The Montpelier Happy Hour
by Olga Peters
This award-winning show, The Montpelier Happy Hour usually starts with a question and ends with a toast. Each week's conversation explores the stories, beliefs, and assumptions behind the policies that shape our lives. Host, Journalist Olga Peters and Regular contributor State Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, share their unique perspectives on Vermont, their communities, and government. Bring your curiosity, your inner geek, and your favorite beverage.Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker.
Episodes
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'Tis Election Season with Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas
September 18, 2026: With the November elections approaching fast, Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas shares what her office is working on including a program for employers called Vermont Civic Connect. She discusses recent court rulings about mail-in ballots. All registered voters...
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Sept. 1 campaign filings and remembering 9/11 with John Walters
September 11, 2026: John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer and Olga Peters remember 9/11. Walters breaks down the latest campaign filings and what they might tell us about the November elections. He also shares what he found digging into the state's county committees. Theme music by Red...
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Neuroinclusive environments: What if the healthcare system functioned for every type of brain?
Sept. 4, 2026: On this show, we often discuss what it takes to create a Vermont that works for everybody. In today's episode, Dr. Melissa M. Houser discusses healthcare and the way it excludes neurodivergent people. She then outlines the hallmarks of neuroinclusive spaces and how practices like...
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Rep. Mollie Burke looks back on 18 years in the State House
August 21, 2026: Rep. Mollie Burke is stepping down from her seat in the House at the end of this year. Burke reflects on her service on the House Transportation Committee, her work on climate change, and her nonprofit Art in the Neighborhood. Art in the Neighborhood:...
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Post Primary Roundup with Randy Holhut and John Walters
August 14, 2026 (prerecorded 8/13): What's more fun than an August primary? Three journalists talking about an August primary. John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer, Randy Holhut, from The Commons, and your host, Olga Peters run down the races. View the VTDigger map:...
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Amanda Janoo on strong communities, building an economy that serves Vermont, and managed decline
July 31, 2026: Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Amanda Janoo joins the conversation this week. She discusses increasing local control, remaining optimistic, her experience with The Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership (WEGo), and building a unified vision for Vermont. A reminder to voters:...
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Aly Richards on empathy, defining affordability, and the devil you know
July 24, 2026: Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Aly Richards stops by The Montpelier Happy Hour. We discuss core values, what it means to be program rich and systems poor, activating leadership, and making Vermont more affordable. A reminder to voters: Vermont's primary is August 11. The state...
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REBROADCAST: Our Political Ancestor: Governor Deane Davis
December 27, 2024: In our final episode of 2024, Amanda Kay Gustin, Director of Collections & Access at the Vermont Historical Society, shares her thoughts on Vermont's 74th governor. Davis is known for enacting the state's sales tax and land use law, Act 250. In this conversation, we use Davis'...
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A deep dive into the Vermont Primary, campaign money, and polling with John Walters
July 10, 2026 (prerecorded 7/9): With the Vermont Primary only weeks away, John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer shares his takeaways from candidates' recent campaign filings. We also discuss recent poll results from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Check out John's work at...
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America at 250 and Celebrating the Ongoing Experiment with John Hagen
July 3, 2026 (prerecorded 7/2): John Hagen, retired Air Force Officer and chapter head of Indivisible Porto, shares his insights on America's 250th anniversary. In this episode, we discuss civic identity, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of Conscience, and the role of "othering" in US...
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Regional Collaboration - a Practice of Building Trust with Abby Long
June 26, 2026 (prerecorded 6/23): Regional Collaboration. The state talks about it. Many Vermont communities could benefit from it. But what does it take to build successful cooperation? Abby Long, executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, shares her experience building…
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News Roundup with Randolph T. Holhut: Candidate forums, local journalism, Brattleboro's new train station
June 19, 2026: Randolph T. Holhut of The Commons joins this week's conversation to update listeners on what's happening in Windham County. Read The Commons here: https://www.commonsnews.org/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net
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A new regional policing pilot with Sheriff Mark Anderson
June 5, 2026: Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson outlines a multi-year pilot to establish a regional policing governance program in Windham County. The legislation enabling this pilot is S.255, which sets up the Windham County Law Enforcement Governance Council. The council will be made up of...
