[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6248753,"mediaKeyId","3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062","parentId",3209138,"title","Conference committee discusses $10 million H.91 allocation, VHFA flexibility and DHCD staffing","audioSeconds",438,"startMs",2682775,"endMs",3120965,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062&start=2682&end=3120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062/thumbnail_2682775.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248753/Vermont/Conference-committee-discusses-10-million-H91-allocation-VHFA-flexibility-and-DHCD-staffing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248753-bd5536002613a269b888962507914605/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572821&Signature=RXehW1c1JdNUgLNQXQ5etFoH6Yr2L0MMkMBHF2dC5xM6hfEEbfeVxZ13uUEoL58u-7BwAOfsZ8XcHf4o0ExLjkFN-gGINfocTVx4RGzLMEAvKkIQE-020QdR69AJ~L9WOF35LTN0XzjaUjAkU-LwCPTSVWdiSQCSsXKGzUhBDpMXGMDqm9GYTA4T8vy0TfEPbiwreVQ3~MQhaeWwPHETpDv6co1py86GMsxO7EGokwpM4duFeYz5Ojr-Eaa7UciA-hPI5ZLHn5Yr0W1FxBA3MlXXfdhpUs~VlgGtzstMERUzdeToEuUR6~OXSMhVt2uN~Li3kBhOzxYw-l5g7hKG~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T11:26:31.697Z","article","Members of the Appropriations conference committee reviewed a $10 million allocation tied to H.91 and discussed giving the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) greater flexibility to move funds and staff resources to get housing units built more quickly.

Speaker 2 said the committee had placed $10 million in the budget but that H.91 language — which may allocate those funds to specific programs — could supersede budget language depending on order of enactment. Members discussed bundling VHFA’s three programs and the revolving loan fund, and proposed consolidating or reallocating several DHCD positions into a smaller number of flexible positions with an overall funding pool that the agency could manage.

The committee emphasized the need for flexibility to get funds out the door and for clear reporting on how VHFA would use any added authority. Staff said they would prepare language options that either (a) leave money separated by program, or (b) consolidate funding for VHFA with explicit authority to allocate among identified programs and to manage positions accordingly.

No final vote or statutory changes were recorded in the transcript; the committee asked staff to draft bill language and fiscal notes showing how the proposed flexibility or consolidation would operate before final conference action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","H.493 Committee of Conference- 2025-05-05 – 3:30PM","oneSentenceSummary","Appropriators noted a $10 million placeholder in the budget tied to H.91 and discussed giving the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) more flexibility — and possibly consolidating positions — to accelerate housing production.","taxTitle","Appropriations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",36948,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248758,"Appropriators caution against piecemeal use of pilot funds; debate MTAP and municipal stabilization allocations",459,2311445,2771055,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062&start=2311&end=2771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062/thumbnail_2311445.jpg","/articles/6248758/Vermont/Appropriators-caution-against-piecemeal-use-of-pilot-funds-debate-MTAP-and-municipal-stabilization-allocations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248758-e27952de16b4a0ad78e2c902d1f231d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572821&Signature=ctL8PF0M2uG~ttwYAWDY59aJ5PbVSxef85iV9cn0SJcWpLyKFSm7VIQSllBJLPMAbUPG1WA~fcjV-2fOirFB2~WntFmeLHDBErreP5CE6GL6BdhQujQseDhxsblq5uZlv-W7qlASHkgX-3s7MEubcJLhPLdIl~67aGkWS4QcTTsw0fM8cXxtId1Xnl~CITzNJhDw267rxJYV9VVvm4uoOFKBBvzlOg5sEf0rp6f2XVPxr9~NLEZd9dh-J5WDX9F0GH4SQRHYdr8ANIgwxArq-jaJ4HlmnLMN58FgYCwIrL4Ab~0XiCDz3ekd07z-fjyFyDr5jWewjVMt4z~3XxxazQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appropriations conference committee members raised concerns about using pilot funds in a piecemeal fashion and urged establishing a protocol for how the pilot fund will be used.

Speaker 2 and other members noted the committee had shifted a $1 million pilot sum into municipal stabilization and used pilot resources for multiple transportation and local-assistance items. The committee discussed a Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) proposal that had drawn differing views across committees: the House commerce committee recommended removing MTAP funding while other stakeholders, including some municipal representatives, had voiced support for technical assistance.

