current State Treasurer, Jeb Spaulding, will take over as Secretary of Administration. Lamoille County Senator Susan Bartlett will serve as a Special Assistant to the Governor. Bill Lofy, a political consultant and one-time staffer for former U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, will serve as Shumlin’s Chief of Staff. Attorney and gay marriage activist Beth Robinson will serve as Counsel to the Governor. And Alex MacLean, Shumlin’s campaign manager, will serve as his Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
Bill Lofy as Chief of Staff is great news. Maclean at Civil and Military Affairs is, of course, a no-brainer, as its the job Vermont Governor’s always give their campaign person.
…but Spaulding? Secretary of Administration?? Whoa. Didn’t see that coming.
In the short term, it puts a conservative economic bent on the administration. Spaulding and Bartlett are both great numbers people (as good as anyone out there, really), but they are both far from the Keynesian side of things and tend to cleave further to the right in their perspectives on budgets, taxes, and governmental spending than many of their Democratic peers. In fact, Spaulding often serves as the token Democrat in Vermont Tiger’s symposiums.
But the obvious question, then, is what happens to the office of Treasurer? Well, according to the Constitution, Governor Shumlin will get to appoint a new one (Bartlett?) to serve until an election can be held (and it doesn’t seem to necessitate that the election has to be held any earlier than it would normally be held).
Any idea who he could possibly pick? Maybe a former primary opponent, which leaves Bartlett to possibly take the position – but she’s technically in the administration, why announce her into the administration at the same time as Spaulding, to only move her out of the announced position to serve the rest of Spaulding’s term?
I don’t think it will be Bartlett.
Its too bad that Shumlin has chosen someone who is so hostile to the state workforce to replace the current Sec of Administration. A sigh of relief was heard around Montpelier at the prospect of Lunderville leaving and being replaced by a more labor friendly Sec. of Administration. Apparently Shumlin plans to continue the Douglas policy of slash and burn with regard to the workforce, despite his campaign promises.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Douglas!
about all of this. Items discussed in Shumlins GMD interview were dizzying. This will not be a musty regime.
Shakeup is surprising, but w/all of the focused knowledgeable hands on deck this can only be a good thing.
Barlett is impressive. It has always been my hope that Shumlin would utilize the existing talent amongst his ‘rivals’, as it seemed difficult for them to debate much during the primary as they all seemed to agree on everything. Their behavior during all aspects of primary was exemplary. That they spoke w/one voice encouraging.
Bringing Dean on board was brilliant. I hope he plays a major role in VT. Another talented leader & savvy mover & shaker.
I was extremely disappointed that Hoffer did not get auditor position. It was my hope that his loss to Salmon, & for VT for that matter, would be a bigger win for VT in another way.
I think this is a great pick. It assures us that Shumlin won’t blow up the budget and will keep the state’s finances on an even keel. Shumlin always said he was a fiscal conservative who did not want to raise taxes; this proves it.
Is anyone concerned that an elected constitutional position will be rendered a gubernatorial appointment literally days after an election takes effect?