Brenda Siegel in 2022 VT Governor's race
On Civil Rights:
Came out as bisexual after her son came out to her
Siegel, who has been in the public eye since she ran for governor in 2018, came out to the public as bisexual just two years ago, at age 43. She said she got the courage to do so after her son came out to her. "My son is much more comfortable
coming out as bi at 17," Siegel said. "At that age, that would have been very, very challenging for me, and I think that that's a sign of how much has changed."
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jun 15, 2022
On Drugs:
Harm reduction, treatment & recovery on demand
Heal The Overdose Crisis: We can not keep trying to solve this crisis in way that we know do not work. When our family members die, we do not get them back.- Harm Reduction First.
- Treatment & Recovery on Demand
- Medically Assisted Treatment
On Demand
- Dual Diagnosis Support
- Criminal Justice Reform
Source: 2022 Vermont Governor campaign website BrendaForvermont.com
Aug 14, 2022
On Drugs:
The War On Drugs is both racist and classist
Brenda Siegel joined other drug law reform advocates in blasting Gov. Phil Scott for vetoing a bill that would have eliminated sentencing disparities between crimes involving crack and powder cocaine. "The War On Drugs is both racist
and classist and to veto a bill that should be such an easy yes shows the Governor's unwillingness to use data, science and lived experience experts to meaningfully address the overdose crisis in this state," Siegel said in a statement.
Source: Seven Days on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
May 20, 2022
On Education:
Support and strengthen our education system
Build A Bottom Up Economy: We must address inequity and center the most marginalized & front line Vermonters.- Support and strengthen our education system.
- Address systemic barriers to the advancement of those most impacted by those barriers.
- Look toward strategic investments in the future of our state.
Source: 2022 Vermont Governor campaign website BrendaForvermont.com
Aug 14, 2022
On Education:
Endorsed by Vermont-NEA teacher's union
The Vermont-NEA Board of Directors has announced its general election recommendations, giving the nod to Democrats and Progressives for the major statewide offices. "In a year when public education is under attack by right-wing extremists here and
across the nation, it is crucial that we elect pro-worker, pro-education, pro-union candidates to the state's leadership," said Don Tinney, president of Vermont-NEA. The board is recommending the election of Democrat Brenda Siegel for governor.
Source: Vermont Biz on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 15, 2022
On Drugs:
Emphasize harm reduction not arresting low-level traffickers
Asked if Vermont should consider increasing sentences for those who import fentanyl into the state, and what else the state might do to reduce the drug's deadly impact, Scott suggested that the state may need to renew its attention on enforcement.
Siegel replied that arrests are usually concentrated on low-level traffickers who suffer from substance use disorder themselves, not "kingpins," and instead nodded to criminal justice reform.
She said Vermont should emphasize "harm reduction first," referring to policies focused on mitigating the most severe outcomes of substance use. And she said the state should ensure treatment and recovery on demand, including medically assisted
treatment, and better fund mental health services.
Indeed, Siegel immediately brought up Scott's veto of a bill last session that would have commissioned a feasibility study on opening an overdose prevention site.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
We must transition to more in-state renewable energy
We absolutely must transition to more in-state renewable energy. Right now, the majority of our energy comes from out of state, and the risk of that is that the long-term economic impact on
Vermonters is high as soon as the contracts that get that energy run out. And so that means that we are in a critical moment when we must do that.