Members said they had agreed to move certain pilot dollars to municipal stabilization and buyouts but cautioned that allocating smaller pilot sums to multiple programs without agreed criteria sets a precedent. \"Starting to use it piecemeal to me is a little bit worrisome without having established some sort of a protocol or guidelines for how we're gonna use the pilot fund,\" Speaker 2 said. The conference committee also noted a decision to increase the percentage of pilot fund money returned to communities from 70% to 75% in one bill, and members asked for a fuller discussion about pilot fund policy before committing additional uses.

No formal vote to reallocate pilot funds is recorded in the transcript; staff were asked to provide a clearer accounting of pilot allocations and to consult with municipal stakeholders where appropriate before final language is adopted.","The conference committee debated several uses of the state's pilot fund — including $1 million for municipal stabilization and a proposal for municipal technical assistance (MTAP) — and members urged establishment of guidelines before committing pilot dollars piecemeal.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248762,"Appropriations committee questions $500,000 nursing-home incentive as short-term fix for staffing costs",194,1550655,1745470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062&start=1550&end=1745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062/thumbnail_1550655.jpg","/articles/6248762/Vermont/Appropriations-committee-questions-500000-nursing-home-incentive-as-short-term-fix-for-staffing-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248762-6eeb1a222d8e8008f7fa73980c55ea8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572821&Signature=AURo2PB7VxHBGa4LFChNYz-gdNzfkQJQkpecYejT6x2fhOPVI-m-SA0sEVuYe-YqjGR6H8bAPsRcG1fMllDmv8bgfibbXFS-nt38NX8SPhC2kT8InLh9IeZlMA91AC~MLEjvqZuHbLjObaceOKgbIk29kPHHINGUDjgfviQPETYpg00KHSyDd9r3f2StiQCRiHAWeTlbzLcTU4Odfb-aeIddXZhU~SAkWSmxhEcGkq5u40pAdeTxE4XWXdh-4g5j-hRV9EajhOhPzq6G-96cLFmACjuyfSTBhSSF-O1m7dvMJsXKfVu~wDm-C6T0Fkb~9gUmmEuVoyAoSoA3DGHQhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appropriations conference committee members discussed a proposed $500,000 one-time appropriation to help nursing homes recruit and retain staff and reduce reliance on traveling nurses.

Speaker 2 told the committee the money has been used for recruitment and other incentives and that a recent study showed nursing homes spent about $62 million on traveling nurses, a dynamic the appropriation seeks to address. Members asked for documentation of outcomes from last year’s $500,000 allocation and requested spreadsheets showing how facilities used the funds and any measurable recruitment results.

Some members said they viewed the $500,000 as an investment that could reduce future emergency aid requests by lowering reliance on expensive traveling staff; others asked for evidence that the one-time funding produced durable recruitment outcomes. Speaker 2 agreed to provide the committee with the program’s reporting sheets and other programmatic detail.

The committee did not record a formal vote on the one-time appropriation in the transcript; members agreed to review the additional materials before final action.","Committee members discussed a $500,000 one-time appropriation for nursing home recruitment and incentives intended to reduce reliance on traveling nurses; members asked staff for program results and use details before finalizing funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248767,"Conference negotiators back limited-term home-repair fraud coordinator, question additional AG positions",233,472285,706139,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062&start=472&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062/thumbnail_472285.jpg","/articles/6248767/Vermont/Conference-negotiators-back-limited-term-home-repair-fraud-coordinator-question-additional-AG-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248767-60c00d13d96a99f5f73c6ea94fb6af33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572821&Signature=du~PN1GQC36HC6rOHsJKKo9hlTG5Ugb99g2gxBsn1NFVTG7j~F3Cyu6TopgBoRxS7Kzesa2xLt4kf4lj7gXYQcBsEh84OGLHHcNfnwu3Oq1DyotaNljoQKTMa3wssHU1RRa0RQtznZ7YmznysiDd8nsCC69~qy6qF1x~6TDLvEtYgtm4Mr4SXHkxL6K-Rz2rhI5KBiLY~A5-AEqX73rKczQd0Z1ZYVBALt18BvfyXMX9UiRaTnkaqHYRGbabwu1n~UtT1sgb2~nNxn3f8KluHSOUhpaXNFhYPDHdOZtgAMZYE-c3qe1G73M08zfsuNFvkWiFsLAmfHLZ91snW0HCGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Appropriations conference committee proposed extending an existing home-repair fraud coordinator as a limited-service position rather than adding new permanent positions at the Attorney General’s Office.

