Patrick Leahy talks with Vermont Edition about the four gun bills the Senate Judiciary Committee he chairs is working on.

Newscast: Thursday, March 14, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

Spurred by stories of addiction from across the state, lawmakers this week are voting out of committees a wide-ranging bill aimed at minimizing the effects of opiate use on the health and safety of Vermonters.

Valley News Local News Editor, John Gregg, talks with Vermont Edition about some key votes on the New Hampshire side of the Connecticut River.

Statehouse Schedule: Thursday, March 14, 2013

When considering what women need to become leaders in government and industry, Madeleine Kunin thinks there are still some fundamental issues that must be addressed at the policy level. 

The leader of the Vermont House of Representatives discusses some of the thorny budget questions facing lawmakers, and the taxes that might be raised to support the state's spending plan.

Newscast: Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

A tax on sugar sweetened beverages has run into trouble in the House Ways and Means committee. But the panel is seriously considering a plan to impose the state sales tax on soda and candy.

Gun control advocates rallied at the statehouse on Wednesday, although there's little evidence the Legislature will consider gun-control bills this year.

Statehouse Schedule: Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Legislation that would allow child care providers to unionize has been derailed in the Vermont Senate.

The House Transportation Committee is set to approve a plan that would restructure the way the state taxes gasoline. The new plan would help raise revenue to draw down millions of federal transportation dollars.

Newscast: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

The governor announced Tuesday that the state has come up with the money to help buy those properties that were destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene, and that FEMA has deemed ineligible for its funding.

The state of Vermont is announcing today it will cover 75 percent of the cost of buying out homes that FEMA has deemed ineligible for a federal buy-out.

Newscast: Monday, March 11, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

The state auditor says cities and towns that have special economic development tax districts should return some of the money they owe the state

Lawmakers reconvene for the second half of the legislative session on Tuesday. And, despite budget woes and federal cuts, some of them are hoping to stay focused on a goal set at the beginning of the session: fighting climate change and promoting energy efficiency at the same time.

Statehouse Schedule: Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Lawmakers will be back at the statehouse tomorrow after their town meeting break. VPR's Ross Sneyd talks with Vermont Edition about what's on the legislative agenda.

VPR news analyst, Hamilton Davis, talks with Vermont Edition about what Governor Peter Shumlin has done so far to help control the cost of health care.

Newscast: Friday, March 8, 2013, 5:50 p.m.

The death of  an unarmed Thetford man last June has prompted a state-wide discussion about the use of Tasers in Vermont and a new bill in front of the legislature.

Newscast: Thursday, March 7, 2013, 5:50 p.m.