Voter Information Drive this Monday/Tuesday: Description of Statewide Offices

Governor:

Candidates Debate:

Vermont Public Television’s Governor’s Debate (Oct. 7, 2010) – view it here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295938-1

Vermont Press Association's Gubernatorial Debate (Oct 3, 2010) – view it here:

http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-press-associations-gubernatorial-debate

About the Office:

“The Governor has the highest executive power in the state. The Governor has many responsibilities. The Governor has important powers in lawmaking. When the legislature passes a bill, they send it to the governor. The Governor can then sign the bill to make it law or send it back to the legislature with objections (veto it). If the Governor does not sign the bill or send it back, it will become law. The legislature can pass bills the governor has vetoed, but 2/3 of the members must vote for the bill. If necessary, the Governor may also call a special session of the legislature so they can address a particularly significant issue.

Another important responsibility is to appoint people to positions that help efficiently run our state. The Governor appoints judges, cabinet members, many members of boards and commissions that oversee state institutions, and may appoint replacements for State Officers who are unable to complete a term.”

“The Governor’s Responsibilities.” Colorado.gov. The State of Colorado. 2005. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

Lieutenant Governor:

Candidates Forum

Vermont Press Association's Lt. Governor Debate (Oct 10, 2010) – watch it here:

http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-press-associations-lt-governor-debate

About the Office

“The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate, is a member of the Senate's Committee on Committees which appoint committees and assigns them bills and resolutions to consider, votes in the Senate only to break roll-call ties, and serves as acting governor when governor is unavailable.”

“Office of Lt. Governor. ” Vermont.gov. State of Vermont. 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

State Treasurer:

Candidates Forum

Channel 17’s Candidate Forum for State Treasurer (Sept. 27, 2010) – watch it here:

http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/candidate-forum-state-treasurer

About the Office

“The State Treasurer's Office is responsible for a wide range of administrative and service duties as prescribed by State statute:

• Investment of State funds.
• Issuing all State bonds authorized by the General Assembly.
• Serving as the central bank for State agencies.
• Management of the State’s cash balances, processing of checks, and the reconciliation of payroll and vendor checks.
• Safeguarding and return of unclaimed or abandoned financial property, which is held in trust by the State until the rightful owner can be located.
• Administration of three major pension plans, the deferred compensation plan, and the defined contribution plan for State employees, teachers, and participating municipalities.

The State Treasurer’s Office takes these responsibilities seriously, managing the resources within its purview effectively and efficiently and promoting prudent financial practices in the State of Vermont.”

“About the Treasurer’s Office.” Vermont.gov. State of Vermont. 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

Secretary of State:

Candidates Forum

Vermont Press Association's Secretary of State Debate (Oct. 3, 2010) – watch it here: http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-press-associations-secretary-state-debate

About the Office

“The office of the Secretary of State performs a number of important functions. It oversees:

· Vermont State Archives and Records Administration

· Vermont's Office of Professional Regulation (protects the public from unethical, incompetent or otherwise unprofessional behavior by licensed practitioners in the professions and occupations that are regulated through the Office).

· Corporations division (responsible for the registration of business entities)

· Elections division (protects the integrity of campaigning and elections in Vermont. It administers Vermont’s elections, oversees campaign finance reporting and lobbyist disclosure laws and encourages civic participation).

· Municipal Programs (provides local officials and members of the public with information, assistance, and educational materials related to municipal law and practice and the requirements of Vermont's open government laws.

· the filing and publication of administrative rules by all state agencies.

· notaries public for the State of Vermont.

· Safe At Home address confidentiality program (helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking avoid being tracked down by an abuser using state or local public records).

Colbert, Ginny, Ed. “About the Office.” Vermont.gov. State of Vermont. 2004. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

Auditor of Accounts:

Candidates Forum:

Channel 17 Forum - Vermont Auditor of Accounts Candidates (Oct. 7, 2010) – watch it here: http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/vermont-auditor-accounts-candidates

About the Office:

“The State Auditor is a constitutional officer, elected biennially by the citizens of Vermont. The Auditor’s principal duties are generally defined by 32 VSA §163, 167, and 168. These duties include the following:

· performance audits executed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards promulgated by the U.S. Government Accountability Office;

· the annual audit of the State’s financial statements, commonly known as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR);

· annual Federal Single Audit, which requires states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations expending over $500,000 in federal awards in a year to obtain an audit in accordance with requirements set forth in the Single Audit Act.;

· or reviews as statutorily required by the Legislature, such as the law requiring all tax increment financing districts to be audited once every three years; and

· the request of a municipality, the establishment of uniform systems of accounting and reporting for cities and towns.”

“About the State Auditor’s Office” Vermont.gov. State of Vermont. 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.

Attorney General:

Candidates Debate:

Vermont Public Radio’s Attorney General’s Debate ( Oct. 7^th) - listen at: http://www.vpr.net/episode/49617/

About the Office:

“The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer in the state. He is charged with representing the state in all matters in which the state is a party or has an interest. The office of the Attorney General is dedicated to the protection of the health and safety of all Vermonters.

First established by the Vermont Legislature in 1790, the Office of Attorney General has evolved from its one-person operation shortly after the turn of the 20th century to its current status as the State’s largest law firm. We act as legal counsel to all state agencies and to the Legislature. Our staff handles civil and criminal cases in all courts of the state on both the trial and appellate levels. We both defend the state when it is sued and file our own suits to enforce Vermont’s criminal, environmental, consumer protection, civil rights and countless other laws. “

“The Office of the Attorney General.” Vermont.gov. State of Vermont. 2010. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.