Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen
10.07.2009
Westman's replacement announced
Gov. Jim Douglas today appointed Rich Westman's replacement in the Legislature. Westman, a Republican, took a job this summer as Douglas' tax commissioner after 27 years in the House.
His successor is Adam Howard, whom Westman had wanted to get the job. Like Westman, Howard lives in Cambridge. His district also covers Belvidere and Waterville.
In the announcement from the governor's office, Howard said,
“I look forward to bringing by experience in both traditional and creative economies to Montpelier at a time when private sector job creation is so key to our recovery.”
Here is his background, according to the announcement:
Educated at Western State College of Colorado, Howard received a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Community Journalism. Howard's love of the outdoors led him to an extensive career in journalism with a focus on winter sports, especially skiing. He began his career as an intern at Powder Magazine in California in 1997. When he returned to Vermont, Howard was a building contractor and professional ski patroller before becoming a reporter at the News and Citizen in Morrisville, Vermont. In 2002 Howard co-founded Vermont-based Height of Land Publications (HOL)which owns and operates Backcountry, Alpinist and Telemark Skier Magazines. He currently serves as editorial director at HOL.
Legislative leadership has a nine-page document that explains the budget that lawmakers passed before leaving Montpelier on May 9.
Gov. Jim Douglas critiques that same budget in a 12-page letter he sent Friday to House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morristown, and Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin.
Later today, we will see Douglas' new budget plan -- his alternative to the bill the House and Senate passed that he plans to veto.
Reading the two documents below, you might not think they were talking about the same budget bill.
Divided government (one party controlling the executive branch and another party dominating the legislative branch) sure makes for interesting politics. Or is this what turns people off to politics?
