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.
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.
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.
Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday vetoed bills for a $15 minimum wage and mandatory paid family leave, citing campaign promises not to raise costs on residents and businesses.
A bill that would require all Vermonters to have health insurance has made its way to the governor’s desk, but it’s uncertain that Republican Gov. Phil Scott will sign it, since it likely would use a revived Individual Health Effort Tax as a penalty.
We urge the governor and General Assembly to quickly resolve their differences on the budget and to continue a steady course of no new taxes or fees. A second consecutive year without new taxes or fees can have a significant impact on creating an economic climate that leads to business expansion.
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.
The House on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve H.897, which reconfigures the current per-service funding formula for special education into a block-grant system. New language in the bill includes a four-year phase-in period for independent schools to adopt the new formula and begin taking more special education children.
Vermont is one step closer to a $15 minimum wage following a narrow yes vote in the House on Tuesday, and business owners say the development has them worried, despite the likelihood of a veto by the governor.
In this episode of Vote for Vermont, host Pat McDonald interviews Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce head William Moore about the legislative session and its possible impact on Vermont businesses.
The House has approved a bill to curb alleged “systemic racism,” which some lawmakers claim is rampant among offices of the Vermont state government.
By a 4-1 vote, the Senate Committee on Economic Development on Monday approved a paid family leave bill that would offer employees up to 12 weeks of leave with 70 percent of wages covered. Watch video of the committee hearings held at the Vermont Statehouse.