Let's Grow Kids on Chittenden County Democrats Show

Vermont is facing a crisis of insufficient affordable child care. Let's Grow Kids is a non-profit that is seeking to call attention and seek solutions to this problem. On Monday, November 7th, 2016, Rep. Mike Yantachka (D-Charlotte/Hinesburg) sat down with LGK Campaign Director Robyn Freedner-Maguire to discuss the state of child care access in Vermont. Watch the interview below.  You can find more information at www.letsgrowkids.org.

Mike Yantachka and Bob Hooper speak with Jim Dean, Director of Democracy for America in South Burlington.

The Chittenden County Democrats Show on August 1st had the privilege of speaking with Democracy For America (DFA) Director Jim Dean about the Presidential election and the efforts of DFA to elect progressive candidates in November.  DFA endorsed Bernie Sanders for President, even though its founder, Gov. Howard Dean, endorsed Hillary Clinton in the primary elections.  Jim Dean gave viewers some insight into DFA efforts to support candidates nationwide going forward. Watch the show below, and mark your calendar for the next 2 shows which will take place on September 29th and October 3rd featuring the Democratic candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor, Sue Minter and David Zuckerman, respectively.

Lt. Gov. Candidate David Zuckerman Appears on the Chittenden County Democrats Show

Chittenden County Senator David Zuckerman (P/D) is running in the Democratic Primary for Lt. Governor.  Zuckerman was recently interviewed on the June 6, 20116, Chittenden County Democrats Show by host Bob Hooper. The show is running a series on the Democratic Lt. Governor's race and featured Rep.. Kesha Ram in March and will feature Speaker of the House Shap Smith in July. Senator Zuckerman talked about his experience in the House and the Senate during his political career as well as his farming business and his goals as Lt. Governor.  The interview can be seen here.

Lt. Gov Candidate Kesha Ram Interviewed

As we did with the Democratic candidates for Governor, The Chittenden County Democrats Show will be featuring the Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidates in the coming months.  Our first Lt. Gov. candidate appeared on the March 7th show with host Mike Yantachka, State Representative from Charlotte and Hinesburg.  Representative Kesha Ram of Burlington serves on the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee with Mike.  In this interview she lays out her reasons for running for the State's 2nd-in-Command position.

Gubernatorial Candidate Sue Minter Interviewed

Once again, the Chittenden County Democrats Show was privileged to host one of our Democratic candidates for Governor, Sue Minter.  Sue Minter served as Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation under Governor Peter Shumlin, and was responsible for overseeing the recovery operations following the devastating tropical storm Irene in 2012. In this appearance February 1st, she talked about her background and her candidacy and what she hopes to accomplish as Vermont's next Governor.

VT Democratic Party Chief Discusses 2016 Outlook

Appearing on the Chittenden County Democrats Show, Conor Casey, Executive Director of the Vermont Democratic Party, discussed the outlook for 2016 for legislative work and the prospects for Democrats in this election year with hosts Bob Hooper and Rep. Mike Yantachka.  The interview was recorded on January 4, 2016, at the CCTV studio in Burlington. 

Gubernatorial Candidate Matt Dunne Interviewed

Matt Dunne, former State Senator and now candidate for Governor, was the guest of Rep. Mike Yantachka on the Chittenden County Democrats Show, aired monthly on CCTV, Channel 17 in Burlington.  This program was recorded on December 7th.  Dunne spoke about his candidacy and vision for Vermont's future.  He is the first candidate in the 2016 election cycle to appear on the show for a contested statewide office in the Democratic primary election which will be held in August. (The Presidential Primary election is separate and is held on Town Meeting Day, the first Tuesday in March.) Other Democratic candidates will appear on the show in coming months. The interview with Matt Dunne can be seen here.

Interview with Jon Copans, Deputy Commissioner of the Public Service Department

The November edition of the Chittenden County Democrats Show featured Deputy Commissioner Jon Copans from the Vermont Department of Public Service. Jon talked to host Mike Yantachka about the role of the PSD in energy policy, the difference between the PSD and the Public Service Board (PSB) and the status and challenges of energy and telecommunications in Vermont. The interview can be seen here.

