VSEA Announces 2013 Legislative Team

VSEA issues press release, announcing 2013 Legislative team.

VTDigger Story

Vermont State Employees’ Association Announces Its 2013 Legislative Team  

            Vermont state employees will have a very strong voice at the State House in the upcoming 2013 legislative session thanks to the union’s recent hiring of former State Representative Steve Howard to be the union’s new, full-time Legislative Director. In addition, VSEA is retaining the services of state Senator Vince Illuzzi to provide legislative and legal counsel to the association.  

            “VSEA members are extremely pleased to welcome Steve Howard to the VSEA family, and we are gratified by Senator Illuzzi’s agreement to continue his advocacy for state workers and their union,” said VSEA President John Reese. “Each brings with them a wealth of legislative knowledge and experience, and we know they will work well with VSEA’s already established legislative staff.  This kind of talent is not always available, and VSEA feels fortunate to have assembled the first-rate legislative team we have.”

            Reese explained that Howard was hired to be the VSEA’s full-time Legislative Director, while Illuzzi will do key issue targeted lobbying this session for the union.

            “Steve and VSEA legislative staff will be handling much of the union’s day-to-day legislative business and Vince will be spearheading a few of the union’s key legislative priority efforts, such as helping VSEA get ‘fairshare’ legislation passed,” explained Reese. He added, “The transition for Steve and Vince should be pretty easy, as each spent much of their legislative career championing issues and causes important to VSEA members and all working Vermonters.”

Steve Howard represented parts of the city of Rutland in the State House of Representatives from 1993-1999 and then again from 2005-2010. He also served as Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party from 1995-1997, and, at the time, was the youngest person in the nation serving in this role.

            Vince Illuzzi was elected to the State Senate in 1980, and his 32 years of service are second only to Sen. William Doyle (R-Washington). Illuzzi, who at age 27 was the youngest person ever elected to the Vermont Senate, left the body after the 2012 session ended. While in the Senate, Illuzzi chaired both the Institutions Committee and the Economic and Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee. In recognition of his steadfast support for VSEA members, Illuzzi has received the union’s “Outstanding Legislator” award several times. He currently serves as Essex County state’s attorney.

            Rounding out the 2013 VSEA legislative team are Legislative Specialist Cassandra Magliozzi, who has been a key member of the union’s political and legislative team now for two years, and Progressive Party leader and activist Adam Norton, who was hired in December to be VSEA’s Researcher.

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