vermont, and how do we best address them? Guy Page and Jt Dodge take a closer look. |
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What are Estate Taxes, and what makes them controversial? Dan Cunningham and Bill explain. |
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What should we know about the cost of health insurance, and its connection to the cost of health care? Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Don George joins Bill to examine. |
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How we best balance the benefits and the risks of life saving drugs and other chemicals intended to improve the lives of the American people. Karluss Thomas joins David Flemming and Bill to evaluate. Later David and Bill examine the effect of proposed tax increases on job creators and other investors who help grow the economy. |
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How are Vermont farmers making use of cover crops and no till planting to improve water quality in our streams, rivers, and lakes? UVM Extension’s Kirsten Workman and Bill examine. |
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Why is the Tourism and Hospitality Industry important to the Vermont economy and the Vermont brand? Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Wendy Knight joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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How can we help our schoolchildren learn to understand and appreciate the important role of trees and forests in sustaining our environment and rural character, as well as products and services that we use every day? Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Project Learning Tree Leaders, Bruce Shields and Ed Larson, explain. |
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What are the best ways to grow the economy, lift standards of living for our people, and make Vermont more affordable for families and job creators. Pat McDonald and Bill explore. |
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How will a proposed increase in capital gains taxes affect Vermont small businesses and businesses of all sizes that create jobs or own real estate, as well as all those who own stocks? Rob Roper and Bill examine. |
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What legislation affecting you at home and at work, is likely to pass before the Legislature adjourns for this year? Guy Page and Matthew Strong examine. |
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Is it possible that banning plastic bags will make it harder, not easier, to achieve environmental goals? Art Woolf and Bill take a closer look. |
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What strategies should small businesses consider if they want to succeed? Dan Feliciano joins Bill to explore. |
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Do we fully appreciate how it is that woodlands, beautiful and natural, become our homes, the furniture within them, and the energy to heat them? Christine McGowan, of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, joins Bill to explain. |
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What proposals before the Legislature threaten to make Vermont less affordable for our people, while also making it more difficult for Vermont businesses to create jobs? Rob Roper and Matthew Strong review. |
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What should we know about innovations in agriculture, such as robotic milking, that our helping our Vermont farmers compete in a highly competitive, and rapidly changing, global economy? Addison County farmer Peter Briggs joins Bill to take a closer look. Later, Vermont Farm Bureau President Joe Tisbert and Bill evaluate proposed new laws that will affect farmers and thereby affect us all. |
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What are the major long term challenges and opportunities facing Vermont, her economy, her environment, her culture, and her people? Former Speaker of the House, Shap Smith, joins Tom Torti and Bill Sayre to examine. |
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When, if ever, should our Colleges and Universities disinvite guest speakers who will present controversial ideas, disliked by some on campus who threaten to block the presentation and the debate that follows, through disruptive, even violent behavior? Former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill explore. |
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How can we use free market principles to protect the environment while growing the economy and improving lives? Renown free market environmentalist R.J. Smith and Bill explain. |
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Why is market regulation of general contractors — relying upon contractor reputation, competition, and the willingness of customers to check references — a less costly, less cumbersome, and more effective effective way to protect consumers than through government licensing? Mark Higley and Rob Roper join Bill to illustrate. |
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Does State tax policy encourage high income individuals and families to leave Vermont, taking their tax dollars with them? Champlain College’s John Pelletier joins Bill to explore. |
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How can we use the ideas of free market environmentalism to accomplish environmental goals more effectively and at less cost, than can be accomplished through regulation that prescribes the processes that people and businesses must follow to achieve those environmental goals. Bruce Shields and Guy Page consider. |
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What should we know about our working forests, and about the people who earn their living by growing, managing, harvesting, and adding value to the product of those forests? Timo and Markus Bradley join Bill to explain. |
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What can we learn about the role of the Ski Industry in exporting memorable experiences with visitors to Vermont, and creating opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont? Sugarbush CEO Win Smith and Bill take a closer look. Later, Meg Hansen and Bill review changes in health care policy that will affect you at home and at work. |
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Monday, April 15th, 2019 |
No Show Today. Today is Patriot’s Day, so the Boston Red Sox pregame show preempts Common Sense Radio. |
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How did our founders discover that government inevitably will strive to restrict ever further the freedom of individuals, unless individuals strive to limit the power of government? John McClaughry and Bill explain. |
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What is the hidden face of homelessness in Vermont? The Committee on Temporary Shelter’s Becky Holt joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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What is the idea of a nudge, and how can it help encourage people to make better financial choices, but still leave the final decision in their hands? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill explore. |
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What is ranked choice voting, and how might it affect the future of Vermont elections? Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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What will be the consequences for Vermont job seekers, job creators, and job holders from the new taxes and regulations being created by our Legislature? Matthew Strong joins Rob Roper to review. |
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What should we know about the newly launched Long Falls Paperboard Company, and how it will contribute to opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont. Long Falls Paperboard’s Ben Rankin joins Bill to explain. |
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What is the role of US Attorney Civil Division in ensuring that Vermont businesses properly honor their responsibilities to their customers, their employees, and to the general public. And similarly our responsibilities to each other, as individuals. District of Vermont US Attorney Civil Division Director Julia Torti joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look |
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Broadcasting live from the Central Vermont job fair, Bill is joined by Doug Gahn, Jim Cressey, and Jamie Stewart to review the challenges and opportunities for Vermont job creators as they aim to find new employees, and Vermont job seekers as they aim to find new employment. |
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If our Legislators prohibit association health insurance plans, are they putting small businesses at a competitive disadvantage to large businesses? The Vermont Chamber’s Betsy Bishop and Bill examine. |
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Should you be free to use plastic bags, instead of paper or cloth, if you so desire? Or should the government decide for you? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about new technologies in energy storage and carbon capture, Jason Gibbs, the Governor’s representative to the Global Energy Summit, joins Bill by phone from the Conference to review. Later Meg Hansen and Bill examine little understood, but quite important, health care reforms underway in Montpelier. |
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What is the under-appreciated role of high tech industry in the Vermont economy, and how can it help arrest and reverse Vermont’s decline in the number of young individuals and the families they might otherwise start? Brandthropoly’s Matt Dodds and Bill explore. |
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What should we know about the Farm Service Administration, and its work to help Vermont farmers succeed? FSA Administrator Wendy Wilton joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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Why is it important to look beyond good intentions when testing for good policy? Matthew Strong and Bill explain. |
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What does it appear that the long awaited Mueller Report will say about collusion between Russia and the Trump Campaign for President? Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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What should we know about the rapid advance in energy storage technology and the role of a Vermont company in propelling that advance. Dynapower’s Adam Knudsen joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What key issues before the Vermont Legislature will affect you at home and at work? Guy Page and Matthew Strong review. |
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What proposed changes in state law and regulation will affect the cost of living for our people and the cost of doing business for our job creating enterprises. Ed Larson and Bill Moore examine. |
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What about Vermont demographics should we understand if we want our economy to grow, and our people to afford the cost of living here. Art Woolf and Bill explain. |
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Are carbon taxes resting in peace, or lying in wait? John McClaughry joins Bill to explore. Later, Meg Hansen and Bill consider little understood health care reforms under deliberation in the Legislature. |
