House Appropriations Committee approves budget as presented, sends package to House floor

The House Appropriations Committee voted to approve the budget package as presented on Monday, March 24, 2025, following brief remarks and a roll-call vote in committee. Members present recorded affirmative votes and the committee scheduled the package for the House floor third reading the next day.

Committee members traded acknowledgments of staff work before the vote. One member praised the team’s effort: "I just wanna recognize the amazing amount of work of staff that's done over the weekend, day, night. It's just been amazing to see this team work together," (Member 2). The committee chair said the budget "does reflect those values or priorities" while acknowledging members' disappointments and the likelihood that the Senate will alter the package.

Committee members asked a few substantive questions before voting. A member asked whether the appropriation language for Vermont State College (Vermont State University-related funding and related scholarship or program language) was included; Grady (staff) replied, "Yes. There's a 1 time appropriation for it." The committee referenced that appropriation on page 92 of the budget document during the roll call. A separate item — municipal technical assistance and a request tied to a rural food council — was noted by a member as not included in the package.

The clerk conducted a roll-call as requested by the chair. Members named in the roll call who answered "Yes" included Representative Bloomley, Representative Dickinson, Representative Harrison, Representative Roche, Representative Roecky, Representative Nigro, Representative Squirrel, Representative Stevens, Representative Iaccone and Representative Shai. After the roll call the chair closed the meeting and reminded members that budget adjustments are scheduled on the House floor the following morning for third reading; the committee will reconvene at 1 p.m. to begin work on H.91.

Discussion versus decision: the committee’s remarks before the vote consisted mainly of expressions of gratitude for staff work, a short policy clarification about a one-time appropriation for Vermont State College, and noting the absence of a municipal technical assistance request. The formal committee action recorded was approval of the budget as presented and transmission to the full House for further action. No amendments or dissenting votes were recorded on the committee floor in the available transcript segment.

What’s next: Committee members were told to expect budget adjustments on the House floor and a caucus of the whole the following Wednesday; the committee planned to meet at 1 p.m. to begin work on H.91, which is expected back to the committee for a vote later in the week.