Media Disinformation on Proposal 4 so-called "Equality of Rights" Amendment

Renee McGuinness, VFRA member and policy analyst

Two Vermont media outlets are accomplices to keeping voters uninformed about the consequences of Proposal 4 so-called "equality of rights" amendment.

Kevin McCallum, reporter for Seven Days, gives the appearance of providing balance by quoting both proponents and opponents in his "coverage" of both Proposals 3 and 4, but omits information that people need to make an informed vote. McCallum’s article has limited release, as well. There is a reason for this: to keep the public ignorant when they vote. Kevin's biased coverage does not appear on Seven Day’s Facebook page, nor is it in the print edition.

Vermont Digger’s coverage of Proposal 4 also lacks analysis.

So, let’s set the record straight on Proposal 4 so-called “Equality of Rights” amendment:

The third sentence of  Proposal 4 "equality of rights" amendment, “Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted or applied to prevent the adoption or implementation of measures intended to provide equality of treatment and opportunity for members of groups that have historically been subject to discrimination,” enshrines government discrimination in favor of "historically marginalized groups,” in perpetuity. It is NOT an equal rights amendment.

Proposal 4 would provide the legal framework to attempt to defend Vermont's existing DEI bureaucracy and laws, and expand them, all at taxpayer expense.

However, affirmative action programs, now known as "DEI", would be struck down in federal court, because "affirmative action" aka "DEI" programs are in themselves discriminatory. The House and Senate Judiciary Committee’s own expert witness, Professor Peter Teachout, Vermont Law School, stated such in his testimony. These lawsuits will cost taxpayers money and are what “makes lawyers rich,” according to Teachout.

Government is not supposed to provide preferential treatment for anyone, yet that is what Proposal 4 is specifically designed to do.