For Immediate Release
February 6, 2025
Media Contact
Conor Kennedy, Office of the Speaker
STATEMENT FROM VERMONT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, CHAIR OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS FOLLOWING VOTE ON FY25 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, the House gave initial approval to H.141, the FY25 Budget Adjustment Act (BAA). Every year the legislature must pass a BAA, midway through the fiscal year, that rebalances accounts and ensures that our state always maintains a balanced budget.
Following the House vote, Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski and Representative Robin Scheu, Chair of the Committee on Appropriations, spoke on the important investments in the bill:
“The budget adjustment bill is incredibly important as it gives us the opportunity to make sure we are in a strong financial position and allows us to make investments in communities across the state. I recognize there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty around the future of federal programs and funding opportunities and the stress that is causing Vermonters. This bill makes strategic investments in our state to make sure we are prepared to address the uncertainties ahead, and preserves the programs and infrastructure that Vermonters use each and every day,” said House Speaker Jill Krowinski. “This budget adjustment continues the critical investments to build affordable housing, support our veterans access services and health care, ensure older Vermonters have the resources they need, keep Vermont families facing homelessness housed through the winter, and support communities that were impacted by the devastating floods over the last two years. We must address the problems of today while advancing policies that support the future of all Vermonters and builds a robust economy that works for everyone.”
A snapshot of the investments being made include:
- Ensuring Vermonters have emergency shelter through the winter
- Providing additional funding to the Vermont’s Veterans’ Home
- Supporting nursing homes through $40 million dollars of emergency relief and rate adjustments
- Funding for state FEMA match to continue flood recovery efforts
- Investing in various affordable and safe housing initiatives
“The FY25 budget adjustment bill demonstrates values such as ensuring fiscal responsibility through the backfilling of funds that are in deficit and the use of one-time money for one-time events. This bill takes care of Vermonters across all 14-counties, and supports our most vulnerable citizens, from older Vermonters to those who are unhoused,” stated Chair of House Appropriations, Representative Robin Scheu. “We agreed with the vast majority of the Governor’s proposed changes to the FY25 budget, and only made a few changes designed to assist in aiding our priorities and meeting pressing needs. In fact, the changes we are proposing affect 0.17% of the total budget from all funds. Put another way, we have found common ground on over 99% of the ways to spend the money we have available. We hope that our ability to find agreement in many areas will continue as we move ahead with the FY26 budget..”
To read more about the Budget Adjustment Act, see the legislative website and our Joint Fiscal Office’s highlights.
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