Dear UCM Friends,
The Vermont Senate recently passed the 2025 Budget Adjustment Act, which will go to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, March 11 and then to the governor for his signature. Gov. Scott then has five days to sign or veto the bill.
The really good news is that the BAA was passed with funding to extend General Assistance emergency housing (“the motel program”) for unhoused Vermonters to the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2025.) This allows some of our most vulnerable neighbors to remain sheltered until that date and it allows our communities to avoid the mass motel “exits” we have seen in many previous years.
The not so good news is that Gov. Scott may veto the BAA to prevent the relatively small expenditure on emergency housing, and Democrats no longer have enough votes to override a veto. Gov. Scott proposes to distribute funds to local municipalities and require the towns to take responsibility for sheltering severely disabled, medically compromised and/or elderly people who have no other housing. (If you’ve lived here for any period of time you probably have some thoughts about how well that plan is likely to work out.)
So here’s the ask: Please, please, please call Gov. Scott over the next week at 802-828-3333 and ask him not to veto the Budget Adjustment Act, leaving the motel voucher extension in place.
If you prefer send a postcard or write an email, that is fine.
Mailing address is Gov. Phil Scott, 109 State St., Pavilion Building, Montpelier VT 05609. There is also a contact form on the governor.vermont.gov website.
Gov. Scott’s office tracks the number of phone calls or cards they receive on any given issue – taking a few minutes to call or write can really make a difference on this urgent matter.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for working together to turn love into action. Please feel free to reach out with questions: 802-291-9001 or tory.rhodin@gmail.com.
Peace,
Tory
(for the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Local Organizing Committee of Vermont Interfaith Action)