vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

3.11.2007

Communications gap

With money being in short supply for the 2008 state budget, there are sure to be some differences of opinion between the administration, the House and the Senate on what's in, what's out.

Here's one of them: The administration's communications staff.

House Speaker Gaye Symington was decrying some of the cuts proposed in Gov. Jim Douglas budget recommendations. I asked her, if not those things, then what would she cut?

Her answer: some of the $769,000 worth of salaries connected to people whose jobs focus on communications. It's one of the things under consideration in the House Appropriations Committee, she said.

The administration will have to get its team of communications people together to defend that one.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 4:54 PM |

Comments:

I encountered one of the minders recently. Had a meeting with staff of a state Department, and there was the "communinicator" taking notes.

Sound creepy? Maybe not. I'm not sure yet what to make of the communicator positions, except that there don't seem to be many experienced reporters left in some areas.

If you have had anything to do with some state bureaucrats, you know that conversations with them can go one-way, sort of like pouring into a black hole. Is your message getting through? How do you know, since there is often no response?

If these new communicators facilitate the state's responsiveness, it might be worth the price in the long run. The proof will be in the results, which I have yet to experience.

I can just as easily imagine that their role will be to "spin" messages for the politicians they represent as I can imagine that having someone responsible for communicating could be a big improvement.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:52 PM, March 11, 2007

Considering the amount of communication so far, I think we can hardly justify the expense. Maybe with time?

It's still all a big show. Douglas is going around the state making a big deal about how little the Dem's have done with the legislature. If I wave an arm, and shake a fist, will anyone notice my other hand doesn't move.

What has Douglas really done lately? With so many communicators on staff you think we'd at least know that.

Everyone's so busy pointing fingers, they fail to take in account their own inaction. More and more, Vermonters are having to make do with less. Just to make the state run.

When are we going to stop, and re-assess. Priorities have changed, most people are just worried about surviving, not making things better.

Rednalsi

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:00 PM, March 11, 2007

Is it true that Peter Welch wants to run for Governor and would he need this many "commuunications people" ?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:36 PM, March 11, 2007

Can't we get Doobie to handle the
communications for Douglas - Oh, wait - he is too busy!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:45 PM, March 11, 2007

There was a letter in the Times Argus this weekend on this issue, and the writer points out that Commissioners and Department heads used to be able to handle their own public relations. What the hell happened to that idea? Douglas bringing a little DC mentality to Montpelier. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I was at a hearing where one of these "communicators" was and she was downright rude.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:14 AM, March 12, 2007

Does she make you want to...cringe?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:54 AM, March 12, 2007

Vermonters shouldn't have to pay for Douglas' 2008 campaign team. Besides, even this army of spin doctors hasn't been able to cover for this year's mountain of political missteps and blunders - leaving sick workers in the Bennington State Office, not being able to close the State Hospital, turning a blind eye to illegal farm workers...

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:54 AM, March 12, 2007

Doobie in '08!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:34 PM, March 12, 2007

Would Welch seriously consider giving up a safe seat in Congress for a risky run against Jim Douglas in 08? Welch has already accumulated several hundred thousand dollars in his 08 campaign warchest, more than enough to scare off potentially strong challengers. By this time next year, Welch could have well over $1 million in the bank.

Yet Welch might be a stronger Democratic gubernatorial candidate than Shumlin or someone else from the Legislature. Even though it would be only 2 years since Welch left Montpelier, it would be harder for Douglas to hold the 07-08 Legislature's failings against Welch than against Shumlin.

But would Welch give up the near-certainty of being able to spend the rest of his political career in the House, gaining seniority, and moving up the Rules Committee ladder, in exchange for trying to become the first challenger to defeat a sitting Vermont governor in 46 years?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:05 PM, March 12, 2007

Welch for Governor?

You people are daft -- willing to accept any foolish rumor.

Welch will be Vermont's Congressman until he dies.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:03 PM, March 12, 2007

Notice how the conversation got twisted. What happened to the $770,000. Douglas is spending on his '08 campaign lackeys? With the the additional 30% for State benefits, the additional "tax" Silky Scissorhands has laid on us comes to $1,001,000. That could fill a big Medicaid hole his buddy and Lincoln Room Innkeeper, Dubya, dug for us.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:51 PM, March 12, 2007

How did there come to be 14 communicators before anyone noticed?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:15 PM, March 12, 2007

How did there come to be 14 communicators before anyone noticed?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:15 PM, March 12, 2007

Because investigative journalism does not exist in Vermont (sans this story by Sneyd).

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:55 AM, March 13, 2007

the ignorance of most comments here is truly astounding. communications people as a campaign team? please. these people work for agencies, not the governor. many will be there after Douglas is gone. alot of the positions are classified, not political appointments. Douglas has one person to deal with press. in NY, Spitzer has 22. sometimes it's actually a good idea to let people know what government is doing. why not actually try to know what you're writing about so you don't make all of us look so stupid?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:57 AM, March 13, 2007

Wah...wah...wah...

Spitzer has 22, so so should we

wah..wah..wah..

This entry has to be from one of the 14 mouthpieces.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:32 AM, March 13, 2007

Doobie for Governor!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 1:49 PM, March 15, 2007