Law lets Vt. towns delay education payments - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Law lets Vt. towns delay education payments

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed legislation allowing Vermont towns left cash-strapped by Tropical Storm Irene recovery to delay payments into the state education fund.

The new law comes after the fact. State Treasurer Beth Pearce allowed 11 towns to delay a total of $7.1 million in payments due Dec. 1 until the end of this month. She says she did so on a promise from Shumlin and legislative leaders that the bill would pass.

Towns hit hard by Irene faced steep bills in the fall for road repairs and other expenses, and some faced cash-flow problems as a result.

Towns were allowed to defer payments to the education fund up to their Irene-related costs.

But they must pay up by Feb. 28 or interest will accrue from Dec. 1.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)