click to enlarge When Gov. Phil Scott proposed this week that the Agency of Commerce be
transformed into a new Agency of Economic Opportunity, it had a familiar ring to it.
click to enlarge
Turns out, despite all the words available in the English language, these very ones are already employed in Vermont state government.
The
Office of Economic Opportunity is part of the Department for Children and Families.
It appears economic opportunity means many things — because these two entities are on opposite ends of the economic spectrum.
Scott proposed his Agency of Economic Opportunity as a mechanism to entice businesses, put people to work and to spur the economy.
The existing Office of Economic Opportunity is focused on poverty. It’s the place where low income people turn for help finding housing and weatherizing their homes.
click to enlarge - Commerce Secretary Michael Schirling (left) and Gov. Phil Scott talk Tuesday about the proposed agency reorganization.
“It’s going to add to the confusion,” said Rep. David Yacovone (D-Morristown), a former DCF commissioner, who picked up immediately on the name duplication. He added, “That’s the least of the problems we have.”
Jason Gibbs, Scott’s chief of staff, said members of the administration were aware of the first economic opportunity entity when naming the second one.
“We think there’s a future conversation we should be having about the Agency of Commerce and its role in helping people escape from poverty,” he said.