A plan by the Vermont Legislature and Gov. Jim Douglas to save money in the state budget is about $8 million short of projections.
But one of the architects of the plan, known as Challenges for Change, says she knew it would be a challenge making it work. State Sen. Diane Snelling says she has faith the goal can be reached.
The state budget agreed to by the Legislature and Douglas earlier this year banked on $37.8 million in savings from dozens of changes intended to improve services and cut costs.
The Burlington Free Press says state officials have yet to identify about $3 million in savings but have earmarked $5 million "bridge funding" to cover some of the $8 million gap.