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Committee debates amendment to H.248 aimed at shifting childcare costs off Education Fund; members split and defer final action
Summary
The House Education Committee considered an amendment to H.248 that would use CCVAP or other childcare funding mechanisms to relieve pressure on the Education Fund. Members discussed JFO analysis and timing; the committee took an informal hand count but did not formally adopt the amendment.
The Vermont House Committee on Education discussed an amendment to H.248 on May 6 that would use childcare funding mechanisms to reduce pressure on the Education Fund. Committee members debated whether to act now or wait for Joint Fiscal Office (JFO) analysis and additional information on federal implications and the sustainability of the childcare contribution special fund.
One committee member said the change is an “order of operations” issue and preferred to wait for JFO’s review, noting JFO is conducting a study scheduled to be ready by January. Other members said that, if the money is available and federal restrictions can be unwound, the amendment conceptually makes sense and could relieve property taxpayers.
The committee discussed timing and process: members asked whether an unfavorable recommendation at this stage would prevent future consideration. Staff clarified that the amendment could be offered again on the floor, could be a standalone bill, or be addressed early next year after JFO completes its work.
At the close of the discussion, the committee conducted an informal hand count to gauge support. The transcript records the chair asking members to indicate if they found the amendment unfavorable or favorable; the reported preliminary count was seven members indicating unfavorable and three indicating favorable, with the chair later saying the total was 11. The transcript does not record a formal motion to adopt the amendment or a committee vote to report it out.
Committee members said they would prepare explanatory language to accompany any unfavorable recommendation to signal support for further study and for efforts to relieve costs on the Education Fund. Several members reiterated they supported pursuing options to shift costs, but differed on whether to act before JFO’s analysis is complete.
