Former Vermont Governors Howard Dean and Jim Douglas traded some good-natured ribbing as they debated doubling the term for governor from two years to four.
The Democratic Dean and Republican Douglas appeared at a legislative breakfast put on Monday by the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce in South Burlington.
Douglas likes the idea of a four-year term, saying it will enable better planning and budgeting. Dean opposes it, saying a two-year term keeps governors more accountable to the voters.
This year lawmakers are slated to consider an amendment to the Vermont constitution that would have governors elected for four years. Douglas needled Dean for supporting the idea when he was governor.
Dean says his travels in recent years have shown him how well-governed Vermont is.
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