Vermont Governor Phil Scott vetoed an $8.5 billion state budget

Vermont Governor Phil Scott vetoed an $8.5 billion state budget, citing excessive spending levels and an undue tax and fee burden on Vermonters. Scott’s original proposal in January featured a 9% spending increase, but the Legislature raised this to 13%. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth (b’rooth) criticized the veto as “flawed and harmful,” highlighting that the budget differences were largely attributed to critical service providers. The Legislature, controlled by a Democratic supermajority, will aim to override the veto in a June session. However, a coalition of Democrats and Progressives threaten to sustain the veto without more funding for emergency housing. The new fiscal year commences on July 1.