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House Speaker Shap Smith

House Speaker Shap Smith discusses balancing the state budget and other key legislation being debated. Plus, VPR’s Ross Sneyd provides analysis of the week’s news.
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House Speaker Shap Smith

House Speaker Shap Smith discusses the state’s budget problems, the future of Vermont Yankee, education funding and spending and health care reform legislation.
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Legislature Takes 5 Percent Pay Cut

Budget talks have dominated the first few days of the legislative session in Montpelier. The state faces a projected $150 million deficit in 2011. And now members of the Vermont Legislature say they’ll take a five percent pay cut to help deal with the budget.

Legislative Leaders Say Session Will Focus On Economy

Top legislators say the focus of the 2010 session will be on jobs, the economy and on producing a balanced budget. The Democratic leaders of the House and the Senate say now is not the time to raise taxes or expand social programs. And they vowed to keep an open mind as the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant seeks approval to operate for another 20 years.