Vermont Lead the Nation in Same-Sex Marriage, GMO Labelling. What's next?

First in the nation: Vermont is a leader in many areas of legislation. Same-sex marriage,
plans for universal healthcare, and most recently legislation requiring labeling of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMO’s).

You can find out soon what Vermont political candidates are going to do next!

All forums will also be streamed live from our website http://www.cctv.org/live_events .
QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES AUG. 15TH DEBATE
Not GOP - VERMONT REPRESENTATIVE to CONGRESS CANDIDATES

Forum: Friday, August 15
Time: 5:25PM–6:50PM
Candidates: Cris Ericson (I),
Matthew Andrews (LU),
Peter Welch (D), current U.S. Congressman
Jerry Trudell (Energy Independence), Randall Meyer (I)
Moderator: Nick Carter
QUESTIONS: The moderator will select from these questions and take questions from callers.
Please keep your responses to 2 minutes or less.

Opening Statement: Please tell us why you are running and what experience you bring to
the position.

Agriculture: What does Vermont’s agricultural future look like to you in the short-term
(1-3 years) and long term (5-10)? How will you advocate for your vision at the Federal level?

Foreign Policy: The U.S. will have ended a fighting military presence in Afghanistan after
13 years? What do you feel was our mission and how would you rate its success?
What lessons have you learned from Afghanistan that you will take to Washington?

Environment: The Keystone XL Pipeline is still in play as an option the President is considering.
Regionally, Vermont Gas is permitted to build a natural gas pipeline through portions of
Addison County, additional phases proposed taking it to Ticonderoga. Transmission
projects have been discussed where the state serves mainly as a conduit for delivery
of energy sources to metropolitan areas south of the State. How will you juggle local
concerns with the demands and pressures of the region and nation for a sustainable
‘energy future’?

Firearms: A report by the Violence Policy Center indicated that Vermont had 78 gun deaths
and 62 motor vehicle deaths during 2011. The nation continues to face gun violence with
the National Institute of justice reporting for 2011, 467,321 persons were victims of a crime
committed with a firearm. What do these statistics mean to you and how will you advocate
your position in Washington?

Telecommunications: The FCC continues to take testimony on ‘net neutrality’. In 2 minutes,
please provide viewers with the testimony you did/will/would give to the FCC on this issue.

Immigration: The President has asked Congress to approve $3.7 billion in emergency funds
to address the crisis of children entering the country illegally. Illegal immigrants have been
a topic in Congress for decades. What ideas do you have to address the issue and move it
forward?

Military: Use of drones has increased dramatically over the course of the wars in the Gulf
and Asia. Are they an appropriate military tool? Are they appropriate for national use by
police, immigration, search and rescue?

Highway Fund: Should there be an increase in the Federal Gas Tax to provide for a more
sustainable highway fund? If not, what are your ideas?

Budget: Congress appears to be resolving budgetary deadlines with short-term ‘fixes’.
The Federal deficit was ‘kicked’ down the road as was the debt ceiling and now the
Highway Transportation Fund. What approach to the budgeting process will you stand
for and how will you change the current status of Washington politics?

Higher Education: College tuition costs are causing significant debt for families and
students. How might you address the costs associated with higher education?

Terrorism: Do the threats of terrorism justify the surveillance of US citizens, the spying
on allied foreign leaders, the erosion of personal rights? How would you counter the
terrorist threats rampant in the world today?

Banking: The citizens of the country faced unprecedented financial ruin beginning in
2007, precipitated primarily by the banking industry? Reforms to the industry were
called for; some reforms were made (Dodd/Frank). Are you confident that our banking
system is under proper checks and balances?

Healthcare: Is the Affordable Care Act the last step in Health Care Reform?
An appropriate step? A failed step? Please explain your thoughts and approaches
to the health care issue.

Corrections: The U.S. now holds 5% of the world’s citizens and 25% of the world’s
incarcerated population. Vermont shares in this over-incarceration of its citizens.
Is this an issue? Please share your actions as an elected official to support your position.

Closing comments (if time permits).

