Vermont Governor Jim Douglas is in the Tub!

Sorry for this overworked quote but here it fits.” My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." Grover Norquist
Governor Jim Douglas has now targeted positions for elimination which cost the state no money. Its part of a "merger and consolidation" plan of some kind. The Public Safety Commissioner claims the latest elimination of nuclear safety personnel will not harm public safety but provides no prove other than his assurance of trust me .With Entergy's aging Vermont Yankee plant sitting in the Southern part of state leaking and rusting this seems the height of foolishness. No explanation is offered about how a no-cost-to-the-state job's elimination will save the state money. The positions are funded by the owners of Vermont Yankee .Once again a zig a zag an artful smoke and mirrors flourish followed by the elimination of some state jobs and a favor to Entergy in the mix. Douglas is in the tub.

Gov. James Douglas says the layoffs are needed to save $17 million in General Fund expenses. However, the radiological-preparedness position held by Jaclyn Harman – one of two state workers identified for potential elimination at the Department of Public Safety's 21-person Vermont Emergency Management division – is paid for entirely from a special reserve funded by the owners of the nuclear plant.
Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Tremblay confirmed that no General Fund dollars are used for Harman's job. However, he said the elimination of Harman's position would be part of a larger "merger and consolidation" plan that might save General Fund money.

Times-Argus
cross posted at Green Mountain Daily