State Budget

Republican Gov. Phil Scott presented lawmakers Tuesday with a $9.4 billion state budget that would wean the state off pandemic-era spending by tamping down on new government expenditures.

Lawmakers and the governor will experience a sobering comedown from the fastest period of revenue growth in Vermont’s history.

An unexpected windfall from Vermont's estate tax last year signals the beginning of a longer-term trend that could help boost government funding and close the state’s wealth gap.

Vermont lawmakers are considering postponing or even eliminating some of their key spending priorities as they attempt to gird next year’s state budget against potentially drastic cuts in federal funding.

Democratic leaders in the House dialed back some of the Republican governor's top priorities in favor of other initiatives. The proposal does not include $131 million in new spending initiatives approved by House lawmakers in separate bills earlier this week.

Lawmakers are seeking increased allocations for housing, health care, public safety and more, but they will soon have to decide whether to throw those initiatives by the wayside and live within the current revenue forecast, or raise taxes so they can accommodate the additional spending.

Gov. Phil Scott won’t unveil his proposal for next year’s state budget until January, but he’s already told members of his cabinet that he wants to keep spending increases below the rate of inflation.

Host Connor Cyrus talks with political reporter Bob Kinzel about which bills Gov. Phil Scott has signed and vetoed.

Gov. Phil Scott is threatening to withhold support for the state budget if lawmakers don't restore the "essential initiatives" in his spending plan.

Vermont is experiencing an unusual budget year. Because of the impact of the huge influx of federal stimulus and COVID relief funds, the state has large surpluses in both the general fund and the education fund. But questions remain on how to spend that money through tax cuts.