Of Primary Importance: Where Do the Democratic Candidates for Governor Stand on Women’s Issues?

Vermont has five Democratic candidates for governor vying for their party’s nomination in the August 24, 2010 Primary Election: Susan Bartlett, Matt Dunne, Deb Markowitz, Doug Racine, and Peter Shumlin. Vermont Woman posed five questions to the candidates, with a focus on the issues facing the women and children of Vermont in particular; their written responses follow.

Note: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 is the last day to register to vote for the Primary Election. If you have questions about the election or registering to vote, please call your town or city clerk. Or, call the Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State at 1-800-439-8683, email mhodge@sec.state.vt.us or write to the Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State, 
26 Terrace Street, Montpelier, VT 05609-1101.

Susan Bartlett, 63, of Hyde Park, Lamoille County. State Senator since 1992; has served as Chair of the Appropriations Committee for eight years. Masters Degree in special education. For full biography and more information: www.bartlettforgovernor.com.

1. What do you perceive to be the most pressing issue at this time specifically for the women of Vermont – and what are the measures you would take to address it?
Susan Bartlett: I believe the most pressing issue facing Vermont women is the same issue we all face, that of a poor economy. Vermont needs to create an environment that supports growing jobs of all kinds and all over the state; so all Vermonters can enter the workforce at their existing skills levels and have ongoing opportunities to improve their job skills.
I do not believe that government creates jobs; I believe that individuals and businesses create jobs. What government can do is fund our regional economic development groups. We can ensure that all regions of the state have access to programs such as the Small Business Administration and information about the variety of loan programs that are available.
As Chair of Senate Appropriations for many years, I have supported dollars for micro-businesses and programs that specifically help women start businesses. It is well understood that many women have worked their way out of poverty and into the middle class by starting a small business that gives them the foothold they need toward financial independence.
I was a small business owner for many years so I understand the issues that women starting and running small businesses face. As the co-owner of Wool and Feathers in Stowe for many years, Gisela and I struggled with the demands and the changing world of retail. With success comes a real feeling of pride and a confidence that you can do many things.
Vermont has always been a state of innovators and small business people. I believe that our economic future lies in the areas of innovation and intellectual property. It is not enough to have that innovative idea; you must follow through and get the patent. It is the patent that then attracts the investors and allows an individual to really grow their business.
As governor I would create an office of Innovation and Intellectual Property and support all of those innovative ideas to reach that next level of success. That clever baby chair design could be the next Jog bra if that woman has the support she needs to follow through on her idea. What Vermont needs is a governor who understands that our best asset is our innovative folks.

2. What are specific legacies of the Douglas governorship that are in need of repair vis a vis women, and how do you propose to do so?
Susan Bartlett: The Douglas administration has failed to seriously address the issue of non-payment of child support. The vast majority of single parents who receive child support are women, so while I acknowledge there are a small percentage of fathers in this situation, I see it as primarily a topic for women and their children.
Many women who need assistance from the state are left asking for help because the absent parent fails to make support payments. The system is so cumbersome that many women simply give up and stop trying to get the state to collect the back payments. It is time consuming and intimidating to have to go to court over and over in an attempt to get the money that is owed. Children are the true victims in these situations. There is currently more than $1 million in back child support payment owed to parents in this state. Certainly some of that money will never be collected, but it is way past time the state take this as a serious situation and make some fundamental changes.
I took the opportunity of Challenges for Change to work with the department of children and families, the office of child support, the tax department, the department of labor, the judiciary and law enforcement to have a serious conversation regarding getting better compliance with the requirements of child support. There are several key issues; the office of child support is understaffed and does not have “field” workers who can go and check up on non-paying parents; tax and labor have no way to check folks who are working under the table; the court system lacks time to have these issues seen as a high priority and does not have simple systems in place for a parent to ask for assistance.
It became obvious to all parties that the remedy for this situation need not be overly complex. When a parent fails to make payments, the office of child support can contact local law enforcement to check out the situation. Frequently the custodial parent knows where the other parent is and what they are doing for work. Local law enforcement can then serve the necessary paperwork and begin the process of collection.
As governor, I will make sure that children stop being the victims of non-payment of child support.

