By Elizabeth Wynne Johnson

(Host) It's budget resolution week in Congress. Democrats say they want to set a new fiscal course for the nation.

Senator Bernie Sanders has his own plan for bringing about change. He wants people who make more than a million dollars a year to pay a bit more in taxes.

Elizabeth Wynne Johnson reports from Capitol Hill.

(Johnson) Bernie Sanders plans to introduce an amendment in the Senate to rescind President Bush's tax breaks for the top 0.3 percent of earners. At a time when people talk a lot about change'' ...

(Sanders) We as a nation have got to decide whether we ask those people to pay a little bit more in taxes so we address the absolutely pressing needs facing kids and working families all over this country. This IS change.''

(Johnson) For those making more than a million dollars a year, Vermont's independent senator wants to restore the top income tax bracket to 39.6 percent.

(Sanders) It raises $32 billion over a three-year period. And it uses that money primarily for our kids and for other basic needs.''

(Johnson) One thing this amendment would cover, according to Sanders: Ten billion more for special education.

(Sanders) You have school districts from one end of Vermont to the other who are struggling with the outrageously high cost of special education. The federal government made a commitment in terms of providing substantial resources to deal with special ed. The federal government has not kept its word.''

(Johnson) The additional ten billion will help lower property taxes for Vermont homeowners, says Sanders.

He also wants an additional four billion for low income heating assistance. Sanders wants to push the budget envelope even farther than his Democratic colleagues. They're seeking half-a-billion more for LIHEAP over the amount in the Bush budget.

Democratic lawmakers invited a great-grandmother from another part of New England to help make their case for more heating assistance money. Sharon Patterson-Stallings of Connecticut used to get LIHEAP money. But lately her $21,000 annual income disqualifies her. This year, she says, her monthly heating oil bill averages $255.

(Patterson) I've had to choose between taking my medications - I'm a diabetic. I've also had to choose what food to buy. These are choices Americans should not have to make.''

(Johnson) Senator Sanders plans to introduce the amendment to rescind tax cuts for the very wealthy sometime this week. In 2006, fewer than 500 Vermont tax filers earned more than a million dollars.