Lawmakers to return to Statehouse for financial briefing
They’ll be back, after all … on Nov. 10. Lawmakers are invited to come to the Statehouse next month. Not for a special session, mind you, but a purely informational “briefing” session.
Gap or no gap? Shumlin administration, Joint Fiscal Office see 2013 budget through different lenses
The Shumlin administration, in setting the stage for its Budget Adjustment Act and 2013 budget proposals, has decided not to issue a consensus budget gap analysis with the Vermont Joint Fiscal Office, the nonpartisan financial research and policy arm of the Vermont Legislature.
Federal budget cuts will have $5 million impact on General Fund in 2011
As a result of federal cuts for fiscal year 2011, the total direct and indirect General Fund reductions are estimated to be $4.8 million, plus $12.8 million in transportation funding.
Campbell finds money for elderly programs; reverses stance on cigarette tax
Budget triage mode isn’t over yet — and won’t be in the foreseeable future, according to Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell.
Budgetwise: Finance duo lends expertise to transition team
Trautz: “The program needs are in large part a product of history. The budget didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, there’s a history and reason for expenditures over time.”
Shumlin taps Reardon for Finance and Management
“Commissioner Reardon knows the state budget better than anyone else I know,” said Governor-elect Shumlin. “His ability to keep the state on a steady course in good times and in bad is invaluable and I am deeply grateful for his willingness to continue on in his role as Commissioner.”
Challenges fall short
Jim Reardon: “It’s going to take longer to realize the savings. (This) is a good initial effort. People are working together, but it takes time.”
Johnston and Mathis: Look who’s leading the education parade
Our two parade leaders put out a memo on Nov. 10, 2009, demanding that local school boards cut their budgets or else they would recommend a series of punitive measures to the Legislature. Of course, every school board and half-awake person in the state knew we were in the midst of a major recession and that student numbers were declining. They hardly needed the state to tell them what everyone could plainly see.
A tea party of his own? Douglas may threaten veto over taxes
The governor appears to have his veto pen poised in mid-air, though he won’t say whether he would reject any single bill in the budget package.
Letters posted: Reardon, Evslin outline administration’s beefs with budget, Challenges
Finance commissioner details Douglas administration’s objections to House and Senate budgets, which will be reconciled in the coming days.