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News Roundup with John Walters: End of the Legislative Session, H.955, and Campaign Season
May 29, 2026 (prerecorded 5/28): Journalist John Walters updates us on the issues he's watching as the Legislature plans to wrap up for the year. There are a number of bills still moving through conference committees; specifically, we're watching the education reform bill H.955. John will also...
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Wages and what it costs to work and live in Vermont with Katrina Menard
May 22, 2026: Have you heard of the Vermont tax? If not, it's a tongue-in-cheek way to explain the calculation many Vermont workers make: do they choose Vermont and a high quality of life, or move away for better wages? In this episode, Public Assets Institute State Policy Fellow Katrina Menard...
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Education reform, budgets, and layers of bureaucracy with Sen. Scott Beck
May 15, 2026 (prerecorded 5/11): State Senator Scott Beck discusses H.955 (education reform), CESAs, and the state budget. He also shares his thoughts on how to lower costs and make Vermont more affordable. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net
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News Roundup with Randolph T. Holhut: H.995 education bill, lawmakers retire, Brattleboro and Hinsdale debate bridges
May 1, 2026: The Commons News Editor, Randy Holhut, joins this week's conversation. He updates listeners on local issues and examines potential education changes that could affect Windham County schools. He also shares memories of reporting on outgoing Representatives Mollie Burke and Leslie...
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Act 181, Primary Candidates, and the Legislative Session without End with John Walters
April 24, 2026: John Watlers from The Vermont Political Observer is back! In this episode, we discuss the ongoing Legislative Session, Act 181, and Primary Candidates. Read John Walters' work at The VPO: https://thevpo.org/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://www.rhtt.net
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REBROADCAST: Housing and Land Use
April 17, 2026: With Act 181 in the news, here is a rebroadcast of the first conversation with then Rep. Bongartz about the revisions to Act 250 that eventually became Act 181. From the January 26, 2026, broadcast: Rep. Seth Bongartz joins this week's show to continue the housing conversation....
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Uneven Impacts? Vermont's Act 181 Tier 3 and Rural Communities
April 10, 2026: "Act 181 was the straw that broke the camel's back," explains Loralee Tester in this week's episode. Tester, the executive director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, shares her concerns about how revisions to land-use laws might hurt small communities. Her worries…
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News roundup with John Walters: Staying optimistic (really)
April 3, 2026: John Walters from The Vermont Political Observer is back and filling us in on what he's seeing on Vermont's political landscape. In today's conversation: Democrat candidates' frustrations with the VDP, campaign finance filings, ICE in South Burlington, the role of agitators, and…
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REBROADCAST: Mike Pieciak and Supporting Vermont's Businesses Through Positive Regulation
March 27, 2026 (originally aired 12-27-2019): This week, we continue our conversation about infrastructure with a twist. Instead of built infrastructure like roads and bridges, we're discussing regulations. Rep. Emilie Kornheiser and the Commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation…
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Vermont's Annual Town Meeting, more than just a meeting - OR - How do we define ourselves?
February 20, 2026: Annual Town Meeting is around the corner. It's a day wrapped in traditions, stories, civic engagement, potluck lunches, and discussions about dollars and cents. But it is also an annual gathering that raises questions about how we ensure access, practice self-governance, build...
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A promotion, a budget address, and cost shifting with John Walters
January 29, 2026: In today's conversation, John Walters of the Vermont Political Observer updates listeners on Nick Deml's new job, shares his thoughts on Governor Scott's budget address, and questions the need for county sheriffs. As mentioned: PAI's 2019 State of Working Vermont Report, looking...
