Political notebook

“After watching Phil Scott take large sums from Monsanto and other out-of-state corporations, it has become clear that my leading on the issue of campaign finance is more important than ever,” Hallquist said. “I can now proudly say no corporate money will be associated with my campaign.”

Last month, Hallquist said she would no longer accept corporate cash, but defended her decision to keep the $16,000 in donations she already received. She said that she was relying on the money to pay her unionized campaign staff and that she had personal connections to individuals at all the companies that had contributed to her election bid.

“This isn’t Monsanto,” she said in July, defending her decision to keep the money. “These are Vermont companies. … I know them personally. I know their character. I know exactly who they are.”

Her campaign manager, Cameron Russell, said her announcement Monday wasn’t a political about-face, but a step the campaign could take only after it had a plan to make up for the lost donations.

“Not really a change of heart, just that we couldn’t afford to do it right away,” he said, and Hallquist may have to lend money to the campaign herself.

The corporate donations Hallquist accepted came from the real estate firm Barrett Singer Co. ($4,000), the animal food manufacturer Green Mountain Animal ($4,000), VTel Wireless ($4,080) and Vermont Telephone Co. ($4,080).

Russell said some of the business owners have agreed take back their corporate donations and make donations to her campaign personally, or through family members. But that wasn’t the case across the board, he said.

Hallquist is in a four-way race for the Democratic nomination. The primary is next Tuesday.

“My campaign is returning these monies because it is the right thing to do,” Hallquist said in her statement. “My taking corporate money, no matter the source, muddied the waters and it is critical that no one question my commitment to clean and fair elections.”

Hallquist has pledged to support campaign finance reform, if elected, including legislation to ban corporate campaign donations altogether.

— Xander Landen, VTDigger.org

Local residents named to state-level boards

Several local residents are among the 98 Vermonters nominated by Gov. Phil Scott to state boards and commissions from March 1 through July 31.

Advisory Council on Special Education: Danielle Howes of Fayston.

Community High School of Vermont Board: Grace Sweet of Waterbury Center.

Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Advisory Council: Laura Siegel of Stowe.

District 5 Environmental Commission: Matthew Krauss of Stowe.

Liquor and Lottery Board: Sam Guy of Morrisville.

Travel Information Council: Lisa Wang of Waitsfield, Noah Fishman of Waterbury Center.

Travel and Recreation Council: Molly Mahar of Waitsfield.

Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators: Jeremy Hill of Waterbury.

Vermont State Housing Authority: Cory Richardson of Waterbury.

Victims Compensation Board: Richard Katzman of Waterbury.