Midday Newscast: March 10 2009

Governor Jim Douglas has taken his message of fiscal austerity in state government to a wider audience; to avoid layoffs, GE Aviation in Rutland is offering more voluntary furloughs to employees; consumers are spending less because of the recession. So, Vermont ski resorts have increased the discounts they offer to lure visitors to the slopes; Vermont Democrats plan to elect a new state party chair in two weeks