Most of last week, as the Vermont Senate conducted business, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie was not at the front of the room, where it’s his job to preside. That meant senators had to fill in for him at the podium. There were grumbles through the Statehouse about whether Dubie was off campaigning for governor or what.

Here’s what Dubie said he was up to last week:

Monday, he was chairing the meeting of the Aerospace States Association meeting, a group of lieutenant governor and other state officials focused on aerospace issues. Tuesday, he attended his farewell National Lieutenant Governor’s Association meeting in Washington. Wednesday, he met with the Canadian and Mexican ambassadors.

On Thursday, Gov. Jim Douglas was out of state (in Boston, meeting with Gov. Deval Patrick), making Dubie the acting governor which means he can’t preside over the Senate. Friday, Dubie presided over the Senate at the start of the day, but stepped away mid-morning for a previously scheduled meeting with former Republican Rep. Michael Bernhardt, who was delivering Dubie the good news that he wouldn’t mount an independent campaign for governor.

- Terri Hallenbeck

Labels: Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, vermont legislature