3. Childcare is an economic issue. You can't work if you can't find affordable, safe, and quality care for your child. How would you ensure that every parent that wants to work has access to childcare?
Susan Bartlett: Affordable childcare has been an issue for many years all over America. As long as Americans demand low taxes, services such as high quality, affordable childcare will be an issue for most working women.
I believe that childcare should be viewed as an important part of our educational system. More and more research shows that the early years of growth and development are important. Investments in early education and high quality daycare are in reality an economic savings. Affordable, high quality daycare allows women to work and to become part of our growing economy and it allows children access to the early learning opportunities that are so important for success in school.
As governor I would begin to address this issue by removing the cap on pre-school positions. It is horrible that children have to win a lottery and that schools have to say no to what we understand now is the foundation for good education. Next I would work to educate Vermonters on the value of these programs. I think it is very encouraging that the [Vermont] Business Roundtable is once again talking about this issue as the key to future economic growth in Vermont.
I believe that the key to this issue is the understanding and support of the entire business community. I do not believe it would be overly expensive to provide all of Vermont children access to high quality childcare. The real issue is convincing Vermonters that the early dollar investment is not only smart, but also saves dollars in the long run by encouraging the success of every child.
As governor I would also propose that all daycare, preschool and school meals are free and nutritious. Why? First they should be free because so many parents will not apply for the assistance, so their children go without. Next, when children are hungry, they cannot focus on learning, they simply think and worry about their next meal. In a state with so much, how can we allow any child to go hungry? By combining the money we already spend on school meals, we could meet this goal with little additional spending and we could achieve immediate, positive results for children.

4. Describe to what extent it is important to appoint women in your administration?
Susan Bartlett: It is very important to me to appoint women to my administration. But the most important factors for any position in my administration are that the person be knowledgeable in the field, have a successful track record of getting to positive outcomes, and they work well with others. I want individuals who are willing to try new ideas and who will work to help all those they work with to get to good results. My appointments will not be political and they will not be rewards to helping me become governor.
There is no better way to appreciate the importance of women in government working in the Legislature for 18 years and on the appropriations committee for many of those years. Women bring a different perspective and different approach to problem solving than men. It isn’t good and it isn’t bad, it’s just different.
First, is a woman’s preference to take the long view of an issue and second is the willingness to reach across political divides to get to “yes.” It is no mistake that over the years as chair of senate appropriations I have worked to get the majority of my seven members to be women. In the complex policy issues we face in the budget, women work well to get to comprehensive solutions.
Over the years I have had many conversations with individuals who work with government and many of them comment on the differences they have seen over the years, as more and more women are in the Legislature and in positions of authority in state government. There are many capable women in Vermont who could offer leadership in state government and they will be part of a Bartlett administration.

5. With specific examples, convince us why you should earn the vote of women over your opponents in the Democratic primary.
Susan Bartlett: Vermont women should vote for me for governor because I am the best qualified person for the position. My position as Chair of Appropriations has prepared me to understand not only the finances of the state, but the many complex policies that drive those finances.
I have been getting the approval of $4 billion budgets for many years and that is not an easy task. I have had to learn to say no and explain why it is necessary for not only my committee, but also the senate as a whole to say no. I have learned to balance the many needs of our state with the limited dollars that we have to spend.
My reputation in the Statehouse is of being fair, balanced, direct and willing to listen to all sides of an issue. People also know that I am not afraid to make a difficult decision and stick to it.
I was the first woman and the first Democrat to represent Lamoille County in the senate. My county is a very good representation of the state as a whole, fairly tolerant on social issues and fiscally pretty conservative. I have earned their votes over some difficult elections when the state was divided over issues such as Act 60 and Civil Unions.
To beat Brian Dubie in the general election, I believe that the Democrats need to have a moderate as their candidate. For many years now the general public has shown they want a moderate in the governor’s office. We don’t seem to care so much about what party they belong to, we want a person who represents our values.
As I travel the state I find that Vermonters like my candor, my real ideas and my willingness to work with others. I find that I am much better known than I anticipated. Vermonters like me and I believe that will turn into votes on primary day and then in the general election. I would appreciate your support.

Matt Dunne, 40, of Hartland, Windsor County. Served four terms in the legislature (House, then Senate); was House Majority Whip in 1998. Currently Manager of Community Affairs for Google. Attended Brown University; degree in Public Policy. For full biography and more information: www.mattdunne.com.

