[A]fter days of negotiations, House and Senate lawmakers struck a deal on the budget for the next fiscal year.
The conference committee finalized the money bills late Thursday night. That puts the Legislature on track to adjourn Saturday.
Final numbers were not available late Thursday night.
The versions of the budget that passed each body were not significantly different in amounts. All state funds in the House bill totaled $2.45 billion, while, the Senate version totaled $2.46 billion. Including federal funds, the House bill was $5.77 billion and the Senate, $5.76 billion.
There were, however, key differences between some of the appropriations and in the language in each version.
Lawmakers wrangled over discrepancies in higher education funding levels, language that changed policy around electronic lottery games, and the elimination of the risk management division of the Agency of Administration, which handles workers’ compensation claims for state employees.
The Senate budget bill changed language in the lottery section that expanded authority from tickets, as under current policy, to include “lottery products,” such as electronic lottery game machines.
The House strongly opposed inclusion of any language changing the lottery statute. However, after considerable debate, the Senate agreed to remove the section from the budget.
Lawmakers also argued over the risk management division of the Agency of Administration, an office that functions as an in-house workers’ compensation claims processor.
The Senate budget booked $500,000 from savings from privatizing the division. The House would prefer to continue to operate the division as it is, but ultimately conceded to the Senate’s plan.
In final stages of negotiations, the two sides settled on what investments were top priorities for the next fiscal year.
The conference committee put money in the budget to help restore part of a reduction in the Reach Up benefits that certain families get, based on whether they receive a federal disability benefit.
They also agreed to put $100,000 toward a study to fund an expansion of Dr. Dynasaur insurance.
The committee adopted language that puts aside $1.2 million in the general fund to be reserved to cover unbudgeted expenses. That could include funding implementation costs for the Green Mountain Care Board if the all-payer waiver moves ahead, or could include covering needs of a low income heating assistance program.
Much of that money came from pushing back the start date for a 2 percent cost of living rate increase that will go to employees of designated agencies and Choices for Care providers.
