Sue Minter in 2016 VT Governor's race
On Energy & Oil:
Keep electric rates low to compete in New England
Q: What about a consumer advocate to ensure Vermonters are paying fair electric and natural gas rates?Sue Minter: Vermont now has the second-lowest overall electric rates in New England, which is important as we compete for jobs with our neighbors.
However, I know we can continue to improve upon our competitive position in the region, and I know that even modest rate increases in gas or electric service can be very challenging for Vermont's families, our seniors, and our businesses.
My administration will strengthen the existing Public Advocate office and work with the Department of Public Service, the Public Service Board and stakeholders to ensure Vermonters are paying fair electric and natural gas rates.
Phil Scott: The
Department of Public Service must act as an advocate for ratepayers, including residential customers. There is clearly room for improvement in advocating for residential customers and I will make sure my Commissioner is a strong voice for all consumers.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Technology:
Utility rate goal: transparent process & affordable rates
Q: What measures will you support to make sure utility customers have a voice in cases about their utility rates?Sue Minter: I'll appoint a PSB [Public Service Board] Chair who will be a fair arbiter and will engage with communities to ensure they
are heard in rule makings and in rate cases. The Department will prioritize transparency as it works with stakeholders and the public to increase community engagement in PSB proceedings. Heightened consideration will be given to the interests of
low-income VTers, residential ratepayers, small businesses, and others that may not be adequately represented in rate cases.
Q: What measures will you take to assure that these plans are fair and reasonable?
Minter: I will have a goal to
reduce rates whenever feasible and that on average we hold utility rate growth at or under the rate of inflation. This will help make energy more affordable and keep prices more stable, which is a benefit for residential customers and businesses.
Source: AARP Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 31, 2016
On Drugs:
Supports legalizing marijuana
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont? Will you support allowing adults to grow a
limited amount of marijuana for their own personal use?Former State Rep. Sue Minter did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I do support the legalization of marijuana," Minter said on Vermont Public Radio in June.
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
On Crime:
Phase out the use of private prisons altogether
The contrast between Minter and Scott was seen when asked if they would follow the U.S. Justice Department's recent call to phase out the use of private prisons. Vermont has about 250 inmates at a private prison in Michigan.
Minter said she would want to figure out a way to tackle the problem; Scott said his first goal would be not to increase costs. Minter said she would "explore phasing out the use of private prisons altogether by bringing together community leaders
to find more ways to continue reducing Vermont's recidivism rate and the number of non-violent offenders incarcerated."
Scott replied in part: "The cost of operating Vermont's prisons and corrections systems falls disproportionately onto state income
tax payers. There is virtually no federal money in the state corrections system." He said his administration would "conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis" before deciding whether to continue using private prisons.
Source: Valley News on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial debate
Aug 28, 2016
On Gun Control:
Universal background checks; ban assault weapons
Democrat Sue Minter's call for universal background checks for gun buyers and Republican Phil Scott's call for a halt to building wind turbines on Vermont's mountains are expected to be among the hottest issues in this fall's
campaign for governor of Vermont.Minter also maintains that Vermont is not immune to a national epidemic of gun violence and wants universal background checks on gun buyers and a ban on military-style assault weapons.
Background checks died in the Legislature in 2015 after gun-rights activists packed a Statehouse hearing and lobbied against the change.
Scott maintains Vermont's gun laws are fine the way they are, and points to a low violent crime rate and the state's strong hunting tradition.
Source: Valley News on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial debate
Aug 28, 2016
On Civil Rights:
Economic security for women via livable wages and equal pay
Empowering Women: Women in Vermont are twice as likely as men to live in poverty and face additional barriers to employment. Vermont's families and economy cannot truly thrive unless we address economic security for women with livable
wages and equal pay. I will promote diversifying our workforce with family-friendly policies and non-traditional career paths to attract and retain women in the Vermont workforce.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Drugs:
Addicts need treatment, not jail time
Vermont faces an opioid epidemic that is impacting our communities & our state's economic future. The rate of opioid-exposed infants has doubled since 2009. I will invest in programs to prevent & treat opioid addiction & improve drug & alcohol prevention
& rehabilitation. We must change prescribing habits, provide early intervention for families with high risk factors for substance abuse, and ensure that schools provide effective drug abuse prevention programs. Addicts need treatment, not jail time.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Education:
Universal pre-K via public-private partnerships
Provide Early Childhood Education: As a working mother, I know the multiple benefits of early childhood education. Children are better prepared to learn, and parents--especially women--can earn an income.
