Douglas administration sees more shakeups
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Times Argus Staff - Published: November 15, 2008
MONTPELIER — The administration of Gov. James Douglas will combine the Departments of Economic Development and Housing and Community Affairs.
When complete, the move — expected to be made through an executive order — will save money by eliminating one commissioner position, a roughly $90,000 salary.
Betsy Bishop, who has been Douglas' deputy chief of staff and a liaison between the administration and lawmakers, will become the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and oversee the change to a single combined department.
Mike Quinn, who had the position Bishop will take over, left recently after six years in the job.
If, as expected, the reorganization is done through an executive order, the Legislature will have about 90 days after it reconvenes in January to weigh in on the decision.
"I am open minded about the proposal," said Sen. Vincent Illuzzi, whose Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee has lawmaking responsibility for much of the agency.
"I am pleased it is not just front-line workers who provide direct services who are being axed in the budget-cutting process," he said.
The elimination of a commissioner level spot "enables two or three front-line workers' positions to be saved," Illuzzi added. "I think it is, at first glance, positive."
The move will save money, according to the administration.
"This consolidation will result in a more integrated and coordinated effort to retain and expand Vermont's employment opportunities, invest in communities, foster economic vitality and build housing that working Vermonters can afford," Kevin Dorn, who oversees the operation from his spot at the top of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, said in a statement. "In a time of shrinking revenues, state government must use innovation and technology to do more with less."
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