Getting to know you: Newly elected get up to speed on how Statehouse works
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Montpelier mayor Mary Hooper, center, listens to a presentation during orientation for new legislators this week. |
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By Daniel Barlow Vermont Press Bureau - Published: November 22, 2008
MONTPELIER — Dozens of new lawmakers will enter the Vermont Statehouse in January for the start of the new legislative session, but many of them got a preview this week of the work they face.
Freshman orientation for new state representatives and senators began Wednesday night and will continue through today as the new lawmakers learn the ABCs of state government, from committee structure to how laws are made.
New lawmakers heard from all three branches of government during the four-day-long sessions and received a grim glimpse at the budget problems facing Vermont, which are expected to result in millions of dollars in more cuts.
"I know I'll be walking into this new session with a lot more confidence because of this," said Peter Fagan, an incoming Republican state representative from Rutland. "We're getting the broad view of state government and it's been really helpful."
For some lawmakers, the information in these week's sessions may be a bit of old news — but it was still helpful. Randy Brock, the former state auditor who will join the Vermont Senate in January as a Republican from Franklin County, said he saw the panels as an "opportunity to learn more."
"Anytime you have this large amount of people together, there is always an opportunity to learn new things and get some updates," Brock said. "It's been time well spent."
Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper, who was elected this year as a Democratic state representative for the city, said she was pretty familiar with processes at the Statehouse, but said it was useful for her to hear from the Joint Fiscal Office and the Legislative Council as she prepares to start her new job.
"It's nice to be in school," she said.
The budget crisis Vermont is experiencing cast a certain pall over the meetings and panels at the orientation this week. Friday morning, the new lawmakers heard from the three lawmakers who chair the committees that piece together the state budget and the news was darker than dark.
"You are coming in during what will be a very difficult time," was the first thing said by Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, during Friday morning's session.
Bartlett warned the new lawmakers that there will be pain and discomfort as the state grapples with a new $60 million budget hole and the possibility of deep cuts to state services and staff to cope. But she gave the new citizen lawmakers another piece of advice to remember.
"Remember that we are here to take care of the citizens of Vermont," she said. "If you remember that, we will get through this just fine."
Rep. Michael Obuchowski, D-Rockingham, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, joked that he missed his orientation when he joined the Legislature 36 years ago and has "been trying to figure out what goes on ever since."
Obuchowski said some lawmakers have a habit of leaving the chambers when a new budget is presented, but he urged the new lawmakers to stay in the room to listen and learn. He also said they should seek out trustworthy colleagues for information and advice.
"If you have a question, ask it," Obuchowski added. "No question is a stupid question. Although it is better to ask it before it hits the floor because that will save everyone time."
With so much doom and gloom on the economic forecast, one might think that incoming lawmakers could feel depressed. But many said this week that they see this as an opportunity to help reshape Vermont's government for a new era.
"I'm glad it's me who is coming here," Fagan said. "When I was knocking on people's doors, the economy was the issue everyone was worried about. I take that to heart. So, I really see this as an opportunity to help craft a better Vermont government."
Charles Bohi, an incoming Democratic state representative from Hartford, quoted Dr. Samuel Johnson, the 18th century British writer, when asked about how he feels walking into a legislature that will be focused more on cutting than proposing new programs.
"The prospect of hanging concentrates the mind wonderfully," laughed Bohi.
Bohi agreed that he and other new lawmakers need to see this economic crisis as an opportunity. If the governor and the Legislature and the three major political parties can all work together on this issue, he thinks the state will be better for it.
"No one party has a monopoly on good ideas," he said. "If we can work together without the partisan bickering, then we will succeed."
Contact Daniel Barlow at Daniel.Barlow@timesargus.com.
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