Michael J. Obuchowski

Michael J. Obuchowski (born February 4, 1952) is a former member of the Vermont House of Representatives. Elected at age 20 in 1972, he won reelection 19 times, serving continuously from January, 1973 until resigning in January, 2011 to accept appointment as Vermont's Buildings and General Services Commissioner. Obuchowski served as Speaker from 1995 to 2001.

Biography

Michael John (Obie) Obuchowski was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont on February 4, 1952. He graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1970 and attended Harvard University for two years.[1]

A Democrat, in 1972 Obuchowski was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He also began a full-time career as Assistant to the President of Basketville, a Putney business specializing in handmade baskets and other woven products for national and international retailers.[2]

Obuchowski was elected every two years through 2010, and held office until resigning in January, 2011 to join the administration of Peter Shumlin as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services. At 38 years, his tenure is the longest in the history of the Vermont House.[3]

During Obuchowski's career he served as Chairman of the House Committees on Education, Energy, Commerce, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Vermont General Assembly's Joint Energy, Transportation Oversight, Telecommunications Study, and Fiscal Committees.[4][5][6][7]

In 1995 Obuchowski was named Speaker of the House, succeeding Ralph G. Wright, who had been defeated for reelection to his House seat. He served until 2001, when Republicans gained enough seats to become the majority party in the House.[8][9][10]

After Peter Shumlin won the race for Governor in 2010, he named Vermont State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding as Secretary of Administration. Obuchowski was considered for appointment to the vacant Treasurer's position, and ultimately accepted appointment as Buildings and General Services Commissioner.[11] In December 2016, Governor-elect Phil Scott announced that Christopher Cole, who had previously served as Vermont's transportation secretary, was his choice to succeed Obuchowski.[12]

Personal

Obuchowski is married to attorney and lobbyist Clare Buckley, and they are the parents of twins Jack and Nora.[13]

References
  1. Vermont Legislative Directory, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1975, page 657
  2. Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 2001, page 225
  3. Vermont House of Representatives, List of Members who have served 25 years, by Vermont House of Representatives, 2010
  4. House Concurrent Resolution Honoring the Dean of the House of Representatives, Michael Obuchowski of Rockingham, by Vermont House of Representatives, 2011
  5. Newspaper article, Symington's Tough Year, by Louis Porter, Vermont Press Bureau, published in Rutland Herald, May 6, 2007
  6. Newspaper article, A Titled Legislator: Rep. Obuchowski is Dean of Committee Chairmen, by Chris Graff, Associated Press, published in Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus, January 23, 2005
  7. Biography, Michael J. Obuchowski, Contents list for Speaker Michael J. Obuchowski Papers, Vermont Secretary of State, Archives and Records Administration, 2001, page 1
  8. Newspaper article, Obuchowski's Return as Speaker Not a Sure Bet, by Frederick Bever, Vermont Press Bureau, published in Rutland Herald, October 28, 2000
  9. Newspaper article, New Speaker Promises Spots for Democrats, by Ross Sneyd, Associated Press, published in Rutland Herald, January 4, 2001
  10. Newspaper article, Revisiting His Roots: Former House Speaker Ralph Wright Recalls Statehouse Days, by Susan Allen, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, October 1, 2007
  11. Newspaper article, Obuchowski Will be Shumlin’s Buildings Commissioner, by Terri Hallenbeck, Burlington Free Press, December 28, 2010
  12. Craven, Jasper (December 23, 2016). "Scott Announces Slew of new Appointments". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT.
  13. Press release, Obuchowski Appointed to Buildings and General Services Archived 2011-01-24 at the Wayback Machine, Office of Governor Peter Shumlin, December 27, 2010
Political offices
Preceded by
Ralph G. Wright		 Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
1995 – 2001		 Succeeded by
Walter E. Freed
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