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What is the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and how do they help improve the lives of our people, and the communities in which they live and work. Council Director Paul Costello and Bill examine. |
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Are there ways to save energy while reducing the cost of living for our people and the cost of doing business for our job creators? Rebecca Foster, of Vermont Energy Investment Corp., joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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How do companies best distribute value to their shareholders — dividends or stock buybacks? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill evaluate. |
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What should we know about the Vermont State Budget, and can we say that our State Government is living within its means? Vermont Finance Commissioner Adam Greshin and Bill take a closer look. |
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Should the 2nd freedom guaranteed in the Bill of Rights be further restricted in Vermont? Rob Roper and Bill Moore join Bill to consider. |
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Is there a relationship between how free a society is, and how prosperous it is? Bruce Shields and Guy Page explain. |
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Why is it that socialist proposals, at least on the surface, seem so helpful to people, and free market proposals seems so harsh, while in reality, just the opposite is often the case? Matthew Strong and Bill explore. |
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What Legislation under consideration in Montpelier will affect our working farms and forests, and the people who earn their living from them? Ed Larson and Bill take a closer look. |
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Can we improve the affordability of housing in Vermont by reducing regulatory burdens? Ali and Nick Zaiac join Bill to examine. |
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What questions are important to ask of your legislators at Town Meeting? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What are the environmental priorities for Vermont, and how do we best address them? Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to consider. |
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Why is it important for Vermont business leaders to learn from leaders in other parts of the world about other cultures, and opportunities to better understand one another, to cooperate, and to improve the lives of all. Vermont Council on World Affairs Executive Director Patricia Preston joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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What are examples of when the unintended consequences of public policy offset and overwhelm the stated purposes of such policy? Dan Feliciano and Bill take a closer look |
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Is income inequality increasing, or does it all depend on how we measure it? Art Woolf and Bill explain. |
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Will the Legislature’s proposed changes to Act 250 impede our goals to grow population, jobs, and the economy? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What is the best way to ensure that our teachers and State employees have adequate retirement funds? And how much tax revenue are we losing from as Vermonters move to other states? David Coates and Bill explain. |
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How can two people from opposite ends of the political spectrum find common ground, and when they cannot, strive to understand one another, the the assumptions we make, and how and why we reach different conclusions. Bill Schubart and Bill explore. |
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What are the priorities for the Legislature, and how will they affect us at home and at work? Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn about Vermont’s role in the Civil War from the experiences of a 14 year old volunteer from Grafton? Author Tom Fontaine, who also teaches at Kurn Hattin School, joins Terry Gulick and Bill to consider. |
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Were you aware that our Legislature is proposing a new payroll tax of more than $100 million, when Vermont already has one of the highest tax burdens of any state in the nation? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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What is a Certificate of Need, and how does it affect health care access, cost, and quality? Mercatus Center’s Matt Mitchell joins Bill to explore. |
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What are the most important issues facing the Vermont Legislature this year, and how do they affect Vermont job creators? Lake Champlain Chamber’s Austin Davis and Tom Torti join Bill to review. |
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Honoring the life and legacy of Jack Bogle, Dan Cunningham and Bill explain how his idea of index funds has revolutionized the financial services industry? |
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What is a new, non-traditional approach to helping people pay for health care, which holds the potential of substantially lower costs and equal quality for many families and individuals? Dan Treat explains, with Bill. |
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What is the New Green Deal, and how will it affect our cost of living and cost of doing buiness? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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What are the most important public policy challenges facing our nation and our state, and what is the key to addressing them successfully? Former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is one of most important factors, often under recognized, in sustaining our working forest economy, and the many environmental benefits that rest upon it? Sam Lincoln and Bill take a explain. |
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Why are economic, political, and religious freedoms so closely connected, today and throughout history? Bruce Shields joins Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about middle class income in Vermont? Art Woolf and Bill review. Later, John McClaughry joins Bill to examine the legislative report on reducing Vermont’s carbon footprint. |
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Has Act 46 succeed in restraining the cost of education, while preserving opportunities for school choice? Rob Roper joins Bill to evaluate. |
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What Legislative Issues create the greatest concern for Vermont businesses who want to grow the economy, create jobs, and invest in new technologies and equipment. The Central Vermont Chamber’s Bill Moore and Bill review, focusing on proposals for government mandated wages and benefits. |
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Live from the Vermont Farm Show, the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill interview Harold Howrigan and Kiersten Bourgeois of St. Albans Creamery, and Chris Bessette of the Yankee Farm Credit for a closer look at those businesses who provide markets for farm products, or who provide services to farm producers. |
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Live from the Vermont Farm Show, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts joins Bill to examine the challenges and opportunities before Vermont farmers, their land, and their communities. They are joined by Chris Hill of Lely Robotic Milking Systems, and Amanda Voyer of the Vermont Sugar Makers’ Association. |
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Live from the Vermont Farm Show, with the help of Laurence C. Jost, aka LCJ, Ron Paquette and Terry Gulick join Bill to describe the role of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity in producing Agricultural Leaders in Vermont and America. Later they are joined by Vermont Woodlands Association’s Kathleen Wanner to learn about the work and the people of her organization. |
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How do the people who earn their living from our working forests, benefit the Vermont economy, environment, and community. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Ed Larson joins Bill to explore. |
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What does the United Van Lines analysis of their customer moving patterns tell us about migration patterns in Vermont? UCLA’s Michael Stoll joins Bill to explain. Later, Susanne Young joins Bill to take a closer look at the Governor’s Budget, which he unveiled the previous day. |
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What should we know about the economy, culture, and government of Cuba, especially about how the people there benefit as markets and capitalism emerge from a socialist economy. Art Woolf, who has returned from a recent visit to Cuba, joins Bill to explore. |
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What can we learn from the work of Hubbard Brook Research Center that will help us understand and improve water quality in Lake Champlain? Bruce Shields and Guy Page examine. Later, Bruce and Guy review legislative proposals to increase the cost of living for those who make their home in rural areas of Vermont. |
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What are the barriers to economic growth, job growth, and affordable living costs in Vermont. Critical Process Systems’ CEO Paul Frascoia and Bill evaluate. |
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Are there ways to accomplish social goals, improving the lives of our people, without raising taxes or fees? Rob Roper joins Bill to review. |
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How will proposed Act 250 reforms affect the divide between urban and rural cultures in Vermont? John McClaughry and Bill explain. Later Meg Hansen joins Bill to test the evidence as to whether we have entered a modern feudal age. |
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What should we know about the commercial real estate market, and what it tells us about the health of the Vermont economy? Brad Worthen joins Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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How will All-Payer Health Care affect wait times for Vermont health care patients, particularly Medicare patients? Louis Meyers joins Bill to examine. |
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How do we best prepare our young people for the opportunities of the future, while at the same time, helping our entrepreneurs and other businesses find the skills and talents they require to grow and prosper? Professor Jim Black and Bill take a closer look. |
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What will be the Legislative priorities this coming Session, and what are the unintended consequences? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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Are most Vermont schools trapped in the technologies and methods of the past? Why is school choice a way to break through the barriers to improvement, and create the best opportunities for our children to prepare for a rapidly changing future? Brad Ferland and Asher Crispe join Bill to explain. |
