The Vermont House has given its preliminary approval to a $26 million tax package to help balance the state budget for next year.  But the plan faces the strong opposition of Governor Peter Shumlin.

Governor Peter Shumlin discusses the budget and tax proposals being considered by the Legislature.

The Vermont House is preparing to debate the budget and a number of new tax proposals this week, and House leaders are already trying to line up votes for a $1.3 billion plan that includes a contentious bid to cap welfare benefits.

The possibility of new budget cuts from Washington could cause enormous problems with Vermont's budget for next year. The threat of sequestration cuts comes at a time when the House Appropriations committee is trying to finalize its budget plan for next year.

VPR's John Dillon provides analysis of the Governor's Budget Address.

Governor Peter Shumlin has unveiled his plan to boost state spending next year by 3.4 percent without raising any broad based taxes. But the budget proposal does rely on roughly $60 million in new revenue from a variety of other sources.

The slow economic recovery means Vermont will take in $20 million less in revenue than was anticipated. The news came the day before Gov. Peter Shumlin delivers his annual budget address.

The Shumlin Administration says the job of crafting next year's state budget is made easier now that Washington has tackled some of the fiscal issues facing the country. Meanwhile, the administration and lawmakers are working to address gaps in the current year budget.

Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding explains how a budget surplus will be used and the prospects for the next fiscal year.

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is embarking on a series of highway construction and repair projects that are part of the biggest transportation spending plan in state history.

The Vermont House and Senate have reached agreement on a roughly $5 billion state budget for next year, a deal that clears the path for the 2012 Legislature to adjourn this weekend.

Dartmouth Professor Gary Wegner hypothesizes that rogue planets are hurtling across the universe, VPR's Bob Kinzel updates us on budget talks in Montpelier, we go north for a poutine-eating contest and pianist Ignat Solzhenitsyn performs.

The Vermont House has given its preliminary approval to the state budget for next year. The bill increases spending by roughly 6 percent and about half of the new spending is a response to damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene. Most Democrats voted for the bill and many Republicans voted against it.

Members of the Vermont House are debating the $1.3 billion 2013 state budget Thursday. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Martha Heath says more than $16 million would be set aside in case of unanticipated challenges.

The state's unemployment rate dropped again giving Vermont one of the lowest rates in the country. But state revenues have fallen for the third month in a row, creating a $14 million hole in next year's budget.

Lawmakers share their thoughts on Governor Shumlin's budget address, VPR's John Dillon provides analysis of energy issue facing the state and we listen back to the voice in the news this week.

Governor Peter Shumlin looks at how well he did in meeting his goals for 2011 and outlines his priorities for 2012.

There are more questions than answers about how budget cuts in the new federal debt ceiling law are going to affect the state of Vermont. Because the legislation sets target budget goals rather than identifying specific program cuts, the state's budget commissioner says it could be months before the state has a clear picture of what the impact will be.

The Shumlin administration says the state treasury should end up with $20 million more than expected at the end of the budget year.

House Speaker Shap Smith provides an outlook on the budget, the tax bill and the governor's health care bill. Also, Congressman Peter Welch discusses the causes of and solutions for rising gas prices.

The Vermont Senate has advanced the 2012 budget by a vote of 28 to 1. Progressive Anthony Pollina cast the only ‘no' vote. The budget calls for almost $4.7 billion in overall state spending.

Governor Peter Shumlin provides his take on the key bills and issues facing the state as the legislature enters its final weeks.

The Vermont House passed the budget bill Friday evening by a vote of 95-34. Speaker Shap Smith said he was confident the House had passed "a responsible budget that balances the needs of Vermonters with the fiscal challenges that we face."

Vermont doctors, nurses and other health professionals rallied at the Statehouse Wednesday to speak out about budget cuts and provider tax increases they say will put patient care in jeopardy.

Governor Peter Shumlin's budget would cut about $11 million from mental health programs. But advocates say the cuts would break a promise the state made 30 years ago when it made a fundamental change to the way mental health care is provided in Vermont.