Phil Scott in 2022 VT Governor's race

On Abortion: Enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution

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.

She also bemoaned Governor Phil Scott's 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 Drugs: Add regulated marijuana sales to legalized possession

Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and over. The Marijuana Policy Project played a central role in the coalitions that passed initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in CO, AK, MA, ME, MI, and NV.

Ten of those states-- AK, CA, CO, IL, ME, MA, MI, NV, OR & WA--have launched marijuana sales for adults. In the 11th state, Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law yesterday to add regulated sales to an existing law that legalized personal possession and cultivation.

Source: MPP.org press release on 2022 Vermont gubernatorial race Oct 8, 2020

On Drugs: 4-legged stool: prevention, treatment, recovery, enforcement

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. The state's opioid response requires the "four-legged stool" of prevention, treatment, recovery and enforcement, he said. "A lot of the gun violence we're seeing, especially in the Burlington area, has been due to this drug activity, illicit drug activity, and so we need to pay attention," Scott said. "Again, we can't just focus in one area. We need to focus on all the areas that make this work holistically. Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race Sep 16, 2022

On Budget & Economy: Focus on affordability, economic growth & protect vulnerable

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 Drugs: No resources for injection sites; no recreational pot

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.

Scott replied, "We have done a lot of work together over the last six years" on saving lives, Scott said, but as a rural state, "we just don't have the resources" to put injection sites in every city and town. Scott also said he could not support the injection sites, which he called an experiment, "taking those resources away from the measures we know work. And I don't believe we should be legalizing small amounts of recreational drugs either. And I don't think we should be erasing the records of drug traffickers as well. I don't believe your strategy will save every single life."

Seigel replied, "If they were in overdose prevention centers, would have been saved."

Source: Brattleboro Reformer on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race Oct 18, 2022

On Health Care: Not perfect but ACA measurably improved health of Vermonters

The ACA, while not perfect, measurably improved the health and well-being of Vermonters by expanding coverage, reducing the state's uninsured rates, enabling Vermont to form health care provider networks that participate in shared savings programs, and fostering initiatives to reduce utilization and cost through its health care delivery reform provisions. Source: Gubernatorial press release for 2022 Vermont governor race Jun 23, 2017

On Drugs: Vetoed feasibility study on overdose prevention site

Siegel said [on drug policy] that 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.

Scott shot back that "harm reduction is a big part of our strategy. It is something that we need to pay attention to, but it isn't about the so-called safe injection sites," he said.

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--a place where people can use illicit drugs without fear of arrest, and with medical supervision in case of an overdose.

Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race Sep 16, 2022

The above quotations are from 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Phil Scott. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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Page last updated: Mar 09, 2024