Vermont lawmakers are contemplating the idea of a state bank in a bill now in House and Senate committees that would establish a study committee to examine the idea.

We hear from three first-year members of the Senate on the experience and how it met their expectations. Senators Anthony Pollina, Joe Benning and Philip Baruth are our guests.

Progressive Party leaders Rep. Chris Pearson and Sen. Anthony Pollina say tax increases on the wealthiest Vermonters would help close the state's budget deficit, as opposed to cutting the budget for Human Services programs.

There are 180 members of the Vermont Legislature, and only 7 of them represent the Progressive Party. But despite their small caucus, the Progressives want to make an impact on how the state closes the $176 million budget deficit.

What is the future of the Vermont Progressive Party and is it still relevant? Plus, analysis of the week's news. And the final entry of Vermont National Guard Captain Larry Doane's audio journal.

Progressive Party leaders say they'll endorse a Democratic candidate for governor next year if that candidate supports certain policies.

VPR's Bob Kinzel talks with Anthony Pollina, a former Progressive gubernatorial candidate, about the party's litmus test for labor issues, health care and Vermont Yankee policy.

Vermont's Progressive Party says it would support a Democratic candidate for governor in 2010 if the candidate passes a litmus test on three issues. Bob Kinzel talks with Anthony Pollina about Democrats and Progressives getting behind one candidate. Also, political analysis with Eric Davis of Middlebury.

The latest vote count in the governor's race shows Independent Anthony Pollina edging out Democrat Gaye Symington for second place. Democrats, Independents and Progressives are now looking back at the race, and they promise not to divide their vote in the future.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina says incumbent Governor Jim Douglas is deliberately distorting Pollina's plan to create a Vermont credit card. Douglas says the plan should be rejected because it will throw Vermonters deeper into debt. Pollina says that charge is simply not true. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

A new poll shows that Republican Gov. Jim Douglas is maintaining a significant lead over his two major opponents.

Newspapers around the state have begun to publish their endorsements of political candidates.  This weekend, The Burlington Free Press endorsed the Republican incumbent, Governor Jim Douglas. 

Gov. Jim Douglas is out-raising and outspending his two main opponents in this year's gubernatorial campaign by wide margins.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington has released a new economic plan, prompting an attack from Gov. Jim Douglas' campaign as those two candidates and independent Anthony Pollina continue to spar over the economy.

The state's Transportation Fund is running a deficit. Vermont's roads and bridges need urgent repair, and some large highway projects remain unfinished. The major gubernatorial candidates have clear differences in transportation priorities - and how to pay for the work. VPR's John Dillon reports.

A judge has ruled that independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina didn't violate Vermont's campaign finance law by accepting contributions larger than $1,000 from several donors.

Vermont's three gubernatorial candidates have very different plans to provide affordable health care coverage to all Vermonters. Their views range from expanding the private market approach to creating a single risk pool for all Vermonters that would be financed by a broad based tax. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

Governor Jim Douglas is well ahead of the pack in fundraising as he seeks re-election to a fourth term.

Republican Governor Jim Douglas and his Democratic challenger Gaye Symington clashed over sex offender laws, energy policy and budget issues in a VPR broadcast debate last night. VPR's John Dillon reports.

The first statewide poll for the governor's race has been released.  It shows incumbent Republican Governor Jim Douglas with a roughly 15 point lead over Democratic candidate Gaye Symington.  Independent candidate Anthony Pollina ran a distant third in the poll.

Anthony Pollina is defending his call to use money from the state's rainy day funds to pay for home heating assistance. 

Anthony Pollina receives 3 key labor endorsements; Pollina defends his call to dip into rainy-day funds; A profile of author and activist Diane Wilson; Pete Seeger performs in Brattleboro and Lebanon; and commentator Madeline Kunin on the nomination of Sarah Palin.

In Vermont, budget cuts have been proposed in higher education, the judiciary and child care. Some political leaders say the state should tap into its rainy day fund to avoid the cuts.   The three main gubernatorial candidates have different points of view. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

As Vermont's 3 major party gubernatorial candidates prepare for the general election, their new finance reports show that they enter the 9 weeks before the election with very different financial bases. It's a situation that could dictate the kind of strategies the candidates will use during their campaigns. VPR's Bob Kinzel reports.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina says he hasn't violated Vermont's campaign finance law by accepting contributions of more than $1,000 from some donors, despite statements to the contrary from Secretary of State Deb Markowitz.