Committees of the Vermont Senate are preparing to consider whether to confirm the key appointments of Governor James Douglas. Administration Secretary Michael Smith is scheduled to go before the Government Operations Committee for his confirmation hearing later this week.
Three commissioners already have won the unanimous backing of the committees before they appeared. So far, the administration has formally forwarded the nomination of only eight secretaries and commissioners. Senate leader Peter Welch says he has instructed committees to move as quickly as possible on the nominations.