MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin said Monday that he intends to have some state workers who were displaced from the office complex in Waterbury eventually stationed in Barre, which could be a boon to the Granite City.
At the Statehouse on Tuesday, Shumlin's promise drew a variety of reactions.
Rep. Alice Emmons, who chairs the House Institutions and Corrections Committee, said the Legislature has not reached the same conclusion as Shumlin, though Barre hasn't been ruled out as a location, she said.
“The Legislature is part of the discussion,” Emmons said.
Sen. Ann Cummings – a Washington County Democrat who represents the town that stands to lose (Waterbury) and the city that stands to win (Barre) in the equation – has to balance the interests of both areas.
Cummings likes Shumlin's idea to move state workers to Barre, and says it can be done in a way that doesn't hurt Waterbury.
How can that be done exactly? Cummings talked about bringing more state workers to Washington County overall, but said to wait until Shumlin's budget address later this week for more details.
“He'll have more to say Thursday,” Cummings said.
-- Thatcher Moats
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