b'VAST DirectionVERMONT ASSOCIATIONBy VAST Executive Director Cindy LockeIn November of last year, I sent alegislature and committees. WhileThe final funding was decided upon to letter of request to Governor Philtestifying in committee is important,be $750,000 for the VAST Equipment Scott asking for funding to be put insometimes you are not invited toGrant & Aid program and $50,000 for his FY23 budget to help us with clubtestify, as was the case in one Housethe VAST Law Enforcement program. equipment purchases and repairs, ascommittee. This committee striped allThe grant program will be managed by well as law enforcement. Each yearour funding away. the Vermont Agency of Transportation VAST receives from our clubs requestsThe majority of the funds were put(AOT). In August the VAST Board of and often we can only fund 50% toback in the budget late in the sessionDirectors will work out the details 60% of those requests. The top focusby Senate Transportation, Senateof the program and propose them to is the need for equipment versus theAppropriations and finally agreedAOT. want.upon with stipulations to the funds byGovernor Scott, VAST thanks you for Governor Scott was gracious to putAppropriations Conference Committeeall your support!!! in a million dollars for our equipment(made up of House and Senator grant and aid program and $50,000Appropriations members) in May after for our law enforcement program intomany meetings and retestifying.his budget. From there it went to the'