[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6311505,"mediaKeyId","2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789","parentId",2395525,"title","Committee examines program and staffing requests for meals, legal/ethics offices, tax-assistance and criminal justice items","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",1004000,"endMs",1199000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789&start=1004&end=1199","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789/thumbnail_1004000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311505/Vermont/Committee-examines-program-and-staffing-requests-for-meals-legalethics-offices-tax-assistance-and-criminal-justice-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311505-15a710d1795791a383e536de3567dad8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775968466&Signature=iBCy0Sw3ai3dfOWDDgGMdYthpzxdL0H72U-aW05H-66Kxi3zjpx9mW-cmtTjNEjyy8zLXdVza-UU6RRwfEyaANUhoFjSZXxx9przkkIa2HIBHD41QYW2TkGBNOsjRWM9tvkkl1OCcsYNm0Heq8aUXaIX84uOcvThDo4RSPfzFR4KvhdWs7FQL4n575Aci9rjOATim-bkktjeL3AhdjgfKTrz4uPWFBfAbIExzNuRs~1A-JlGysQn5gPeYPmk7Rt5oTFqb70~Z9bpnggm5-d8-WDpcLzI1sl~ii5lrEEk13EQdvtSQ9fF~hHhjuiS7mDQfDuK4XHWy6hlg5SjCFGQ2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermont House Committee on Gov. Ops and Military","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The committee reviewed multiple social-service program requests and several staffing position requests that members said require careful prioritization against larger appropriations.

On food-security proposals, members discussed a proposed SNAP restaurant meals program startup line of $175,000, described by a lobbyist as roughly $100,000 for positions and $50,000 for startup costs for participating restaurants (software upgrades, etc.). Members said they would be reluctant to cut Meals on Wheels or senior meal sites and suggested that, if cuts are necessary, the SNAP restaurant-meals pilot would be a lower priority.

The Ethics Commission requested two new positions — a legal counsel and a staff attorney — to handle an increased caseload after legislation expanded municipal-ethics duties in the prior biennium. Several members said funding at least one position should be a priority if full funding faces resistance.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program requested funding to increase each site’s existing 0.75 full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing to a full-time FTE, an increase the committee noted would cost about $148,000 and allow year-round tax-assistance coverage, particularly in rural areas.

The Criminal Justice Council presented a suite of requests that included a $300,000 curriculum ask, a $700,000 bundle of RFPs for equipment (iPads, cameras and similar items), a $103,000 grouping for additional RFPs, and roughly $332,000 for three staffing positions (one listed as athletic trainer, one canine training position and one described as a separate position). Committee members asked staff to review the council’s memo for line-item detail.

Committee members also discussed a $1.5 million Secretary of State line for a printed voter guide; at least one committee member questioned whether printing and mailing a statewide guide is an efficient use of funds given digital availability. Members noted they will ask the Secretary of State’s office to clarify the plan and expected benefits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Government Operations-2025-02-25-2:45PM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reviewed diverse smaller-dollar and personnel requests, including a proposed restaurant-meals SNAP pilot, ethics commission staff positions, an extra VITA staffer to move sites to full-time equivalents, and a slate of Criminal Justice Council equipment and position requests.","taxTitle","Government Operations & Military Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",30955,"location","Vermont","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6311510,"Committee weighs multimillion-dollar requests for regional planning, brownfields and infrastructure fund",474,2330000,2804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789&start=2330&end=2804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789/thumbnail_2330000.jpg","/articles/6311510/Vermont/Committee-weighs-multimillion-dollar-requests-for-regional-planning-brownfields-and-infrastructure-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311510-6b80c2f3e5d7285566252aa79802a6b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775968466&Signature=P7TnLad8drn3TfpRDGB9ufIfSJey1PhFwiGkJP62AhG2ptDY4UYIPIV5-IB2zd61a9N-BgblOb1g2SJEHN1pAMpvlUq7BNfO7BltRLEwaroT6kN5Qw8-CGtnfmD~XefelqUaMrBh1nmNaS6l3saRQgmS2Qx3eKIsXII38HG4dOCzYcIiqDyrY7Yl4wBw33D1q7TPiUH7WtFXolLZ7V7cDn6Dpz8AGZzk5FYItcW7LZRKS26UCBAzeppP-J8s-SBfT0htLGjXWUgchKLP3IUNEcAoI8ZGI17gE-Y7kdIjevdyt1euWjAWPCKmx6p48oTkzaR7Q6Jc-jKlmBaMGS3z-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Committee on Government Operations & Military Affairs reviewed multiple housing- and infrastructure-related funding requests aimed at removing barriers to development and restoring contaminated sites.

Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) asked for base funding of roughly $7.74 million to support RPC operations around the state. Members discussed the Municipal Technical Assistance program, for which the committee reviewed a proposed $3 million continuation; that program was originally funded with ARPA and supports towns that lack grant administration capacity.

On brownfields, members noted a request for $1 million in brownfields assessment grants and a governor-recommended $2 million for cleanup grants; RPCs and VAPDA flagged that $2 million may be insufficient and asked for an additional $1 million. Members cited examples where cleanup funding enabled redevelopment into housing.

The Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability Fund request totaled $9.1 million through the Vermont Bond Bank, which the committee said would support wastewater, drinking water and other infrastructure investments tied to housing development in communities lacking utility capacity. Separately, the Land Access and Opportunity Board requested $5.6 million (largely cannabis-excise funded) to support property access for marginalized community members; committee members said this item would be considered as part of the cannabis-related hearings scheduled for the next day.

