Gov. Phil Scott on Friday expressed disappointment at the scale of the Legislature’s coronavirus-related economic recovery package as well as the pace at which lawmakers have moved on it.
Three weeks ago, the Republican governor proposed a $400 million package of federal funds, including $310 million for small businesses, agriculture, housing and consumers.
“We were inclusive in this work in hopes that it would move through the Legislature quickly and largely intact. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that it’s going to be the case as they’re only including about a third of the money we recommended,” he said at his regular Friday news briefing.
Instead, the Vermont House on Friday passed a package that would use just $93 million in federal funds allocated for the coronavirus response. It includes $50 million in emergency economic recovery grants to businesses, $20 million in grants to be distributed by local, regional, and state economic development organizations, and $23 million for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board for grants to nonprofit housing partners, service organizations and for shelter facilities.
“This package is on the fast-track to ensure there are as few impediments between Vermont businesses and the relief money as possible,” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, a Democrat, in a written statement.
The Legislature said other relief packages using the federal funds will follow.
The Legislature did not use Scott’s plan because lawmakers found that some of the administration’s proposed uses for the funds were not authorized, and any loans made with the funds had to be paid back to the federal government by the end of December, a timeline that wouldn’t work for many businesses that did not want to take on more debt, the speaker’s office said.
Scott warned that businesses crippled by the pandemic need help now.
“I can assure you these employers are on the brink. Some are weeks or even days away from bankruptcy and shutting their doors forever through no fault of their own. They can’t wait another month or two for relief,” he said.
The administration also announced its plan for the remaining $90 million in Scott’s proposal. It includes $55 million in grants and seed capital to start businesses. It also proposes $20 million for broadband expansion and $11 million in community and housing recovery.
___
THE NUMBERS
Three more coronavirus cases linked to a new outbreak in Winooski were reported for a total of 81 cases, including some in neighboring Burlington and a small number in nearby communities. About 60% of the cases are in adults and 40% in children, Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Friday. Only one in five of the infected people had symptoms. The state reported its first hospitalization related to that outbreak on Friday. There have been no reported deaths, Levine said.
“Everyone associated with the outbreak, whether they’ve been identified as a case or a contact, have been incredibly cooperative with regard to helping prevent further spread,” he said.
On Friday, the state reported 10 new cases for a total of 1,119. The number of deaths has remained at 55 since late May.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.