January 18, 2022
SPEAKER KROWINSKI, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM BALINT JOINT STATEMENT FOLLOWING GOVERNOR SCOTT’S BUDGET ADDRESS
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski and Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint issued the following statement on Governor Scott’s budget address:
“We are grateful to see that there are many areas of agreement between the Governor’s proposed budget and our vision for delivering for Vermont’s working families this session. Our vision for investing in Vermont’s future is a reflection of our values and a belief that we can create more equitable communities for all that live and visit our great state.
“Our vision is informed by the conversations we had with over 1,400 Vermonters this fall as part of the “Investing in Vermont’s Future” public engagement effort. Today, we are pleased to release the final report summarizing those conversations, and elevating the insights and priorities of Vermonters, which will help ensure our work is informed by a broad range of individuals and reflective of what they are experiencing in their day-to-day lives. You can explore these findings at here.
“We heard from working Vermont families, young Vermonters, the refugee community, and others who are desperate for action to address the housing crisis. We look forward to building on last year’s historic investments in housing and continuing the effort to address the crisis at every level - from emergency transitional housing to affordable rentals, houses that first-time buyer can afford, and housing with support services for seniors and people in recovery. A key priority for us, and one we have worked on together before, is extending the deadline for emergency housing, and making sure that we are keeping people housed during the coldest days of the years.
“We know that the workforce crisis is impacting all sectors of the economy, but that it is particularly difficult among the professions that keep our families and communities running. In recognition of this, the House Appropriations Committee doubled the Governor’s proposal in the Budget Adjustment to $60M for staff retention related payments to shore up critical provider systems for assisted living residences, nursing homes, residential care homes, home health agencies, designated and specialized service agencies, substance use treatment providers, and recovery centers. We look forward to doing similar work to prioritize our frontline care workers in the FY23 budget. And we’re grateful to see the Governor is proposing further funding of some of the critical workforce investments that the legislature built into last year’s budget.
“Throughout our listening tour, Vermonters clearly stated that one of the best ways we can invest is to get money directly into the hands of Vermonters facing incredible challenges at this moment. We applaud the Governor for considering progressive tax relief that would help do that. We need to dig into the details, but at face value, his proposal seems to offer a little relief here, and a little there. The legislature is interested in doing something more significant and focused that will help a broad swath of working families. We will be looking into how our state might build on the success of the federal Child Tax Credit to offer direct financial support to struggling families, as we know it is an incredibly impactful way to support households.
“Another way we can provide support to Vermont workers, and to all taxpayers, is by taking advantage of this moment to ensure the stability of our public pensions system. While the Governor’s budget does not reflect the recent framework agreement from the Pension Task Force, we’re glad his administration has signaled they are willing to work with us to build this plan into the budget. The legislature is ready to invest an additional $200 million to shore up the system this year and increase annual contributions to pension and other retirement benefits, such as health care, in the future. The agreement we’ve struck with our hardworking teachers and state employees will protect the public pension system and put it on a path of sustainability. Additionally, these changes are expected to result in reducing the state’s unfunded liabilities by $2 billion dollars, which is incredibly important for our long-term financial picture.
“The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, and we know that so many Vermonters are exhausted and looking for support in their day to day lives. We have seen the tremendous demand for mental health services with hospital emergency rooms becoming crowded with individuals looking for support in a time of crisis. We will look at our continuum of care and find ways to not only invest in our current community health system but look at adding resources in services such as peer support counseling and housing. We have also seen the toll of the pandemic reflected in the staggering number of overdose deaths this past year. Isolation and the temporary pause in services available was incredibly difficult and too many Vermonters' lives have been lost. We will work with service providers and those with lived experience to help inform how we can best support Vermonters in crisis.
“We know that there are other investments that need to be made today, in order to secure a healthy, safer, more resilient future. We will also be looking to make major investments in fighting climate change and reducing our carbon footprint; advancing clean water initiatives, and continuing to invest in immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic and our long-term recovery. We must be diligent to ensure the legislation we pass creates greater equity for all Vermonters, and communities that welcome and support each other as we grow into the 21st Century.
“The House and Senate look forward to working with the Governor and his administration to deliver a balanced budget that meets the needs of Vermont’s families. We are certain that we can find collaborative solutions to support our families and communities, and make investments that will have ripple effects for generations to come.”
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