The Vermont House on Friday passed a $9.3 billion state budget for the next fiscal year that includes $1.35 million in state disaster aid for four Northeast Kingdom towns. The money is intended to help rebuild flood-damaged infrastructure after the Trump administration twice denied Vermont’s requests for federal assistance.
The budget bill, H.951, now goes to the Senate. Under the plan, Sutton would receive $1.1 million, Burke $104,300, Sheffield $81,900, and Newark $53,600. The amounts are based on damage estimates the state previously sent to FEMA. Had federal aid been granted, towns could have recovered up to 75% of costs. The grants go to town governments, not individuals.
The disaster funding was added during committee work on the bill. Gov. Phil Scott had proposed a different funding source for the same amount. The House kept the dollar figure unchanged.
A key point of disagreement between the House and the governor is how much of $105 million transferred from the General Fund to the Education Fund should be used to buy down property taxes. Scott wants all of it used this year to achieve a 4% average increase in tax bills. House Democrats would reserve half for next year, resulting in a 7% average increase. Both are lower than the 12% initially projected.
The bill passed 97-40, with unanimous support in the appropriations committee. Rep. Brenda Steady, a Milton Republican, said she voted against it over property tax concerns. Rep. Scheu, speaking on the floor, criticized opponents of the tax plan. The Senate Appropriations Committee will begin hearings on the bill Tuesday.
Originally reported by VTDigger.
Photo: Quang Vuong via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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