MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The Scott administration is concerned that a midyear spending bill could put pressure on Vermont’s budget down the road.
That spending bill now includes an extra $30 million put toward flood recovery and hotel rooms for housing-insecure Vermonters.
Members of Gov. Phil Scott’s administration say the extra spending means they would have to make cuts to programs for housing, the Vermont State Colleges System, and health care funding in the final budget or they would have to raise taxes and fees.
They are now asking for the Senate to table the initiatives until the final budget at the end of the year.
“If we overspend in one area and want to fund all of the priorities and initiatives in the budget, there isn’t enough room in the budget for that and new revenue would have to come into place,” Vt. Administration Secretary Kristin Clouser said.
The bill cleared the House and is now under consideration by the Senate.
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