Three years ago, in the midst of a severe recession, Congress passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. All told, more than $800 billion was allocated, and Vermont received $1 billion as part of the federal stimulus package.

Changes to Vermont's development law, Act 250, have raised concerns about protecting the state's historically important sites.

The city of Burlington is getting new transit buses, thanks to the federal stimulus law.

Vermont's chief recovery officer hopes to turn the $720 million economic stimulus dollars the state is slated to receive into a billion or more --  through successful bids for grants that will be awarded competitively.

When tax cuts are factored in, the value of the federal economic stimulus to Vermont could come to about $1.3 billion.

U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have voted for President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan, which would provide approximately $374.9 million in federal stimulus money to Vermont to help revive the sagging economy.

The White House says its economic stimulus plan would create more than 800,000 new jobs in 10 Eastern states.

Leahy's a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says he fought to include a number of provisions in the package that are targeted to help rural states like Vermont.

Vermont's congressional delegation is hoping tens of millions of dollars in public construction projects could get under way this spring to help revive the sagging economy.

New Hampshire officials are scrambling back to their drawing boards now that they've gotten their first glimpse of Congress's proposed stimulus package.

In the coming weeks Vermonters are expected to receive about $300 million in cash from the U.S. Treasury as part of the national stimulus plan.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: Legislative leaders and the Douglas Administration agree on a number of steps to stimulate the Vermont economy. But lawmakers did not support a tax credit for businesses and a weekend tax holiday that the governor proposed. The Vermont has given its approval to legislation that bans the sale of baby toys that contain a group of chemicals known as  phthalates. 

Democrats in the Legislature are eager to finish their work and adjourn by this weekend. Governor Jim Douglas is determined to win passage of a package that will stimulate the state's economy. He says with a little more effort, lawmakers can come up with a plan that he and they can support.

Vermont lawmakers shift into high gear this week, hoping to act on a number of items in time to adjourn their 2007-2008 session Friday or Saturday. Still awaiting their attention is a $214 million economic stimulus package proposed by Governor Jim Douglas.

Governor Jim Douglas' plan to invest state pension funds in the Vermont Housing Finance Authority is running into opposition.

Three days after Gov. Jim Douglas unveiled an economic stimulus package, the Legislature has set up a committee to review it and its and explore ways to strengthen Vermont's economy.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: Vermont lawmakers appear skeptical about Gov. Jim Douglas' economic stimulus package -- doubtful about its details and doubtful they can enact his ideas in the last couple of weeks of the legislative session; A fledgling high-speed Internet network comprised of 25-towns has been rejected for funding by the Vermont Telecommunications Authority...

Vermont lawmakers appear skeptical about Gov. Jim Douglas' economic stimulus package -- doubtful about its details and doubtful they can enact his ideas in the last couple of weeks of the legislative session.

Here are the top stories at 7:30 a.m.: A list of nearly $40 million in budget cuts was presented to key lawmakers and the Douglas Administration. The group needs to select $25 million in reductions from the list in the next few days. Federal policymakers are hoping that consumers cut short the national recession by quickly spending their economic stimulus checks...

The Douglas administration is working on an economic stimulus package worth more than $100 million. State officials would not release details about the economic recovery program but say it will be released next week.

Federal policymakers are hoping that consumers cut short the national recession by quickly spending their economic stimulus checks. A local group says the money can have an even bigger impact if Vermonters spend it at local businesses, farms or by donating it to area nonprofits.