Joint Fiscal Office outlines appropriations priorities and a 10‑year tax study request

Chris from the Joint Fiscal Office updated the committee on a draft letter the committee may send to Appropriations, reviewing base appropriations and several specific requests.

JFO proposed requesting a $150,000 base increase for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program (bringing the program’s base to the level discussed in last year’s budget action) and a one‑time $100,000 appropriation to support a comprehensive 10‑year tax study due next January. Chris said the 10‑year study is a heavy lift that in prior cycles used third‑party consultants and sample‑return analysis.

Committee members asked detailed questions about a proposed $114.9 million general‑fund transfer to the Education Fund (including a $10 million flow intended to offset earlier shifts to the Transportation Fund) and about whether transportation‑fund interest changes should take effect in FY28 to avoid near‑term adverse impacts on the general fund. Several members asked to flag disagreements for the letter and to circulate a revised version before tomorrow’s Appropriations submission.

Chris said he would circulate a revised draft with the additional language and that committee members should raise any substantive objections before the letter is finalized.