The dramatically changes Senate has its committee assignments posted. Of particular interest are the roles for three unique new Senators who individually stand to change the face and dynamics of the Senate (given that a mere three Senators equate to 10% of the body).
Blogger and novelist Philip Baruth has been assigned to clerk the Agriculture and Education Committees. Newly re-minted Democrat Anthony Pollina serves on the Government Operations Committee and also clerks the Health Committee. Finally, controversial international diplomacy-celebrity Peter Galbraith also serves on Gov Ops, and clerks the Economic Development Committee. Sadly, there will still be no Vermont Senate Foreign Relations Committee for him to Chair…
Full assignments after the flip.
Appropriations
Sen. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia), Chair
Sen. Dick Sears (D-Bennington), Vice Chair
Sen. Bobby Starr (D-Essex-Orleans), Clerk
Sen. Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden)
Sen. Vincent Illuzzi (R-Essex-Orleans)
Sen. Alice Nitka (D-Windsor)
Sen. Hinda Miller (D-Chittenden)
Agriculture
Sen. Sara Kittell (D-Franklin), Chair
Sen. Harold Giard (D-Addison), Vice Chair
Sen. Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden), Clerk
Sen. Bobby Starr (D-Essex-Orleans)
Sen. John Campbell (D-Windsor)
Education
Sen. Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland), Chair
Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden), Vice Chair
Sen. Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden), Clerk
Sen. Bill Doyle (R-Washington)
Sen. Sara Kittell (D-Franklin)
Economic Development
Sen. Vincent Illuzzi (R-Essex-Orleans), Chair
Sen. Timothy Ashe (D/P-Chittenden), Vice Chair
Sen. Peter Galbraith (D-Windham), Clerk
Sen. Bill Carris (D-Rutland)
Sen. Bill Doyle (R-Washington)
Finance
Sen. Ann Cummings (D-Washington), Chair
Sen. Mark MacDonald (D-Orange), Vice Chair
Sen. Sally Fox (D-Chittenden), Clerk
Sen. Dick McCormack (D-Windsor)
Sen. Timothy Ashe (D/P-Chittenden)
Sen. Rich Westman (R-Lamoille)
Sen. Randy Brock (R-Franklin)
Government Operations
Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), Chair
Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison), Vice Chair
Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland), Clerk
Sen. Anthony Pollina (D-Washington)
Sen. Peter Galbraith (D-Windham)
Health
Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison), Chair
Sen. Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland), Vice Chair
Sen. Anthony Pollina (D-Washington), Clerk
Sen. Hinda Miller (D-Chittenden)
Sen. Sally Fox (D-Chittenden)
Institutions
Sen. Bob Hartwell (D-Bennington), Chair
Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle), Vice Chair
Sen. Joe Benning (R-Caledonia), Clerk
Sen. Bill Carris (D-Rutland)
Sen. Harold Giard (D-Addison)
Judiciary
Sen. Dick Sears (D-Bennington), Chair
Sen. Alice Nitka (D-Windsor), Vice Chair
Sen. Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden), Clerk
Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham)
Sen. Ann Cummings (D-Washington)
Natural Resources
Sen. Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden), Chair
Sen. Mark MacDonald (D-Orange), Vice Chair
Sen, Joe Benning (R-Caledonia), Clerk
Sen. Dick McCormack (D-Windsor)
Sen. Randy Brock (R-Franklin)
Transportation
Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle), Chair
Sen. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia), Vice Chair
Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland), Clerk
Sen. Rich Westman (R-Lamoille)
Sen. Bob Hartwell (D-Bennington)
Thanks for putting this up. I do like how there are so few R’s here.
Nice! Turning into a safe D seat from Caldeonia!
Though I do not know enough to recognize the complete picture, the fact that there appears to be a continuation of last years’ ambitious agenda & hard work looks good.
Also nice to know there are so many Dems & other independent legislators involved who are well aware of the issues VT is facing & have the knowledge & experience to deal w/them effectively.
Looks like a bumpy ride regardless.
Education:
I honestly don’t know that much about Senator Mullin but I wonder why a Republican was selected to chair Education. Looking forward two years education financing will be a key issue facing voters. Why muddy the waters by having a Republican heading the Education Committee? Do the Democrats believe that the program they decide upon must be filtered by a Republican Education Chair? I for one am getting very tired of the “muddled middle”. If you think you are right then go out and fight for your clearly defined position. You will earn voter respect.
Transportation:
I may be out of the loop as far as internal Senate intrigue goes but why is DINO Mazza being rewarded for cross endorsing? I would actually prefer that Rich Westman got the chair. He’s honest enough to say that he is a Republican. He also knows more about Transportation issues than Mazza or any other member of this Senate cohort.