State of Vermont Archives: on Families & Children
David Zuckerman:
Supports universal, statewide paid family leave
We support a universal, statewide paid family leave program. This will help mitigate future health crises by allowing Vermonters to take the time needed when they or family members are sick and will help prevent the spread of illnesses. If we had this
in Vermont before the Covid-19 outbreak, the economic hardship and impossible choices facing hardworking Vermonters could have been mitigated. Paid family leave would have slowed the spread of this life-threatening illness throughout our state.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
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
Phil Scott:
Increased spending on childcare & early learning
Affordable childcare and early learning has been a top priority for Governor Scott as Vermont seeks to expand its labor force and attract young families, while strengthening the state's cradle-to-career education system. The Governor's FY 2020 budget
proposal includes a $7 million increase to the Child Care Financial Assistance Program to raise the subsidy level for low- and moderate-income families and provide financial assistance to early educators.
Source: Gubernatorial press release for 2020 Vermont governor race
Mar 15, 2019
Christine Hallquist:
Pass paid family and medical leave insurance
Pass paid family and medical leave insurance so
Vermonters don't have to choose between caring for family members and their job security.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
Lawrence Zupan:
Cost of paid family leave burden falls on small businesses
On other subjects, including minimum wage and paid family leave, Zupan favors the free-market approach. "Politicians love to give away other people's money," he said, "which is what you are doing when you tell a business you have to pay
$15 an hour or you have to give a certain amount of unpaid leave. Who's going to pay for all these things? "I'll tell you who's being asked to pay for them-it's the engine of economic prosperity, which is the small businesses of this country."
Source: True North Reports on 2018 Vermont Senate race
Aug 10, 2018
Keith Stern:
Paid family leave and $15 hour wage would hurt his business
On his website, Stern said that he and his wife make "a comfortable living," but he also told Vermont Public Radio during an interview
that an employer requirement for paid family leave or a $15 minimum wage would probably put him out of business.
Source: Valley News on 2018 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 20, 2018
Phil Scott:
$800,000 for Guardians ad Litem for kids of drug addicts
We now have an entire generation of young Vermonters suffering the effects of their parents' drug use. We owe it to all of them--to make this right. We need to learn more, and find better ways to support these kids, and their families. As a start,
I have invested nearly $800,000 to support the Guardian ad Litem program, and other services, so we have more trusted professionals advocating for the best interests of these children.I know many dedicated legal advocates, counselors, families and
teachers have been fighting for these kids behind the scenes for years. It's time to bring their needs, stories and challenges forward, and work together to give these kids the opportunities they deserve. That's why I will charge the Director of Drug
Prevention Policy; the Opiate Coordination Council; the Agency of Education; and the Agency of Human Services with finding solutions for these kids. We cannot let this go unaddressed on our watch. We must not, and we will not, fail these children.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Phil Scott:
$7.5 million for Child Care Financial Assistance
My budget directs $7.5 million of this to the Child Care Financial Assistance Program. I'm also proposing investment in competitive grants supporting early care and pre-K. We'll invest $1 million in full-day pre-K programs for high-poverty kids.
And propose a $600,000 grant for the development of a model that helps childcare providers share services.[In the school budget], I'm proposing we increase investment in early care and pre-K by $9.6 million.
Source: 2017 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 25, 2017
Matt Dunne:
Paid leave insurance policy to fund FMLA maternity leave
With one of the lowest wage gaps in the country, and the second highest percentage of women in state government, Vermont has a lot to be proud of in the fight for women's equality. That being said, we have much further to go.My administration will
commit wholeheartedly to paid family leave. Today, many mothers are forced to return to work soon after their child is born because they cannot support their family on the unpaid leave guaranteed by the national Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
But it doesn't have to be this way--[in states with] a state-run paid leave insurance policy, workers are able to take six weeks off to care for not only a newborn, but also a newly adopted child or an ill family member.
Vermont needs to create a program that will bring not only economic security but will also ensure that women who chose to raise their kids full-time in the weeks after they give birth are not at a disadvantage in the workforce.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website MattDunne.com
Mar 3, 2016
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021