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How have new technologies and changing markets affected paper making in the Northeast, and in turn affected forestland ownership patterns, and the forest products industry? Bruce Shields and Mathew Strong examine. |
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How do we best understand stock market performance in 2018? Dan Cunningham and Bill take a closer look. |
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What should we know about Vermont health insurance and other employee benefits, and their effect on our job seekers, job holders, and job creators? Hickok and Boardman’s Michael Kilfoyle and Bill explore. |
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Why will those protesting the Carbon Tax this week in Montpelier, be wearing yellow jackets? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider the reasons. |
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What can we learn from one of Vermont’s leading energy entrepreneurs about his industry, and about how he has succeeded in a Vermont’s challenging business climate. Brian Evans-Mongeon, of Utility Services Inc, joins Bill to explain |
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What can we learn from our young professionals about how the Vermont brand must continue to evolve, to keep the Vermont economy competitive, attractive, and growing? The Lake Champlain Chamber’s Erin Bombard, Victoria Colarusso, and Tom Torti join Bill to explore. |
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What should we know about Vermont labor markets – what’s the good news, the not so good news, and what can we do to help? Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle and Labor Department Economist Mathew Barewicz join Bill to take a closer look. |
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Tuesday, January 1st, 2019 |
No show on New Year’s Day. A day to reflect on what we have learned from the year just passed, and what we will learn in the year ahead. Oh yes, and perhaps also to watch some good football games with family and friends. |
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2018 |
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Should we impose a carbon tax on families and individuals as they drive to work or to get groceries, or take their children to school. And a carbon tax on farmers, loggers, and on those who deliver steel, electronic equipment, wholesale food, and Amazon boxes? John McClaughry and Bill examine. Later Meg Hansen joins Bill to consider the consequences for Vermont and other States of a Federal Court ruling that declares the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. |
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How will reforms of Act 250, proposed by a Legislative Summer Committee, affect those who work or live in rural areas? Guy Page and Bill take a closer look. |
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What should we know about Wildlife Management in Vermont? Commissioner Louis Porter and Wildlife Director Mark Scott join Bill to explain. |
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Why was religious freedom important to our nation’s founders, and why is it important to us today? Bruce Shields and Bill explore. |
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 |
No show on Christmas Day. A day to honor and celebrate the traditions of Christmas, with hope, love, joy, and peace. And to remember the reason for the season. |
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Have politically correct criticisms of Christmas traditions gone too far? Rob Roper joins Bill to examine. Later, Bill reviews how the economy affects the stock market, and how the stock market affects the economy. |
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How will government mandated minimum wages affect our small businesses, the jobs they create, and the people who seeking to hold those jobs? St. Michaels Professor Robert Letovsky and Bill examine. |
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Thursday, December 20th, 2018 |
How does the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center help improve the efficiency and competitiveness of our Vermont job creators? Karl Swanke joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Cathy Davis and Bill to explain. |
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What is Smart Growth, and do Smart Growth regulations unduly restrict landowner property rights? Curtis Carpenter and Bill explore. |
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What are some of the key factors that determine the success of a working farm and the farmer who works it? UVM Extension Service’s Jenn Colby and Bill take a closer look. |
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Is there evidence that the political tide is turning in favor of school choice for families and their children? Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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What is the outlook for the Ski Season, and it’s important contribution to Vermont economy? Sugarbush Resort’s Win Smith joins Bill to take a closer look. Later, Jason Gibbs joins Bill to discuss the Administration’s priorities in the upcoming Legislation Session and what it will take to accomplish them. |
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Joel Najman joins Chris Barbieri to remember the history of Rock n’ Roll, and the profound effect it has had on American culture. |
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What factors cause volatility in the stock market, and are their effects predictable, or only visible after the fact? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill explore. |
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What are the major public policy issues facing Vermont farmers, and therefore affecting all of us who benefit from the rural economy, environment, and culture. Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbitts and Bill examine. Later Cary Giguere and Stephanie Smith join Bill to discuss Vermont’s emerging hemp industry. |
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What can we learn about subsidizing commuter rail in Vermont, from similar proposals, funded by taxes on fossil fuels, in France? Rob Roper and Bill explain. |
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What the chief factors affecting health care cost, availability, and quality, and what should we be doing to turn those factors for the better? Meg Hansen and Bill review. |
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How do we improve Vermont water quality, at a price affordable for our people and our businesses? Ernie Pomerleau and Warren Coleman join Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti, and Bill to explore. |
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How do we best sustain Vermont’s working forests, and the people who work them? Ed Larson, Bruce Shields, and Bill take a closer look. |
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What are the important challenges facing our Vermont farmers, and therefore affecting all of us who benefit from the rural economy, environment, and culture. Farm Bureau President Joe Tisbert and Bill examine. |
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Remembering George H.W. Bush. Also what can we learn from carbon taxes in France and tariffs in China, that will affect families and businesses in Vermont. Rob Roper and Bill explain. |
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How will a Carbon Tax affect Vermont families and businesses. Vermont Fuel Dealers Association’s Matt Cota and Chris Barbieri review. |
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How can we remove phosphorus from Lake Champlain in a way that is both effective and affordable. Warren Coleman joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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What are the likely priorities for the new Legislature? John McClaughry and Bill examine. Later, Art Woolf and Bill consider whether recent statistics on Vermont employment give us a window into Vermont’s future. |
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What was the ethics scandal that challenged the integrity of the Vermont judiciary in the late 1980s? Bill interviews Jim Dunn, author of Breach of Trust, for the answer. |
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What can we learn from the forest fires in California about why property taxes are so high in Vermont? Rob Roper joins Bill to explain. |
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Why should we be grateful at Thanksgiving and always? Matthew Strong and Bill explore. |
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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 |
No show today. Take time to give thanks for the many blessings our creator has bestowed upon us, Including the blessings of liberty, who our founders believed a Constitutional Republic could secure. |
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Why is Thanksgiving important to our history, our culture, and to perpetuating the ideals of a free society? Also, what is the little known but true story of the First Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock? Robert Maynard and Bill explain. |
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What do the elections mean for energy policy in Vermont and America? Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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What are the pros and cons of giving substantial government subsidies to Amazon for locating their new headquarters in New York and Virginia? Rob Roper joins Bill to consider. |
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How do the Vermont Scouts help prepare our young people become the future leaders of Vermont? Scout Executive Ed McCollin and Bill describe. |
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What are the most important agricultural issues facing the legislature this coming Session? Harvey Smith joins Bill to explain. |
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Has the stock market been volatile this year, by historical standards, and if so, what does it mean for sound investment strategy? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham joins Bill to explain. |
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What should we know about the work of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation? Former Governor Jim Douglas interviews Foundation leaders Amity Shlaes and Matt Denhart for an update. Later, Governor Douglas is joined by Steve Perkins of the Vermont Historical Society, to discuss the mission of the Society, and how they accomplish it. |
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How can we use free market principles to understand and solve public policy problems? Rob Roper demonstrates. |
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What do the election results tell us about the cultural divide between urban and rural America. Bruce Shields and Bill consider. |
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What should we know about the best ways to weatherize our homes, to keep warm and save energy this winter? Representatives of Efficiency Vermont and Waterbury’s Energy Committee join Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to explain. |