1. What do you perceive to be the most pressing issue at this time specifically for the women of Vermont – and what are the measures you would take to address it?
Matt Dunne: The most pressing issue for women today comes down to one overarching theme: the ability to make choices.
Women earn approximately 80 cents for every dollar men make for doing the same job. While more women in Vermont attain bachelors degrees than men, their average wage is only a few hundred dollars more than that of men with high school diplomas. Affordable childcare is scarce, housing costs continue to rise, and women are twice as likely as men to live in poverty. These realities prevent women from making choices that allow them to escape poverty and advance to economic security.
Additionally, challenges for women are not limited to those in poverty. My mother pioneered women's equality efforts at Dartmouth [College] and my wife led the effort at Middlebury [College] to require fraternities to be co-ed. We need to create a society that can allow women to make choices in life and that provides flexibility to allow women to take time off to care for a child without damaging future job prospects.
Finally, Vermont still faces high rates of domestic violence and we continue to see a rise in the number of women with children entering the corrections system. A woman fearing the safety of her and her children will frequently become stuck in the complex process of obtaining protection, financial support and temporary housing.
Vermont can be the state that leads the way in demonstrating how creating a society that empowers women will strengthen our economy.
The solution to these problems include the following:
• Increase resources through nonprofit partners to address domestic violence.
• Change the benefits structure to eliminate the welfare cliff for single mothers.
• Micro-finance investment for small businesses – with only 25 percent of businesses in Vermont owned by women, my administration will partner with VT Women’s Business Center, Community Action and CEDO organizations to increase the number of women-owned businesses in the state.
• Provide education for employers and requirements if necessary to ensure all women understand how to negotiate up front flexibility for family, better pay packages, and have the ability to take paid sick days.
• Provide broadband and affordable hardware. For many women, the ability to work from home ensures that they don't need to take time off when school is cancelled or children are sick.
• We must ensure there is a clear path for women out of prison including treatment, and guarantee that every child of a woman in prison has a mentor.

2. What are specific legacies of the Douglas governorship that are in need of repair vis a vis women, and how do you propose to do so?
Matt Dunne: Under the Douglas/Dubie administration issues such as job creation, health care, education, and bringing Vermonters out of poverty have all suffered. These issues affect all Vermonters, but have ultimately hurt women and children the hardest.
I have set out clear and specific plans to turn around each of these issues. For example, I will create jobs by investing in broadband technology to build the environment to encourage innovation, supporting education from preschool to universities, providing the capital necessary to build start-ups, and bringing the next generation of green jobs to the state.
Specifically in regards to healthcare, the Douglas administration has offered "competition" as the solution to the healthcare cost problem. While attractive on its face, the proposal to allow any Vermont company to purchase health insurance in any other state would immediately allow for insurers to charge women more than men for insurance. The justification for that higher cost: women get pregnant leading to higher healthcare costs than men. This type of proposal undermines our basic values as a state that both men and women have the responsibility to bear the costs of childbirth. My administration will deliver a comprehensive self-insurance program that will cover all Vermonters, paid for fairly by all Vermonters and ensure that every family gets a primary care physician.
The Douglas administration has also undermined efforts to ensure universal pre-school and investments in quality day care. We need both to ensure a strong work force and to reduce education costs down the road. My administration will deliver a nation-leading demonstration project for early childhood education by inviting federal and private foundation funds to provide quality education to all 15,000 two-, three-, and four-year olds in our state.
Finally, the Douglas administration has gone so far as to propose eliminating funding for VHCB. With housing continuing to be a major barrier for women escaping poverty, I will ensure ongoing investment to meet our housing needs.

3. Childcare is an economic issue. You can't work if you can't find affordable, safe, and quality care for your child. How would you ensure that every parent that wants to work has access to childcare?
Matt Dunne: Vermont has the unique opportunity to approach childcare and early childhood education from an innovative perspective. And with nearly a quarter of households with children headed by single moms, childcare is imperative to ensuring women have the same opportunities as men across the state.
We can first address this through strong early childhood education. Because of the scale of our state (we have only 15,000 children between the ages of 2 and 5), we can collaborate with organizations like the Nellie Mae Education Foundation to fund the first statewide demonstration project for comprehensive, quality early education. The program would be led by Vermont early education innovators and the savings in early education created by the project would be used to continue the program into the future.
We also will need to develop additional public private partnerships to expand quality, affordable childcare across the state, including using state funds to leverage AmeriCorps resources to explore new models for affordable childcare and provide a pipeline for childcare professionals.

4. Describe to what extent it is important to appoint women in your administration?
Matt Dunne: Vermont is struggling with the highest deficits in history, underemployment, and environmental challenges never seen before. In order to tackle these challenges we will need the fresh ideas and perspectives from across Vermont to move us into a new era.
Having helped build a Vermont-based software company, managed a 6,000 person public enterprise, created new leadership programs at Dartmouth College, and now working at Google, I know that without women in prominent roles in my administration I will only be accessing half the perspectives necessary to succeed as governor. In each of these roles, I have had the opportunity to support, promote and empower women, while working in flexibility for single mothers to ensure we were able to retain strong employees who were then able to move into leadership positions. My administration will be no different. In fact, with so much economic opportunity from empowering more women to succeed in small business and the workplace, we will need women with firsthand experience to bring the vision and practical solutions to achieve that goal.
On a financial front, women’s pay equity in Vermont state government has improved in recent years, with the greatest gains in middle management. Appointing women to positions in my administration will continue this progress, closing the gap in leadership positions. And my commitments to higher education for Vermonters with low incomes and to affordable, high-quality early childhood education will remove two of the common barriers to women’s advancement in the workplace. With more women in leadership positions, my administration will be able to address issues important to Vermont families such as job creation, poverty, domestic and sexual violence, paid family leave and child care, with greater creativity and a broader range of perspectives.

