WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — The Quechee home of Vermont’s state Senate president is on a list of 62 properties to be sold at a tax sale next week because of $6,000 in unpaid taxes, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

State Sen. John Campbell and his wife owe $6,045 in taxes, interest and penalties for the home. The couple missed a $5,329 payment due Feb. 4, and their home appeared Sunday on a list published by the Valley News newspaper.

The six-term Democrat, who took over as state Senate president pro tem this year, didn’t return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

He told the Valley News a day earlier he’s late on his property tax payments and plans to make a payment this week.

Campbell says keeping up his law practice while serving is tough.

“The fact is I’m late on the payments . I’m going to have it paid this week,” he said.

Taking the top job in the Senate meant he had to spend five days a week in Montpelier during the Legislature’s recently-completed January-to-May session, taking him away from his Quechee law practice, which involves trial work and taking cases on contingency.

The economy was partly to blame, he said.

“Oftentimes people come and don’t have the money to pay for my services, and it’s hard for me to turn someone away,” he said. “The economy is something that affects everybody.”

According to town records:

Campbell’s home, a contemporary 2,788-square foot building built in 1986, is assessed at $511,400, and its 2011 tax bill was $10,658.

He and his wife made a payment last year but missed on for $5,329 that was due Feb. 4 of $5,329.

The couple avoided inclusion in a tax sale over their 2007 taxes through a payment agreement.

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Information from: Lebanon Valley News, http://www.vnews.com