STATEMENT FROM VERMONT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ON HOUSE OVERRIDE OF BUDGET AND CHILD CARE BILL
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, the House overrode Governor Scott’s veto of the FY24 state budget (H.474) on a vote of 105 to 42 and the universal child care bill (H.217) on a vote of 116 to 31. Following the vote, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski made the following statements:
"Our budget prioritizes the well-being of our communities in all fourteen counties, enhances vital infrastructure, and improves programs and services that Vermonters rely on in their daily lives. It’s a fiscally responsible budget that reflects the values and priorities expressed by Vermonters across the state. This budget stands as a commitment to Vermonters: We hear your voices and stand by your side. It includes appropriations that benefit every Vermonter, including significant investments in housing; high-quality, affordable child care; Medicaid rate increases for healthcare, mental health and substance use disorder providers; community resilience and climate initiatives; broadband access, and others. We were disappointed that the Governor vetoed the budget and that the critical funds earmarked for vulnerable groups were delayed in getting out to Vermonters and community organizations for several weeks.
“Additionally, we have worked with the Administration and our Senate colleagues to successfully identify key areas of agreement that will significantly bolster support for vulnerable Vermonters during their transition into alternative housing opportunities. I am hopeful these new resources, combined with the funding and resources provided in the budget, will further support positive outcomes for our communities and all Vermonters. Through rigorous discussions with a broad group of voices, we have worked to find additional opportunities for safe and reliable alternatives while we transition away from the pandemic-era General Assistance Emergency Housing benefit. By combining the expertise of our community partners and hearing from those impacted during this difficult transition, we are hopeful that this will lead to a more sustainable and compassionate system that addresses the immediate needs of individuals while also providing long-term support and stability.
“By overriding the Governor’s veto of the child care bill, we are addressing the pressing issue faced by families throughout Vermont who struggle to balance child care responsibilities with their work. By providing the necessary support and ensuring access to high-quality early educators, we aim to empower struggling families to grow their careers while ensuring the safety and educational development of their children and fair pay for our early childhood educators. This bill sets us on a path to create a more robust, thriving economy and shows that Vermont is a state that supports working families through our comprehensive and inclusive child care system for all."
You can learn more about H.494 - making appropriations for the support of the government here.
You can learn more about H.217 - an act relating to child care, early education, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance here.
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