[E]SSEX JUNCTION — Democrat Sue Minter criticized her Republican opponent Monday for supporting a major tax increase more than a decade ago and for his company’s work for the state of Vermont for the past 15 years.
At a news conference, Minter outlined several proposals to boost “next generation” manufacturing jobs but also took aim at her opponent, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, for voting in favor of an education funding law in 2003 that included raising the sales tax from 5 to 6 percent. Scott supported Act 68 when he was in the Vermont Senate.
Minter said she was reacting to “attacks” by Republicans that she wanted to raise taxes because she has expressed support for broadening the sales tax to include services while lowering the rate, as recommended by a state commission in 2011. The Republican Party went after Minter for wanting to “tax your haircut,” which Minter disputed.
“I will not add any new tax or services that will hurt middle-class Vermonters. I will not add taxes on your haircut or mine,” she vowed at an event on business innovation at Twincraft Skincare. She said she wanted to limit any tax to services and products that benefit the wealthier, such as limousine rides or small jet purchases and lobbying.
Then she tagged Scott for voting in favor of Act 68 in 2003 — a law meant to iron out problems with the groundbreaking Act 60 — which included the 1 percentage point increase in the sales tax rate.
“He voted for an increase by 20 percent of the most regressive tax that we have that has cost $680 million to middle-class Vermonters,” Minter said, referring to the 1 percentage point increase, which is a 20 percent increase in the rate. She said she was unsure how she would have voted on Act 68.
Through a spokesperson, Scott said he would not vote for Act 68 if it were presented again. He said the tax increase was part of a negotiation that promised to lower education spending that did not materialize because the Legislature was later dominated by Democrats.
Minter also criticized Scott for the work his company, DuBois Construction, during his tenure as state senator and lieutenant governor. On Saturday, Scott announced he would sell his share of the company if elected, but Minter said that didn’t settle the issue.
(Scott has denied a conflict has existed in the past or would if he were elected. He said he will sell his share to protect the employees and to show Vermonters he would be fully committed to the governor’s job.)
“You know, I will say this. After 15 years of being a public servant, including the lieutenant governor, I’m awfully glad that he has finally recognized there is a conflict of interest,” Minter said, then called on Scott to support the establishment of a statewide ethics commission.
Regarding his company’s previous work for the state, even during Minter’s tenure as transportation secretary, the Democrat said: “I think there are a lot of questions still to be answered.”
Minter also took a member of Gov. Peter Shumlin’s administration to task, saying no member of her administration would be allowed to lobby in Vermont for a year after resigning. Administration Secretary Justin Johnson announced last week he was joining a Montpelier lobbying firm but said he was not violating rules because he would not directly lobby Vermont officials.
“One year, no lobbying in the state of Vermont,” Minter said.
At the event, Minter touted the importance of innovation in manufacturing as a way to create high-paying jobs for the next generation and to help close the wage gap between men and women. She also stressed training programs, saying many Vermont high-tech employers say they cannot find qualified workers. She promised to put together a task force of business leaders to suggest ways to form private-public partnerships.
Minter also recommended establishing an industrial park that could use the latest energy-saving and storage technology to attract next generation manufacturers.
Minter said her InnovateVT program focuses on four areas: clean energy and efficiency; farm and forest production; high tech; and next generation manufacturing. She has previously discussed plans to revitalize downtowns with another economic development program, InvestVT.
