Rebecca Holcombe in 2020 VT Governor's race

On Crime: End racial disparities in Vermont's criminal justice system

I will ensure that criminal justice reform efforts are clearly supported and make an intentional effort to bring down the prison population and end racial disparities in Vermont's criminal justice system. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Energy & Oil: Climate change is here, renewable energy is our future

Climate change is here. Renewable energy is our future. I will:

Refocus our current public investments to move us out of our fossil-fuel dependence, and into a sustainable, green energy future.
Support innovation in green technologies and markets that build community wealth, including in our rural counties.
Ensure equity of opportunity across regions and protect low and moderate income Vermonters in the transition.

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Environment: Protect working lands, ensure food security

Our environment and landscape defines us and supports our economy. I will:

Work proactively to protect and restore the quality of our water, soils, and forests at a rate that returns them to cleaner days of the past.
Protect our working lands that keep us healthy and ensure our food security.

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Government Reform: Rebuild trust by strengthening ethics requirements

The public has a right to know that its leaders work for the public, and not for well-resourced special interests. I will work to rebuild public trust in state institutions by strengthening requirements related to ethics and transparency across all sectors of government. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Health Care: Confront out of control costs; coordinate state government

As your governor, I will:

Confront out of control costs of healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Strengthen coordination across state government to make sure critical services from mental health support, to child care, to public health services can be provided in more cost-effective and community-friendly ways.

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Jobs: 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

On Welfare & Poverty: Target investment at affordable homes & rentals

When our communities are healthy, happy, and strong, they become attractive places for people to live and for business to prosper. I will:

Target investment at inclusive and affordable homes and rentals in walkable downtowns.
Address rising costs of healthcare, because we cannot afford to wait for national solutions.
Ensure equitable access to education and childcare.
Facilitate statewide dialogue on supporting people of color and members of the immigrant & refugee community.

Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Mar 26, 2020

On Health Care: Scary anyone in public office would doubt value of vaccines

On the anti-vaxx movement: "In moments like this, we see just how critical it is that we support vaccines and make them as available as possible," said Holcombe. "It's scary that anyone in public office or seeking public office would cast doubt about the value of vaccines. It's unbelievable this is even up for debate." Source: Politico.com on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race Mar 21, 2020

On Education: Public schools reveal strength of a community

Education is one of the most important investments we make. When we make sure every child grows up healthy and capable, the whole state gains the benefit of their strong hands and able minds. When we have strong schools, we end up with workers who can make us prosperous and contribute to the civic lives of our communities. If you want to determine the strength of a community, look at its public school. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Energy & Oil: Will move us to a sustainable, green energy future

Climate change is here. Renewable energy is our future. I will refocus our current public investments to move us out of our fossil-fuel dependence, and into a sustainable, green energy future. Support innovation in green technologies and markets that build community wealth, including in our rural counties. Ensure equity of opportunity across regions and protect low and moderate income Vermonters in the transition. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Environment: Restore quality of water, soils, forests to cleaner days

Our environment and landscape defines us and supports our economy. I will work proactively to protect and restore the quality of our water, soils, and forests at a rate that returns them to cleaner days of the past, protect our working lands that keep us healthy and ensure our food security. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Families & Children: Make sure every child can be part of good community school

Our people are our most important asset. Skilled workers have higher wages. 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. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Government Reform: Public has the right to know leaders work for public

The public has a right to know that its leaders work for the public, and not for well-resourced special interests. I will work to rebuild public trust in state institutions by strengthening requirements related to ethics and transparency across all sectors of government. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Health Care: Will confront out of control costs of healthcare, drugs

As your governor, I will confront out of control costs of healthcare and pharmaceuticals: Strengthen coordination across state government to make sure critical services from mental health support, to child care, to public health services can be provided in more cost-effective and community-friendly ways. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com Jan 23, 2020

On Jobs: 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

On Health Care: If you can't afford health care, it's sick care

She says health care is a primary struggle. "What I hear is that they're feeling that things are getting worse. Their health insurance premiums have gone up by double digits. If you can't afford health care, it's not health care, it's sick care. People literally can't take care of themselves," Holcombe said. "They need a governor who's going to lean into figuring out bringing down the prices." Source: WCAX TV-3 on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race Jan 20, 2020

On Education: Fallout from inadequate funding measured in generations

We must address the inequity in our funding model, because our children are paying the price. In the long run, we will all pay dearly if we fail to invest in the healthy development and learning of our youngest Vermonters. When some of our children can't thrive, we all lose the benefit of their strong hands and able minds. The fallout from inadequate educational funding is measured in generations, not school years. Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website press release Jan 17, 2020

On Health Care: Should not have to turn down jobs for healthcare eligibility

Vermont needs a governor who will push back on pharmaceutical and insurance companies and build our health care workforce. It needs a governor who will make sure less wealthy Vermonters don't have to turn down higher wage jobs or reduce their hours to stay eligible for health care. As governor, I will take on the cost of health care, so that Vermonters are free to work, earn and care for their families. Source: VtDigger commentary on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race Nov 7, 2019

On Health Care: Health is one sector that touches everything

The underlying cost of health care has gone up 6% in one year. Health insurance rates for qualified health plans have gone up double digits this year. People cannot afford this, particularly younger and working-age people. One-third of people in Vermont that are of working age are under insured. Health is one sector that touches everything. If we want to make Vermont more affordable, we have to do the hard work to make sure healthcare is affordable and accessible. Source: The Dartmouth on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race Sep 27, 2019

On Health Care: State's mental health system is underfunded

The state's mental health system is underfunded. Schools can only treat children but can't treat family. What we really need to do is help the families of the kids exposed to trauma. We can treat children, but if we send them back to a family struggling, then the child will just be re-exposed to trauma. Instead of trying to treat people after they are hurt, we need to go to the source and find out what is hurting people in the first place. Source: The Dartmouth on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race Sep 27, 2019

On Education: Committed to protecting rights of students with disabilities

after her departure by her successor, Education Secretary Dan French. It envisioned breaking down the state's school districts into one and affording public and private school choice to all students. As soon as that document became public in January, Scott distanced himself from it. "I don't think we're ready for anything like that at this point," he told Vermont Public Radio at the time. According to a Scott spokesperson, the governor has never advocated a statewide voucher system. Vermont Sec. of Education Rebecca Holcombe wrote in an email that the state was strongly committed to protecting the rights and opportunities of students with disabilities and state commitments have not changed. "We appreciate the work of our Vermont partners in tracking supports for children with disabilities," Holcombe wrote. "The Agency will continue to evaluate as the task force moves forward." Source: Burlington Free Press on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race Oct 25, 2018

On Education: Teacher in school & college before state education secretary

Vermont's previous school chiefs have brought extensive education experience to the job. Former Secretary Holcombe, who resigned last week, was the head of Dartmouth College's teacher training program when she was hired as state education secretary in 2013. She graduated from Simmons Schools of Management and the Harvard Graduate School of Education and worked as a teacher, elementary school principal and school administrator. Source: Burlington Free Press on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race Apr 5, 2018

The above quotations are from 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Rebecca Holcombe. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Nov 03, 2020