Gov. Scott proposes $7.7B budget amid 'historic' resources

Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott proposed a $7.7 billion state budget Tuesday at a time when there are “historic” resources that will enable the state to invest in a host of economic development and infrastructure projects, cut taxes and help prepare the state for the future.

With state coffers filled with the help of federal coronavirus relief funds, Scott urged lawmakers to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that helped create a $234 million General Fund surplus and a more than $90 million surplus in the Education Fund.

The proposed budget is more than 4% higher than last year.

“It is imperative we use it to achieve economic equity from region to region, not as a band-aid on something we will have to address again next year and not for initiatives that do not make the most of this moment,” Scott said. “We cannot squander this opportunity or let our legacy be defined by future deficits or higher taxes."

Scott pointed out that in the last two years the Vermont workforce has lost 24,000 people, leaving the state with 23,000 open jobs, nearly 7% of the jobs in the state economy.

To help alleviate the shortage, Scott's proposals would provide money for the state’s internship program, help adults enroll in training programs without the expense of a college degree and put people into careers with higher wages like licensed nursing assistants, emergency medical technicians, line workers, and web programmers.

Other programs would encourage nurses to stay in Vermont or recruit them to come here. Scott would invest in the trades like commercial drivers, plumbers and welders, as well as a nursing degree.

“If we don’t focus on the trades, we won’t have people to maintain our hospitals, transport goods, build homes, pave roads or do the work we need to...