Editor’s note: This commentary is by Sue Minter, the former Irene Recovery Officer and secretary of transportation, who is the Democratic nominee for governor. She lives in Waterbury Center.
[O]ne year ago, I decided to enter the race for Vermont’s governor. It was a big decision for me and my family. For starters, it meant that in order to abide by state ethics rules, I had to quit my job as Vermont’s secretary of transportation – a job that I loved. As a working mom, this was a serious matter for me and my family. But I know that to lead our state effectively, I need to be all in.
When I jumped into the governor’s race, I recognized that the job of governor is not business as usual. This is the highest public office in our state. Being governor requires sacrifice and commitment to a degree unlike any other public servant. It is appropriate that we subject those who hold high office to the highest standard. Vermonters are entrusting their leaders with their precious resources, and they deserve to know that their governor acts only in the public interest, never for private gain.
Sadly, many Americans, and Vermonters, have lost faith in the integrity of their government – the people they “hire” every Election Day to put the public interest ahead of their own.
In 2002, polls showed that about 60 percent of Americans had faith in government to do what was right; today that number has plummeted to under 20 percent. That’s four out of five Americans who have lost faith in their government.
Closer to home, Vermonters raise an eyebrow when they read that Lt. Gov. Phil Scott’s business receives lucrative state contracts. Or that a state senator continues to receive his taxpayer-funded salary as he faces serious criminal charges. Or that a state regulator who leaves government takes a well-paid position in the very industry she was charged with regulating.
We believe the best in our elected officials and state officials. Until we can’t.
As your governor, voters deserve absolute confidence in my integrity – not just my word, but my full transparency, documents and signed ethics oath.
I believe it is imperative that Vermont join 42 other states in establishing a state ethics commission to restore the public’s trust in government, and would appoint such a panel within my first month in office.
The commission would be independent, charged with developing enforceable ethical and transparency standards for all elected and state officials, as well as conducting training programs to ensure they understand the issues and their responsibilities. The panel would also serve as a clearinghouse for public inquiries and complaints, in some cases reviewing the issues themselves, or referring them to the Attorney General’s office when warranted.
In addition, it’s important that all state officials — including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor and agency secretaries — be required to file disclosure forms outlining income over $10,000, controlling interest in companies, and paid positions on boards. They would also be barred from lobbying for one year after leaving government.
As your governor, voters deserve absolute confidence in my integrity – not just my word, but my full transparency, documents and signed ethics oath.
That’s why I released my tax return and list of personal assets in April, and elaborated on the information provided so voters can see for themselves how I earned my money. It’s why I voluntarily released the tougher federal financial disclosure forms that are required of Congress members. I’ve gone the extra mile on financial disclosure because I believe that Vermonters deserve to know that I conducted no business that benefited from my elected or state position.
I was proud that during our Democratic primary election I called for strong ethics reform, including an ethics commission. I reiterate that call today. It was disappointing that in his lengthy campaign plan released last week, Phil Scott did not include support for an ethics commission.
Let me be clear: In a Minter administration, no state officials will be allowed to compete for public contracts for a business in which they have a financial stake. This type of behavior will be explicitly barred under my ethics reforms, and we will have an ethics commission to ensure transparency and enforcement.
In the year since I entered the race for governor, Vermonters have been sharing their hopes and dreams for the future with me. I take seriously the responsibility of living up to the trust that is placed in me. Hard-working Vermonters deserve to know with total confidence that as your governor, I will be all in — working for you, not the other way around.
