If you’ve ever visited the Statehouse in Montpelier, you’ll quickly realize that it’s a different kind of place than most capital buildings around the country. Visitors have access to pretty much the whole building.
It’s great for accessibility. But it also means lawmakers have to run the gauntlet past advocates, interested citizens and lobbyists on the way to votes in committee or on the floor.
Former senator, Vince Illuzzi, spent more than three decades doing that dance and will now be a lobbyist himself with the Vermont State Employees Association. He spoke with Vermont Edition about how advocates, citizens and lobbyists play a part in the daily life of legislators in Montpelier.