Vermont To Give Post-Irene Updated Budget Estimate

The top budget official in the administration of Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin is going to give lawmakers the state’s best estimate of how much more money will be needed in the current fiscal year to help meet expenses caused by the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

Budget Commissioner Jim Reardon will present the budget adjustment report to the House Appropriations Committee on Monday afternoon.

Officials have been trying to determine how much money Vermont taxpayers will have to pay as the state’s share of the Irene recovery costs.

Some estimates say the state’s total bill could reach nearly $100 million, but it’s not clear how much of that money would have to be spent right away.