House passes FY27 budget H.951 on 97–40 roll-call after adopting amendments
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Summary
The Vermont House approved H.951, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill, on a 97–40 roll-call vote after adopting an amendment to align certain general-fund capital appropriations with the capital bill. Debate touched on one-time appropriations, a youth facility planning allocation, transportation fund shortfalls and program priorities.
The Vermont House of Representatives passed H.951, the FY27 appropriations bill, following a roll-call vote of 97 in favor and 40 opposed. The chamber adopted an amendment offered by the member from Springfield that allows appropriation of general-fund dollars for capital projects and aligns specific allocations with the capital bill before ordering third reading.
The amendment, presented on behalf of the Corrections and Institutions Committee, authorizes the appropriations bill to provide allocated general-fund support for capital projects that are also listed in the capital bill; sponsors said the change does not increase the governor’s overall recommended total but clarifies where general-fund dollars will be applied. Representative Springfield (member from Springfield) said the change was intended to ensure planning money and project allocations are properly authorized ahead of final capital-bill action.
Supporters described the budget as fiscally responsible and the product of committee review. The member from Essex Junction urged members to support the unanimous work of the House Appropriations Committee; the committee reported its recommendation unanimously. Opponents raised concerns about the budget’s additional one-time appropriations and tradeoffs. The member from Pultene said the bill increases base appropriations and expressed opposition citing transportation fund cuts that had led to layoffs; another member warned about property-tax impacts if state spending rises.
The clerk called a roll to record the third-reading vote. After a lengthy roll call, the clerk announced: yes 97, no 40. The bill passed and will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.
The House’s action also included the adoption of a specific amendment authorizing planning funds within H.951 for a youth short-term stabilization facility (the Green Mountain Youth Campus planning allocation). Members pressed for further cost estimates and integrated justification for the number of secure beds proposed; presenters said additional oversight and reporting will be part of continued committee review and future capital bill consideration.
With passage, H.951 becomes the House-approved version of the FY27 appropriations; it will move on to any further procedural steps required by the Legislature.