Gov. Scott threatens to veto budget adjustment bill over homeless policy

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott Wednesday said he plans to veto the mid-year budget adjustment bill because of lawmakers’ efforts to extend an emergency housing program into the summer.

The House on Wednesday passed its mid-year budget adjustment, sending it to the governor for his signature. It includes more than $1 million to keep the current version of the General Assistance Emergency Housing program — also known as the motel-hotel program — running beyond the planned expiration date next month until the end of June.

“I feel it has been a failed system and we can do better,” Scott said Wednesday. “if you look pre-pandemic, it was just a shadow of what we created. It was just a monster after that.”

The governor has proposed setting aside $2 million to be distributed to communities across the state to be used for addressing homelessness in a way they feel is beneficial.

However, Democrats have come up with their own plan to replace the current system altogether in favor of a system that gives homeless Vermonters more predictability.

“They’re constantly having to pivot and don’t know what to expect. It’s really hard to move to a permanent path of stability when you don’t know where you’re going to sleep the next night,” said Rep. Jubilee McGill, D-Middlebury.

The governor says he’s hopeful to reach a compromise with lawmakers to get the must-pass funding bill over the finish line.

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