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Who are the Rising Stars in Vermont business, and how are they making Vermont a better place to live and work? Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin, and Bill take a closer look. |
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As Vermont’s election cycle comes to a close, what should we know about the rules and regulations governing contributions to political campaigns? Informed Vermonter author Malcolm Steward and Bill examine. |
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What are the issues that are most important to you in deciding how to vote in the elections on Tuesday? Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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Friday, November 2nd, 2018 |
What should we know about the factors that will determine the future of the Coventry Landfill? Casella’s Joe Gay and Bill examine |
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Thursday, November 1st, 2018 |
What is the mission of the Energy Action Network, and how do they aim to accomplish it? EAN’s Jared Duval joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill to take a closer look. |
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How do we make the cost of living more affordable for our people, the cost doing business more affordable for our job creators, and thereby, grow household income at a faster pace? Central Vermont Chamber’s Bill Moore and Bill explain. |
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Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 |
Why was the State of Vermont’s credit rating get lowered, what does it mean for us, and what must we do to restore It? David Coates and Bill review. |
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 |
Can government social support programs help the vulnerable and those in need, without creating a dependency that stifles individual initiative, self-reliance, and personal responsibility. Rob Roper joins Bill to explore. |
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Can a government mandate that every household must buy health insurance, cause an income transfer from people with modest incomes to people with high incomes? John McClaughry and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is Financial Wellness and why is it important to Vermonters? Key Bank’s Joe McGowan and Joe Luciano join Lake Champlain Chamber’s Catherine Davis and Bill to explain. |
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How do we measure the poverty level in Vermont, and are we making progress in reducing poverty among our people? UVM Economist Art Woolf and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn from a leading Vermont business about what it takes to compete successfully in national and global markets? Revision Military’s Greg Maquire and Bill take a closer look. |
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Can government social support programs be designed to help the vulnerable and those in need, without creating dependency, that stifles individual initiative and responsibility. Rob Roper explores. |
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What is the difference between a Democracy and a Constitutional Republic? Why is it important to understand how the Constitution protects individual liberty by separating and limiting the power of government? The Vermont Traditions Coalition Bill Moore and Bill explain. |
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What is the Vermont Tech Jam and why is it important to all those in Vermont who care about innovation, new technology, and career growth? Seven Days’ Cathy Resmer and Bill review. |
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What is forest fragmentation, what are the reasons for it, and what are the best ways to discourage it? Vermont Natural Resources Council’s Jamey Fidel joins Bill to explore. |
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Are there new energy systems that both have fewer emissions and are less costly to operate? Is it important to allow people to make their own choices as to the type of energy they use, or should the government decide for them? Matthew Strong and Guy Page take a closer look. |
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How are our opinions about history, current events, and political activism affected by what we see and hear from the media. Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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What is the Vermont Talent Pipeline, and how does it improve opportunity career opportunities for our young people, and the skills that our businesses require? Vermont Business Roundtable’s Mary Anne Sheahan and Bill examine. |
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Does a government mandate requiring individuals to buy health insurance have the unintended consequence of reducing access to health care, and increasing the cost of insurance. Meg Hansen and Bill explain. |
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What factors affect the stock market, the bond market, and the economy? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill review. |
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What are the key ingredients to building a successful business in Vermont? Twincraft Skincare CEO Peter Asch joins Bill to take a closer look. |
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What can we learn from our recent experience with the Kavanaugh nomination to the Supreme Court about the Constitution, political decision making, and tribal divisions. Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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Why is manufacturing important to the Vermont economy, and to the well being of all Vermonters? On National Manufacturing Day, Bob Zider and Patricia Giavara join Bill examine. |
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What role does forestry certification, such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, play in keeping Vermont woodlands both productive and healthy. Ed Larson, Bruce Shields, and Bill take a closer look. |
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What can we learn from one of Vermont’s most successful businesses about the best way to create opportunity and prosperity for the Vermont people? Chroma Technology’s Paul Millman joins Bruce Lisman and Bill to explain. |
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What are the priority issues that our next Legislature and Governor must address? And, media bias: does it exist, and if so, how do we measure it? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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What does the future hold for Vermont’s communities? Broadcasting live from the Council on Rural Development’s Community Leadership Summit, at Castleton University, Bill interviews past, present, and future Vermont community leaders. Molly and Hank Lambert, and Tim Smith. |
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What are the latest developments in energy news, and in how we in Vermont can achieve energy that is affordable, reliable, and increasingly, renewable and low in carbon. Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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What is a co-living accelerator environment, and how can it help make Vermont a preferred destination for start-up entrepreneurs who can grow rapidly. Frank Koster, of Vermont Works, joins Tom Torti and Bill to explain. |
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What is democratic socialism, and what does it mean for the people who live and work under it? Art Woolf and Bill take a closer look. Later, Bill is joined by Ralph Peterson who shares lessons from his new book, and his life’s story, to show us how hope, determination, and resolve we can help us overcome obstacles to achieving our goals in life. |
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What is the effect on small communities of forced consolidation of Vermont schools. John McClaughry and Bill review. Later, Tom Schatz, of Citizens Against Government Waste, joins Bill to consider whether earmarks should be restored in the federal budget? |
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Is local control of education a politically popular illusion? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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What role do our State Colleges play in improving the opportunity for our people to learn, and for our businesses to find the skills they require to expand and grow in Vermont. State College Chancellor Jeb Spaulding and Bill examine. |
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How do we keep the economy growing when there are more job openings than there are job seekers? Campaign for Vermont’s Eric LaMontagne and Pat McDonald join Bill to take a closer look |
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How do we measure the performance of the Vermont economy, in producing opportunity and prosperity for our people, and what can we do to improve our performance? Vermont Teddy Bear’s Bill Shouldice and Bill review the work of the Vermont Futures Project. |
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What should we understand about the challenges facing Vermont dairy farmers, and how has one farm overcome those challenges. Jasper Hill Farm’s Mateo Kehler and Yankee Farm Credit’s Brenda Frank join Bill to explain. |
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Less restrictive rules on early voting, and absentee voting, make it more likely that potential voters will actually vote, but also perhaps, increase the risk of voter fraud? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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Broadcasting live from the Tunbridge World’s Fair, Peter Langrock joins Bill to reflect upon his decades of experiences in harness racing, applying the law, and defending individual liberty. Later, Champlain Valley Equipment’s Alonzo Blackmore and Bill discuss the importance of rural people, and the farmland and forestland from which they earn their living, to Vermont’s rural economy, environment, and community. |
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Why is free trade so important to the North American Economy? Greg Durocher, President of the Cambridge Ontario Chamber of Commerce, joins Tom Torti and Bill to explore. |
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What is the philosophy of regulatory humility, and how can we see it at work as internet freedom is restored? Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Ajat Pai, joins Bill to explain. Later, Dan Cunningham and Bill continue their discussion of how the choices we make affect our income in retirement. |
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Who are the fastest growing businesses in Vermont, and what makes them grow so fast? Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin and Bill review. |
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As trade tensions escalate, including proposed new tariffs on American farm products, what can be done to help our American farmers? Vermont USDA Farm Service Director, Wendy Wilton, and Bill take a closer look. |
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Do we have adequate reserves to pay future pensions for Vermont teachers and State employees? And if not, what should we do to correct the situation? David Coates and Bill explore. |
