Governor says he'll veto budget adjustment over scholarship

Gov. Jim Douglas said Wednesday he would veto a midyear adjustment of state spending now that the Senate has given it final approval because it doesn't include money for college scholarships and loan forgiveness.

Legislative leaders accused Douglas of making the budget bill a political football over his scholarship program even though they've drafted a separate bill on that issue that still is making its way through the legislative process.

The entire debate is a replay of a political faceoff last year when Douglas sought authority for a $175 million scholarship program and lawmakers refused because he wanted to use money that they argued should be devoted to health care. They also argued some of the money should go toward people who aren't destined for college and want job training, instead.

The debate was renewed this year in the context of the budget adjustment because the Senate added $1.1 million to the bill to pay for work force training programs that are running short of money. They left decisions on scholarships and loan forgiveness for the independent bill, drawing repeated warnings and now a promise of a veto from Douglas.

"I don't understand this disregard for the needs of young Vermonters trying to get ahead," Douglas said in a brief meeting with reporters.

He argued that many high school seniors will be getting acceptance letters from colleges in the next month or so but they won't know whether to accept because they won't know if they'll have the help offered by the scholarship program.

"We have to get money in the pockets of our family and kids," he said. "So I will hold the Legislature accountable."

Leading lawmakers said the governor was creating a dispute where there is none.

House Speaker Gaye Symington was harshly critical of Douglas. "By vetoing the budget adjustment bill, the governor is indicating that he seems to believe that a needless political fight with the Legislature is more important than helping Vermont's businesses ensure they have a trained and qualified work force," she said.

Other lawmakers also were flabbergasted.

"I don't understand what the governor's upset about," said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille. "The issue seems to be which bill scholarships (are) in. ... It's not as though he's not getting all he wants in scholarships."

Senate Majority Leader John Campbell, D-Windsor, said lawmakers were interested in boosting economic development by sending money to the work force development programs. "This also flies in the face of the governor's desire to create jobs," Campbell said. "There are hundreds of people who are without employment because they are not trained. I would hope the governor sits back and reassesses."