Children who have high quality early care and education are more likely to finish high school and continue beyond.
With 50% of Vermont's children arriving at kindergarten unready to learn, we must do more to improve education and caregiving for our youngest children -- whose brains are already 80% developed by age 3
. I will work to implement universal pre-K and explore public-private partnerships to make high quality, affordable early education, and parenting support available to Vermont families.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Environment:
Protect our state's waters, farmland, and forests
Vermont's economic prosperity, our public health, and our quality of life all depend upon a clean environment. I will continue Vermont's tradition and legacy of environmental protection and leadership.Clean Water: Vermont has made great strides in
protecting our state's waters, including our beloved Lake Champlain, but we still have much work to do. I will continue to invest in our clean water infrastructure in order to protect our drinking water & clean up our lakes, and will improve storm water
management and wastewater treatment systems.
Forest and Farmland: Our forests are home to an amazing diversity of wildlife, serve as the source of our clear streams and rivers, provide a critical source of heat and food, and support vibrant recreation
and economy. Our farms are the backbone of our agricultural economy. I will work to protect Vermont's forests and agricultural lands to ensure that these assets will continue to support future generations of wildlife, farmers and visitors.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Government Reform:
Call for transparency and accountability in state agencies
I am committed to leading a state government that functions well, is accountable to taxpayers, & restores the public trust. As Governor, I will continue the work that I led as Secretary of Transportation making state government responsive, accountable,
efficient and innovative.Transparency and Ethics: Vermonters are entitled to know that the public interest is the first priority in decisions by government officials, and that taxpayer funds are being used effectively and efficiently. This requires
transparency and accountability so that Vermonters can be informed about and participate in the decisions that affect their lives. State agencies will set performance measure and develop dashboards to better inform the public about government goals and
results. I join with the Secretary of State in calling for the enactment of clear laws relating to ethics, conflicts of interest, and financial disclosure, and the formation of an independent state ethics commission to enforce those laws.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Gun Control:
Gun violence has reached a crisis point; more gun safety
Strengthening Gun Safety: Gun violence in the U.S. has reached a crisis point and Vermont is not immune. Women are at particular risk: more than half of domestic violence homicides in Vermont involve a gun. In states that require a background check for
private sales of handguns, 46 percent fewer women are shot to death by their intimate partners. I favor common sense approaches to strengthening gun safety while protecting the constitutional right of Vermonters to own guns and respecting our hunting
heritage. Responsible gun ownership is one of our traditions and I will support requiring universal background checks for gun sales, including those that occur at gun shows, flea markets
and private online sales (exempting family sales). The same standards that apply to federally registered firearms dealers should apply to all gun sales.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Health Care:
Focus on containing costs in Vermont Health Connect
Rising healthcare costs are burdening our budgets of our schools and families. We must ensure that Vermont Health Connect works, but we cannot stop there. I will focus on containing costs by enhancing primary and preventative care, improving the
integration of health care & social services, and supporting the transition to a more efficient healthcare delivery system. Payment reform should reward health outcomes rather than the current system that rewards more visits, procedures and prescriptions
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
On Budget & Economy:
Government can partner with workforce to grow economy
Former Shumlin Transportation Secretary Sue Minter -- while agreeing on the need to foster business growth-- sees a more active role for government. "Growing an economy, I know, is a lot more than what
government can do, but government must be a strong partner," Minter said. "Growing the economy relies on innovators, investors, the ability to recruit, retain and train an educated workforce."
Source: WCAX coverage of 2016 Vermont gubernatorial debates
Dec 16, 2015
On Environment:
Led efforts in Climate Preparedness & catastrophic flooding
Where Sue sees challenges, she also sees potential. This quality has led to her success as Vermont's Secretary of Transportation, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Irene Recovery Officer, and as a State Representative.Sue helped lead Vermont's
recovery in the wake of catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Following her oversight of the successful rebuilding of over 500 miles of damaged roads and bridges in less than four months,
Sue was appointed to be Vermont's Chief Irene Recovery Officer in December 2011.
Sue's skills have been sought out nationally. She was asked to help Colorado with its disaster recovery when that state was hit with extreme flooding in
September 2013. In 2014, she represented Governor Shumlin on the White House Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, where she co-chaired the Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery and Resilience.
Source: 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial campaign website, SueMinter.com
Dec 10, 2015
Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018