MONTPELIER — With the federal government shutdown in its fifth day, the state Democratic Party took issue with a letter Republican Gov. Phil Scott sent before the shut down even began.

The weekend before the shutdown, Scott sent a letter to Senators in both parties urging against a shutdown. As the Senate needs 60 votes to pass a continuing budget resolution, and the Senate is divided 53-47, with Republicans in the majority, bipartisan agreement is necessary.

The governor wrote that over the past three decades the threat of shutdowns and reliance on continuing resolutions have become too common.

“Each time, they disrupt essential services that millions of Americans rely on – services that transcend politics. From paying troops and supporting veterans, to caring for seniors and ensuring

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