5. With specific examples, convince us why you should earn the vote of women over your opponents in the Democratic primary.
Matt Dunne: I am the candidate with the experience and track record to specifically address the challenges faced by women in Vermont.
As the national Director of AmeriCorps*VISTA, I learned the most effective strategies for empowering people out of poverty, including innovations in delivering quality childcare, eliminating the "welfare cliff" addressing transportation and housing needs in rural communities, and developing programs for women to start their own small businesses.
My experience working for progressive companies gives me the business platform and firsthand experience to understand that providing flexibility in the workplace is good for business. More so than the other Democratic candidates, I will be able to advocate for necessary changes in Vermont's work culture to make sure we close the wage gap, ensure women are not penalized for doing right by their children, and will be able to partner with business groups and women empowerment organizations to make sure we achieve the culture of business that allows all women to succeed.
My track record as a legislator who has supported women in leadership, sponsored legislation to tackle cervical cancer, helped provide better access to health services, and has been a staunch supporter of civil rights in general, demonstrates my long standing commitment to women's issues. I look forward to taking those values to the Governor's office so we can once again lead the country as a state that empowers women to succeed and demonstrates that a strong economy is dependent on creating a work culture that allows women to have a stronger economic foundation and allows women to make choices.
Finally, a Governor Brian Dubie would be a step back for women in Vermont. He opposes a woman's right to choose and many of the programs necessary to ensure single mothers have the flexibility they need to succeed. Women across the state are supporting me in this race, including women leaders in the Legislature, business and nonprofit world, because they know that in order to win we need a candidate who has the trust, communication skills, management experience, and business background to be able to deliver on the promise of job creation. My candidacy is uniquely positioned to be the strongest candidate to win in November and to bring Vermonters together to achieve the change we need to bring Vermont into a new era.

Deb Markowitz, 48, of Montpelier, Washington County. Vermont Secretary of State since 1999. Earned law degree from Georgetown University in 1987. For full biography and more information: www.debforvermont.com.

1. What do you perceive to be the most pressing issue at this time specifically for the women of Vermont – and what are the measures you would take to address it?
Deb Markowitz: With more than 23,000 Vermonters unemployed, our first priority as a state must be to get Vermonters back to work. At the same time, we need to recognize that working Vermonters are struggling with the rising costs of housing, health care, energy and education. We need to innovate and to change the way we do things in Montpelier so that we can make Vermont more affordable into the future.
In order to jumpstart job growth, Vermont must adopt an aggressive and innovative strategy – a road map for economic development. For far too long we have had no plan, and Vermont’s business environment is stagnant because of the inaction. Women have been hit especially hard during this economic downturn.
In June, with business leaders from across the state, I released JumpStartVT, an action plan for Vermont's economic future that focuses on getting Vermonters back to work and ensuring that Vermont remains the best place to live, work, raise a family and grow a business. My plan uses our existing resources in strategic and innovative ways to jumpstart job growth – ensuring Vermont's existing businesses have the capital they need to grow. I will also help new business start-ups with innovative incentives and I will ensure our children are prepared for the twenty-first century jobs we will create right here in Vermont, like clean energy manufacturing, biotech and high tech.
I will also be the chief marketing officer for Vermont. I believe that a key to starting an economic turnaround in Vermont is an energetic governor who will broadcast the positive message that Vermont is ready and very much open for business. I will promote our value-added products, our exciting tourism opportunities and build the Vermont brand that is a major asset.
A focus on the economy cannot be complete without a focus on education. I will maintain support for our K-12 schools to ensure our students are prepared for college or career. I will also change the law to require all children to stay in school until age 18 or until they graduate. To prepare these kids for college or career we must continue to support our technical schools, we must expand students’ options for night school, community-based and workplace learning, apprenticeships in the trades and the opportunity to earn GEDs. Earning a high school diploma or equivalent certification is a workforce development issue. The twenty-first century jobs Vermont will grow depend on highly-skilled employees.

