One of the budget cuts lawmakers are looking at would close a major Vermont state prison and move its inmates out of state.
Vermont already houses some of its inmates in Kentucky and other states. Closing the state prison in Saint Albans Town would increase that number dramatically.
Like other proposed cuts, lawmakers say the proposal to close the Northwest State Correctional Facility is merely preliminary.
But they say the fact that it’s under consideration shows the seriousness of the state’s financial situation.
Officials say the change could erase $1.4 million dollars from a hole in next year’s general fund budget.