Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday signed a $7.3 billion state budget for the 2022 fiscal year that starts July 1. The Republican says the plan approved by the Democratic-controlled state legislature will help Vermont recover from the pandemic and address challenges such as a workforce shortage and economic inequity.
Scott says the budget invests millions of dollars the state received through the American Rescue Plan Act and commits to additional appropriations in the following two fiscal years. $250 million will go toward climate change mitigation, $225 for clean water initiatives, $250 million for housing efforts and $250 million for broadband and connectivity.
“I greatly appreciate the Legislature’s partnership in ensuring we make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we can recover from the pandemic and emerge stronger," Scott said in a statement. "By having clear priorities, working together and keeping an open mind, we found consensus on most issues, compromised where we needed to, and remained respectful when we disagreed. We showed that good, balanced bipartisan government can truly make a difference for the people and state we serve.”