Senators reject governor's idea to delay school voting

MONTPELIER - Gov. Phil Scott's idea to delay school budget voting found no support Tuesday at a key Senate committee, even among the panel's two Republican members.

The Senate Education Committee voted 6-0 to reject the Republican governor's idea of holding all Vermont school budget votes on May 23, rather than on Town Meeting Day in March. The date change is at the heart of the governor's budget and would give school boards more time to comply with strict limits on education spending.

The governor has asked lawmakers to make a quick decision on the date change before considering his overall education package. He argues that a May vote would give school districts "more opportunity" to talk with their communities about spending.

"I’m not sure I’m understanding what the downside is to that," Scott said at a news conference last week.

Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/31/senators-reject-gov-phil-scott-idea-delay-school-budget-vote/97291666/