On September 2, 2020

Gov. Scott’s budget proposal is responsible and prudent

By Rep. Pattie McCoy

A few months ago, the Legislature adjourned without passing a full fiscal year’s budget. The hope by the majority party in Montpelier was Congress would come to the rescue and appropriate more money to the states so we could plug our budget holes with federal dollars. Some of us voted against that first quarter budget bill, knowing this wishful thinking by Democratic leadership was not wise. Unsurprisingly, Congress has not stepped in, and we are left to fend for ourselves.

Indeed, the Legislature’s economist is predicting a $182 million loss for this year’s General Fund alone, almost entirely due to Covid-19 and its economic fallout. This shortfall cannot be overstated.

Thankfully, despite the pleas by some to resort to tax increases, Governor Scott has proposed a plan to balance the budget without raising taxes, borrowing from reserves, or making major cuts to crucial programs.

The governor’s plan relies on a multi-pronged approach, including:

Relying on previously-appropriated Covid-19 relief funds to fund investments;

Utilizing $40 million in additional Medicaid funding thanks to an enhanced federal Medicaid provision;

Utilizing carry-forward funds from the previous fiscal year.

The last bullet point includes both a rise in income tax collections (Vermonters’ income tax filings were delayed from April to July), as well as common-sense government savings due to Covid-19, such as reduced travel budgets for state employees.

Additionally, the governor’s revised budget plan still invests in initiatives important to Vermonters. This includes eliminating the tax on military retirement income, increasing tax incentives for growth in Vermont’s downtowns and village centers, expanding assistance for individuals and businesses negatively impacted by Covid-19, boosting access to broadband, and more.

On the education side, Governor Scott has proposed using Coronavirus Relief Funding  to help stabilize the State Colleges’ budget shortfall, as well as appropriating much-needed funding to expand child care capacity ahead of kids returning to school (and as more Vermonters return to work). These are key bipartisan priorities.

The ability to balance a budget without raising taxes, borrowing from reserves, or making deep programmatic cuts during a major recession and public health pandemic is alone an incredible feat. But to do it while also making crucial investments in our state’s future is especially remarkable. The Governor and his administration deserve credit for standing up to the challenge.

Now, it is the job of us in the Legislature to pass this common-sense budget and provide relief for Vermonters as soon as possible.

Rep. Pattie McCoy, R-Poultney, is the Vermont House minority leader. She serves on the House Committee on Transportation, House Committee on Rules, and Joint Rules.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Medical debt relief is a direct investment in Vermonters

February 5, 2025
By Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak As Vermont’s Treasurer, I am committed to making investments that lower costs, strengthen our economy, and support healthier communities. I believe every Vermonter deserves a fair shot at success, regardless of the situation they are born into. Yet, for too many Vermonters, the cost of health care stands in the…

Tariffs

February 5, 2025
President Trump’s warning of tariffs on neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada, and critical trading partner China got off to a false start on Monday, Feb. 3, with the current administration putting the plan on hold after conversations with Mexico and Canada. A trade war is already brewing with China, who countered with tariffs on U.S.…

Fishers in crisis, action needed

February 5, 2025
Dear Editor, I am a conservation biologist with a specific interest in wildlife. Last April, I wrote and submitted a paper to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife board (FWB) summarizing the results from numerous studies across the U.S. and Canada indicating that anticoagulant rodenticide (AR) threatens fisher populations. Vermont had the highest exposure rate among…

MVSU district explains budget, cuts

February 5, 2025
Dear Editor, Editor’s note: the following letter was addressed specifically to members of the Mountain Views School District. As the vote on the MVSD budget approaches, we wish to further clarify the decisions that were made in the creation of this budget. Through months of meetings with the administration and board members, and consideration of…