Governor Douglas delivered his annual Budget Address last Tuesday, and it was no surprise that belt tightening was the dominant theme in the speech.
Money is tight, and the Governor said to fund the myriad of public services Vermonters depend on, some sacrifices would have to be made.
One came in the realm of housing and conservation, as the Governor said he would be diverting more than $4 million from housing and conservation programs to help prop up Medicaid and the new Catamount health program.
This was not welcome news to Kenn Sassarossi of Housing Vermont and Elise Annes of the Vermont Land Trust. Sassarossi says the Governor’s plan will immediately and severely affect a number of important housing programs in the state.
Click listen to hear the entire interview.