Tim Ashe
Democratic Candidate for Vermont State Auditor
What do you believe is the role of state government, if any, in ensuring that everyone living in Vermont has the food they need to thrive?
If I was running for a legislative seat, or Governor or Lt. Governor, I’d answer all the questions in this questionnaire with specifics. However, because I am running for State Auditor, I have to take a different approach. I have to be exceedingly careful not to venture into specific policy proposals. To do so would jeopardize the objectivity and independence required of the Auditor’s Office. According to generally accepted government auditing standards, the professional standard followed by the Auditor’s office, I would possibly need to recuse myself from certain projects if statements during the campaign suggested I approached an audit or report with bias. That said, I have committed my adult life to serving others and making sure our society is more equitable and that people's basic needs are met. I developed affordable housing for a decade with Cathedral Square, and am the president of the Community Health Centers board, Vermont's largest primary care organization. When I worked for Bernie, I helped bring the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to Vermont, which provided thousands of Vermonters with a box of nutritious food each month. I also helped make reforms to the food stamps program to make it easier for eligible families to receive their benefits. When I was the leader of the Senate we funded Everyone Eats for the first time.