The Senate gave preliminary approval to the 2015 Budget Adjustment Act on Wednesday by a roll call vote of 27-2.
Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, presented an overview of the budget bill with a four-point amendment added by the Appropriations Committee, which Kitchel chairs.
The most significant change to the bill that passed the House last week is an increase in the amount to be transferred to the Transportation Infrastructure Bond Fund from $2.5 million to $3.15 million.
The need for the additional $600,000 for the TIB came to light after the dedicated revenue source was downgraded last month. The funds were expected to be raised from a gas tax that is based on price. When gas prices decreased, the projected amount the tax would raise fell as well.
Although this means temporarily taking money from funds intended for town highway projects, the money will be restored in the FY 2016 budget.
Some legislators aired concerns about general budget matters. Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, spoke about discrepancies in housing policies across the state, particularly in Rutland.
Sen. Norm McAllister, R-Franklin, was one of the two no votes. He said that he didn’t support the bill because the state’s spending is too high.
“Until we get that back on track, I won’t be voting for budgets,” McAllister said.
The Senate also voted to pass H.16, a bill tightening restrictions on when sex offenders who have maxed out their sentences must report to the sex offender registry. The bill had was unchanged from the version that passed the House.