Members said rural housing remains a top priority for many caucus members and asked staff to note housing and infrastructure funding as high-priority suggestions in the memo to Appropriations.","The committee reviewed requests including $7.74 million for regional planning commissions, $3 million for municipal technical assistance, requests for additional brownfields funding, a $9.1 million infrastructure sustainability fund request, and a $5.6 million cannabis-funded land access proposal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6311514,"Committee reviews requests for wildfire response, water rescue and emergency broadcasting funding",331,551000,882000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789&start=551&end=882","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6311514/Vermont/Committee-reviews-requests-for-wildfire-response-water-rescue-and-emergency-broadcasting-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311514-9a2e19a88cc410bb453f39bd8c6d8494/orig.mp4?Expires=1775968466&Signature=LEeum4UFLuo~~xlxabpehSIGef~gC3O6OW4MaAki89l8w~ZRj86nPw6JiwtkMS4Ljx-Qk~Gubz~psqOU94lgohzFGxBdhIXZt~-h~B0StAvedXMnwAfbi9AnIy3FK4LIh5E8E2kEH7lpO5JfQ1zrFF~ivofvOQkr811YLgJDpy7gJYoXx4ekiU0EnNhpUaTPZXZwPf7w-aFWwm4-8D3k409ySuk7nHFm7gTGn2AnxQDQJOYh7unyTXVLwEM5ijNfw-kJVt2TJnUabeYwYCUc00zLk~6dCb2RfiX8ViQWAHxjqnoDRT56KFaDJW9bZ0mLKCG7ZNuupu-8DeVlbEPzLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Government Operations & Military Affairs reviewed separate but related requests intended to strengthen emergency response and communications.

Committee members discussed a Wildland Fire Program package that includes capacity-building across the state; the committee noted one proposed vehicle could represent about $275,000 of a roughly $2.75 million package, but the budget language did not consistently specify which line items included apparatus. Members agreed the program addresses capacity shortfalls observed in the recent wildfire season and flagged a follow-up with Deputy Secretary Martin to clarify the truck line item.

The committee also discussed Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations that support water and technical rescues. Members recalled that federal grants previously supported some USAR funding; testimony indicated federal grant support has declined and that USAR programs are now seeking additional state support. Committee members said USAR teams provide interstate mutual-aid deployments during extreme weather and flooding.

Separately, the Vermont Broadcasters Association asked for $250,000 to support community radio stations statewide, with the stated goals of expanding local programming and preserving an emergency broadcast option for areas that lose internet or cell service. Members noted community stations can relay shelter locations and other real-time emergency information when other systems fail.

Committee members generally supported bolstering emergency-capacity funding while requesting clarification on exact line-item amounts and sources in the budget language.","The committee considered funding requests for wildland fire capacity, urban search-and-rescue water teams and community radio emergency broadcasts; members emphasized capacity shortfalls after recent extreme weather and the value of local broadcast for emergency communications.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6311520,"House Government Operations panel finalizes budget-recommendation memo to House Appropriations",3760,208000,3968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789&start=208&end=3968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2395525-469faa9d057e3bb5e7015075aa082789/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6311520/Vermont/House-Government-Operations-panel-finalizes-budget-recommendation-memo-to-House-Appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311520-463b37c60208dfafbaafc306e9db72e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775968467&Signature=A-mBpbD8DBbfagmJ7EDCj0bBUI0lksvjOP0eafc6TEPIIAq4eY9AOcC5exqgi53b9fYOb6DFLlg8FnY~Sp-gBF6~PuSIFKsyTIMC7F-1wZhI9KehpKvypFG3Il3sj1SA2lW5VO3SF7tLtzcq7aLPizOAqI-EWXkXwvXBciUZ8mPhVJVYjveFOLtSvFqbd23FbG9X0iDYTs4PGStf295luxU4xlB7wLnZwKIcoyqGesQ~82arAb3nNXPo2EnhAUSihAZKSBCIwLUYKlJvvIojPNwTL5iE7pQ5EkEBGRhN9ePjJ2H1U49kkuLGy7X9j8Z6XtsH7vigjpzQlER-dd7r5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Committee on Government Operations & Military Affairs spent much of its meeting Wednesday reviewing budget requests from state agencies, nonprofits and local partners and agreed to prepare a recommendation memo for the House Appropriations Committee, due the next day.

Committee members said the work is primarily advisory — House Appropriations will make final decisions — but emphasized the memo is an important input to the process. Committee members also urged colleagues to flag specific questions in the spreadsheet the committee is using so the group can move through the long list of requests and meet the submission deadline.

Committee members said the current approach to compiling recommendations is more collaborative than past years, with members and staff spending extra time going through testimony and emailed requests. Members noted they were operating under the constraint that leadership in House Appropriations has indicated limited additional general fund resources this cycle.

The committee’s review grouped requests by subject and asked members to identify priorities rather than vote on each line item during the session. Members discussed using follow-up conversations when more detail is required and emphasized that many larger appropriations and policy details will be settled later in the budget process: after initial floor consideration, the Senate and then a committee of conference will reconcile differences.

Committee staff said the memo will reflect the committee’s recommendations, questions flagged by members, and items the committee chose to take no position on because no testimony was taken. The committee’s final product will be transmitted to House Appropriations for consideration.","The House Committee on Government Operations & Military Affairs reviewed dozens of agency and nonprofit funding requests and agreed to compile a memo of recommendations to House Appropriations, with the committee noting a tight deadline and limited available funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee examines program and staffing requests for meals, legal/ethics offices, tax-assistance and criminal justice items

Committee weighs multimillion-dollar requests for regional planning, brownfields and infrastructure fund

Committee reviews requests for wildfire response, water rescue and emergency broadcasting funding

House Government Operations panel finalizes budget-recommendation memo to House Appropriations