H0493, the "Big Bill – Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act" makes appropriations to support state government operations in fiscal year 2026. Key provisions include establishing an Office of Health Equity; funding the Office of Racial Equity within the Department of Health; expanding emergency housing assistance; creating and funding a Substance Misuse Prevention Special Fund; increasing grants and spending across departments including Children and Families, Corrections, Education, and Health; allocating funds for HIV/AIDS services; health-equity grants, and various social programs.

The Vermont House of Representatives passed H0493 on May 15, 2025 by a vote of 132 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation expands unchecked government spending for the welfare state at the expense of taxpayers. It diverts taxpayer funds into new bureaucracies focused on equity and racial programs; funnels cannabis tax dollars into substance misuse prevention; increases government intervention in housing, health, and social services; and rewards collective dependency over individual and fiscal responsibility. Economic prosperity and safety comes from limited government and free markets, along with personal responsibility.