2. What are specific legacies of the Douglas governorship that are in need of repair vis a vis women, and how do you propose to do so?
Deb Markowitz: As governor I will stand up for equal pay for equal work within state government. I was honored to be invited by Senator Patrick Leahy to meet Lilly Ledbetter, the courageous woman who is now the face of pay discrimination in America. Her name is in the title of landmark legislation that guarantees the rights of all Americans to receive equal pay for equal work. We should be proud that our entire congressional delegation co-sponsored this civil rights legislation.
Unfortunately, a year after that historic victory, eight years after Vermont's pay equity law, and nearly 50 years after President John F. Kennedy signed into law the original “Equal Pay Act”, women in Vermont still make 81 cents for every dollar a man doing the same job earns.
The long fight for pay equity is not just a women's issue. It is a family issue. The Institute for Women's Policy Research found the average family would gain nearly $6,000 per year from wage equity. That is $500 per month not available to our working families; money that would certainly be welcome to help pay the bills during these hard times.
We know from years of experience that changes in the law do not, on their own, change discriminatory behavior. To tackle pay equity we must look at our own practices and attitudes about the value of "women's work." As governor I will look at state government’s practices and I will get serious about enforcement of our fair pay laws.

3. Childcare is an economic issue. You can't work if you can't find affordable, safe, and quality care for your child. How would you ensure that every parent that wants to work has access to childcare?
Deb Markowitz: According to the US Census, there are approximately 33,000 children between the ages of 0-5 in Vermont. Sixty-eight percent of these children have both parents in the workforce. This means that approximately 20,000 children under the age of five need care. The average Vermont parents are spending over 11 percent of their income on child care costs – on average about $8,000 per year.
Access to safe, affordable childcare is essential for Vermont’s working families. I remember struggling as a young working mother to find care for my infant children. I didn’t know what to do when I discovered that there were only two childcare centers that offered infant care in my area – and they were both full. As governor I will invest in programs that will remove the barriers to employment. This includes supporting childcare programs that offer subsidized care for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
Our kids need more than just safe and nurturing childcare. We need to reform our early education system, creating a unified statewide approach where every community has programs that can serve the children in its area. As governor, I will propose an early childhood education system that coordinates local partnership programs, trains private caregivers, and establishes a basic curriculum that will prepare children for success in school.
My plan begins with investing in early childhood education. That is because we know that children who begin school ready to learn are more likely to succeed in school and in life. They will score higher in reading and math. They are more likely to graduate high school, attend college and hold a good paying job. Vermont has already made tremendous strides in early education. The number of children in preschool has risen dramatically, yet still only 52 percent of 4-year-olds and 17 percent of 3-year-olds were enrolled in an early education program. According to the National Institute for Early Education, the long-term economic benefits for the education funding amounts to about $25,000 in savings over the life of a child.

4. Describe to what extent it is important to appoint women in your administration?
Deb Markowitz: As the founder of the Vermont Women’s Leadership initiative, I have worked for my entire career to increase the number of women in public service. The Vermont Women’s Leadership initiative focused on encouraging women to run for elective office on both the local and state level. When we started the program in 1999 Vermont lagged the nation in the number of women in elective office, and as the result of our efforts I am very proud that Vermont now leads the country in percentage of women in the Legislature.
I believe in hiring a diverse workforce of the best and the brightest. One of the reasons I was so successful as Secretary of State is that I never asked anyone about their political views before I hired them. I was happy to hire people who had worked in both Republican and Democratic administrations because that told me they were well-respected in their fields and could get the job done. As governor, I will continue this practice. The people I choose to lead our state agencies will be mission-focused managers with the practical experience and expertise in the areas that they will be overseeing. With a great management team in place we will be ready to transform state government to ensure that Vermont remains the best place to live, work and raise a family.
As governor I will also make Vermont government a welcoming place for people of all races and ethnicities. I will make it a goal for every agency to strengthen fairness and eliminate prejudice and discrimination of every kind. In my Office of Planning, Partnership and Performance, there will be a position dedicated to ensuring that issues of diversity are included in all of our public policy conversations – whether about health outcomes, economic development investments, education quality or law enforcement.

