Panel decides against budget cuts

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Legislature’s Joint Fiscal Committee has voted to reject budget cuts being sought be Gov. Peter Shumlin.

Shumlin asked in late July for cuts averaging 4 percent from most of the state agencies. The administration proposed specific cuts on Monday, many of them targeting human service programs.

The committee voted Wednesday. It is now waiting for a response from the administration.

Advocates and beneficiaries of those programs asked at a public hearing Tuesday that the committee takes more time in its deliberations.