By Guy Page

Vermont’s manufacturing industry challenges, the minority party speaking out, Act 181, and a fresh face in the Chittenden County political scene will be featured on Hot Off The Press today and tomorrow. Listen on WDEV AM 550, FM 96.1, and wdevradio.com. Listeners are invited to call in anytime at 802-244-1777.

If you missed the show, you can listen on the Hot Off The Press podcast.

Today, Wednesday April 8: Legislature must do more for manufacturing. And, live reporting from GOP State press conference.

In the first half of today’s show, Megan Sullivan of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce will highlight the pressing need for the Legislature reduce regulatory and cost barriers to the state’s manufacturing industry. She also offers a few kudos and signs of hope – notably an R&D tax credit that’s part of a miscellaneous tax bill that passed the House and is now in the Senate. 

At 11:50,  Alison Despathy is scheduled to call in from the State House and give a live update from the GOP press conference. Education reform? Taxation? Act 181? Whatever they discussed, Alison will tell us.

Thursday, April 9 – Young Republican runs for Vermont Senate, Constitutional expert on natural rights

The guest on the first half of the show Thursday will be Javen Sears, a native Vermonter from South Burlington, graduated from South Burlington High School in 2020 and is now a senior at the University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business. He is running for the Vermont State Senate in the Chittenden Southeast District.

At UVM, Javen competes in competitive collegiate debate through the UVM Lawrence Debate Union, participating in both Civic and British Parliamentary formats. He has earned top speaker honors and competed internationally, including in Africa and at multiple national championships, where he has been a multifinalist. He was also nominated for President of the debate team and previously served as President of the ever-famous UVM Club Football team during his sophomore year.

Javen is currently an Associate Intern at the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), a startup accelerator and venture capital firm, and serves as Vice President and Head 5th & 6th Grade Football Coach for the South Burlington Dolphins Foundation, which for the past 60 years has provided youth tackle football, flag football, cheerleading, and athletic development programs to thousands of Vermont families.

On the second half of Thursday’s program, Jason Herron of Guildhall will discuss his recent VDC op-ed, “Act 181 and our natural rights.” 

Friday, April 10 – Feedback Friday! No guests scheduled, call in 802-244-1777 and talk with Guy and others about what you think is happening – and needs to happen – in Vermont.