The Shumlin administration says the job of crafting next year’s state budget is made easier now that Washington has tackled some of the fiscal issues facing the country. Meanwhile, the administration and lawmakers are working to address gaps in the current year’s budget. Officials are troubled by growing caseloads in social service programs. Dozens of Vermont towns last year supported resolutions calling for the reversal of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision that gave corporations the same rights as people. Nothing’s changed, although there are several proposals pending in Congress to overrule the decision. But, there’s a new effort to expand the idea by giving the Earth "rights." New Hampshire will inaugurate a new governor today and there will be an open house at the Statehouse to celebrate.