5. With specific examples, convince us why you should earn the vote of women over your opponents in the Democratic primary.
Deb Markowitz: Whoever the next governor is will inherit a mess from the current administration. I am the only candidate in this race with a proven executive record of solving the problems Vermonters face. Of all of the candidates I am the only one who has built a budget, defended it to the Legislature and then managed the budget. I am the only one who has found efficiencies and eliminated waste, and I am the only candidate who has worked with local leaders and citizen of every town and small businesses across the state, so I know firsthand that one-size-fits-all decisions from Montpelier rarely work.
I ran for Secretary of State without any political experience because I was working to help state and local governments around Vermont, and realized the Secretary of State’s office wasn’t providing services worthy of our people. Phones weren’t being answered. Business deals were lost or delayed because of red tape and bureaucracy. Consumers were vulnerable to fraud and abuse because of a backlog of complaints, and voting rights were left unprotected. I knew we could do better, and I knew I had the vision, skills and leadership to make this happen.
Now, 12 years later, having succeeded in transforming the office of the Secretary of State from a bureaucratic backwater to a public service powerhouse, I am ready for the next challenge. I again believe I have something unique to offer the state of Vermont. We have been stuck without a vision and without a plan for too long. Things need to be shaken up. We need an infusion of energy – of innovative new leadership. You can see for yourself by reading my action plan for Vermont, JumpStartVT, which uses existing resources strategically and innovatively to keep Vermont the best place to live, work and raise a family.
I am not asking for your support because I am a woman running for governor. I am asking for your support because, of all of the candidates in the race, I have the experience Vermont needs right now to change the way we do things in Montpelier so that we can create jobs and protect Vermont’s quality of life for future generations. I also know that having women in leadership positions makes a difference. I was lucky enough to get to know Governor Madeleine Kunin when I was in college at UVM – because I was her waitress. I will always remember the advice she gave me when I was just 20 years old. She had just lost a tough campaign for governor. She had taken a risk for the important things she believed in. She told me that women have been working behind the scenes for decades, but it is only when we are brave enough to risk defeat that we will ever get to the head of the table. And it is only when we are at the head of the table that we will be able to make a real difference for women and families. Then she told me that if I ever had the opportunity I should take the chance and run for office. Governor Kunin has been a mentor for me and a role model for thousands of women in my generation. I feel grateful to have her support in this campaign. I only hope that if I follow in her footsteps and become Vermont’s next governor I can be a role model for future generations of girls.

Douglas A. Racine, 57, of Richmond, Chittenden County. Serving seventh term as State Senator; currently Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee. Lieutenant Governor 1997-2002. Graduated with honors from Princeton University, 1974. For full biography and more information: www.dougracine.com.

1. What do you perceive to be the most pressing issue at this time specifically for the women of Vermont – and what are the measures you would take to address it?
Doug Racine: Two issues are of great concern to me that affect women in particular. The first is that the federal Supreme Court is a closely divided court. This is an important issue for women in Vermont because the federal court could roll back women's rights in a way that leaves certain questions (like reproductive freedom or equality in sports in public schools) up to the states. It is critical that Vermont's state leadership stands strongly for women's rights and for equality. I am 100 percent pro-choice and will work to protect every woman's right to reproductive freedom in Vermont. I have been standing up for women's rights throughout my entire career. I will continue my commitment to women's rights and equality and will stand strong if the federal court tries to go back.
An equally important issue facing women in Vermont is the increasing rate of poverty. Although this issue affects us all, women are disproportionately affected for two reasons. First, because women are more likely to be unemployed, and secondly because approximately two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women. I have a long record of working to decrease poverty in Vermont, as well as to provide supports for low-income families. I fought for and (as acting governor) signed into law Vermont’s Equal Pay Act in 2002. I co-chair Vermont’s Poverty Council, which held hearings in every county of the state to highlight and begin to address poverty issues in Vermont. I have fought for many years to provide economic opportunities for low-income workers. For example, this year I fought against cuts to the Micro-Business Program which helps single moms start businesses and work their way out of poverty. I have also fought for many years to provide adequate funding for early childhood programs and education, so that all Vermont children can come to school ready to learn. I have a deep commitment to making sure that all of our families have a good quality of life and that all of our children are nurtured and get off to a good start.

2. What are specific legacies of the Douglas governorship that are in need of repair vis a vis women, and how do you propose to do so?
Doug Racine: The real legacy of the Douglas administration is the us-vs.-them mentality that leads to a culture of victimization and blame. The approach of the Douglas-Dubie administration has devalued people and helped those who already enjoy privilege or power. At the same time, they have ignored Vermont's economic and social injustices and instead blamed those in need for our budget problems. This us-vs.-them culture cuts across many issues, from education to mental health services to our economic development strategies. My approach will be to recognize the value of every Vermonter and to recognize that the role of state government is to help all of us live up to our full potential. All Vermonters should have equal opportunity to get ahead and live a quality life and contribute to our communities.

3. Childcare is an economic issue. You can't work if you can't find affordable, safe, and quality care for your child. How would you ensure that every parent that wants to work has access to childcare?
Doug Racine: I was one of the founders of the Parent Child Center Network that helps young and vulnerable families get their children off to a good start. I would like to continue the work of the Network and try to expand it. Further, I would work with childcare providers to make sure that they are getting the education and support they need from the state to provide quality childcare for our families. Next, I believe that a high-quality pre-K education is critical for children to be successful in our K-12 schools. I will target state resources to early childhood needs, so that every family in Vermont will have real choices about how to provide nurturing and quality care for their children – either in the home or with a provider.

