State of Vermont Archives: on Jobs
David Zuckerman:
Right to work laws harm union and non-union workers
Q: Support "right- to-work" laws, eliminating unions' ability to mandate dues for workers they represent?David Zuckerman: No. Such laws "harm union and non-union workers by depressing union membership and limiting [their] effectiveness."
Phil Scott: Mixed. Has supported a right-to-work law and vetoed a family medical leave bill. But has also supported teachers' right to strike.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Raise minimum wage to $15/hr; plus paid family leave
We must raise the minimum wage and pass paid family leave. Imagine how much easier it would have been to proactively tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in Vermont had we had such a program in place. Ensuring that the minimum wage keeps pace with the
cost of living and that all Vermont families can use paid family leave will help those working full time have the resources to meet their and their family's needs. We support a minimum wage of $15 an hour.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Unions support wage equity and safe workplaces
I will:- Coordinate the efforts necessary to ensure every child gets a strong start, can be part of a good community school, and has good care so that parents are able to work.
- Make sure Vermonters can access post-secondary opportunities and
credentials that prepare them for high wage jobs in our high-growth economic sectors, including in the trades.
- Support unions, because unions support wage equity and safe workplaces.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Mar 26, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Increasing minimum wage will lift workers out of poverty
It's time for political leaders to stop squeezing those at the bottom by misguidedly relying on failed, wealthy-friendly economic policies and present solutions that will actually lift hard-working Vermonters out of poverty. Increasing the minimum wage
is one way to do just that. Recent studies have listed benefits to raising wages including an increase in consumer spending, decrease in suicide, higher worker productivity, reduction in employee turnover, and reduction in poverty rates.
Source: OpEd in Bennington Banner on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Feb 23, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Unions support wage equity & safe workplaces
Skilled workers have higher wages.
I will support unions, because unions support wage equity and safe workplaces.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Jan 23, 2020
Eddie Melton:
Pay people $5000 to take jobs in Vermont
Vermont is losing residents at an unsustainable rate, Gov. Phil Scott told lawmakers at his budget address. His solution: a plan to pay out-of-staters $5,000 to take a job in Vermont--any job.Vermont made international news when it announced
its remote worker program, which will reimburse out-of-staters up to $10,000 for their costs if they move to work remotely from Vermont. Scott's latest proposal includes $1 million to pay outsiders to move to the state for Vermont jobs.
Source: Valley News on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jan 25, 2019
Christine Hallquist:
Unions are crucial to the balance of power
Protect collective bargaining and worker rights. Stand up to the negative headwinds from Washington DC to ensure Vermont workers' rights remain strong.
Recognize that unions are crucial to the balance of power and that good union relationships depend on good, collaborative, proactive, leadership.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
Christine Hallquist:
$15 minimum wage, plus job retraining for displaced workers
Raise the minimum hourly wage to $15 while coupling this increase with providing increased employment to young people and growing our rural job market.
Invest in programs for displaced workers, focusing on job retraining for current and future job markets.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
Phil Scott:
Deal with Vermont's shrinking workforce population
The biggest obstacle we face to economic sustainability is a shrinking workforce. From 2010 to 2016, we lost an average of 2,300 workers per year from the workforce. That's 16,000 fewer people in jobs, paying taxes. Working age Vermonters went from
nearly 29% to 23% of our population in only four years.National projections show that 34 states expect to see their working age population grow over the next 25 years. Vermont currently isn't one of them. By 2040, the number of working age people
across the country is expected to grow by 15%. But Vermont's will drop by more than 10%.
A shrinking workforce creates a downward spiral. With fewer workers, we have less revenue, and the state becomes less and less affordable. That makes it harder
and harder to rebuild, and we're already seeing these effects. We must act now. We have avoided the reality of this crisis for far too long. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to put us on a new path to a more prosperous future.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Patrick Leahy:
Raise minimum wage & eliminate gender pay gap
Q: How would you reduce economic inequality and the widening gap between rich and poor?Patrick Leahy: The federal minimum wage has not kept up with inflation, and I have been proud to support legislation that would raise our federal minimum wage.
People who work 40 hours a week should not live in poverty, go hungry or not be able to afford their medication. Raising the minimum wage should not be a question. It is common sense.
It is fair. It is right. Hard working women in Vermont and across the country face discrimination with every paycheck, and I am proud to support the Paycheck Fairness act.
I was also proud to call on FIFA to eliminate their gender discrimination in pay, and I was an original cosponsor to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters: 2016 Vermont Senate Race
Sep 19, 2016
Scott Milne:
Focus on creating new jobs by changing Vermont's reputation
The real test of a healthy economy is its ability to create new jobs. In April of this year, our private sector grew by 50 new jobs. Vermont has a reputation for being unfriendly toward business, young Vermonters leave the state to get good-paying jobs,
and we see darker storm clouds on the horizon. Soon, without a more balanced government and a change in Vermont's reputation among businesses, we may look back on the days when we grew our economy--by even 50 jobs --as "the good old days."
Vermont should be known not only for its natural beauty and friendly people, but also as a great place to find a job or grow a business. It is not, and we are going in the wrong direction.
In today's modern, interconnected world, companies and jobs can move. There are many reasons people want to live in Vermont, let's make the economy one of them.
Source: 2016 Vermont Senate campaign website ScottMilne.org
Aug 8, 2016
Peter Shumlin:
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
We must also do more to utilize our 17 career and technical education centers around the state that provide opportunities for students and adults who need to update skills to advance their earning power. I propose using the centers as the foundation for
Create Innovation Zones targeted to regional job needs
These Innovation Zones will focus on areas of education and professional opportunity that fit the needs of their region.
Source: 2013 Vermont State of the State / inaugural address
Jan 10, 2013
Peter Shumlin:
Vermont unemployment rate, 5.3%, is among lowest in America
To those who say that Vermont is a bad place to do business, that our bold policies for job growth aren't getting results, that our optimism about Vermont's jobs future is not matched by progress, I ask you to consider these facts: our unemployment
rate at the peak of the recession was 7.3%; today it is among the lowest in America at 5.3%. Over the past year, new jobs in Vermont grew by 62% over the prior year, more than any other state in the nation.
Vermont ranked second in a recent study of how well states use tax breaks and economic development subsidies to actually create jobs. If you don't believe the data, I invite you to join me on the road, reaching out to Vermont's job creators.
My administration and I commit ourselves every day to attracting entrepreneurs and growing jobs, one job at a time, as we slowly but surely grow our way out of the most painful recession in our nation's history.
Source: Vermont 2012 State of the State Address
Jan 5, 2012
Larry Drown:
Jobs in America based on alternative energy industry
Democratic Agenda for 2006 - Jobs in America based on energy independence as a new industry (a NASA like effort to develop alternative, renewable energy that will provide jobs and eventually energy independence for America)
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.drownforvermont.com
Jun 24, 2006
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021