House blocks Gov. Scott's teacher health care savings plan

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- The Vermont House has blocked Republican Gov. Phil Scott's proposal from advancing on how to save money from new, cheaper health care plans for the state's teachers.

The governor's office released a statement late Wednesday night saying lawmakers voted 74-73 in support of the proposal, but Democratic House Speaker Mitzi Johnson cast a final vote, creating a tie that prevented the proposal from moving forward. The governor's office said two supporters of the proposal were absent from the House.

"While the Speaker's vote ensured this savings proposal was not adopted tonight, this vote is a clear indication that enough votes exist in the House to ensure that, one way or another, the Governor's proposal can still become law, saving taxpayers up to $26 million each year, without asking teachers to pay more or cutting programs for kids," the governor's office said.

Republican state senators already tried and failed to get Scott's plan through the Senate.

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