by Paul Fixx
CALEDONIA COUNTY – Members of the Senate Republican Caucus met November 26 and chose Senator-elect Scott Beck as the new caucus leader for the upcoming legislative session. Senator Brian Collamore was re-elected as Assistant Republican Leader.
Beck said he gave a lot of thought to it before expressing interest in the minority leadership role. In the end he felt he was the right person to take on the important role in communicating the caucus’s position as the caucus has grown from seven to 13 following the November 5 election.
His focus will be on the plight of real Vermonters in looking at the issues of affordability, housing and public safety as the new session begins in January.
The Senate Republican Caucus will also be focused on the broader issue of crafting changes to policies and programs that work for all of Vermont, especially rural areas, said Beck.
VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame wrote, “I am excited to work with Senator[-elect] Beck as the new caucus leader. I have known Scott since we were both elected to the House as freshman . . . in the Republican wave of 2014. From his first year in the legislature, Beck has demonstrated leadership and unmatched knowledge on education funding.”
In making note of Scott’s understanding of education funding, which results from his 10 years in the House, informed by his experience as a teacher, Dame likely points to a critical reason a newcomer to the Senate has landed a role often reserved for more senior members.
Dame’s comments continued, “Senator Beck is a pragmatic problem solver who will challenge Democratic leadership in whether they are also serious about making important changes to our system, or if they will continue to ignore the will of the voters demanding a more affordable system that doesn’t trap taxpayers into continuous out-of-control increases year after year with little to no intervention.”
“I am grateful for Senate Republican support . . ,”Senator-elect Beck said. “My focus as leader will be on enhancing and expanding external and internal communications, growing the caucus into a majority, and supporting Gov. Scott’s agenda.”
A VTGOP press release said, “with Senator Beck’s election today, Republican leadership is finalized and ready to move forward into the new legislative session.”
Previously it was announced House Republicans have re-elected Rep. Pattie McCoy as House Republican leader, with Rep. Casey Toof and Rep. Mark Higley as part of the leadership team.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
