Vermont Human Rights Commission warns budget cut, seeks staff additions after expected loss of HUD funds

An executive director and general counsel for the State of Vermont Human Rights Commission told a legislative Judiciary committee on Feb. 6 that the commission expects to receive no HUD funding in fiscal year 2027 and that the governor’s recommended budget would reduce the commission’s overall state funding by roughly $27,000.

The presenter said the commission’s recommended FY27 total is about $1.36 million and that roughly 90% of that amount supports salaries and benefits for nine employees. “We do not expect that in fiscal year 27, we will receive any funds from HUD,” the presenter said, adding that the loss of even a modest federal grant would deepen pressure on staff and operations.

Why it matters: the commission performs investigations and enforcement of state civil‑rights laws and relies on a small staff to carry out casework, training and public guidance. Committee members were shown a memorandum and budget slides that lay out the commission’s concerns and its request for targeted adjustments to avoid service reductions.

Key facts and requests

- Vacancy turnover savings: The presenter said the governor’s recommended budget assumes roughly $64,500 in vacancy turnover savings. She warned that a nine‑person office is unlikely to realize that level of savings without furloughs or cutting services and asked the committee to credit the commission for that amount.

- Federal funding: The commission reported it historically received under 10% of its budget from HUD for fair‑housing activities and that the FY26 HUD allocation was about $93,000. Based on recent HUD guidance, the commission does not expect HUD funds in FY27.

- Staffing additions requested: The commission asked the administration to fund three positions: a policy director to produce public guidance and review anti‑discrimination law effectiveness; an additional staff attorney/investigator to accept and process more cases and to serve as co‑counsel in litigation; and a paralegal to support litigation and document management.

- Budget composition and operating costs: The presenter said the governor’s recommended total (about $1,358,757 as shown in committee materials) is largely personnel costs; operating expenses showed an increase of about $35,596 driven in part by rising charges from other state agencies, including an increased fee‑for‑space charged by the Department of Buildings and General Services for the Baldwin Street office.

Committee response and next steps

Committee members said the memo and slides will inform their oversight. One member asked for more granular figures on fee‑for‑space and the budget “ups and downs,” and the presenter said the detailed budget book contains those line items and that she would provide the supplemental memo for the committee’s consideration. The presenter closed by asking the committee to consider restoring the vacancy turnover savings credit and to weigh the requested positions in the broader budget deliberations.

The Judiciary committee will continue budget oversight as part of its scheduled hearings; no formal vote or appropriation change occurred at the Feb. 6 meeting.