Associated Industries of Vermont complains that a proposed tax increase on the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant sends the wrong message to companies doing business in Vermont.

The U.S. House voted today to extend the so called Bush income tax cuts, but only for families with incomes under $250,000 a year. Now, Congressman Peter Welch is urging Democratic leaders to hold their ground and not give in to Republican demands that the tax cuts be extended to the wealthy.

Should we tax junk food and soda?  Should menus have calorie counts?  We talk with UVM nutritionist Rachel Johnson about food and nutrition issues.  Also, an update on the H1N1 virus, and a group of singing librarians!

The Senate has advanced a tax bill that raises about $26 million in new revenue. Business executives said they can't afford to pay more taxes and urged the Legislature to make more cuts to the state budget instead.

VPR's Jane Lindholm speaks with Janet Ancel and Pat McDonald about controversial provisions in the House's tax bill.

This second day of debate has focused on changes to Vermont's estate tax, and on a plan to impose the state sales tax on digital downloads - the so called ‘i-tunes tax'.

The House has given its approval to a $24 million package that includes an income tax surcharge to help balance next year's budget.

These were some of the voices in the news this week.

The House has given preliminary approval to a $120 million bond package that will help pay for road and bridge repair. It would be paid with a five-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase.

These were some of the voices in the news this week:

The chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committees discuss a proposed increase in the gas tax.  Also, a Norwich writer reminisces about the Upper Valley in the 1930 and 1940s.

Democratic leaders at the Statehouse are considering a proposal to raise the state income tax, as a way to avoid drastic cuts to next year's budget.

A group of lawmakers want to help close the state's budget gap by imposing a sales tax on soda and other beverages that contain a lot of sugar. But the Vermont Grocers' Association is strongly opposed to the bill.

There's more evidence that the Vermont economy is in tough shape. Tax revenues last month fell $14 million short of projections.

The Vermont House recommends a cut in the statewide property tax rate next year; in the Senate, a wide-ranging bill that would crack down on sex crimes won final approval earlier today; IBM's Vermont factory is hurting; Vermont could become the first state with a "smart" electric grid.

Governor Jim Douglas is before a congressional committee at this hour to make a pitch for financial help for the states; before he left for Washington, Gov. Douglas weighed in on the future of the Vermont Yankee power plant;

State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding says Vermont's transportation infrastructure has long term needs that will require both state and federal solutions.

State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding and Transportation Secretary David Dill discusses a proposal for a new gas tax to improve Vermont's transportation infrastructure. VPR's John Dillon examines the deep cuts that are being made to the state budget. And we listen back to some of the voices in the week's news.

Vermont Treasurer Jeb Spaulding is proposing a new tax on motor fuels to pay for bridge repairs.

Receipts for July were off 10% because Vermonters have cut back on their driving.