vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

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

11.18.2008

Brooks finds a new home

Here's a little thank you from Jim Douglas to Tayt Brooks, who ran the drive for Republican legislators in the election as executive director of the state party.

Even though Republican ranks slipped by one in the House, Douglas appears grateful that they didn't lose more. He appointed Brooks to be the new deputy commissioner of Housing and Community Affairs.

Before going to the Republican Party this year, Brooks was a lobbyist for the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Northern Vermont. His new boss will be Agency of Commerce Secretary Kevin Dorn, who used to head the home builders group.

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 8:56 PM |

Comments:

Let's see ... Brooks did a lousy job for the GOP, so now Douglas wants him to do a lousy job on the public payroll?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:37 PM, November 18, 2008

A well-paid lousy job.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 11:13 PM, November 18, 2008

A lobbyist for the homebuilders now running the Housing Dept. Hmmm. Seems like a fox in a hen-house.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:22 AM, November 19, 2008

Anyone notice that Vermont is no longer using the word "Housing" in an agency title? At least we're honest about our blase attitude to crisis.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:54 AM, November 19, 2008

Jim Douglas claimed to be all about affordable housing.

Tayt Brooks is a loser - joining another loser!

Anyone notice how this dept is now headed up by 2 former lobbyists!!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:41 AM, November 19, 2008

Brooks sure has progressed since coaching the 1980 USA hockey team.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:27 AM, November 19, 2008

"A lobbyist for the homebuilders now running the Housing Dept. Hmmm"

Let's see....Douglas appoints someone that is an industry expert. I can see how that is a problem. He should have staffed it out of the legislative talent pool of dairy farmers, shopkeepers and retired school teachers...

What was he thinking putting a qualified person in the job. Geesh, go stand in the corner with JWCOOP10.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:54 PM, November 19, 2008

Being a special interest lobbyist makes him qualified for a job in state government?

Interesting.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:59 PM, November 19, 2008

Anonymous said: "A lobbyist for the homebuilders now running the Housing Dept. Hmmm. Seems like a fox in a hen-house."

Well, I guess if you think the Housing Department's job is to prevent the construction of housing that doesn't involve taxpayer money, maybe that's an apt analogy.

I'm curious. Can you name anyone you'd find acceptable in the post?

# Posted by:

Independent Vermonter | 8:29 PM, November 19, 2008

Usually a lobbyist for an industry is there because they know something about that industry. How many people in Montpelier could function without input from lobbyists, including ones on both sides of an issue?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:29 AM, November 20, 2008

Ever heard of conflict of interest?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:29 AM, November 20, 2008

bubba...

"Usually a lobbyist for an industry is there because they know something about that industry."

No, they're there because they know something about advocating for their client. Kinda like that Exxon trash shrub put at the EPA who kept editing scientific findings he had no scientific knowledge of and no business going near until he got some heat, resigned and went back to Exxon.

Ya got no case and no clue, bubbakis. Ya never do. It's just bubbakis business as usual.

Always a pleasure.

# Posted by:

JWCoop10 | 8:10 AM, November 20, 2008

Really people - put on the big boy pants and join the real world!

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:35 AM, November 20, 2008

"Ya got no case and no clue, bubbakis. Ya never do. It's just bubbakis business as usual."

Well!

Good thing it was Coop that said that instead of one of those nasty, naughty, anonymous posters.

Terri might have to do something in such a case.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:09 AM, November 20, 2008