Vermont AHS proposes $3.75 billion budget, seeks $86 million general‑fund increase to sustain services and tackle homelessness and mental health

The Vermont Agency of Human Services presented a proposed $3.75 billion budget on Feb. 5, asking for an $86 million (about 6.1%) increase in general‑fund support to sustain existing programs and fund targeted initiatives. "Overall, our budget as proposed is $3,750,000,000," Secretary Jenny Samuelson said at the outset of the briefing.

Agency leaders said Medicaid is the largest component of AHS spending and anchored the budget review. Officials identified two categories of need: baseline funding to "keep the lights on" and a smaller set of strategic initiatives totaling about $11.2 million. AHS leaders said they began the process by aligning departmental proposals with the administration’s priorities: housing (with a focus on homelessness), substance‑use and mental‑health services, health‑care affordability and workforce resilience.

Presenters described several drivers of the requested general‑fund…