4. Describe to what extent it is important to appoint women in your administration?
Doug Racine: I will search out the very best people for appointed positions, and I am fully committed to having my administration reflect the demographics and diversity of Vermont’s population. As governor, I’d like to do what Governor Kunin did in her administration and offer career development opportunities to mid-level professionals to allow them to advance their careers.

5. With specific examples, convince us why you should earn the vote of women over your opponents in the Democratic primary.
Doug Racine: I have a long history of fighting for equal rights, social justice, and a high quality of life for all Vermonters. Of all of the candidates in this race, I have the longest and the strongest record of commitment to reproductive rights, civil rights, and economic justice. My passion has been economic and social justice for all Vermonters, and I’ve demonstrated this through my commitment to fight for higher wages for low-income workers, to fight against all assaults on reproductive freedom, to support civil rights for gays and lesbians before the Baker decision, and to strongly advocate for supports for single moms and budgetary support for domestic violence programs and victim assistance.
Over my years in state government, I’ve been attacked because of these positions. In 1999 when I said publicly that I would support marriage equality, the Burlington Free Press ran an editorial denouncing me, but I did not change my position. I have been accused of being a “tax and spend” liberal because of my support for programs that help people, including programs that are designed to help women and programs that attempt to address homelessness. This past year I fought against the proposed cuts in the “Challenges for Change” process that would have cut programs in a way that would seriously affect low-income families, our elderly, Vermonters with disabilities, and single mothers.
As governor, I will be the same person I have always been – one who truly believes in equal opportunity for every Vermonter, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or race. I have and will continue to fight for equal opportunity, and I will insist that my administration start with the premise that our job is to seek justice, not blame the victims of injustice.

Peter Shumlin, 54, of Putney, Windham County. Has served as State Senator for 13 years, including top Chamber leadership post President pro-tempore. Graduate of Wesleyan University. For full biography and more information: www.shumlinforgovernor.com.

1. What do you perceive to be the most pressing issue at this time specifically for the women of Vermont – and what are the measures you would take to address it?
Peter Shumlin: The most pressing issue for all Vermonters, including women, is the lack of good paying jobs and economic opportunities. Too many Vermont women are struggling, even with two or three jobs, to support their families on low, often stagnant wages. While all Vermonters are finding these low, stagnant wages to be a challenge, the challenge for women is even greater with women today, making 81 cents for every dollar that a man earns. This is unacceptable and as governor, I will make job creation a top priority and will also fight for wage equity.
In order to get Vermonters working again and create new economic opportunities we need a governor who has business experience, a record of getting tough things done and a vision for a new economy. I believe that I am that candidate. I have been a small business owner in Vermont since I was 23 years old; working collaboratively with many Vermonters I have established a record of getting tough things done and I have a vision for a new economy based upon renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
I have a plan to get Vermonters working again and to make Vermont a state where our children can return in order to make a good living and raise their families. As Governor, I will implement a single payer health care system in order to get the burden of health care off the backs of our employers and offer affordable, quality health care to all Vermonters.
There is no question that broadband access is essential for economic development and I will ensure that every Vermonter has broadband access by 2013. My favorite Vermont governor and our last governor from Putney, George D. Aiken, did for electricity what I will do for broadband access; deliver it to the end of every dirt road.
I will put all of our children on the path to success by investing in universal pre-K education for every Vermont child. This will not only give our children the tools they need to succeed but will help parents re-enter the workforce and begin to end the expensive and damaging trend of locking up so many of our non-violent offenders. Vermont has the sad distinction of locking up more non-violent offenders than any other state in the nation. The offenses could likely have been avoided if these Vermonters were taught how to read and write when they were children.
Finally, I will ensure that Vermont grasps a piece of the economic opportunities that climate change presents. There is no question that huge money is going to be made as we begin to get off our addiction to oil. The question is, will we have a leader in the governor’s office, who has the ability to get tough things done and the vision to seize these opportunities.

