In a dramatic overhaul of the leadership of the Vermont Senate, a top panel announced Thursday that six of the body’s 11 committees will be led by new chairmen.

Just minutes after Gov. Peter Shumlin delivered his second inaugural address Thursday afternoon, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott briefly convened the Senate to name the new leaders, putting an end to weeks of speculation among political insiders.

“The appointments are some of the most creative we’ve seen in years in the Senate,” said Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell (D-Windsor) in a press briefing shortly after the announcements were made. He was joined by Scott and Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle), who collectively made up the “Committee on Committees,” charged with assigning colleagues to the 11 panels.

(Mazza, Scott and Campbell are pictured above, l to r.)

Among the biggest changes?

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Paul Heintz was part of the Seven Days news team from 2012 to 2020. He served as political editor and wrote the "Fair Game" political column before becoming a staff writer.

One reply on “Senate Leaders Radically Revamp Committee Chairmanships”

  1. Hartwell is a disastrous appointment to the Natural Resources chair. It signals the end of thoughtful, long-term policy solutions for Vermont and the entry of big business influence into our state. Shameful.

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