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.

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

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.

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. 

When lawmakers begin the second half of the session next week, they'll likely face a choice on how to balance the state budget. They'll have to decide whether to cut human service programs or raise new taxes. It's an issue that could divide some liberal legislators and Gov. Peter Shumlin.

House Appropriations Chair Martha Heath says that the Governor's call for cuts in Human Services was no surprise as the state deals with the absence of Federal stimulus funds.

We hear from two committee chairs who will play an instrumental role in the development of the state's final budget. Plus, VPR's John Dillon provides an update on Vermont Yankee. And we listen back to the voices in the news this week.

Governor Peter Shumlin says his proposed budget charts the course for his promised single payer health care system.

Governor Peter Shumlin has proposed a budget for next year that reduces over all state spending by $25 million. It's the first time in a decade that total state expenditures have gone down.