Sincerely,
Rob Reiber
Channel 17
862-3966 x13
rreiber [at] ccctv.org


July 28th, 2014
Dear Candidate:

Channel 17/Town Meeting Television is pleased to announce its schedule for
2014 Primary Election Coverage. As in the past, we will host a series of forums
for state and national races during the month of August.
We have invited all announced candidates of a contested primary race to share
their perspectives. Channel 17’s Election Guidelines are available online at
CCTV or contact me and I can send you a copy.
NOTE: We are unable to accommodate personal or professional schedules.
The schedule is set and we hope you are able to attend.

The candidate forums will air live on Channel 17, which reaches ~24,000 household
subscribers in the Comcast Cable and Burlington Telecom Chittenden County service area.
All forums will also be streamed live from our website http://www.cctv.org/live_events .

Each forum will repeat up to 8 times in the weeks prior to August 26th Primary date,
and be available from our website. If you would like to be notified of air times and web link,
please be certain to give me your email address. For a complete schedule of the forums,
visit our website at http://www.ch17.tv

All forums will be held at Channel 17’s studio (294 North Winooski Avenue in Burlington).
Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time.

Thank you for your participation.

Not GOP - VERMONT REPRESENTATIVE to CONGRESS CANDIDATES

Forum: Friday, August 15
Time: 5:25PM–6:50PM
Candidates: Cris Ericson (I),
Matthew Andrews (LU),
Peter Welch (D), current U.S. Congressman
Jerry Trudell (Energy Independence), Randall Meyer (I)
Moderator: Nick Carter

LOGISTICS: Thank you for participating in the upcoming Channel 17 Forum.
Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled forum.
Below are prepared questions for your consideration. Viewer calls are encouraged
and deferred to over these written questions. As you all are not facing a primary
opponent, we hope to make this forum more conversational in nature, making sure
that each of you have time to respond to the question posed.
The call in number is 862.3966.
All forums air live on Channel 17 (on Comcast/ BT in Chittenden County) and are
webcast at cctv
 If you have any questions about Channel 17’s election guidelines you may find them
here: cctv
If you have additional questions about the Forum, please do not hesitate to contact
me at rreiber [at] cctv.org or 802.862.3966 x13


QUESTIONS: The moderator will select from these questions and take questions from callers.
Please keep your responses to 2 minutes or less.

Opening Statement: Please tell us why you are running and what experience you bring to
the position.

Agriculture: What does Vermont’s agricultural future look like to you in the short-term
(1-3 years) and long term (5-10)? How will you advocate for your vision at the Federal level?

Foreign Policy: The U.S. will have ended a fighting military presence in Afghanistan after
13 years? What do you feel was our mission and how would you rate its success?
What lessons have you learned from Afghanistan that you will take to Washington?

Environment: The Keystone XL Pipeline is still in play as an option the President is considering.
Regionally, Vermont Gas is permitted to build a natural gas pipeline through portions of
Addison County, additional phases proposed taking it to Ticonderoga. Transmission
projects have been discussed where the state serves mainly as a conduit for delivery
of energy sources to metropolitan areas south of the State. How will you juggle local
concerns with the demands and pressures of the region and nation for a sustainable
‘energy future’?

Firearms: A report by the Violence Policy Center indicated that Vermont had 78 gun deaths
and 62 motor vehicle deaths during 2011. The nation continues to face gun violence with
the National Institute of justice reporting for 2011, 467,321 persons were victims of a crime
committed with a firearm. What do these statistics mean to you and how will you advocate
your position in Washington?

Telecommunications: The FCC continues to take testimony on ‘net neutrality’. In 2 minutes,
please provide viewers with the testimony you did/will/would give to the FCC on this issue.

Immigration: The President has asked Congress to approve $3.7 billion in emergency funds
to address the crisis of children entering the country illegally. Illegal immigrants have been
a topic in Congress for decades. What ideas do you have to address the issue and move it
forward?

Military: Use of drones has increased dramatically over the course of the wars in the Gulf
and Asia. Are they an appropriate military tool? Are they appropriate for national use by
police, immigration, search and rescue?

Highway Fund: Should there be an increase in the Federal Gas Tax to provide for a more
sustainable highway fund? If not, what are your ideas?

Budget: Congress appears to be resolving budgetary deadlines with short-term ‘fixes’.
The Federal deficit was ‘kicked’ down the road as was the debt ceiling and now the
Highway Transportation Fund. What approach to the budgeting process will you stand
for and how will you change the current status of Washington politics?

Higher Education: College tuition costs are causing significant debt for families and
students. How might you address the costs associated with higher education?

