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Senate advances amendment to lower school 'excess spending' threshold to 112%
Summary
After extended floor debate, the Senate ordered third reading of an amendment to S2 20 that would lower Vermont's excess spending threshold from 118% to 112% (inflation adjusted) with carve-outs for voter-approved debt and hold‑harmless tests; sponsors said the change would apply in fiscal year 2028 and could put roughly $21 million in downward spending pressure on districts.
Senator Chittenton, speaking for the Senate Finance Committee, reported an amendment to S2 20 that would lower the state's existing excess spending threshold from 118% to 112% (inflation adjusted) beginning in fiscal year 2028 and include exceptions for voter-approved debt and districts that do not increase spending year over year. He said the committee voted 5-2-0 to recommend the amendment and asked the Senate to order third reading.
"This soft cap uses an existing mechanism familiar to districts," the senator said, describing the penalty as a double tax on dollars above the threshold…
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