State COVID-19 relief bill nears finish line

River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A Vermont COVID-19 relief bill is one House vote away from heading to the governor’s desk, after the Senate recently sent the latest version to the House chamber.

The Senate relief package totals just over $100 million and adds more funding for workforce and economic development initiatives. Much of the proposal is funded by the federal coronavirus relief package approved earlier this month. Vermont is getting about $1.3 billion in state aid from the federal bill.

The Senate version leaves the spending in the original bill largely intact. It includes $10 million in grants for businesses that didn’t qualify for federal COVID relief last year; $1.3 million for the Reach Up program to provide one-time payments for families in need; and $1.4 million for the Vermont Foodbank. The legislation also provides $10 million in funding for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and another $10 million for trail networks and outdoor recreation infrastructure. 

On Monday, State Rep. Charlie Kimbell, who represents Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth, said time is of the essence and the House should pass the bill quickly. Of particular concern is making those grants available to struggling businesses. 

“We want immediate relief for those businesses that need it to survive, and the longer we go, less likely it is they’ll even be open," Kimbell said. 

Kimbell is a member of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, which is currently reviewing the Senate’s changes to the bill. At this stage, several House committees will get a look at the bill before it hits the House floor for a vote. Kimbell hoped the bill would be out of the House early next week. After that, it would head to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk for his signature. 

“We really need to move on it expeditiously," Kimbell said. 

This week, the House is also dealing with proposals to expand broadband (a $200 million investment), add funding for the Vermont State Colleges, and address teacher and state employee pensions.

— Gareth Henderson