Shumlin Says Delay In Figuring Out Irene Costs Is Frustrating

(Host) Five weeks after Tropical Storm Irene devastated the state, officials are still adding up the cost of recovery, and figuring out how to pay for it.

Governor Peter Shumlin says the delay is frustrating. But he says much depends on how much assistance the state gets from Washington.

VPR's John Dillon reports.

(Dillon) In the days following the storm, Governor Shumlin was a man in constant motion. He oversaw a swift state response and delivered impromptu pep talks in ravaged communities. wherever his helicopter landed.

But as the work has shifted from response to recovery, Shumlin now sounds frustrated that he can't answer basic questions about what the state faces, post-Irene.

(Shumlin) "Again, until we have the answers  we need - and I know I sound like a broken record - there's not much sense in wasting time on how we might pay for it, because we don't know what we're paying for."

(Dillon) That was Shumlin at his weekly news conference, acknowledging he doesn't know yet how much repairs to roads and infrastructure will cost Vermont and its taxpayers

He says it's too early to consider a special gas tax - or additional borrowing - until it's clear how much aid will come from Washington. The governor and other officials are worried that unless Congress acts, the state would have to pay for 20 percent of any road and bridge repairs above $100 million.

(Shumlin) "So we're all at the mercy of Congress to get this one right. And the timetable therefore is dependent upon approval of some of the initiatives that we're trying to get through Congress."

(Dillon) Shumlin points out that it could cost $1 billion to restore Vermont's transportation infrastructure. So without action in Washington, Vermont could face a $180 million for its share of the price tag just to fix its highways and bridges.

(Shumlin) "We have a responsibility in all of the murky unknown to be able to say to Vermonters, ‘Listen, if we get this much reimbursement, this is what we think we'll be liable for.'"

(Dillon) The governor says that he should have a clearer picture of the impact on the state budget sometime next week.