The True Price of Legislative Action: Uncovering the Costs of Lawmaking – VTDigger

Ever wondered how much it costs to keep the Statehouse running for a year? According to the Joint Fiscal Office, it’s nearly $25 million. This is the amount recommended for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year, which starts in July. This budget reflects about a 9% increase from the current year’s budget of around $22 million.

This funding covers salaries for legislators and the various operations that support them. This includes roles like committee assistants and legislative counsel, as well as human resources, IT, and fiscal management. It also funds the offices of the House Clerk, Senate Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, and Capitol Police.

Scott Moore, who oversees legislative finances, shared this budget plan with the House Appropriations Committee. The funds will be part of a larger bill that covers the state’s overall budget.

Moore explained that the increase is mainly due to recent raises for legislators and their staff, which were about 6.5%. These raises relate to a law passed last year that set pay for certain state employees. It’s worth noting that this is separate from past discussions about increasing lawmakers’ pay significantly.

Other factors contributing to the budget hike include rising healthcare costs and adjustments to reimbursement rates for legislators’ expenses, which are now aligned with federal rates.

Interestingly, this budget does not propose any new positions for the legislature.

During the committee meeting, leaders from various Statehouse offices joined in. Amidst the discussions, Rep. Robin Scheu expressed appreciation for their hard work, stating, “We couldn’t do our work without you.” Her words drew some light-hearted comments about the mutual appreciation between lawmakers and their support staff.

In another update, Vermont’s Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from two senators regarding Gov. Phil Scott’s appointment of Zoie Saunders as interim education secretary. The court ruled the case moot since Scott reappointed Saunders while the Legislature was not in session, which complied with state law. This decision likely concludes the nearly year-long debate over her position.

On the federal front, Richard Amore was abruptly let go as head of economic development for the USDA’s Rural Development team, just hours after the new Agriculture Secretary was sworn in. Amore expressed his deep concern about losing resources that support rural communities. He wasn’t alone; several thousand probationary employees across USDA offices faced similar layoffs during a wave of cutbacks under the current administration.

Lastly, Montpelier celebrated Valentine’s Day with its unique tradition. Hearts adorned the columns of the Statehouse, continuing the charming custom of the Valentine’s Day Phantom.