September 2001 Press Release

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Press Release
For Immediate Release  Contact: Elizabeth Reaves
802-828-2148
September 2001

Secretary of State Announces Web Based Teaching Tool

on Issues Facing Vermont Government

"Issues of Government and Governance" Makes Historical Debates Available On Line

Montpelier. Today Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the addition of a new web service. Issues in Government and Governance is designed to give students, citizens and members of the legislature insight into current issues facing Vermont. Markowitz said, " as Vermont begins a new school year we offer what we hope will be a valuable tool for teachers of Vermont government, politics and history."

Each generation of Vermonters has debated similar issues from how we tax to how we pay to educate our children. "Issues in Government and Governance" uses records from earlier debates to help us understand the current conversations. Source documents on such topics as the direct primary, impeachment, use of the veto, statewide referenda, and judicial review can be viewed on-line. Markowitz said, " Using source documents from the Archives, Vermont’s students and teachers can consider whether the executive and judicial branches are encroaching on legislative prerogatives. They can decide whether our current system of choosing candidates of major parties using an open primary makes sense, or they can learn why impeachment is rarely used in Vermont."

Markowitz said, "careful preservation and maintenance of Vermont’s governmental records by this office – through our Archives division - has enabled Vermonters to know and appreciate our unique history. Our records of government are important not just as historical artifacts. They are important for helping us to understand how our government works and for keeping our government accountable." Issues of Government and Governance can be found on the Secretary of State’s Website at

http://vermont-archives.org.

In addition to "Issues of Government and Governance" the Secretary of State’s office promotes civic education in our schools through a variety of programs. Kids Voting Vermont brings together students, parents and community members to teach our children the value of voting. The Secretary of State’s Poster and Essay Contest promotes Vermont History and the Vermont Constitution, and the Secretary of State’s Kids Page (www.sec.state.vt.us) provides easy access information and interactive games on Vermont history, government and geography.

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