Vermont colleges, business groups lobby against budget cuts By MORGAN TRUE / VTDigger POSTED: 10/15/2014 04:41:40 PM EDT0 COMMENTS| UPDATED: A DAY AGO MONTPELIER -- Advocates pressed for increased state funding for higher education and business incentives, even as the governor is calling for level-funded or reduced spending across state government. Ben Johnson, president of the Vermont chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, said Tuesday that the state has underfunded higher education for 35-years and the state college system is nearing the breaking point. "There's no more fat to cut," said Johnson, a librarian at Vermont Technical College. Betsy Bishop, executive director of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, asked that the state make more money available for business incentives, specifically the Vermont Training Program, which helps employers pay to teach their workers new skills.

Advocates pressed for increased state funding for higher education and business incentives, even as the governor is calling for level-funded or reduced spending across state government. Ben Johnson, president of the Vermont chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, said Tuesday that the state has underfunded higher education for 35-years and the state college system is nearing the breaking point. "There's no more fat to cut," said Johnson, a librarian at Vermont Technical College. Betsy Bishop, executive director of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, asked that the state make more money available for business incentives, specifically the Vermont Training Program, which helps employers pay to teach their workers new skills. http://www.reformer.com/state/ci_26733771/vermont-colleges-business-groups-lobby-against-budget-cuts