Senator withdraws bill to ban assault weapons

MONTPELIER (AP) -- The majority leader of the Vermont state Senate says he’s withdrawing a bill that would have reinstated in Vermont a now-expired federal assault weapons ban.

Democratic Sen. Philip Baruth, of Chittenden County, says there’s not enough support among his colleagues and there’s mounting opposition from outside the Statehouse.

Baruth’s bill also would have capped the number of rounds in a gun’s magazine to five.

Vermont Public Radio is reporting that Baruth sent a statement to his colleagues Sunday saying he would abandon the legislation.

Vt. lawmakers to hear about gasoline prices

MONTPELIER (AP) -- Vermont lawmakers are going to be holding hearings on the price of gasoline in the state.

On Tuesday afternoon the chairs of the House Transportation, Commerce, and Judiciary committees have scheduled a joint meeting from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Statehouse in Montpelier.

On Tuesday evening the committees will hold a public hearing on the same topic from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Colchester High School on the same subject.

Members of the public interested in testifying about gasoline pricing in the state may sign up 30 minutes prior to the start of the evening hearing.

Lawmakers to get revenue forecast, hear budget

MONTPELIER (AP) -- The state of Vermont’s financial picture may begin to clarify by the end of the week.

On Wednesday, the Emergency Board -- a panel made up of the four legislative money committee chairs and Gov. Peter Shumlin, is to hear a report from two economists on their forecasts for how much money the state is likely to take in during the coming year.

On Thursday, Shumlin goes before lawmakers to outline his spending priorities for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Some Shumlin spending moves already have come in for criticism, including his push to take $17 million from a program that gives big tax refunds to low-income people and use the money to increase child care subsidies.