MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Following a week away from the capitol, Vermont legislators are back to work under the golden dome. Those wrangling with the budget, like House Appropriations Chair Martha Heath, say there's not enough money for all of the reform proposals floated by Gov. Peter Shumlin.
"It's clear to me that we're not going to be able to backfill all the holes," said Rep. Heath, D-Westford.
In his January budget address, Shumlin called for $50 million worth of spending on child care, higher education, energy efficiency and Medicaid.
"I put together a very thoughtful budget, a financing package to go with it. It's now the legislators' turn to come up with what they think is right. I'll get some of what I want, they'll get some of what they want," said Shumlin, D-Vermont.
"I think our more major problem is spending proposals that everyone loves with revenue sources that everyone hates," Heath said.
Heath says the causes are noble, but she has doubts. The governor predicted a new tax on pull tickets would bring in $17 million. The joint fiscal office estimates just $6 million. She's also skeptical of plans to use income tax breaks to fund new pre-k efforts.
"We're going to see what we can do within the confines of the revenue that's there," said Rep. Shap Smith, D-Vt. House Speaker.
Smith says every penny needs to be spent efficiently, and that may mean a break from the governor's plan.
Shumlin says Washington's sequester is the primary cause of the squeeze.
"I'd say it's a secondary issue," Heath said.
All involved agree the goal is to buy Vermont a better future at the cheapest price.
It's still unclear exactly how federal sequestration will affect Vermont. The state's budget process is never quick, but legislators are expecting an even more drawn out process this year.
