House Passes Mid-Year Budget Balance
Today the House unanimously approved H.679, the annual Budget Adjustment Act. In addition to balancing our state budget midway through the fiscal year, the BAA provides an opportunity to address our state’s urgent needs, including ongoing pandemic response.
Highlights of this year’s BAA include significant one-time investments in workforce retention, housing, childcare, and providing services to Vermonters who have been, and continue to be, deeply impacted by COVID-19.
$60 million for workforce retention-related payments to partners that provide critical support in our communities, including assisted living residences, nursing homes, residential care homes, home health agencies, designated and specialized service agencies, substance use treatment providers, and recovery centers.
PLUS: Recruitment and retention funds for staff at the Department of Corrections, the Vermont Veterans’ Home, and Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital
AND: $6 million for retention payments for childcare staff
$55 million to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for housing and increased shelter capacity
$50 million in additional funds for our pension reserve, bringing the total to $200 million — a proposed one-time investment that will reduce our liability by $2 billion over time
$20 million to the Vermont Housing Incentive Program to support the creation of affordable apartments and accessory dwelling units in existing properties. The goal is to create 400-plus units to serve households experiencing homelessness and families in need of affordable housing
$9.7 million to Vermont State Colleges for the second round of the new Critical Occupations scholarship program, and to fully fund the first round
$6 million to the Vermont Foodbank to help Vermonters experiencing food insecurity
$2 million to the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative to help farm, forestry and related businesses innovate and grow
$1 million to UVM for a second round of its workforce training initiative for Vermonters
$1 million for adult day providers
$440,000 to maintain the 988 Suicide Prevention Line
$350,000 to stabilize our Adult Education and Literacy network and $515,000 for our three public independent Career and Technical Education Centers
$300,000 to support our community public, educational and governmental (PEG-TV) stations
$250,000 additional for Municipal Planning Grants that support planning and zoning efforts to increase housing in our downtowns
H.679 helps Vermonters facing crises like food insecurity, homelessness, or a lack of childcare, while setting us up for a more sustainable financial future. From here, the bill moves to the Senate for further consideration.