Several groups are rallying at the Statehouse at this hour
to protest state budget cuts; a Vermont State Police crackdown on aggressive
driving on Interstate 89 already has resulted in a slew of tickets; more…
Vermont has the prospect of getting as much as a billion dollars from the federal economic stimulus package. That’s set off a fierce debate at the Statehouse over whether painful cuts need to be made in next year’s budget.
House Speaker Shap Smith says lawmakers should delay consideration of Governor Douglas’s
proposed budget cuts until the state understands the details of the
federal package.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel’s talks with Administration Secretary, Neale Lunderville and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman, Susan Bartlett about Governor Jim Douglas’ plan to reduce the state budget.
Democratic leaders say the budget proposed by Governor Jim Douglas could increase the burden on local taxpayers. They’re also concerned that the cuts fall hardest on human services programs.