Debate Fact Check – Sue Minter Supports a Carbon Tax

DEFINITELY SUPPORTS A BROAD REGIONAL CARBON TAX; AND PROBABLY WILL SIGN A STATE CARBON TAX  

Walks out of interview when pressed 
Refuses to say she will oppose carbon tax legislation

IN 2015, MINTER SAYS SHE’S ‘INTERESTED’ IN A REGIONAL CARBON TAX
“Democratic candidate Sue Minter, the former secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, said she would be interested in a regional carbon tax…”
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/04/governor-candidates-disavow-carbon-tax/75150680/

MINTER TELLS THE VERMONT FARM BUREAU THAT SHE SUPPORTS A REGIONAL CARBON TAX
“Minter supports a carbon tax. She supports it as part of a regional program for all of New England and supports a cap and trade program.” http://vtfb.org/cms-assets/documents/253037-750536.phil-scott-and-sue-minter.pdf

IN EARLY JULY, MINTER REITERATES SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL CARBON TAX
“Candidates Peter Galbraith and former Vermont Transportation Secretary Sue Minter have spoken favorably of a regional or national tax on carbon…”
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2016/07/07/carbon-tax-activists-pressure-vermont-candidates/86778128/

“Democrats Sue Minter and Peter Galbraith said they would back such a tax in Vermont, but only if other states in the region followed suit.” http://vtdigger.org/2016/07/07/poll-finds-support-for-carbon-tax-other-climate-change-steps/

LATER IN JULY, VTDIGGER REPORTS CARBON TAX DIVIDING GOV. HOPEFULS
“Not surprisingly, the candidates were largely divided along party lines, with Democrats Matt Dunne, Galbraith and Minter all supporting some version of a carbon tax and investment in rural public transportation.” http://vtdigger.org/2016/07/20/carbon-tax-one-issue-dividing-gubernatorial-hopefuls-in-debate/

PRESSED TO EXPLAIN HER POSITION, MINTER WALKS OUT ON INTERVIEW WHEN ASKED ABOUT CARBON TAX
“When we asked Minter whether she supported a carbon tax on Tuesdaymorning she said she doesn’t, but walked away from our interview before we could get all the details on her plan. ‘I think we’ve had plenty of time,’ said Minter.  (Removes microphone and walks away.) http://www.wcax.com/story/33438507/vt-governor-candidates-pressed-on-plans-for-growing-energy-jobs

LATER THAT DAY, MINTER REFUSES TO SAY IF SHE WILL SIGN A VT CARBON TAX
Later Tuesday at our WCAX debate, Minter…stopped short of committing to a veto without knowing what a carbon tax bill would include.  ‘Well, I will see what it is that they’re talking about. There’s no bill in front of me to answer,’ said Minter.” http://www.wcax.com/story/33438507/vt-governor-candidates-pressed-on-plans-for-growing-energy-jobs

MINTER CONTINUES TO SAY SHE ‘CURRENTLY’ DOESN’T SUPPORT IT BUT IMPLIES SUPPORT FOR LARGER REGIONAL TAX
“Minter offered a more nuanced response…If she’s governor and a carbon tax bill comes from the Legislature, ‘I will see what it is that they’re talking about,’ Minter said.” http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/national-politics/article110005512.html