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What Vermont's municipalities need in 2026
January 23, 2026: Housing, raising more local revenues, lowering property taxes, and transportation funding are just a few of the issues facing municipalities this year. Josh Hanford, director of intergovernmental relations, updates listeners on VLCT's work on behalf of Vermont's towns. The…
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State of Working Vermont report 2025: Vermont's economy is the same but different
January 16, 2026 (recorded on 1/15): Every year, the Public Assets Institute releases its State of Working Vermont report. The document outlines the economic landscape for working Vermonters. Unfortunately, the ratio of costs to wages is out of whack for many households. Julie Lowell, PAI's...
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Vermont's Legislature returns to Montpelier. Education is Gov. Scott's top priority.
January 9, 2026: Welcome to a new year and the second half of the Legislature's biennium! This week, lawmakers returned to the State House. Gov. Phil Scott focused the majority of his State of the State Address on education reform and Act 73. Journalist John Walters joins the conversation this…
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December 1 Education Tax Rate Letter with Rep. Emilie Kornheiser
December 19, 2025: As we finish up 2025, Rep. Emilie Kornheiser joins the show to break down the annual "December 1st letter." In this document, the VT Department of Taxes outlines the expected education tax yields for the upcoming fiscal year. This year, the department is forecasting an average...
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A Deeper Look at the School District Redistricting Task Force Report
December 12, 2025: Overhauling Vermont's school districts and governmental structures are two options being floated to control education costs. Enter the School District Redistricting Task Force and its examination of the state's education system. Windham County State Senator Wendy Harrison…
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News roundup with John Walters
December 5, 2025: John Walters of The Vermont Political Observer is on the show this week. We discuss education, housing, and tariffs. View the Agency of Commerce and Community Development's Canadian visitation data: https://accd.vermont.gov/canada-research Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker:...
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Randy Holhut on Windham County's local news ecosystem, the VDP's new chair, and BCTV turns 50
November 28, 2025: Randy Holhut, news editor for The Commons, joins this week's conversation with an update on local news. He shares his thoughts on high school sports, changes at Vermont Independent Media, and what the 2026 elections could mean for VGOP. The Commons: https://www.commonsnews.org/...
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A reading of H.91
September 12, 2025: Gov. Phil Scott surprised many when he vetoed H.91. Lawmakers designed the bill to address homelessness while phasing out what is commonly known as the emergency hotel/motel program. This week's episode features a reading of the bill as it passed the Vermont Legislature and is...
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Rep. Leslie Goldman on the 2025 Legislative Session
September 5, 2025: Rep. Leslie Goldman dives into systems and health care in this week's episode. Paraphrasing a former professor, Goldman said that systems get the results they were designed to achieve. If so, what does that say about health care in Vermont? Goldman represents Windham 3 and…
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Rep. Christopher Morrow on the 2025 Legislative Session
August 29, 2025—Rep. Christopher Morrow weighs in on his first session as a new lawmaker. He's mulling over issues around leadership and investing in government oversight, education, and health care. Morrow represents the tri-county Windham-Windsor-Bennington district. Theme music by Red Heart…
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Campaign finances, campaign 2026, community news, and why they all matter
August 22, 2025 (prerecorded 8/21): John Walters is back and sharing his concerns about Vermont's news (small and getting smaller) news environment. He discusses campaign finance filings and preparing for the 2026 gubernatorial race. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net
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REBROADCAST: Public policy, systems, and us
August 15, 2025 (First released April 5, 2019): Public policy creates systems that serve the public. But, we the public are very unpredictable. So what does that mean for our policy? Rep. Tristan Toleno opens the door on a concept called systems thinking and how it can inform our policy. Theme...
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Chaos, building alliances, and AI in newsrooms
August 8, 2025: Randy Holhut, news editor with Vermont Independent Media, and John Walters, the journalist behind The Vermont Political Observer, join today's discussion. They share thoughts on Gov. Phil Scott's approach to working with the Trump Administration and US Rep. Becca Balint's efforts…
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Sen. Nader Hashim shares his take on the 2025 Legislative session
August 1, 2025: State Sen. Nader Hashim discusses his work on the Senate Education and Judiciary Committees. He breaks down the details of new legislation for adoptions and standby guardianships (H.98), expanding the scope of hate-motivated crimes (H.118), and clarifying how state agencies work...
