Tamara,

Thank you for the prudent inquiry...

The current time for the debate is 1 O'Clock on December 14th, but only one of the two candidates has indicated their agreeability to participate.

The WRV Chamber of Commerce & Chandler remain unclear about the intent of incumbent Speaker Krowinski, last I checked (Friday before the close of business hours) but I remain hopeful that our current Speaker will embrace this privileged opportunity sooner than later, and ultimately decide to commit to the event.

I figure only one of the two current candidates would be displaying sincere intent to deliver strong, receptive leadership for Vermont throughout the next two legislative sessions, if the challenger ends up debating an empty chair, or a vacant podium... I look forward to hearing each candidate make their respective pitches as to my vote and those of our 147 additional House Representatives, who will all vote for one or the other on January 8th (the first day of the session). My personal expectation is that they do so publicly, and well ahead of the first day, so that new members who have never met them, get a fair shot at casting a vote that actually reflects their preference, instead of being forced to vote "aye" or "nay" on a voice-vote, as we do most post-election sessions. That would be on behalf of the voters who just voted-in those Representatives-elect, for the first time... a novel concept, that I am seeking to establish before year's end, an idea that's been well received all over the state.

As for myself, I have yet to be inspired to support either candidate for House Speaker.

I thank our neighbors who have contributed to this conversation daily, as public interest grows by way of letters to the editor, emails to policymakers, Facebook posts, calls, & FPF posts like Jerry Ward's and many others. I am hearing from folks that their letters to certain news groups are going unpublished, but that's ok. Perhaps some media outlets are working on a larger story.... the good news is, that I have not met a single Vermonter out there, who disagrees with the idea of a public debate, as I work doggedly to bring highly political, competitive and exclusive internal dealings out of the State House and into the public eye. I can assure you my colleagues in Montpelier are not exactly welcoming public oversight, as it would force a robust process, as opposed to the same old power brokerage served to the politically-loyal. The only people who seem to object to the idea, are politicians who may have something to lose from failing to protect the status quo, or people who may have something to gain personally and directly, from the business-as-usual tradition of nominating pre-groomed lawmakers for leadership roles without any real democratic contest. I will say, though, that even they have a difficult time justifying any attempt to keep the process behind-closed-curtains..... One just cannot reasonably make the argument that such decisions are supposed to be made in smoked-filled-rooms.

We have plenty of time between now and January to hear from the candidates in a public way, which is so exciting! People want to see how we do this, for the first time ever, I think, and it's because of an unusual challenge to the sitting Speaker.

People have been constantly asking me how they can help, so I've been sharing with them the phone number 802-828-2228 for our esteemed Sergeant-at-Arms Agatha Kessler, who fields calls from constituents for any Representative or Senator, anytime. If your answer to the following two questions is "yes" then you should pick up the phone sooner than later to indicate such to Madam Sergeant-at-Arms Kessler....

1. Do YOU believe DEBATE is foundational to DEMOCRACY?

2. Do YOU think YOUR current SPEAKER of the HOUSE should debate publicly well before YOUR Reps vote for YOUR next SPEAKER?

When folks call, typically our local Sid McLam or whoever answers your phone call in the Sergeant-at-Arms office, will ask you your hometown, so as to direct your legislative memo to YOUR Rep(s) and Senator(s) depending on your district. Vermont voters in electoral districts across Vermont, have been indicating their wish for their district's Representative to both attend the Chandler debate, but also to ask the incumbent to agree to participate so that the 1pm start time you ask about Tamara, can simply be confirmed.

I would encourage FPF users from these towns to make posts, if they answer yes to the two questions posed above.

Simply mention that you agree with bringing politics to the people, and that you discourage obstruction of transparency when the opportunity favors government accountability expansions that will benefit all Vermont voters and lawmakers alike.

Speaker of the House, is by far the most powerful and impactful role in Vermont state government, and I want us to all help pick the best person for the job,

- 5-term Rep. Jay Hooper (of Randolph)

Event Info

Nov 29, 10 AM to 5 PM, Nov 30, 2024

Nov 29, 2024, 6 to 8 PM

Nov 30, 2024, 9 to 10 AM