Source: Vermont Public Radio on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2022
On Families & Children:
State needs a mandatory paid family and medical leave law
The state needs a mandatory paid family and medical leave law, she said--an indirect shot at Scott, who has repeatedly vetoed mandatory paid family leave bills sent to him by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
She also bemoaned his administration's "wait-and-see" approach.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
On Social Security:
Governor opposing pension bill not good for workers
With the veto of the pension bill, S.286, that is not supporting our workers in our state. His chief complaint is that there isn't an optional defined contribution in the bill. Optional defined contributions have plenty of data that shows that it will
actually cost our state and the employees more now and in the long run. The employees, as they retire, will be getting less of a return on investment. So, this really isn't good for our pension system, for our state or for the workers in our state.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
On Technology:
Transform our transportation system to green infrastructure
Bold Climate Action: We have an obligation to leave a better future for our children & care better for the Vermont we all love so much.-
Invest In Green Jobs
- Transform Our Transportation System
- Green Infrastructure
- Ensure That We Reach All Populations With Our Solutions
Source: 2022 Vermont Governor campaign website BrendaForvermont.com
Aug 14, 2022
On Jobs:
Wants a livable minimum wage tied to inflation
Brenda Siegel- Supports a "true livable wage," above $15, in the $22 range.
- Supports legislation that has proposed a pathway to a $15 minimum wage by 2024. She thinks that wage should be tied to inflationary increases once it is set.
-
Small businesses would be eligible to receive grants or subsidies in order to afford higher wages.
David Zuckerman
- Thinks the state should implement stepped increases above inflation to get to a $15 an hour minimum wage over the next few years.
Rebecca Holcombe
- Supports instituting a $15 minimum wage over the next few years, in tandem with working to bring down the costs of benefits such as health care and child care.
- Also wants to grow wages through state support for
post-secondary opportunities in specific high-value industries such as the green energy and medical sectors.
Phil Scott
- Believes the current status quo--tying increases to the minimum wage to the cost of living--should remain as is.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 30, 2022
On Welfare & Poverty:
Create a plan that meets needs of housing crisis
Housing All Vermonters: In order to solve our housing crisis, we must create a plan that meets need. It must address from those experiencing homelessness to middle income families.- Emergency housing
- Transitional housing
-
Permanent housing
- Including the rental market & home ownership
- Address Zoning & Systemic Barriers
Source: 2022 Vermont Governor campaign website BrendaForvermont.com
Aug 14, 2022
On Welfare & Poverty:
Slept on Statehouse steps for 27 nights for homeless funding
She said she has built name recognition over several years working with advocacy organizations and in the Statehouse to press for housing and drug policy reforms. Last fall, she and other activists made headlines for sleeping on the Statehouse steps in
order to pressure the Scott administration to extend the state's motel voucher program for Vermonters without permanent housing. After Siegel's cohort camped for 27 cold nights, officials extended the program through the winter.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Aug 9, 2022
On Drugs:
Safe injection sites would save lives, like my brother's
Siegel cited the overdose deaths of her brother 20 years ago, and [three others] more recently--each among the more than 845 Vermonters she said had died of overdoses since Scott became governor. Siegel said each would have lived if there had been an
overdose prevention center available to them. "My question is: Were their lives worth saving?" she asked Scott.Scott first replied that he felt that question was unfair. But "we just don't have the resources" to put injection sites
in every city and town, "taking those resources away from the measures we know work."
Seigel replied, "I don't think it's an unfair question for all the people whose families who've lost people to ask you if their lives were worth saving because many
of their lives, if they were in overdose prevention centers, would have been saved. So I'm not asking if we should divert resources away because we need it all. But I'm asking if their lives were worth saving."
Source: Brattleboro Reformer on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 18, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Progressive tax structure where wealthy pay their fair share
Incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott and his Democratic challenger, Brenda Siegel, offered dueling solutions to the state's most pressing issues and made their case for your vote. "We have to do things like have a progressive tax structure where the
wealthy pay their fair share," Siegel said.Vermont's problems, Scott contends, are borne out of a declining demographic and the pressure it puts on economic growth. He contends making Vermont affordable starts by taxing less, something he says he's
been focused on for years. "We're already one of the highest taxed states in the country. I don't know how much more people can bear," Scott said.
Ultimately, Scott says a vote for him is a vote for civility in politics and for affordability, economic
growth and protecting vulnerable Vermonters. Siegel argues the status quo is not working for Vermonters and that the state needs new policies on housing, substance use and climate change.
