Tim Belcher: State shutdown lessons from Maine

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Tim Belcher, of Barre, who is general counsel for the Vermont State Employees’ Association.
Vermont is creeping towards a possible shutdown of state government come July 1. The governor is insisting on budget measures that the Democratic majority in the Legislature won’t support. The Democrats have proposed legislation that would keep the government open while the parties continue to negotiate. The governor doesn’t disagree with the su