No plan and nowhere to go: Scott’s veto leaves 1,100 children without shelter
, on Jun 12, 2025
MONTPELIER – For five years, the Legislature has asked Governor Scott to work with us on a responsible, phased end to the emergency hotel/motel voucher program. Time and again, he has failed to present any viable option. He's chosen press conferences over partnership, theatre over solutions, and rhetoric over results.
With his veto of H. 91 — a carefully negotiated, fiscally responsible transition plan developed with input from all parties and stakeholders—the Governor has once again abandoned any pretense of leading on this issue let alone any pretense about caring for the most vulnerable.
H. 91 is not an expansion of the status quo. It is an off-ramp that places clear limits on the use of motels, mandates accountability, builds real shelter capacity, focuses on preventing homelessness, helps municipalities and prioritizes long-term, cost-effective housing solutions over expensive short-term fixes. It includes workforce engagement, treatment, and community-based solutions.
"Every one of the Governor's talking points was addressed directly in the bill. Rather than acknowledging that progress, Governor Scott has chosen to maintain the very system he has repeatedly reminded us he wants to end. The 135 tragic deaths he cites happened under the current system, on his watch. And now, his veto leaves more than 1,100 children without shelter" said Human Services Chair, Theresa Wood
If we fail to act, the next preventable death, the next ballooning hotel invoice, and the next shattered family will be on the Governor — not on the Legislature that offered a path forward. Vermonters deserve better than political posturing. They deserve leadership rooted in reality and compassion.
With this veto, the Governor has made clear he's not interested in either.
With his veto of H. 91 — a carefully negotiated, fiscally responsible transition plan developed with input from all parties and stakeholders—the Governor has once again abandoned any pretense of leading on this issue let alone any pretense about caring for the most vulnerable.
H. 91 is not an expansion of the status quo. It is an off-ramp that places clear limits on the use of motels, mandates accountability, builds real shelter capacity, focuses on preventing homelessness, helps municipalities and prioritizes long-term, cost-effective housing solutions over expensive short-term fixes. It includes workforce engagement, treatment, and community-based solutions.
"Every one of the Governor's talking points was addressed directly in the bill. Rather than acknowledging that progress, Governor Scott has chosen to maintain the very system he has repeatedly reminded us he wants to end. The 135 tragic deaths he cites happened under the current system, on his watch. And now, his veto leaves more than 1,100 children without shelter" said Human Services Chair, Theresa Wood
If we fail to act, the next preventable death, the next ballooning hotel invoice, and the next shattered family will be on the Governor — not on the Legislature that offered a path forward. Vermonters deserve better than political posturing. They deserve leadership rooted in reality and compassion.
With this veto, the Governor has made clear he's not interested in either.
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CONTACT:
Representative Mary-Katherine Stone
Asst. Majority Leader - External Communications
Vermont House Democrats
mstone@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Mary-Katherine Stone
Asst. Majority Leader - External Communications
Vermont House Democrats
mstone@leg.state.vt.us