Speaker 2 described the coordinator position as returning substantial recoveries — citing roughly $800,000 returned to residents in recent years — and proposed continuing the role as limited service rather than folding it into the ongoing base. The committee signaled reluctance to add a separate $150,000 solicitor-general position as permanent base pay; Speaker 2 offered making that role limited service for two years if the committee chose to support it.

The committee also discussed the pre-charge program administered through the judiciary. Speaker 2 said the program originally appeared in budget discussions at about $1.6 million and, after consultations, the request was reduced to about $1.1 million; an additional $300,000 had been added later, which some members said made them uncomfortable. Participants noted that the program currently exists in a small number of counties and that broader expansion would increase costs if participants who would otherwise avoid court instead enter the court system.

No formal roll-call votes are recorded in the transcript on these staffing proposals. Committee members asked staff to return with formal language and options (for example, making one or more positions limited service or retaining funding as grants) so the group could finalize decisions.

Staff were directed to follow up with a fuller proposal on positions at the Attorney General’s Office and with additional detail about the pre-charge rollout and county coverage before any final budget language is adopted.","Appropriators proposed extending an existing limited-service home-repair fraud coordinator position at roughly $80,000 rather than creating new permanent positions at the Attorney General's Office; they also discussed funding and statewide rollout for a pre-charge program.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248772,"Appropriators urge caution on adding to budget base; propose closing Sections C and F",3269,25345,3295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062&start=25&end=3295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209138-5d1613495a113ae7bc1df6298a0ec062/thumbnail_25345.jpg","/articles/6248772/Vermont/Appropriators-urge-caution-on-adding-to-budget-base-propose-closing-Sections-C-and-F","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248772-25b14c55ebbb8aca6af1d7510cacf58e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770572821&Signature=DOEr~7-Sa5uAXxVK~9kjgF3gyt4vFBSLgaynQnIhaGt4BEmROwFL50IfFWXgorD9Zuympq0qAr6P1l2DGm8FSDvxOBN~sGl2Ps0mIdogby4RMgIZrAY0SvdzojXQXeW03F0f4enQqjCkHI-0g-0Jlp9RtCb-4t4bhxA7RvX2J4sbPem41FahK-gHSnXb72JVSN6jwYF1DfLps0EiPmfVV-fjkVaymURDHzdOCBGoMuume57ScRRugJ6Kd1MGU2FdH44EXWzTn77gG-cmwtRs9S9UlVuW-ciLRHZKrg6NwiwiFAOEzQr0uPf92iCJgzf6NGQw9HnryapaPIAkkYFRNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Appropriations conference committee members said at a recent meeting they want to avoid adding new programs or permanent base spending until federal funding changes are clearer, and proposed closing Sections C and F of the budget (Budget Adjustment 2).

Committee members said uncertainty about federal cuts and a weaker near-term revenue picture make it risky to expand the budget base. Speaker 2, a committee member, said the committee should \"minimize additions to the base where we can\" because new base items tend to grow and are hard to reduce later. The same participant said FY 2027 “is gonna be a really hard year” given changing revenue trends.

The committee proposed accepting the clean versions of Sections C and F — items that had passed both chambers in earlier budget adjustment work — with only technical changes (for example, date updates and removal of items no longer included). The committee also flagged specific base corrections: a technical restoration of $2,160,000 to a judiciary technology fund revenue replacement that had been removed in error, and routine acceptance of agreed position switches that were revenue-neutral.

Members emphasized preserving some closeout funds rather than allocating every new request immediately. \"Doing it on a first-come, piecemeal basis isn't the way I would prefer to do it,\" Speaker 2 said, explaining why the committee favored holding some funds for later decisions.

The discussion produced a recommendation to close out Sections C and F and to carry forward the committee’s preferred technical fixes; the transcript does not record a formal roll-call vote on that recommendation. Committee staff said they will return with updated language and spreadsheets for formal adoption at a later meeting.

The committee scheduled follow-up meetings and directed staff to circulate the revised materials so members can review proposed technical corrections and the closeout language before final action.","Members of the Appropriations conference committee said they prefer to limit new base spending amid uncertainty over federal cuts and proposed closing Sections C and F (Budget Adjustment 2) while preserving some closeout money for emerging needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conference committee discusses $10 million H.91 allocation, VHFA flexibility and DHCD staffing

Appropriators caution against piecemeal use of pilot funds; debate MTAP and municipal stabilization allocations

Appropriations committee questions $500,000 nursing-home incentive as short-term fix for staffing costs

Conference negotiators back limited-term home-repair fraud coordinator, question additional AG positions

Appropriators urge caution on adding to budget base; propose closing Sections C and F