*** Please note: For Gov. Jim Douglas' new book: The Vermont Way: A Republican Governor Leads America's Most Liberal State , please visit http://www.thevermontway.us/. *** On January 9, 2003, Jim Douglas was sworn in as governor of Vermont after already serving Vermonters for three decades as a legislator, governor’s aide, secretary of state and state treasurer. The Douglas Years: Dedicated to the People of Vermont is a brief look back on the ideas, proposals, initiatives, issues, successes and challenges that marked Jim Douglas’ eight years as governor.