As if he planned it all along Governor Phil Scott is getting his veto showdown and possible government shutdown.

In May a budget bill was passed in the Senate with tri-partisan unanimous support. Since that time the legislature has offered up a number of responsible alternatives and possibilities for compromise with the Governor. All of them were rejected.

And on July 1^st – if no budget agreement is made – we face a government shutdown. Funding for state colleges, state police, state parks, Medicaid programs, food stamps, Department of Motor Vehicle services and more would be in jeopardy, and closures are definitely a possibility. Vermont State treasurer Beth Pierce has warned repeatedly that this upheaval would damage the state’s cherished credit rating.

And now as if on cue, Scott’s re-election campaign has jumped in with both feet and sent around an email to his followers charging: “A small number of extremist Democrat and Progressive party leaders, and their political allies, are trying to scare Vermonters about a government shutdown,” the mailer said. “Don’t believe them.”

Scott’s campaign spokesperson, Brittney Wilson, said “legislative leaders are trying to startle Vermonters with a government shutdown, which is very unlikely and being used as a scare tactic.”

Here’s a question Vermonters might want to ponder as Governor Scott prints out his “VETO” bumper stickers for re-election: Who else governs this way? And do we want it here in Vermont?

Maybe it is time or even past time  for the popular notion that we have a special  “Vermont way” of “doing” politics be laid to rest. Thanks Phil, for bringing brinkmanship and a taste of conflict induced dysfunction  to Vermont government.