Appropriations committee trims FY2026 proposals, agrees to staffing and program funding adjustments

The Vermont House Appropriations Committee on March 1, 2025, reviewed Section C of the draft FY2026 budget and agreed to a set of adjustments intended to reduce the projected shortfall and preserve bond redemption funds. Emily Burn of the Joint Fiscal Office told the committee the starting estimate of funds available for FY2026, after proposed adjustments, was about $126,000,000.

Committee members said the group would keep the $20,000,000 currently earmarked for bond redemption intact and considered several re‑allocations and rate changes to narrow the deficit. “The first bridge that I handed out is the C section of the budget,” Emily Burn, Joint Fiscal Office, said as she described the spreadsheet showing current‑year appropriation changes and open items.

Why it matters: the committee is shaping the House’s FY2026 budget recommendation, deciding which base (ongoing) expenses and one‑time items to fund. Those choices affect state agencies, local programs and a mix of policy goals such as housing, public safety, and human services.

Major decisions and open items

- Attorney General and related positions: Committee members agreed to reduce the Attorney General request to one pre‑charge administrative position rather than two positions and to lower the funded amount associated with the AG request. Committee…