Appropriations committee advances budget adjustment items after review of DPS costs and lower-than-expected sports-wagering revenue

The House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 30 continued work on the Budget Adjustment Act, advancing several agency adjustments after staff briefings and closing multiple open line items as members prepared for a straw poll and final votes next week.

Committee members focused on a set of proposed changes affecting the Department of Public Safety (DPS), a reduction in expected revenue from sports wagering that affects the liquor enterprise fund, and flood-related costs noted by the Vermont State Recovery Office. The committee also addressed technical changes to Medicaid-related information‑technology planning documents.

The committee heard from DPS staff and its finance director about ‘‘cost pressures’’ tied to digital-services contracts, liability insurance and legacy record‑keeping systems, which prompted the proposed transfers and top‑ups in the Budget Adjustment Act. Representatives said the DPS explanation ‘‘made the…