Vermont Legislature

House Republican leaders are rejecting Gov. Peter Shumlin's plan to impose a payroll tax to finance a package of health care initiatives. Instead, they're developing an alternative proposal.

A statewide campaign has been launched to build support for a plan to tax sugar-sweetened beverages including soda and energy drinks.

Supporters say the tax is needed to discourage Vermonters from consuming these beverages. But opponents say it's the heavy hand of government trying to influence personal behavior.

Try to picture a “help wanted” ad that reads something like this:

“Large, financially ailing employer seeks part-time workers to solve tough problems in a partisan environment - with very little job security.”

So ... are you going to apply?

Focusing on health care costs, property taxes, higher education and economic development, Gov. Peter Shumlin delivered his annual budget address yesterday.

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb spoke with the governor about his proposal.

As legislators get down to business in Montpelier, a big priority for Lt. Gov. Phil Scott is business itself. Namely, what the business community says would help it thrive in the coming year.  In his inaugural address on Jan. 8, Scott said Vermont "economic policies are not firing on all cylinders" and that the Legislature should make the economy and workforce its top priority.

On the next Vermont Edition, we talk policy and politics with Scott, including what he calls the state's "affordability crisis."

Last week's protest at the Statehouse during Gov. Peter Shumlin's inaugural address wasn't the first time that a governor's speech has been interrupted by protesters. A similar incident took place 24 years ago.