2. What are specific legacies of the Douglas governorship that are in need of repair vis a vis women, and how do you propose to do so?
Peter Shumlin: Under the Douglas Administration, Vermont has earned the distinction of locking up more non-violent offenders than any other state in the nation. Seventy-one percent of women in Vermont’s prisons are non-violent offenders, often being incarcerated for offenses like writing bad checks. In addition, the majority of these women are mothers and the primary providers for their children.
Corrections is now the second largest area of growth in our state budget behind health care. Locking up non-violent offenders is not only unsustainable and expensive it leads to more crime and produces unintended victims, the children of the incarcerated.
We know a few key facts about Vermont’s non-violent offenders. First, 97 percent had difficulty learning to read and most still have difficulty reading. Ninety-four percent have drug and alcohol related problems. As governor, I would begin to integrate these non-violent offenders back into society and ensure that the community mental health, substance abuse and adult education services are in place to allow these Vermonters to become successful and productive members of society.
With each non-violent inmate costing the state’s taxpayers $40,000, $50,000 and even $60,000 per-inmate, per year, we will begin to bend the cost curve and provide resources where they belong – in early education. As governor, I would use these resources to invest in early childhood education for all Vermont’s children.
Instead of putting non-violent offenders in jail we need to stop the problems before they begin. It is not only the right thing to do, it makes economic sense. Early education is a key component in this kind of prevention. Early education helps reduce the achievement gap and equals the playing field so that all children can start school ready to learn rather than behind before they even begin.

3. Childcare is an economic issue. You can't work if you can't find affordable, safe, and quality care for your child. How would you ensure that every parent that wants to work has access to childcare?
Peter Shumlin: Affordable, quality childcare is essential for Vermonters to be able to hold down their jobs and climb the economic ladder. Without childcare and reliable transportation, staying in the workforce becomes impossible, and sends families into a downward economic spiral. The cost of childcare is a quiet crisis that is busting the budgets of working families. As governor I will continue to make support for childcare a cornerstone of my economic development and education policies. Until we do that, we will not have wage parity or a strong workforce.
A critical part of my plan to get our economy moving again is to invest in universal early childhood education. Under my leadership, the Legislature passed legislation allowing interested communities to provide limited early education services in quality settings; it does not go far enough. Offering pre-K education to all Vermont children will give them the tools they need to succeed as adults. Children enrolled in early education programs score higher in math and reading and are more likely to become successful, productive members of society. This investment will also help parents re-enter the workforce.
While I have a strong record of supporting early childhood education and childcare in the Legislature, I have also supported childcare in my family’s small business. Putney Student Travel covers the complete cost of childcare for our employees with children, as well as providing above average wages and complete health and retirement benefits.

4. Describe to what extent it is important to appoint women in your administration?
Peter Shumlin: As governor, I will end the age of appointing political cronies. I will hire a team, made up of many competent women and men who share my vision for a Vermont that has a single payer health care system, the highest quality of life in the nation, a successful economy based upon renewable energy, value-added agricultural products and manufacturing. The best people to undertake the administration of our initiatives are people with expertise, not people who have scored the most political points.
As a small business owner, my executive style is collaboration and empowerment. I have always felt that it is my job as the Chief Executive to select the best people I can find who share my vision and goals and empower them to get the job done with frequent reports concerning how I can help them to meet our stated goals. I provide the vision and clarity and ask my team to work collaboratively with community members, advocates and local experts.
I have had the privilege of working with so many intelligent and competent women over the years in my capacity as a small business owner and in public service (in fact my campaign manager is a young, Vermont woman) and am blessed with two bright daughters at home in Putney. I believe that appointing women in my administration is critical and is also a good way to provide role models to the next generation of young, Vermont women. I will ensure that the women in my administration receive equal wages to their male counterparts and will work until there is wage equity throughout Vermont.

5. With specific examples, convince us why you should earn the vote of women over your opponents in the Democratic primary.
Peter Shumlin: Vermont is facing several daunting challenges – we face the highest unemployment rate in 30 years, those employed are struggling to pay mounting bills on low and often stagnant wages in a state that is becoming unaffordable for many; health care costs are spiraling out of control, crushing both Vermont families and businesses; our education system is struggling after eight years of being under siege from an administration that pits tax payers against our children, and our quality of life is endangered with family farms failing at an alarming rate.
It is time for a leader who shares Vermonters’ values and has a record of getting tough things done. Despite our challenges, I am bullish on Vermont and believe that our future is bright and our prospects unlimited. But in order to succeed we need a leader with the experience and vision to grasp the opportunities available to us. I believe I am the candidate to successfully address these challenges and create a stronger state because I have a track record of bringing people together to do just that. Working with a variety of Vermonters I helped lead the effort to make Vermont the first state in the nation to pass marriage equality. A year later, I worked to close the aging, leaking nuclear power plant, Vermont Yankee on schedule. These were not easy tasks but passing universal health care, jumpstarting our economy and getting Vermonters back to work will all be equally tough challenges.
Finally, I can win this race and beat Brian Dubie. Vermont cannot afford to elect Brian Dubie and I am the Democratic candidate who can beat him in November. I have the strongest track record of getting tough things done, the best plan to put Vermonters back to work. In addition, I am socially liberal and fiscally responsible. My record of fiscal responsibility is key to gaining the support of independents and swing voters that one needs to win a statewide election in Vermont.