The additional troopers were approved by a 20-4 vote, after a testy and politically charged debate.
On its face, the question of adding troopers seems straightforward enough….. Governor Lynch wanted it…….16 senators cosponsored the measure, and who can argue with the call for increased public safety.
"We need these troopers and need them now."
That's Democratic senator Peter Burling…….He and several others said the troopers were particularly crucial for rural areas………but needed statewide……Critics, however, weren't so sure……And they had several arguments……First, there's the 700,000 cost…..second there's the issues of adding future obligations to an already stressed state retirement system……..And third, and perhaps most vexing, was the fact that the senate considered adding troopers during last year's state budget……and didn't because the department of safety already has the money to fund 7 troopers, but has opted not to fill them. Keene Senator Tom Eaton.
"Last year we talked to safety we said……you fill these positions and once you have those filled you come back two years from now and we will certainly be willing to entertain adding new positions…..We had a senate position on the budget and I believe that's something we should look at in the next budget round."
Another Senator went that argument one better.
"If there's no trooper on the highway on 93 north after midnight it's not because we don't have enough troopers, it's because they didn't put one there."
That's Alton Republican Robert Boyce……..He insisted any perceived trooper shortfall could be solved by what he termed "command decisions" at the department of safety.
"They need to decide whether they need to have people sitting in their headquarters with their car in the lot or do they need them out on the highway?"
Boyce's attack on state police leadership drew a sharp rebuke from Manchester Democrat Lou D"allessandro…….Who insisted the problem is staffing pure and simple
We have had a decline in troopers since 1998……Vermont has more troopers.Maine has more troopers……….so to say we are not administering state police is an insult to state police and an insult to the Commissioner of Safety……I will not accept that."
Several minutes later the measure passed 20-4....Joining Senators Eaton and Boyce in the minority were fellow Republicans Bob Flanders and Chuck Morse. The measure now heads to the house, where it enjoys strong backing from Democrats……House democratic leaders Jim Craig is a measure co-sponsor……Republican leadership's position is less clear…..When asked about the proposal to add the 7 troopers, House Majority leader Mike O'Neill said he'd never heard of it.
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