Welp, the Scott administration has put out a press release trumpeting Zoie Saunders’ first day on the job as Vermont’s education secretary. Nowhere does it mention that her appointment is pending approval by the state Senate, which won’t even begin considering the matter until sometime next week.

Quite the opposite, in fact. The press release says that “Saunders will travel around the state in the coming weeks” and “In the months ahead, Secretary Saunders will kick off a formal listen and learn tour.”

Yeah, the fix is in. The Senate will put on a show of performing due diligence, but honestly, there’s no way in Hell they’re going to send her back to Florida.

I mean, have you looked at the Senate lately? The body that has blocked two successive veto override attempts (Bottle Bill, ban on flavored tobacco and vapes)? The body that seems intent on eviscerating the motel voucher program even if it means the unsheltering of vulnerable Vermonters? The body whose economic development chair, the supposedly progressive Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, says her focus on housing legislation is on regulatory reform, just what Gov. Phil Scott wants?

You think that bunch is going to suddenly gin up some political courage and reject Saunders? If you do, well, Bridge For Sale.

From the beginning I had little faith in the Senate doing anything more than a cosmetic review. That faith began to diminish when the Senate Education Committee bowed to the administration’s request to postpone Saunders’ confirmation hearing from this week until next, giving her a week-plus to settle into the job. And the last little wisp of faith vanished entirely when I read the administration’s press release.

They wouldn’t have put this out if they weren’t very confident in the Senate’s vote. It all but says the vote will be a formality. Sad thing is, they’re right.