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Three Reps weigh in on their first 2025 Legislative session
July 25, 2025: Zon, Emily, and Ian return to the show to discuss their first session in the State House. Is serving in Vermont's Citizen Legislature all they imagined? Listen to Zon and Ian's Podcast THE ZIP: https://www.brattleborotv.org/the-zip/ Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net
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REBROADCAST: Preparing for the first of many firsts
July 18, 2025 (First recorded on December 20, 2024): Three of Windham County's newly elected representatives join today's show. Emily Carris-Duncan, Zon Eastes, and Ian Goodnow discuss their expectations for January. Veteran Rep. Emilie Kornheiser shares her experience and thoughts for the…
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Catching up on the news with John Walters
July 11, 2025: What's been happening in Vermont? Journalist John Walters and Olga discuss summer floods, mitigation plans, and election funding. Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker: http://rhtt.net
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Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun on the 2025 Legislative Session
July 4, 2025: Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun shares her thoughts on the session's big education bill, collaborating across the aisle on the Ag Committee, and how 2025 compares to previous years. Read H.167: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.167 Read S.60:...
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Rep. Mollie Burke on the 2025 Legislative Session
July 27, 2025: Rep. Mollie Burke (Windham-8) looks back at the recent session and her 17 years on the House Committee on Transportation and Climate Caucus. This year was about "holding the line," said Burke, against several funding gaps and proposals designed to roll back climate policy. Burke…
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Sen. Wendy Harrison on the 2025 Legislative Session
** Warning. This conversation includes: online violence and rape ** June 20, 2025: Vermont State Senator Wendy Harrison shares her take on the Legislative Session. She updates listeners on bills that received less media attention, such as Act 63, or the "Kids Code," which aims to protect young...
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The veto of H.91
June 13, 2025: John Walters, the journalist behind The Vermont Political Observer, weighs in on Governor Phil Scott's veto of H.91. The bill was designed to replace the emergency hotel/motel program and strategically address homelessness. To date, Governor Scott has vetoed more than 50 pieces of...
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Fixing the squeeze in Vermont's education funding
April 18, 2025: Vermont's education-related property taxes have jumped in recent years, increasing the sense of urgency to reduce costs. The Legislature is considering the education reform bill, H.454. The Scott Administration has its proposal to reform the state's public preK-12 system. Analysts...
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Three perspectives on the new biennium
January 10, 2025: Three journalists sit down for a podcast... No, this isn't the start of a joke. But this conversation on the 2025 Legislative session is a reminder that what happens in Montpelier is seriously fun. Investigative Journalist Leah McGrath Goodman and Political Journalist John…
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Tax policy and the dirty words of 2025
January 3, 2025: In the new year's first episode, Olga and Emilie geek out on tax policy. Emilie shares her thoughts on how taxes can help Vermonters' household budgets and outlines tax policies likely to hit the wall for the new legislative session. We also share what we think will be the dirty...
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Our Political Ancestor: Governor Deane Davis
December 27, 2024: In our final episode of 2024, Amanda Kay Gustin, Director of Collections & Access at the Vermont Historical Society, shares her thoughts on Vermont's 74th governor. Davis is known for enacting the state's sales tax and land use law, Act 250. In this conversation, we use Davis'...
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Preparing for the first of many firsts
December 20, 2024: Three of Windham County's newly elected representatives join today's show. Emily Carris-Duncan, Zon Eastes, and Ian Goodnow discuss their expectations for January. Veteran Rep. Emilie Kornheiser shares her experience and thoughts for the upcoming biennium. Follow the...
About this show
This award-winning show, The Montpelier Happy Hour usually starts with a question and ends with a toast. Each week's conversation explores the stories, beliefs, and assumptions behind the policies that shape our lives. Host, Journalist Olga Peters and Regular contributor State Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, share their unique perspectives on Vermont, their communities, and government. Bring your curiosity, your inner geek, and your favorite beverage.Theme music by Red Heart the Ticker.
Hosted by
Olga Peters
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