Gov. Peter Shumlin has named Louis Porter, an advocate for the Conservation Law Foundation, as secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
Porter, 37, was a Vermont Statehouse reporter for six years for the Vermont Press Bureau before he became the Lake Champlain Lakekeeper for the Conservation Law Foundation in 2010. He will take the place of Alex MacLean who has decided to seek a job in the private sector. MacLean is stepping down as secretary of Civil and Military Affairs in the new year. She also served as Shumlin’s campaign manager in 2010 and 2012.
The announcement was made at the governor’s weekly press conference on Thursday. Shumlin said in a statement that Porter works well with lawmakers of all parties, and he will be a strong advocate for his priorities, namely job creation, economic development, health care “affordability,” a “responsible budget,” and a healthy environment.
In his new role, Porter will coordinate legislative and executive branch policy. He will, in effect, be the administration’s liaison with the Legislature.
“I think the administration and this governor are moving this state in a direction that is good and that I like and building momentum toward needed and important things for the state and to be a part of that, even a small part of that, is really exciting,” Porter said in an interview with reporters. “If you’re a Vermonter and what you’re interested in is Vermont, it’s pretty hard not to take a job that is written in the Vermont Constitution.”
The role of the secretary of Civil and Military Affairs is a constitutional position broadly charged with oversight of government affairs.
Porter will join the administration before MacLean leaves and will help prepare the governor’s legislative agenda. The Legislature opens Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Porter says it’s too early to say whether he will serve as Shumlin’s campaign manager in 2014. He didn’t rule out the possibility though.
“If you believe in the direction and policies of an administration you certainly want to see that administration continue,” Porter said.
The Conservation Law Foundation was critical of the Shumlin administration’s decision to lift river dredging rules in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. Porter said the difference of opinion between the environmental group and the governor’s office didn’t impact his decision to take the post.
“The roles are different, the positions are different, and the obligations and goals are different in each of the two jobs, as they were in my previous two jobs as a reporter, and so I know that and look forward to that,” Porter said.
Chris Kilian, director of CLF Vermont, said in a statement the environmental group is proud of Porter.
“We … are not at all surprised that the Governor should want such a talented and well-respected Vermonter leading in this influential role,” Kilian said. “Louis has been a great asset to CLF and our efforts to protect Lake Champlain. He has informed and enlarged the community concerned about the Lake’s future and laid important groundwork for our continued advocacy through the Lakekeeper program. We wish Louis well as he continues to cultivate his passion for solving Vermont’s environmental challenges in his new role.”
Porter is a 2001 graduate of the University of Washington, where he studied zoology and the comparative history of ideas. He holds a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of science degree. He was a reporter for the Stamford Advocate from 2001 to 2005.
Porter lives in the hamlet of Adamant where he grew up.
He will make $72,000 a year in the employ of the governor.
Editor’s note: Porter’s father, Bill Porter, is a trustee of the Vermont Journalism Trust, the nonprofit organization that oversees VTDigger.org.
Corrections: This story originally conflated the roles of deputy chief of staff and secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
The Legislature opens Wednesday, Jan. 9, not Tuesday, Jan. 8.