Legislature allocates $577 million, adjourns until late August – Seven Days
The Legislature executed a major pass-through of federal $$ on Friday, June 26 - $577 million, almost half of the $1.25 billion CARES Act allocation. It will return August 25 with (it hopes) a better understanding of how to spend the remaining $250 million, and eliminate the estimated $420 million budget deficit.
Read moreWhat to watch for as Legislature nears adjournment - VT Digger
Political reporters Xander Landen and Kit Norton, report on what to expect as the Legislature nears adjournment - at least until August.
Read moreLegislature on federal recovery $$: spend now, or spend later? - Associated Press
As the Legislature prepares to adjourn this week and return in August, the last big job is passing the three-month budget. Gov. Scott and the Legislature can’t agree on how quickly to dispense the $1.25 billion in federal recovery money, and who should get it.
Read moreLawmakers OK police data gathering, slow walk use of-force changes- Seven Days
Before it adjourns this week, the Vermont Legislature is poised to make some of the policing changes requested by police brutality protesters. But the most controversial ones - such as use-of-force - will have to wait for until August, at least.
Read moreBroadband plan falls short, again - Seven Days
For once the Vermont Legislature has the money to deliver internet and cell phone coverage to the state’s underserved rural areas. Alas, it doesn’t have the time.
Read moreOpinion: Turner advises Legislature, don’t hold your breath waiting for Congress - VT Biz
Former House Minority Leader Don Turner of Milton says the Legislature cannot afford to wait for Congress to let it use federal recovery money to backfill the budget - because needy Vermonters can’t afford to wait, either.
Read moreCash-flush VPR to get “only” $100K in state recovery money - VPR
VPR - with $2 mil in bank, no staff cut during pandemic, and $960,000 Paycheck Protection already received - still wanted almost $900K in state-controlled federal recovery funds. The Legislature cut that number down to a mere $100,000, reports VPR’s John Dillon.
Read moreLawmakers push bill to sideline Scott from election decision - Seven Days
During committee discussions yesterday, Sen. Allison Clarkson (D-Windsor) made sure that the Secretary of State official present repeated the mantra that there is virtually no voter fraud in Vermont. Left unasked was the question: have they been looking?
Read moreLegislature to pursue voting by mail without guv OK - Seven Days
Take me out of it, Governor Scott seems to be saying. On the other hand, as long as the new voting-by-mail law gives him a say, he’ll use it. The Legislature may be about to give him his wish.
Read moreGov. Scott proposes $400 million recovery plan to Legislature - Associated Press
After Gov. Scott unveiled his proposed (still needs Legislature’s OK) $400 million economic recovery plan, one reporter asked: but will it be enough?
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