(WCAX) MONTPELIER, Vt. Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, according to Vermont election officials, appears to be breaking the law.
Candidates for statewide office must declare their income under a 2017 state law, but they claim Greg Thayer of Rutland appears to be breaking that rule.
According to Vermont law, candidates for statewide office must submit their most current 1040 IRS form.
In contravention of state law, Greg Thayer, a self-employed accountant running for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary, is accused by officials of turning in his 1040 earlier this month with his income erased.
Calvin Cutler, a reporter: Do you intend to submit a new 1040?
Mr Greg Thayer That choice has not yet been made. There have been several events, some of which relate to topics we already knew or were attempting to understand.
Thayer claims that when dealing with a death in the family, he was informed when he submitted his financial report redactions that they were acceptable.
In retrospect, perhaps the advice I received—which I will redact—was poor, he claimed. Thayer continues by saying that he is considering abiding by the law.
Candidates may omit information about their dependents as well as their signature and Social Security number. There are no fines or penalties imposed by the state law.
Jim Condos, the Democratic Secretary of State for Vermont, claims that the statute promotes transparency.
What potential financial conflicts or financial influences might their position in this public office cause, he asked. According to Condos, the law has to be strengthened and given more consequences.
A state-wide code of ethics was adopted by Vermont lawmakers last year. Ethics regulations, according to Castleton University political science professor Rich Clark, are essential for fostering public confidence in the government.
The economy and political systems “tend to grind to a halt” without a high level of confidence, he claimed. Some Americans have had a distrust of government, according to Clark, since the country’s founding. But the whole thing usually falls apart when scepticism develops into cynicism.
The Democratic Secretary of State for Vermont, Jim Condos, asserts that the law encourages openness.
He inquired as to what potential financial conflicts or influences their position in this public office would bring about. Condos contends that the law has to be reinforced and given more severe penalties.
The Vermont legislature passed a statewide code of ethics last year. Rich Clark, a political science professor at Castleton University, believes that ethics laws are crucial for boosting public confidence in the government.
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Thayer acknowledges the value of transparency and maintains his lack of any conflicts of interest, but he believes Vermont should concentrate on issues related to housing, the economy, energy, and schools.
We have a lot of things to do, and that isn’t high on the priority list. For the people,” he remarked, referring to the priority list.
