Senate passes contentious budget bill as threat of shutdown mounts

Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia, reports the latest budget proposal on the Senate floor on Thursday. Photo by Colin Meyn/VTDigger
Refusing to capitulate to demands from the governor and eliminate the possibility of a nonresidential property tax hike next year, the Senate passed a budget bill Thursday that would prevent a government shutdown, but which now faces an almost certain veto.
As lawmakers and Gov. Phil Scott remain gridlocked over this year’s spending package, the House introduced