Gov. Scott vetoes budget again as state government shutdown looms
Gov. Phil Scott yet again vetoed the state budget, leaving just about two weeks left before there could be a government shutdown if no deal is reached.
Governor readies veto pen to fend off property tax increase, but compromise on table
Another budget was passed by the General Assembly last week and is on its way to the governor’s desk, but it’s most likely destined for another veto unless lawmakers quickly find acceptable compromises.
Vermont House passes another budget bill on to Senate
A budget bill similar to what has already fallen once to Gov. Phil Scott’s veto pen has been passed again out of the House, by an 80-to-43 count, and is headed to the Senate chamber to be taken up on Thursday afternoon.
McClaughry: The school property tax deadlock
The problem the Democrats face is that most homeowners badly want property tax relief, and are not very receptive to appeals for sound fiscal practice. It is after all election year, and if Scott’s proposal prevails, his strong suit in November will be that “he stopped rising school property taxes.”
Gov. Phil Scott: Building the best education system in the country
According to the National Education Association, we have, by far, the largest per-student investment in the country, spending twice the national average. We have a good graduation rate, but our student test scores are only two percentage points higher than the national average. It’s time to have the courage to admit we can do much more for our kids.
House Education chair suggests lawmakers back off special ed savings
Gov. Phil Scott has signed H.897 that reforms the special education funding formula, moving away from a pay-per-play formula towards a census-based grant formula. But how Scott wants to use the savings has some Democrat lawmakers in a tizzy.
Flemming: The governor and leadership are both right
Vermont’s special session has the potential to steer our state in the right fiscal direction for years to come, or it could leave us with a disastrous government shutdown. Gov. Scott’s “no new taxes” pledge is on a collision course with the legislative leadership’s desire to pay down Vermont’s underfunded pension accounts.
Lines drawn in budget standoff at Statehouse
The special session regarding an anticipated budget veto by Gov. Phil Scott began Wednesday at the Statehouse, and Democrats, Republicans and the administration put competing proposals forward in what could be a lengthy negotiations battle.
Pension fund crisis becomes part of the budget showdown
The pension fund crisis estimated at about $4.5 billion in unfunded liabilities has worked its way into the budget talks currently playing out at the state capital.
Special session scheduled at Statehouse for budget showdown
There won’t likely be a veto session, but there will be a showdown at the Statehouse to handle unfinished business on the state budget.
Gov. Scott’s 5-year school funding plan gets mixed response from education community
Gov. Phil Scott has unveiled a five-year plan to fill the state’s $58 million education fund deficit and revitalize the state’s education system by generating approximately $300 million in savings over the next five years.
New Hampshire House moves to end deceptive practices in local budgeting
When towns and school districts present their proposed operating budgets to voters, those proposals go up against a “default budget” that’s supposed to reflect the prior year’s spending. That way, the voters get to choose if they want to see local spending – and, in turn, local property taxes – increase.