January 1, 2013 will bring big tax increases and massive budget cuts unless Congress and the president resolve their impasse concerning the federal deficit. The self-imposed "fiscal cliff" was intended to create an imperative for deficit problem-solving, but President Obama and the Republican-led House of Representatives have yet to reach an agreement.

Democratic Congressman Peter Welch says a compromise plan should include both budget cuts and revenue increases. We talk with him about his approach, whether negotiations over the debt ceiling should be part of the discussion, and whether incremental steps will keep the country from going 'off the cliff'.

 

 

Also in the program, Governor Peter Shumlin was just elected as chair of the Democratic Governor's Association. He says the position gives Vermont a stronger voice in national issues that affect the state. Political scientist Eric Davis explains how it raises Shumlin's own political profile as well.

And we listen back to some of the voices in the week's news.