Recent Interviews with VT Treasurer Beth Pearce, States Atty TJ Donovan, Asst Judge Charley Delaney

The monthly Chittenden County Democrats Show is broadcast on Channel 17 CCTV in Burlington, VT, on the first Monday of each month unless pre-empted by a holiday or station programming.  It features local and state officials and leaders interviewed by hosts Bob Hooper, Treasurer of the Chittenden County Democratic Committee, and State Representative Mike Yantachka of Charlotte. The shows are broadcast live at 5:25 PM and can be streamed online in real time or viewed afterword at https://www.cctv.org/search/node/chittenden%20Democrats.

Guests that appeared in recent months include VT Treasurer Beth Pearce on the July 6th show, Chittenden County States Attorney TJ Donovan on August 3rd, and Chittenden County Assistant Judge Charley Delaney on October 5th.

Treasurer Pearce discussed Vermont's current fiscal situation noting that Vermont's bond rating is AAA.  She also provided a status update on the state employees' and teachers' retirement funds.

States Attorney Donovan discussed his efforts at tackling the drug addiction problem and his focus on court diversion, the program that helps offenders avoid criminal prosecution by their involvement in reparative community service and counseling.

Assistant Judge Delaney discussed the role of "Side" Judges in the judicial system and county government.  Side judges also serve as county administrators and oversee the county budget.

The interviews can be seen below.

Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce    7/6/2015

States Attorney TJ Donovan    8/3/2015

Assistant Judge Charley Delaney    10/5/2015

House speaker Shap Smith Discusses 2015 Session

Vermont Speaker of the House Shap Smith appeared on the June 1st segment of the Chittenden county Democrats Show to discuss the results of the past session, including the budget, Vermont Health Connect and other topics.  The show, which features interviews with office holders and others airs on CCTV Channel 17, Burlington's community access television station on the first Monday of the month unless pre-empted by other programs.  Hosted by Chittenden County Democratic Treasurer Bob Hooper and State Representative Mike Yantachka of Charlotte, the show offers an opportunity for callers to question guests on topics of current interest.  This segment can be viewed online here.

Attorney Bill Sorrell Discusses Consumer Advocacy

Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell appeared on the January 5th segment of the Chittenden county Democrats Show to discuss what his office has been doing on behalf of Vermonters.  The show, which features interviews with office holders and others airs on CCTV Channel 17, Burlington's community access television station on the first Monday of the month unless pre-empted by other programs.  Hosted by Chittenden County Democratic Treasurer Bob Hooper and State Representative Mike Yantachka of Charlotte, the show offers an opportunity for callers to question guests on topics of current interest.  This segment can be viewed online here.

Chittenden Democrats Look Ahead to the 2015 Legislative Session

Chittenden County Democrats Treasurer Bob Hooper and Charlotte State Representative Mike Yantachka hosted Legislative leadership candidates on the monthly Chittenden county Democrats Show on December 1st.  Incumbent Senate Majority Leader Phil Baruth and House Majority Leader candidate Representative Kesha Ram of Burlington chatted with Bob and Mike about the roles they hope to play in the Statehouse as well as the issues the legislature will have to tackle starting January 7th.

Lt. Governor Candidate Dean Corren Interviewed on Chittenden County Democrats Show

Lt. Gov. candidate Dean Corren, who received both the Progressive and Democratic nominations in the August primary election, the latter through a write-in campaign, was interviewed on the Chittenden County Democrats Show by State Representative Mike Yantachka.  Corren spoke of his background and experience as well as of the objectives he hopes to work for as Lt. Governor.  The half-hour interview featuring questions called in by viewers can be seen here.
This show was recorded on September 29, 2014.
The Chittenden County Democrats Show is a call-in program that is regularly produced by CCTV Channel 17 public access television Live at 5:25 on the first Monday of each month. The show is hosted by Bob Hooper of Burlington and Representative Mike Yantachka of Charlotte.

Interview with VT Secretary of State Jim Condos

Rep. Mike Yantachka of Charlotte hosted Secretary of State Jim Condos on the Chittenden County Democrats Show on October 7th, 2013.  Condos talked about the responsibilities of his office with respect to elections oversight, the Office of Professional Responsibility which regulates professions, and the state archives.  The discussion also included developments in voter ID laws across the country and voting in Vermont.  A video of the interview can be seen here.