Turns out that in writing my post “Paul Dame Measures Once, Cuts Twice,” I myself was guilty of measuring once and cutting twice.
In his weekly screed to VTGOP members, Dame had some complaints about how the Democratic majority had reshuffled committee memberships and structure. One of them was about the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. Dame bemoaned the absence of Republicans on said committee, and I snarked back that Republican Sen. Richard Westman was on SNRE.
Well, he’s not. Dame was right. No Republicans. What’s more, the new committee looks to be substantially to the left of the previous version, thanks to the additions of new Senators Anne Watson and Becca White.
Dame remains wrong about the other stuff, but that doesn’t excuse my mistake. I was wrong, and I apologize. I’ll add a correction to the post itself.
The Vermont Political Observer. 
Well this is very interesting. There are no Republicans on Senate Natural Resources and Energy, but two Republicans on Senate Health and Welfare. So, why would a committee of three Democrats (Lt. Governor Zuckerman, Senate President Baruth and Senator Mazza) appoint two Republicans on Senate Health and Welfare and none on Resources and Energy? Assuming they think Democrats would move legislation in a more progressive direction, then does that mean they are interested in getting something done in Resources and Energy, but are not interested in moving things forward in health care? It is hard to understand the logic here, but maybe I am missing something?
That’s a fair inference. As is the moderate/seniority-heavy membership of the Senate’s two money committees. Not likely to see any tax increases or big spending hikes out of the Senate.