Vermont Senate gives first approval to $1.4b budget

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Senate on Monday gave initial approval to a $1.44 billion general fund budget that boosts payments for Medicaid providers and health care for retired teachers, but keeps higher education funding at about the same level.

The Senate’s 24-to-3 vote to give the measure preliminary approval came after about four hours of debate highlighted by an unsuccessful bid to shift $5 million from business development to weather-tightening homes of low-income residents.