Vermont Lawmakers Struggle to Find Budget Solutions

Vermont lawmakers are now grappling with a budget gap that grew to $112 million after a revised revenue forecast came out

Vermont lawmakers are now grappling with a budget gap that grew to $112 million after a revised revenue forecast came out.

They were already wrestling with a $94 million gap when they were called on to approve budget cuts and tax increases. The new revenue forecast added $18 million to the budget hole.

The House Appropriations and Ways and Means committees on Wednesday held an extraordinary joint meeting to compare notes. The Ways and Means Committee writes tax policy, and so raises the state's money. The Appropriations Committee writes the budget, and so decides how to spend it.

Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Mitzi John said the revised revenue forecast is making an already difficult job even more so.

Lawmakers said the situation could mean widespread state employee furloughs or job cuts.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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