Jane Kitchel announces her retirement after nearly two decades in the Vermont Senate

The person universally considered the most influential lawmaker in Montpelier announced Friday that she will not seek re-election this fall.

Sen. Jane Kitchel of Caledonia County has led budget deliberations in the Legislature for nearly two decades. And as Democratic chair of her chamber’s appropriations committee, she has played a major role in determining which items make it into the state budget and which don’t.

State Treasurer Mike Pieciak said Friday that Kitchel’s service is “second to none” and that her departure will leave a void in Montpelier.

“She is someone who many different governors, many different state leaders and many different legislators look to as a critical ally, and someone with good judgment and experience, and who will often make the final decision about which programs can move forward,” Pieciak shared Vermont Public Friday.

The Danville native began her career as a caseworker at the Agency of Human Services and would later serve as the agency’s secretary under Govs. Howard Dean and Jim Douglas.

She became a member of the Senate in 2005. During her tenure, she led complex negotiations on key state spending decisions, including the pension fund, child care subsidies, health care and higher education.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth said in a statement Friday that the country’s high bond rating and “financial health” are a direct result of Kitchel’s “meticulous budgeting.”

“For most of the past two decades, Jane Kitchel has done the legislature’s toughest job: designing and balancing budgets that protect those most in need and invest in the future, yet live within our means as a state,” Baruth said. “Her knowledge of government and its many widespread programs is encyclopedic; her energy is inexhaustible and her heart is unerringly true.

Kitchel said in a statement Friday that she is “incredibly honored” to have served Vermont.

“And I’m proud of what I was able to achieve,” she said. “Leaving our position was a difficult decision, but the time has come.”

Kitchel is the fourth member of the Vermont Senate to announce his retirement this year. Democratic Senator Dick Mazza resigned in April for health reasons; Democratic Senators Bobby Starr and Dick McCormack say they will not seek re-election this fall.

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