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What is the Manufacturer’s Expo, and what does it tell us about the importance of industry to Vermont’s growth in income, employment, and productivity. The Vermont Chamber’ Chris Carrigan and Bill examine. |
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Wednesday, September 5th 2018 |
As trade tensions rise between Canada and the United States, how do we sustain our belief in free trade. St Michaels Professor Robert Letovsky and Bill review. Then at 11:25 AM, Red Sox Baseball from WDEV Radio Vermont. |
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What threatens the core wellness of our first responders, and what can we do to help them? Pastor Bill Elwell and Clinician Lori Gurney join Bill to explain. |
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Monday, September 3rd, 2018 |
Labor Day. No show today. A day to honor and remember all those who have labored to build better lives for their families, and better communities for us all. |
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What do employment statistics tell us about the health of the Vermont economy? Art Woolf and Bill investigate. Later, the Tax Foundation’s Nicole Kaeding and Bill review how the changes in Federal Tax Law are affecting economic growth, capital investment, productivity, and employee income. |
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What is the creative economy, and what role does it play sustaining jobs and community in Vermont? Burlington City Arts Director Doreen Kraft, joins Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti, and Bill to examine. |
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How do we best achieve affordable, high quality health care in Vermont? Physician Louis Meyers and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is sustainable innovation in business, and what role does it play as future leaders prepare for the challenges and opportunities in business in the years ahead? UVM Grossman Business School Dean, Sanjay Sharma, joins Bill to explain. |
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Should there be limits on the right to free speech, and if so, who should decide what those limits should be? Rob Roper and Bill explore. Later Rob and Bill consider how small school districts can protect against forced merger, by adopting school choice. |
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What is the Community Leadership Summit, and what should we know about important changes underway in communities throughout Vermont? Council on Rural Development’s Paul Costello reviews with Bill. |
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With low milk prices, dry cropland, and new regulatory burdens, Vermont’s dairy farmers are facing their greatest challenges in many years. How do we together overcome these obstacles, and find a pathway to prosperity? The Farm Bureau’s Jackie Folsom and Bill examine. |
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 |
How does the rapid pace of innovation in energy storage, generation, use affect our leading electric utility and the people of Vermont, at home and at work? Green Mountain Power CEO Mary Powell joins Bill to explain. |
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What are culture wars, what causes them, and is there hope for resolving them amicably? Author Bill Schubart and Bill take a closer look. |
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Should there be limits on the right to free speech, and if so, how should we decide what those limits should be? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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How will the emerging trade war with Canada affect us here in Vermont? St. Michael’s College’s Robert Letovsky and Bill take a closer look. |
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How do we best help our businesses to use energy efficiently? Vermont Energy Investment Corp’s Paul Lambert joins Lake Champlain’s Tom Torti and Bill explore. |
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What are most important challenges and opportunities facing Vermont’s working forests, and the people who earn their living from the product of those forests? Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation Commissioner Michael Snyder and Bill examine |
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With an update on energy news, Guy Page joins Bill to consider how we find the right balance of affordability, reliability, and renewability in the energy we use at home, at work, and in between the two? |
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What is Real Vermont News, and how will help us all to be better informed about the important issues facing Vermont and her people. Founder Bob Frenier joins Rob Roper to explain. |
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What is financial literacy, and why is it important to the future of our children, our economy and opportunity for all. Champlain College’s John Pelletier and Bill examine. |
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Should Act 250 be changed to further restrict property rights for rural landowners? John McClaughry and Bill consider the unintended consequences. Later, Mercatus Center’s Chuck Blahous joins Bill to explain how Single Payer Medicare for All would increase the federal budget by $3 trillion per year, and require a doubling of federal income taxes. |
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What choices we make will most affect the our income in retirement? Dan Cunningham and Bill explore. |
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What is it about our primary system in America that disfavors moderate candidates, in both parties, and contributes to division in Washington and State Capitols? And what is a simple and effective corrective action, which each of us can help accomplish. Tom Evslin and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is paternalism, and why does Vermont rank 49th among the 50 states in the index of freedom from paternalism? What must we do to improve our ranking? David Flemming and Bill investigate. |
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What should we know about Vermont grown meat, and how it gets from our farms to our kitchens, in a way that meets high quality standards, nourishes local food markets, and is respectful of the diverse cultures and religions of new Vermonters? Randy Quenneville, chief of the Ag Agencies meat division, joins Bill to explain. |
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How can we make our manufacturing plants and our offices more efficient and productive? Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center’s Karl Swanke, joins Tom Torti and Bill Sayre to examine. |
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What are the greatest threats to keeping our working forests working? And what are the greatest opportunities? Bruce Shields and Bill explore. |
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What should we know about the Nurses Strike at the UVM Medical Center, what should be done to resolve it, and how will it affect health care costs for the people of Vermont. UVM Medical Center President Eileen Whalen and Bill take a closer look. Later Art Woolf and Bill investigate why wages in Vermont are rising at about the rate of inflation, despite low unemployment, and what might happen to prices if wages begin to rise more rapidly. |
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What are the consequences, intended and unintended, of a carbon tax on the families and businesses of Vermont. Patrick Gleason, Rob Roper, and Bill consider. |
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Friday, July 27th, 2018 |
What are the most important public policy issues affecting the well being of the Vermont people, as individuals and as a community? Former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill review. |
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Thursday, July 26th, 2018 |
Are we making progress in the mission to understand and alleviate the opiate crisis in Vermont? Jolinda LaClair and Sara Byers, join Tom Torti and Bill to examine. |
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Do escalating tariffs threaten our economic recovery, with higher prices for what we buy and lower prices for what we sell? Jack McMullen and Bill explore. |
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What can we learn from two of Vermont’s leading entrepreneurs about what it takes to grow a business in Vermont, and thereby, to grow the Vermont economy by encouraging more businesses to make Vermont the place where they want to invest, grow, and hire. Creating our best chance at prosperity and opportunity for all. Tommy Harmon and Bruce Lisman join Bill to explain. |
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Why do local governments spend money more carefully than their state government, and state governments more carefully than the federal government. Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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How can it be that we have young people in Vermont who believe they must move to another State to find a good job, and at the same time, Vermont businesses who believe they must create good jobs in other states, because they cannot find qualified employees here in Vermont. Kathy Labelle Lavoie and Bill explain. Later, Meg Hansen and Bill review new rules, written in Washington DC, and in Montpelier, governing association insurance plans. |
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How do Vermont’s signature food products help create the Vermont Brand, and foster a favorable opinion, throughout the world, of our State, our people, the products we produce, and the services we provide. Chris Barbieri examines. |
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What are the fastest growing categories of Vermont State spending, what are reasons, and what are the consequences for taxpayers? Malcolm Stewart and Bill take a closer look. |
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What are the key factors that affect health care affordability, quality, and access? And what is the role of government in slowing the growth in cost, while sustaining or improving quality and access? Secretary of Health and Human Services Al Gobeille, and Bill explore. |
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What is American exceptionalism, and has it been a significant factor in the growth and prosperity of our economy, and opportunity for our people? Rob Roper and Bill consider. |
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Why do nations with the greatest economic and political freedom, tend to have the greatest prosperity and highest standard of living for their people? Matthew Strong and Bill investigate. |
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What are the key energy issues facing Vermont, as we strive to find the right balance among the sometimes competing energy goals of affordability, reliability, and renewability. Guy Page and Bill review. |
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What is a trade war? And if we are in a trade war, with escalating tariffs here and abroad, what will be the affect on our well being, at home and at work? Dan Cunningham and Bill take a closer look. |
