By Louis Porter

“MONTPELIER – Cuts proposed by Gov. James Douglas for programs across the human service budget likely will result in the loss of more than 1,000 Vermont jobs if they go into place, according to a study by an economist working for the Legislature.
The proposed cuts, to programs across spending by the Agency of Human Services the largest single piece of state government, would reduce state spending by $30 million and federal spending in Vermont by another $24 million.

Given how federal and state funding for programs is structured much of that federal money would not be lost, but could be rolled over into later years if the state was able find “matching money” then.

The reductions to spending over the next fiscal year would likely result in between 1,000 and 1,400 fewer jobs in Vermont, according to an analysis by Tom Kavet, an economist who works for the Legislature. That includes both jobs directly paid for through state spending or grants and jobs that indirectly benefit…”

Source: Times Argus, February 27, 2010

Full story: Human Services cuts fuel concern

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