House Appropriations Committee proposes reallocating $14 million for housing, courts and cold-weather aid

The House Appropriations Committee met Jan. 30, 2025, and the committee’s presenter, Robin (Committee member), outlined a proposal to reallocate roughly $14,000,000 that had previously been planned to revert to the state treasurer. Robin said the committee would not decide the matter that day and planned to hear from the treasurer later in the afternoon.

The proposal would eliminate planned reversions to the judiciary — two items Robin identified as roughly $800,000 and $50,000 for courthouse infrastructure and accessibility — and direct funds to a small set of priorities: a judiciary wiring and accessibility upgrade, a $1,900,000 extension of a cold‑weather general assistance program through June 30, and about $2,800,000 to housing programs tied to a three‑house demonstration pilot and regular pipeline support for housing organizations. Robin summarized the math as coming to about $14,050,000 with approximately $140,000 remaining unallocated.

Why it matters: committee members said the reallocation would directly affect housing projects that are in development, courthouse facility work and temporarily extend help for households affected by winter housing policy…