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What are the connections between healthy wildlife populations, healthy forests, and the people who earn their living from working forests? Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter and Director of Wildlife Mark Scott join Bill to explain. |
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Does a prohibition of single use plastic bags defeat its own purpose? Also what caused HUB Magazine to rank Vermont the 46th best state in which to start a new business? And what can we do to improve our ranking? Rob Roper and Bill examine. Later, Bill remembers the life and legacy of Charles Krauthammer. |
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What role did Ethan Allen and the people of Vermont, play in the Declaration of Independence, and the Revolution that followed. John McClaughry and Bill explore. Later, Art Woolf and Bill take a closer look at how tariffs affect the people of Vermont, and America, at home and at work? |
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What were the important decisions in the Legislation session just completed. Representative Heidi Scheurmann joins the Lake Champlain Chamber’s Cathy Davis and Bill to review. |
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Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 |
Independence Day. No Radio Show today. Instead, a day to celebrate American Independence at Parades or Bar-b-ques, and to remember and honor the reasons why we celebrate. Namely, the day that America’s noble experiment in self-government began. |
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What factors lead our Founders to write the Declaration of Independence? Historian Bruce Shields and Bill explain. |
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How will the recent decisions by the United States Supreme Court, and the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, affect the people of Vermont, and America? Rob Roper and Bill examine. |
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What is the role of recycling in the Vermont economy. Agency of Natural Resources Josh Kelly and Chris Barbieri take a closer look. Later, Central Vermont Chamber’s Bill Moore and Chris consider the effect of this Legislative Session on the Vermont economy. |
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How do we best sustain Vermont agriculture and the important role of farmers in our rural economy, environment, and community. Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts and Bill examine. |
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How concerned should we be about our federal deficits and federal debt? Malcolm Stewart and Bill explore. |
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What should we know about how government policy can, and cannot, affect employee wages, salaries, and benefits? Sena Meilleur and Bill explain. |
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What are the unintended consequences of allowing Canadian purchases of drugs to be resold in the United States? David Flemming and Bill inquire. Later Jason Gibbs and Bill review the major issues to be resolved in this Legislative Session. |
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What should we know about the economics and the law of Vermont housing markets? Economist Art Woolf, attorney Fred Peet, and Bill explore. |
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What is the important role of travel, tourism, and related business in the Burlington economy? Burlington Business Association’s Kelly Devine joins Tom Torti and Bill to examine. |
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What are the key challenges and opportunities Vermont’s working forests, and the people who earn their living in the Vermont Forest Product industry? Christine Dorsey McGowan and Bill review. |
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What is the best way to help people move from welfare to work? John McClaughry and Bill explain. Later, Meg Hansen and Bill consider the implications of Vermont’s newly created mandate to purchase health insurance. |
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Do you believe the budget impasse in Montpelier is because our taxes are too low, or because our spending is too high? Rob Roper and Bill inquire. Later Rob and Bill take a closer look at the proposed $10,000 subsidy for new remote workers, and the implications for Vermont, from a Supreme Court decision on Ohio voter registration. |
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What is the best way to sustain our working forests and farms, and the loggers and farmers who work them? Sam Lincoln and Bill explore. |
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What key issues affect the cost, reliability, and carbon footprint of energy for Vermont homes and businesses? Guy Page and Bill review. |
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What factors should you consider when saving and investing for your future? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill examine. |
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What does one of Vermont’s leading entrepreneurs believe is the best way to grow our economy, making the cost of living more affordable for our people, and the cost of doing business more affordable for our job creators? Janitech’s Dawn Terrill explains with Bill. |
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Do you believe the budget impasse in Montpelier is because our taxes are too low, or because our spending is too high? Rob Roper and Bill inquire. Later, Rob and Bill take a closer at the proposed $10,000 subsidy for new remote workers, and also the effect of new tariffs on Vermont employers. |
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Jason Gibbs and Bill take a closer look at the Governor’s Plan to hold the line on taxes and fees, and to slow the growth in education costs in the years ahead. Later, the Tax Foundation’s Scott Drenkard and Bill compare Vermont’s tax burden with that in other states. |
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Can large industrial and commercial businesses concerned about Vermont energy efficiency charges get reductions in those charges if they invest in energy saving projects? Efficiency Vermont’s Abby White, Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti, and Bill explore. |
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Who has the Small Business Administration designated as Vermont’s Outstanding Businesses of 2018? Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin, SBA’s Darcy Carter, and Bill reveal and review. |
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What are the public policy priorities of Campaign for Vermont? Pat McDonald, Eric LaMontagne, and Bill discuss.
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What do Tariffs, Taxes, and White Rhinoceroses have in common? David Flemming and Bill explain. |
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How does a successful organization use social media to advance its mission? Sara Munro and Alex Tursi join Bill to investigate. |
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How do we best conserve, sustain, and harvest our natural resources, while at the same time, growing our economy and making the cost of living more affordable for our people, and the cost of doing business more affordable for our job creators. Natural Resource Agency Secretary Julie Moore explores with Bruce Lisman and Bill. |
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What can we learn by taking a closer look at the ways in which the State of Vermont raises tax revenue? Art Woolf and Bill consider. Later, Wendy Wilton, Vermont State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency, discusses with Bill the role of the federal government in helping our Vermont farmers through difficult times. |
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Entrepreneur Paul Ralston joins Bill to explain how we can create policies that achieve legislative goals, more effectively and at lower cost to the taxpayers. |
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Monday, May 28th, 2018 |
Memorial Day. No Show. A day to remember all those brave Americans who gave their last full measure of devotion to protect our nation, our people, and the freedoms which we are privileged to enjoy. |
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What are the key factors affecting the cost, quality, and availability of health care in Vermont? Blue Cross and Blue Shield President Don George examines with Bill. |
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What does it take to start or grow a successful business in Vermont? Live from the Vermont Business Expo, Bill interviews exhibitors and attendees. |
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Does the political culture at American colleges tend to stifle free speech there, particularly for students and faculty with conservative beliefs? Professor Robert Letovsky, and students Ryan Wurmsdobler and Ryan Lawrence take a closer look. |
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How does UVM Extension help our farmers succeed in difficult times. Extension’s Jenn Colby and Bill explain. |
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Entrepreneur Paul Ralston joins Bill to discuss the power of the prize, and apply the idea to an innovative way to improve water quality, while at the same time producing renewable energy, and providing much needed income to our small to mid-sized dairy farmers. |
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Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s Betsy Bishop joins Bill to preview the Vermont Business Expo, and to review the Legislative Session. |
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Why has health care reform been so quiet this year? What controversial proposals are simmering beneath the surface? Megan Hansen and Bill explain. |
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What legislation may prove harmful to our rapidly growing high tech industry. Vermont Technology Alliance’s Jeff Couture and Matt Dodds join Bill to take a closer look. |
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Sugarbush President Win Smith joins Bill for an update on the ski season, and perspective on the Legislative Session. |
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As Legislators prepare for a veto session, will they work with the Governor to balance the budget without raising taxes? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for our loggers as they strive keep our forests productive and healthy? In particular, what role do women play in making this happen? Live from the Loggers’ Expo in Essex Junction, Colleen Goodridge, Kathleen Wanner, Wendy Farrand, Eileen Townsend, Errol Peters and Rocky Bunnell join Bill to explain. |
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Who are Vermont’s young entrepreneurs, and what new products and services are they creating to propel the Vermont economy into a prosperous future. Lake Champlain Chamber’s John Antonucci and Bill take a closer look. |
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Why is it so difficult for any person or company to beat the stock market? Dan Cunningham and Bill investigate. |
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What factors affect the cost, reliability, and environmental impact of the energy we use in Vermont? Guy Page and Matthew Strong explore. |
