HALF-TIME? Leonine Public Affairs The legislature was in high gear this week as committees worked to finalize legislation to meet the Friday crossover deadline for policy bills. The House Appropriations committee continued to refine the FY2022 budget bill and the Senate Appropriations committee spent much of the week discussing H.315, the “fast-track” COVID-19 recovery funding bill. The crossover deadline for money bills is March 19. The budget and COVID-19 recovery discussions took on a new tone as Congress finalized and passed the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill. As it became clear the state will receive upwards of $2.7 billion from the federal bill, lawmakers started to consider how the additional federal stimulus will impact budget discussions and expanded support for Vermonters.