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HOUSE PASSES FIRST BILL OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Contact: Katherine Levasseur (802) 828-2245 or klevasseur@leg.state.vt.us

Montpelier, VT - The Vermont House of Representatives today passed the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Adjustment Act, the first bill of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, on a vote of 141-0.

The bill, H.125, strengthens investment in higher education through increased funding for Northern Vermont University.

“This bill is an investment in Vermont families and Vermont communities” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson. “It exemplifies our commitment to creating a stable, healthy economy, and prioritizes building a strong future for the next generation.”

The Budget Adjustment Act built on the Appropriations Committee’s years of work to reduce reliance on one-time funds, achieve better outcomes, and lower overall costs. The final bill prioritized investment in the Vermont Veterans Home, the PFOA-Environmental Contingency Fund, the Department of Children and Families, and the Emergency Relief Fund.

“This budget adjustment was a unanimous effort by the House to keep important services to Vermonters intact while adjusting our expenses to meet revenues, which have been downgraded in this fiscal year. It is a responsible approach to make needed investments in areas of Vermont that are experiencing additional pressure to address issues like PFOA” said Appropriations Committee Chair, Representative Kitty Toll.

The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.