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As a showdown looms between the Governor and the Legislature, the biggest question before them is this: are taxes too low, or is spending too high? Rob Roper and Bill examine. |
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How should, and should not, tax and regulatory policy be crafted to encourage entrepreneurs and other businesses to invest, grow, and hire in Vermont? Superior Technical Ceramic’s John Goodrich and Bill take a closer look. |
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How will new legislation affect Vermont job creators, job holders, and job seekers? Lake Champlain Chamber’s Cathy Davis and Bill take a closer look. Later Trey Martin joins Cathy and Bill to consider the important role of outdoor recreation in the Vermont economy. . |
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What should we know about Governor Scott’s proposal for slowing the growth in education spending and property taxes? Jason Gibbs explains, in conversation with former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill. |
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What are the chief challenges facing Vermont farmers, on the land, and in Montpelier. What is the best way forward? Vermont Farm Bureau’s Jackie Folsom and Bill review. |
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As the Legislature enters the last few weeks of its Session, what are the major issues yet to be resolved? Rob Roper and Bill examine. |
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Is an opiate tax a good idea for Vermont? Americans for Tax Reform’s Patrick Gleason and Bill examine the unintended consequences of raising tax rates. And they discuss better ways to address the opiate crisis. |
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What policies will help the economy grow, while keeping the cost of living affordable for our families, and the cost of doing business affordable for our job creators? Bill Moore and Bill explain. |
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What factors should we consider to improve our understanding of the economy and financial markets? Gabe Lajuenesse and Bill review. |
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Has the Endangered Species Act succeeded, or has it worked against its own purposes? What is a better way? Heritage Foundation’s Rob Gordon and Bill take a closer look. |
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As the Legislation enters its last few weeks, what are the major issues yet to be resolved? Rob Roper and Bill examine. Also, Bill Driscoll calls about manufacturing issues and Eileen Townsend about the upcoming Loggers’ Expo. |
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Remembering the first Earth Day, and understanding how best to sustain a healthy environment. Bill interviews free market environmentalist scholar, R.J. Smith. |
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What are the economic challenges and opportunities for Burlington and for Vermont? Kurt Wright explains, with Tom Torti and Bill. |
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Did you know our population, in most Vermont counties, is declining? What will this mean for our economy, our demands on the public treasury, and our capacity to pay taxes? Art Woolf and Bill review. Later Veronique de Rugy and Bill take a closer look at the issues at stake in the Supreme Court case to decide whether a State can for businesses in another state to collect taxes on internet sales. |
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How would a trade war with China affect the families and businesses of Vermont? St. Michael’s College Prof. Robert Letovsky and Bill examine. Later John McClaughry and Bill address the question of whether school consolidation actually slows the growth in education spending in Vermont. |
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What has caused the great nations of history to fail, and what must our nation do to avoid the same fate? David Flemming and Bill explore. |
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How can we sustain our working forests, if our loggers don’t have insurance? Will changes in insurance rates, coupled with stricter safety standards, improve the situation? Sam Lincoln and Bill explore. |
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Why are the economics of producing milk so difficult for our farmers, and how will that difficulty affect us all? Bruce Shields and Matthew Strong take a closer look. |
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Why are high tech stocks such a big part of the stock index, and why are they so volatile lately? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill examine. |
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Celebrating the 275th birthday of Thomas Jefferson, John McClaughry and Bill explain why his ideas are still important to us today.. |
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Can tariffs hurt the very people they are designed to help? Rob Roper and Bill consider the unintended consequences restricting free trade, along with other controversies in Washington and Montpelier. |
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The Emerald Ash Borer, recently discovered in Vermont, is a forest pest that weakens and eventually kills while ash trees. Should we be concerned, and if so, what should we be doing about it? Vermont Ag. Agency Entomologist Judy Rosovsky and Bill explore. |
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What can we learn about Vermont products from the entrepreneurs exhibiting at the Made in Vermont Marketplace? Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin and Bill take a closer look. Ryan Christiansen of Caledonia Spirits, Kate Whelley McCabe of Vermont Evaporator, and Andrew Mill of Andrew’s Woodworking. |
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Live from the Central Vermont Jobs Fair, Bill interviews four with special perspective in how best to help our young people start their careers. Emily MacFadyen of ReSource, Chris Manning of National Life, Josh Fitzhugh, and Labor Commissioner Lindsay Kurrle. |
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How can we tell if Vermont health care is drifting toward single payer? Robert Emmons, Chris Wright, and Bill explain |
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Controversial proposals before the Vermont Legislature: new taxes, school safety, and voter fraud. Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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What is the Snelling Center, and how do they build skills for present and future leaders in Vermont government, business, education, and our communities. Mark Snelling, Suzanne Trahey, and Bill take a closer look. |
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How do we best grow the economy and make Vermont more affordable, while protecting the most vulnerable. Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti and Bill explain. Later, Vermont Senate Pro Tempore Tim Ashe joins Tom and Bill to discuss competing ideas about how best to raise the income of low income workers. |
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What are the most important energy issues affecting the families and businesses of Vermont? Guy Page and Matthew Strong explore. |
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Where are the best places to work in Vermont. Vermont Business Magazine’s John Boutin and Bill interview three award winners. Bob Foley of New Chapter, Kevin McCollister of Catamount Solar, and Ernie Pomerleau of Pomerleau Real Estate. |
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What controversial proposals are before the Vermont Legislature: new taxes, gun control, and wage restrictions. Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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What can we learn from the web site known as The Informed Vermonter? Malcolm Stewart, its author, and Bill, review. |
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How do we best grow the economy, while making the cost of living more affordable for our people and the cost of doing business more affordable for our job creators? Tom Torti and Bill explain. |
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Are markets shifting toward locally grown and processed wood products, just as they have for locally grown and processed food products? Tree House Hardwoods’ Lucas Jensen, and Bill take a closer look. |
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What are the chief challenges facing Vermont Agriculture, and how do we best overcome them? Vermont Ag. Secretary Anson Tebbitts, and Bill explore. |
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Are property taxes too high because income taxes are too low? Rob Roper and Bill examine the Legislature’s plan to reduce property taxes by raising income taxes. |
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How can students with conservative beliefs exercise their rights of free expression, contribute to the diversity of political opinion, and compete in the marketplace of ideas. Rob Roper and David Flemming take a closer look. |
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What is the Vermont Farm Bureau and what issues are most important to our farmers as they sustain the rural economy, environment, and culture? Bruce Shields and Matthew Strong explore. |
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What is the Agency Problem, what does it mean for investors, and how can it best be addressed? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill explain. |
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What are the most important energy issues facing Vermont, and what role should government play in addressing them? Guy Page and Bill review. |
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Have our opinions changed about School Safety and the 2nd Amendment, after the tragic shootings at a school in Florida, and a near tragedy at a school in Vermont? Bill Moore, of the Vermont Traditions Coalition, and Rob Roper examine.. |
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Why are sustainable working forests and farms, and traditional ways of earning a living and recreating, important to keeping alive Vermont’s rural culture, environment, and economy. Bruce Shields and Ed Larson explain. |
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What new taxes might the Legislature impose upon the individuals, families, and businesses of Vermont. Vermont Tax Commissioner Kaj Samsom and Bill take a closer look. |
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How can we harness the energy and creativity of entrepreneurs, markets, and innovation, to improve water quality in Vermont? Paul Ralston and Bill investigate. |
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What is the Farm Service Agency, and what important role does the Agency play in sustaining Vermont Agriculture? State Director Wendy Wilton and Bill examine. |
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Taxes and Tariffs and Take Home Pay.. How do we best raise the income of the Vermont and American people? Rob Roper, Fred Baser, and Bill explore. |