Source: WCAX News on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 6, 2022
On Gun Control:
Supports 48-hour waiting period, ban on assault rifles
Brenda Siegel- Supports a 48-hour waiting period between purchasing and obtaining a gun.
- Supports a ban on assault rifles.
Scott Milne
- Doesn't think any new gun laws need to go into effect and doesn't think any need to be repealed.
David Zuckerman
- Supports a 24-hour waiting period for gun purchases.
- Open to supporting a requirement that all guns kept in a home need to be stored with a lock, though not 100% committed to the idea.
Rebecca Holcombe
- Wants to close the Charleston loophole, which can allow people to purchase guns without completing a background check if it is not completed within a certain amount of time.
- Supports a 48-hour waiting period.
Phil Scott
- Believes the state should give reforms enacted in 2018 time to work.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 30, 2022
On Jobs:
Supports policies that would diversify workplaces
Brenda Siegel- Wants Vermont to implement hate speech laws informed by an Illinois Supreme Court verdict -- libelous speech against a racial group is not protected by free speech and can be prosecuted.
- Supports policies that would diversify
workplaces, both in state government and the nonprofit sector.
Scott Milne
- Doesn't support any specific policies that relate to racial justice.
David Zuckerman
- Supports bias training for all educators, state employees and law enforcement.
Rebecca Holcombe
- Expand race data collection across government sectors, to identify bias and assess its impact.
Phil Scott
- Wants to continue ongoing racial justice efforts.
- Looks forward to reviewing recommendations from a Racial Equity
Task Force, which he created earlier this year.
- Supports the continued work of the Racial Equity Executive Director position in his administration to identify and promote best practices in state government.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 30, 2022
On Abortion:
Updated extradition laws to protect women who come to VT
Both Scott and Siegel support a measure to enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution that will appear on the November ballot as Article 22. But while questions about abortion highlighted commonalities between the candidates, they
also showcased their many differences.Siegel argued being "pro-choice is not enough for this moment." Vermont needs updated extradition laws to protect women who come to the state to seek abortion care, she said, as well as their providers.
The state also needs a mandatory paid family and medical leave law, she said--an indirect shot at Scott, who has repeatedly vetoed mandatory paid family leave bills sent to him by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. She also bemoaned his
administration's "wait-and-see" approach.
His retort was short: "I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe it's between her and her health care provider. And I believe in freedom and liberty and we'll just leave it at that," he said.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
On Technology:
Incentives for electric buses, trains, and cars
Brenda Siegel- Wants to tie climate solutions to racial and economic justice initiatives.
- Supports the development of electric buses and trains. Reroute the state's bus routes to be more cohesive and attract more people to public transit.
Supports fare-free busing.
- Supports incentives for electric vehicles and renewable energy for Vermont homes, as well as additional subsidies for low- and moderate-income homes.
Scott Milne
-
Doesn't think climate change is solved by opening up Vermont taxpayers to lawsuits under a Global Warming Solutions Act proposal.
Phil Scott
- Committed to the state's clean energy goal of 90% renewables by 2050.
-
Opposes any "regressive carbon tax."
- Says Vermont should focus on the transportation sector, particularly electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 30, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Fund education from income tax rather than property taxes
Brenda Siegel- Wants to tie education funding to income tax rather than property taxes, believing that would create a more equalized system for low-income earners.
Scott Milne
- Supports policies that strengthen the economy, which will help
lower property taxes by creating a larger revenue pool.
- Wants to listen before acting on any policies that could change the tax codes to lessen property taxes.
David Zuckerman
- Wants the top 30% of earners to pay a higher share of property and
education taxes, in relation to their income, in an effort to shift more of the burden of property taxes to the state's highest earners.
Rebecca Holcombe
- Believes school boards can be more efficient in their spending of property taxes.
-
Supports an income-based property tax system.
Phil Scott
- Wants to continue holding down income, estate and property taxes.
- Wants to repeal the tax on military retirement pay.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 30, 2022
Page last updated: Mar 09, 2024