News

Glimmer of Hope in State’s financial future

Posted January 15, 2011

Source: Burlington FreePress, January 15, by Nancy Remsen

“MONTPELIER — If the economic advisors to Gov. Peter Shumlin and the Legislature had sung their predictions about the state’s economic and financial future Friday, their best choice would have been a lyric from Vermont native Grace Potter.

“I see a tiny light, like a flashbulb sparkle in the night,” Potter croons in the song “Tiny Light.”

The advisors — Jeffrey Carr, the Shumlin administration economist, and Tom Kavet, the Legislature’s economist — reported weak, but visible evidence that Vermont and the nation are beginning to emerge from the Great Recession. [More ...]

Tags: , ,

 



Time for Shumlin to get the tough things done

Posted January 4, 2011

Source: Burlington Free Press, January 4, by Elizabeth Ready

“Vermonters take pride in being good neighbors. But as the economic downturn drones on, our patience and the safety net become tattered and frayed. There is a sense of scarcity, even among we who have plenty, and this can translate to a collective inertia when it comes to taking on big issues such as poverty, homelessness, low wages and unemployment. [More ...]

Tags: , , , ,

 



Vermont budget bill spares vulnerable, closes $150M gap

Posted March 23, 2010

By Nancy Remsen

“MONTPELIER — Gail Zatz breathed a sigh of relief on behalf of her clients Monday afternoon as the House Appropriations Committee wrapped up work on a $4.79 billion budget bill.

The budget, which the committee voted unanimously to recommend to the full House, addressed not only a revenue shortfall projected to exceed $150 million, but also restored money the Douglas administration had proposed to pare from a host of human-service programs…” [More ...]

Tags: , ,

 



Human services cuts fuel concern

Posted February 27, 2010

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. [More ...]

Tags: , , ,

 



State economist: Douglas’ AHS budget cuts would cause 1,000 to 1,400 layoffs

Posted February 20, 2010

By Anne Galloway

“Proposed budget cuts to the Agency of Human Services could result in the permanent loss of 1,000 to 1,400 Vermont jobs, according to a memorandum from Tom Kavet, an economist for the Vermont Legislature. [More ...]

Tags: , , , ,

 



House Appropriations gives “Challenges” bill a once-over, weighs impact on human services, corrections, education

Posted February 11, 2010

“The draft legislation for “Challenges for Change,” the government reorganization plan lawmakers and the administration are pursuing as a way to cut costs and make state services more efficient, hit a speed bump Wednesday. [More ...]

Tags: , ,

 



Can state government save $38 with tighter efficiency?

Posted February 10, 2010

By Louis Porter

“MONTPELIER – A blueprint for reducing state spending by roughly $38 million won approval in the State Senate by an overwhelming majority Tuesday. [More ...]

Tags: , ,

 



Budget Committees Take Testimony About Cuts

Posted February 9, 2010

“Legislative budget writers are hearing from providers and recipients of human services programs in Vermont that Gov. Jim Douglas’ proposed budget cuts would be penny-wise and pound-foolish. [More ...]

Tags: , , ,