by Rep. Joan Lenes

Last year the Legislature proposed a two-year Capital Bill, which was utilizing $153 million of bonded dollars. The two-year process allowed Buildings and General Services to go further with development and implementation of projects and take advantage of lower costs in the construction industry. Some projects were open to be looked at again this year to see where they were with their spending, and others were "fenced in" and committed for the two years. We knew we would have a budget adjustment process for the Capital Bill similar to the Big Bill budget adjustment. Because of Tropical Storm Irene and money needed in other areas, we were asked by the administration to reallocate $18 million dollars from the $153 million Capital Bill. My committee is in the midst of that work now.

As so often is the case, making one move causes a ripple effect on the entire system. Our main focus is seeing, what our insurance will cover first, and then what federal emergency aid (FEMA) will come through to cover damages and rebuilding. This information will help us make decisions on where to reallocate the $18 million dollars. We will have to look at what it makes sense to hold off on and what must get underway this year. We are waiting for that information and the sooner we can know that, the better it will be for our work. 

Our House Institutions and Corrections Committee will have met this past Tuesday, Jan. 24, with the House Human Services Committee and our counter parts in the Senate in an open public forum in the State House. The topic is the state's direction for our mental health system, the delivery of that system of care, and how to incorporate the community agencies and the programs they offer. We expect many constituent groups, such as state workers, providers of mental health services, and consumers, to testify. This information will give input to our committees as the mental health bill is developed for delivery of services now and into the future. Then we will have a clearer picture on how best to use state bonded dollars to meet the delivery of service needs.

Last week's work included the final approval of the Budget Adjustment Act. This annual bill serves as the legislative vehicle to make mid-course corrections to the State revenue and expenditure picture. I would say that the FY 12 changes were more robust than other years due to Irene. The final bill included increased spending of $11.6 million over the original FY 12 budget amount. Although this sounds startling, most of this new spending is a mere "pass through" of federal funding. Actually, the General Fund portion of the bill, driven by broad based state taxes, was adjusted downward by $220,000.   The debate over this bill was largely centered around the additional 29 permanent positions that will be activated from the vacancy pool. All but three of these positions will be allocated to the Department of Vermont Health Access (Medicaid) and the Office of Children and Families. Most of the Medicaid positions will be posted to working with Vermont's most costly Medicaid patients. Based on past experience, DVHA projects that this investment will end up saving the state $4 million annually. The new Children and Family employees will consist of social workers devoted to working with children in State custody. Given increased caseloads, the social worker to child average caseload ratio has increased to 15 to 1, considerably higher than the 12 to 1 guideline set by the Federal Government and required by State law. I did vote in support of this bill.

The weeks are passing very quickly and committees have important work on their plates:  work to benefit Vermonters. I am proud to work in the "people's house" and would welcome your visit. Any time you would like to spend time in Montpelier and watch what transpires, please feel free to come and observe. You can look at the web site ahead of time and see what is on the different committee agendas. It is www.leg.state.vt.us. Stop by any Tuesday morning at Bruegger's Bagel. I will be there from 7:30-8:30. You can also reach me at jlenes197@gmail.com or at 999-9363. You can call the Sergeant At Arms and leave a message at (800) 322-5616.