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Why is the F 35 good for our families, our economy, and our national security? Frank Cioffi and Bill review. Later, what is the Earned Income Tax Credit, and why is it a better way to help low income families than government regulation of wages? Economist Art Woolf and Bill consider. |
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Why is workforce training important to the future of Vermont’s construction industry, and why is the construction industry important to the future of the Vermont economy? Tom Clavelle and Gina Catanzarita of Engelberth Construction, Mary Ann Sheahan of the Vermont Talent Pipeline and the Vermont Business Roundtable, and Bill explain. |
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What is the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, and how do it help control costs, while sustaining quality in Vermont health care services? Executive Director Catherine Fulton, Director of Transformation, Lee Bryan, and Bill take a closer look. |
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Why is important to understand our Millennials, if we are grow the workforce and the economy, improving opportunity and prosperity for all. Jim Black and Bill explore. |
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Monday, February 26th, 2018 |
Has our view changed about school Safety and the 2nd Amendment, after the tragic shootings at a school in Florida, and a near tragedy at a school in Vermont? Rob Roper and Bill examine. |
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Why is skiing so important to the Vermont economy, environment, and culture? How is the industry doing this winter? And how policy in Montpelier affects the industry, and its customers? Sugarbush CEO Win Smith takes a closer look, with Bill. |
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How will advances in technology and science affect the competitiveness of Vermont businesses, and the lives of the Vermont people? Dan Feliciano and Bill explore. |
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What’s outlook for the American economy, and how will that outlook, and other factors, affect the American stock market? Gabe Lajeunesse and Bill investigate. |
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What important opportunities and challenges lie ahead for Vermont’s largest electrical utility? Green Mountain Power CEO Mary Powell and Bill examine. |
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What are the most important energy policy issues facing Vermont, and how do they affect the cost of living for our families, and the cost of doing business for our job creating enterprises? Guy Page and Bill review. |
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How will a Carbon Tax affect the families, businesses, and economy of Vermont? Jonathan Lesser and Bill examine. |
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What can we learn from the Buildings by Design Conference about how to use energy more efficiently as we construct new places to work and live? Efficiency Vermont’s Karen Glitman, Tom Torti, and Bill review. |
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Should we be concerned about the recent declines in the stock market? Why or why not? One Day in July’s Dan Cunningham and Bill take a closer look. |
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Why is it important for government to live within its means, if the economy is to grow, and people are to keep more of the money they earn? Former Governor Jim Douglas and Bill explain. |
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What do the Vermont Senate and the Federal Veterans Administration have in Common? And how does what they have in common affect the cost of health care, and patient choice? Rob Roper and Bill explore. |
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How do we best create opportunity and prosperity for Vermont and her people? The Vermont Chamber’s Betsy Bishop and Bill review. |
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How can learning the history of how Lake Champlain and her River Tributaries have contributed to our economy in the past, help build and sustain Lake based tourism for our Vermont economy today and in the future? Maritime Museum’s Art Cohn, Lake Champlain Chamber’s Tom Torti, and Bill explore. |
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What is pro-active management, and how can we use it to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Vermont government, and the competitiveness of Vermont business. NPI’s John Burton and Bill take a closer look. |
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What is captive insurance, why is Vermont an international leader in the captive insurance industry, and what can we apply from the success of Vermont’s captive insurance industry to other parts of Vermont? Peter McDougall, of Paul Frank and Collins, explains with Bill. |
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Will the Legislature allow Vermont taxpayers to keep the $30 million in Vermont tax savings, resulting from the tax cut in Washington DC? Rob Roper and Bill investigate. |
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Why is it important for State government to live within its means, with no increase in taxes and fees, if we are to grow the Vermont economy, and improve affordability, while protecting the vulnerable. Governor Phil Scott explains with Bill. Later, Art Woolf and Bill review the latest economic trends, and what they mean to the future of our our Vermont families and businesses. |
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Live from the Vermont Farm Show, Chris Hill of Lely Robotic Milking Systems, with Bill, describe how new technologies improve the lives of our Vermont Dairy Farmers. Later, Agri-Mark Co-op’s Bob Wellington and Bill take a closer look at the effect of low milk prices on our farmers, and how dairy cooperatives help offset the decline, through the manufacture and sale of value added products, like Cabot cheese, yogurt, and butter. As Bob and Bill continue in their discussion of challenges and opportunities facing Vermont agriculture, they are joined, from time to time, by UVM Extension leader Chuck Ross, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, and Congressman Peter Welch. |
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What role does Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity play in creating future leaders agricultural leaders? Live from the Vermont Farm Show, Laurence C Jost, Terry Gulick, and Bill examine. Later John Buck and Bill review the work of the Vermont Woodlands Association in promoting better understanding of how sound forest management creates better habitat for song birds. |
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Is there a way to keep phosphorus from getting from our farms into Lake Champlain, while at the same time producing renewable energy? Live from the Vermont Farm Show, Bill Rowell, Paul Ralston, and Bill Sayre explore |
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Why all the controversy over using a computer in Montpelier to do your car inspection? Valerie Mullin, Rob Roper and Bill Sayre investigate? |
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Why did the Framers of the Constitution believe the right to bear arms is a fundamental, and uniquely American, individual freedom? And should the Vermont legislature impose restrictions on that freedom? Chris Bradley, Bill Moore, and Bill explain. |
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What is financial literacy, why is it important, and how well are we doing compared with other states in the nation? Champlain College’s John Pelletier and Bill investigate. |
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What is the single most pressing problem facing Vermont, and what should be done to address it? Saint Michael’s College’s Professor Robert Letovsky wants to know what you think. |
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What are the best ways to control education spending, and thereby, property tax burdens? Vermont Business Magazine’s Tim McQuiston and Bill explore. |
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Will a government mandated minimum wage of $15 per hour help or hurt low income individuals and families? David Flemming and Bill take a closer look. |
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Are higher taxes and stricter regulations necessary to improve the lives of the Vermont people? Bill investigates |
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Are we in danger of losing our free trade agreement with Canada, and why should we want to make sure that doesn’t happen? Trade expert Birgit Mattisen, joins Tom Torti and Bill to explain. |
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What are the most important energy issues facing Vermont, and how do we best address and resolve them? Guy Page and Bill examine. |
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How could Vermont rank 49th in business climate competitiveness, why should we care, and what must we do to improve? Bruce Shields and Bill explore. |
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A review of some controversial issues upcoming in Montpelier: gun control, bicycle fee, poverty, Medicaid, property taxes and carbon taxes. Rob Roper and Bill Sayre take a closer look. |
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Friday, January 12th, 2018 |
Why do we say Demographics are Destiny? Art Woolf and Bill explain. Later Robert Letovsky and Bill explore the important role that entrepreneurs play in our economy, particularly entrepreneurs who are military veterans? |
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Thursday, January 11th, 2018 |
Will there be pension money for our Teachers and State Employees when they retire? David Coates and Bill investigate. |
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 |
What is the Buffet Challenge, and what can we learn from it about the stock market, and index funds? Dan Cunningham and Bill examine. |
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Tuesday, January 9th , 2018 |
What should we know about the central Vermont economy, and how can we best promote opportunity and prosperity there? Central Vermont Chamber’s Bill Moore and Bill take a closer look. |
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Monday, January 8th, 2018 |
With more people migrating from Vermont than migrating into Vermont, along with slow economic growth, and some of the highest taxes of any State in the nation, what are the priorities for our Vermont Legislature? Marijuana legalization, government set wages and prices, and higher education taxes. Rob Roper and Bill review. |
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How will tax reform, newly adopted in Washington DC, affect our individuals, families, and businesses – in Vermont, and in America. The Tax Foundations Jared Walczak and Bill examine. |
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What are the priorities for the Vermont Legislature in the year ahead, and how well do these priorities match with the Governor’s goal of holding the line on new taxes and spending? Guy Page and Bill review.. |
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Monday, January 1, 2018 |
New Year’s Day. Today’s show is a replay of a conversation with former Governor Jim Douglas about how best to grow the economy, live within our means, and create opportunity and prosperity for the people of Vermont.
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