PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Thuy Nguyen
(802) 828-2148
April 20, 2000________________________________________________________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE DEB MARKOWITZ
LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE:Vermonters Now Have Access To More Data Over The Internet
Montpelier - Vermont Secretary of State Deb Markowitz announced the arrival of her updated state-of-the-art homepage on the World Wide Web as part of an effort by her administration to make Vermont government more efficient and accessible to the public through technology. "I believe the Internet is a valuable tool to make information accessible to Vermonters," Secretary Markowitz said. "Through use of the Internet and our enhanced web site, we are becoming more responsive and more effective in meeting the needs of the public."
The Secretary of State's office web page was created to give Vermonters free, up-to-date information 24 hours a day on everything from corporate filings to campaign finance reports. Secretary Markowitz said "Our new web page has greatly increased the efficiency of our office. For example, now that Vermont’s banks and businesses can go directly to our website for information on corporate status or to look at a business’s financing statements our staff have been freed up to provide faster and better services to those people who call or stop by for service."
According to webmaster Web Editor, "some of the most popular pages on our website are our on-line publications. Vermonters visit our site to find out how to start a business or non-profit corporation – and link right to the necessary forms. Some go to our Elections page to learn what is required under our new campaign finance law. Others visit our municipal site to read our "Opinions" newsletter" or our "Pocket Guide to Open Meetings."
The Secretary of State’s office web site also highlights Secretary Markowitz’s interest in increasing young people’s understanding and appreciation of Vermont government and their participation in the democratic process. The web site’s colorful "Kids Page" has information on Vermont’s government, history and geography. Younger children can download the coloring book of state symbols. The list of Vermont firsts is interesting for people of all ages. There is even a section on Vermont’s sea monsters.
The URL for the Secretary of State Office’s home page is http://www.sec.state.vt.us
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Some Highlights
Of The Secretary of State’s Web Pagehttp://www.sec.state.vt.us
Start up a business.
Begin by reading our on-line-publication "Doing Business in Vermont." Check our listing of tradenames to see if the name you wish to use for your business is already taken. Link to our Business Forms to make your tradename request or to fill out your Articles of Incorporation or Limited Liability Articles of Organization forms. Our website links you right to the relevant law so that you can see for yourself what is required when starting up your business. You can also research existing businesses, download your annual report forms, look at UCC financing statements
Learn whether your hairdresser
(or doctor, dentist, or dietician) is licensed
to practice in Vermont.
Search our database to see whether a person practicing any one of 37 professions is licensed to practice. Look at the laws and rules that regulate the profession. Download a complaint form and learn how our office processes those complaints. Review press releases on disciplinary actions.
Look at how Vermonters voted during the last election.
Review the official results of the 2000 Presidential Primary and or search our archives for the results of past elections. Look at the July 1999 campaign finance filings of the year 2000 candidates. Read our on-line Guide to Vermont’s Campaign Finance Law Research who is lobbying in the legislature this year and whether they have given any gifts to particular legislators.
Visit our on-line exhibits from the Vermont Archives.
Read state Archives presentations View our on-line photo exhibits Study our Continuing Issues of Government and Governance that use source materials from the Archives to provide an historical perspective on current issues from impeachment to majority election of state officers. Use the searchable catalog to see what records the Archives holds that might be of interest to you.
Research Vermont’s municipal law or learn about Vermont municipalities.
Use our on-line index to municipal laws and then link to the Vermont Statutes on Line. Read our monthly Opinions Newsletter or the "Vermont Open Meeting Guide," or the "Law of Libraries", or the "Tax Appeal Handbook" or one of our other on-line publications. Visit our town official hall of fame. Learn how to contact the towns across Vermont or link to the town’s own web sites.