Gov. Scott, House leaders at odds over budget

MONTPELIER - Gov. Phil Scott and budget-writers in the House of Representatives are talking past each other on the state budget this week as each side claims the other has refused to offer new ideas.

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, and the chairs of the two House money committees held a news conference Wednesday accusing the governor's administration of avoiding budget negotiations. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to advance a state budget by Friday, March 24.

The current draft needs to close an $18 million budget gap, down from $70 million at the start of the session, and does not include any new funding for the governor's proposed child care, early education or higher education programs.

Johnson said Wednesday that the governor's staff have declined to offer new ideas for spending cuts, even behind the scenes.

Read more: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/16/gov-scott-house-leaders-odds-over-budget/99224788/