
The governor does support further investments in child care but he strongly objected to the payroll tax that would partially fund the measure.
The governor does support further investments in child care but he strongly objected to the payroll tax that would partially fund the measure.
“We will continue to focus on turning the tide of this housing crisis,” the governor said in a statement. “More important work lies ahead, but this bill is a great start.”
Thursday marked the first of several waves of evictions planned for this spring and summer, as the state winds down pandemic-era programs that have sheltered an estimated 80% of Vermont’s unhoused population in motels.
Depending on their eligibility criteria, about 2,800 are due to lose their shelter in several waves over the spring and summer — starting today.
Vermont Superior Court Judge Timothy Tomasi scheduled an expedited hearing for 8:30 a.m. Thursday — the same day the first 800 people are scheduled to be booted from the program.
Democrats command supermajorities in both the House and the Senate, but overriding the governor is still expected to be a complicated task, particularly in the lower chamber.
It’s unclear how many people will receive the extra month of shelter. An actual breakdown was not available from state officials on Friday, although minors alone account for nearly 600 of the individuals living in motels.
The Agency of Human Services on Wednesday released a request for proposals for emergency shelter staffing and services, with the hope of providing up to 1,000 shelter beds statewide.
Anne Sosin, a public health researcher at Dartmouth College who lobbied lawmakers to extend the motel program, called it “obscene” that Democrats would fundraise “off the backs of the thousands of Vermonters they've just voted to un-shelter.”
“I've been thinking that everything, everyone has its cycle,” Ledbetter said. “And I've had a great run for many years, but I thought it was time for someone else to have their shot.”