Support Economic Growth with Efficient Business Registration

The Secretary of State is responsible for administrating the business registration process in Vermont. With the economic challenges that Vermont businesses, both large and small, are currently facing, the Secretary of State must always look for ways to streamline the registration process to ensure that government facilitates economic recovery instead of eroding it. As Secretary of State, I will review the on-line and other best practices employed in other states to ensure that Vermont’s business registration process is truly 21st century.

Work with Local Officials to Modernize Public Records

Every municipality in Vermont, from Canaan to Bennington, is required to maintain land and other public records. With the passage of time, maintaining paper records in a secure yet accessible manner is becoming more difficult. Moving to a paperless system, however, cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution when the circumstances and resources of towns across Vermont vary widely. As Secretary of State, I will work with local officials to develop practical, workable strategies for addressing these issues, and to support their efforts with training, coordination, and financial resources whenever feasible.

Put Integrity and Accessibility First in Overseeing Elections and Campaigns

Vermont can pride itself on a political system that has, for the most part, avoided the corruption found in too many other places. The most direct and effective way to ensure that Vermont’s clean record of honesty and integrity is maintained is to ensure that political endeavors such as campaigns and lobbying are as transparent as possible. Information regarding contributions and expenditures should be readily accessible and easily searchable on line. As Secretary of State, I will work to make the disclosure and review of such information as timely, accessible and user-friendly as possible.

Ensure that Professional Regulation Is Transparent and of the Highest Quality

The Secretary of State’s Office regulates 44 different professions in Vermont ranging from land surveyors to nursing home administrators. Vermonters depend on the Secretary of State’s Office to effectively oversee these professions to protect those being served, and to facilitate the responsible practice of these professions. This important work involves coordinating with professional regulatory boards and investigating claims of professional misconduct. As Secretary of State, I will insist on the highest of standards to ensure that clients and citizens are provided accurate information and are not exposed to improper risks, while responsible professionals are treated with proper respect.

Reform Vermont’s Outdated Administrative Procedure Act

As is the case everywhere, more and more of our daily lives are affected by government agencies and regulatory oversight. State government regularly promulgates new rules and pursues contested cases against individuals. The reach and authority of administrative agencies has increased exponentially over the last quarter century. Unfortunately, Vermont’s Administrative Procedure Act has remained essentially unchanged since 1969. As Secretary of State, I will urge prompt passage of the modernized, model Administrative Procedure Act that is currently being finalized so that the authority of regulatory agencies and the rights of citizens are defined and controlled by a modern, up-to-date set of standards.

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