Terrorism: Do the threats of terrorism justify the surveillance of US citizens, the spying
on allied foreign leaders, the erosion of personal rights? How would you counter the
terrorist threats rampant in the world today?

Banking: The citizens of the country faced unprecedented financial ruin beginning in
2007, precipitated primarily by the banking industry? Reforms to the industry were
called for; some reforms were made (Dodd/Frank). Are you confident that our banking
system is under proper checks and balances?

Healthcare: Is the Affordable Care Act the last step in Health Care Reform?
An appropriate step? A failed step? Please explain your thoughts and approaches
to the health care issue.

Corrections: The U.S. now holds 5% of the world’s citizens and 25% of the world’s
incarcerated population. Vermont shares in this over-incarceration of its citizens.
Is this an issue? Please share your actions as an elected official to support your position.

Closing comments (if time permits).

Sincerely,
Rob Reiber
Channel 17
862-3966 x13
rreiber [at] ccctv.org

DEBATE QUESTIONS AUG. 13TH
QUALIFYING CANDIDATES for VERMONT GOVERNOR
Forum: Wednesday, August 13th
Time: 5:25PM–6:25PM
Candidates: Peter Diamondstone (LU), Cris Ericson (I), Bernard Peters (I), Dan Feliciano (Lib)
Moderator: Shelagh Cooney

QUESTIONS: The moderator will select from these questions and take questions from
callers. Please keep your responses to 2 minutes or less.

Opening Statement: Please tell us why you are running and what experience you bring to
the position.

Agriculture: How will you shape Vermont’s agricultural landscape in the short-term (1-3 years)
and long term (5-10)?

Budgeting: Jack Hoffman of the Public Assets Institute posted in a blog at the advent of the
state budget year July 1, ‘Budget numbers don’t begin to tell us how well the state is doing
in meeting Vermonters’ needs’. What are the indicators of an effective state government?

Budget Shortfall: The State is already projecting a major budget shortfall for FY15. What
recommendations do you have for how the State should balance the budget?

Opiate Epidemic: What more does Vermont need to do to curb the opiate epidemic and its
effect on the quality of life for Vermonters?

Jobs: Vermont is not alone for its increases in an aging population. What would you do to
draw younger generations to stay in Vermont and contribute to the state's economic vitality?

Health Care: Lawrence Miller, Chief of Health Care Reform recently posted an editorial titled
‘The 15% Health Care Tax You’re Already Paying’, essentially saying that businesses and
employees are already paying up to 15% of their payroll for health insurance. Does this
make the financing of universal health care through the payroll tax reasonable? How
should the state's plan for universal healthcare be funded?

Nonprofit Effectiveness & Accountability: Vermont state government relies on nonprofit
organizations to carry out its responsibilities and to secure the well-being of the state:
from anti-poverty functions to environmental protection. Yet the state chronically underfunds
this work and is even considering limiting charitable tax deductions that could have a
chilling effect on individual donations to nonprofit work. What is your position on the role
of nonprofits that carry out state work and what policies would support the sectors ability
to operate sustainably and effectively.

Education Spending: How can Vermont reduce its cost of education and improve outcomes
for its K-12 students?

Marijuana Legalization: Do you think marijuana should be legalized and taxed by the state?

Gun Rights: Policies related to gun ownership are sure to be a major issue in the Legislature
this year. What is your position on State efforts to limit access to weapons in certain
instances (such as domestic assaults, in bars, etc.)? Do you support the three charter
changes proposed by the City of Burlington?

Energy Future: What does Vermont’s energy future look like to you? What actions would you
take to meet the state’s energy needs? How long will this take to make a difference in our
consumption and spending?

Money in Politics: Do you think campaign financing needs to be reformed? If so, what do
you propose to level the political campaign spending of candidates? What steps would you
take as Governor to support your approach?

First in the nation: Vermont is a leader in many areas of legislation. Same-sex marriage,
plans for universal healthcare, and most recently legislation requiring labeling of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMO’s). Is it appropriate for the state to lead on such big issues and
pay the costs to do so?

People of color are overrepresented in the criminal justice system in Vermont and across
the country. In Vermont, African Americans make up 10% of those incarcerated, but make-up
less than 2% of the population. Why is this happening and what steps would you advocate to
address this inequity?

Closing comments (if time permits).