The House Corrections and Institutions Committee yesterday unanimously passed the yearly Capital Bill, which includes $11.8 million for Speaker Shap Smith's Vermont Investment Program jobs package that he outlined on the opening day of the legislative session.
"I'm very pleased with the work of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee to craft a Capital Bill that makes strategic investments in Vermont and creates jobs for Vermonters in these challenging economic times," said Speaker Smith. "On the first day of the session, I said that the number one priority of the House is helping Vermonters and Vermont businesses weather the economic storm, and this bill does just that."
The $11.8 million Vermont Investment Program will put Vermonters to work and help young Vermonters develop marketable skills while improving state and local infrastructure. Among other things, the Vermont Investment Program will:
Put young Vermonters to work repairing and renovating Vermont state parks in a summer youth employment program
Help communities keep Vermonters working through funding for local projects
Provide funding for the construction of transitional housing victims of violence and homeless Vermonters as well as housing for the elderly or Vermonters with disabilities
Expand telecommunications and broadband infrastructure
"In these tough times, it's important that we do everything we can to keep Vermonters working and get our economy back on track," said Institutions Chair Alice Emmons, D-Springfield. "The Vermont Investment Program invests in Vermont and Vermonters so we can all get through this economic crisis."
Also included in the Capital Bill is funding for the construction of the Vermont Forensics Lab, renovations to the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington and the next phase of the State Archives construction. It also invests federal stimulus funds in wastewater treatment projects and town drinking water projects.
The House Appropriations Committee is considering the Capital Bill today. It is expected on the House floor tomorrow and Friday.
Source: Vermont Speaker of the House