MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Lawmakers are considering an incentive
plan to keep college grads in Vermont, but they don't have any money for the
program.
Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont,
proposed reimbursing Vermonters who study science, technology, engineering or
math. Some House Education Committee members say the plan should have a broader
reach and include agriculture and the arts. Under the bill, the program would
not begin paying out until 2016, and lawmakers have not identified a funding
source. They'll wait for that to come in the governor's budget proposal next
year.
"If he wants to dig
deep in his pockets and fund it, you can ask him, and all I'm saying is the
beauty of this bill is that we get to pass something out, and he gets to pay
for it next year," said Rep. Johannah Leddy Donovan, D-Burlington.
The committee is also
considering allowing those studying in fields of crucial need for the state to
also be eligible for the program.
