Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin’s selection of his inner circle early this week set an important tone for the upcoming session: one of fiscal restraint and pragmatism. That’s particularly true of his selection of State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding as secretary of administration and Susan Bartlett as special assistant to the governor — both moderate Democrats known for their conservative approach on fiscal matters.
The news Tuesday that Congress will place a ban on earmarks — spending items by lawmakers directed to their home states, also known as ‘pork’ — must be taken as a misguided blow against practices that inflate the national deficit by naive Tea Party activists, and those who fear them.
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