(Host) Governor elect Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, has taken the unusual step of asking Vermont’s new Republican Lt. Governor, Phil Scott, to be a member of the governor’s cabinet.
Shumlin says there are a number of key areas where Scott can be an important member of the new gubernatorial team.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports.
(Kinzel) This development is unusual because the custom has been that when voters elect a Governor and a Lt. Governor from different political parties, the Lt. Governor becomes the leader of "the loyal opposition" at the Statehouse.
And, as far as most political observers can tell, this is the first time that this situation has happened in Vermont.
Governor elect Shumlin says the reason is quite simple.
(Shumlin) "We have huge challenges putting Vermonters back to work and I want people with skills to help get the job done. Phil has the stuff. He’s incredibly bright, capable, dedicated, we’ve worked together well in the past and I need him on the team."
(Kinzel) And Shumlin says he’s planning other leadership duties for Scott.
(Shumlin) "Phil’s not only going to be in the cabinet but I’m asking him to take on special projects he’s really enthusiastic about helping me improve the plight of Vermont farmers with our grow local and buy local movement. I’ve asked him to review state buildings to look at creative ways to be more efficient with our state office space."
(Kinzel) Shumlin has also asked outgoing Republican Lt. Governor Brian Dubie to be the state’s unofficial ambassador to Canada this winter because of Dubie’s strong ties to the region.
(Shumlin) "He has great contacts in Canada he spent a lot of time improving Vermont‘s relationship with the Canadian government that was weary of us after the debacle for the ice storm and the Hydro Quebec deal. So Brian has kindly offered to help open those doors for us."
(Kinzel) Dubie lost the gubernatorial election to Shumlin by several thousand votes. Despite the closeness of the contest, he says he feels comfortable helping Shumlin on this project:
(Dubie) "He specially asked for my help and I said I’d be glad to help so I’m a Vermonter first."
(Kinzel) Dubie says he hopes to help restore Amtrak train service to Montreal and make it easier for Canadians to cross the border to visit Vermont.
(Dubie) "I think there’s 1.3 million tourists come to Vermont from Quebec we’re always looking for more but that’s why it’s important to have a border that it safe and secure but also one that is predictable."
(Kinzel) Shumlin says he hopes to schedule a visit to Canada with Dubie and Scott, as part of the state’s delegation, in the coming weeks.
For VPR News, I’m Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.