Editor’s note: This article by Chris Mays was first published in the Brattleboro Reformer on Nov. 28, 2016.
[W]INDHAM COUNTY — State Sen. Becca Balint, D-Brattleboro, is hoping to be the next majority leader.
“I had really been thinking about how, going forward, the Senate can be more responsive to the different members of the caucus,” Balint said. “I’ve heard some grousing over the past two years that we could be better organized, our caucus positions, before we get on to the floor of the Senate.”
Balint said she was intrigued by the role, having had experience facilitating as a teacher. Initially, she backed away from the idea as she’s only about to serve her second term. She said she still has a lot to learn but she’s been approached by some colleagues in the Senate, “some longtime politicians in Vermont” who told her she should consider it.
After top positions — nationally and within Vermont — were taken by Republicans in the Nov. 8 election, Balint began to get more serious about the prospect. Then she started getting calls from around the state.
“People of color received harassing comments and there was a sense of people feeling unsafe in a state where they felt safe,” Balint said. “There was something about being on the receiving end of those calls that I felt like this is the right time, as a person who cares deeply about racial and social justice, to stick my neck out and throw my hat in for the position of majority leader.”
State Sen. Philip Baruth, D-Chittenden, is stepping down as majority leader and Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, will be the new Senate president pro tem.
Balint said she has received support from a number of committee chairs. A vote is expected in January, during the first week of the legislative session.
“It is my hope that people will be able to see that I am eager to do the work,” Balint said. “That’s the thing. It is hard work to organize the caucus meetings, making sure people are comfortable with the process, making sure the many voices in the Democratic Caucus are heard, and I’m ready to do the work. It feels like the right next step for me.”
Ashe told Balint he would be willing to meet with her about “institutional memory of the Senate and how things were run in the past,” Balint said.
Balint plans to continue her work on the Senate Economic Development Committee, although she wouldn’t be looking for a higher position within it. The only thing that would change is her weekly column for the Reformer, which was put on pause while she campaigned before securing a second term. If she’s majority leader, she said she wouldn’t be able to continue submitting the column.
“The bottom line is I’m excited to serve in any way that will make us a more effective legislative body,” said Balint.
Sibilia appointed to Scott transition team
Rep. Laura Sibilia, I-Windham-Bennington, has been appointed to Gov.-elect Phil Scott’s Transition Leadership Advisory Committee. She is a co-chairwoman of the committee.
“Our job is to use our networks to direct great applicants into the pool for the governor to select from — primarily secretary, commissioner, deputy commissioner — 65 prime positions,” Sibilia said. “It’s a short amount of time so we’ve been asked to identify and flag some potentially high-qualified folks that maybe would get missed. So I’m really pleased and honored to be asked — being from southern Vermont, being independent, maybe a little bit of a nontraditional pick.”
Sibilia had not worked with Scott before she was tapped for the job. But as director of economic and workforce development at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp., Sibilia helped set up several tours for both gubernatorial candidates: Scott and Democrat Sue Minter.
That was Sibilia’s first one-on-one time with Scott.
“So I was little surprised to get the call but honored,” she said. “I’m encouraging folks to put their names in. … The governor-elect said he wants people with an attitude and desire to work in public service as well as good managers.”
Outgoing Gov. Peter Shumlin and Scott issued a joint resolution about protecting civil liberties, while House Speaker Shap Smith and other legislators issued a statement in response to hateful actions and attitudes.
Sibilia said she was “very proud” to have signed her name to Smith’s statement right away.
“I think it’s important for Vermonters to be able to not fret about that,” she said. “I’m proud of our leaders and I’m proud to be a leader to say we’re going not going to tolerate that.”
