RATINGS of VERMONTacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2019. 9. 9. · 2...

2018

Letter from the Chairman .......................................................2

ACU & ACUF Board Members ..............................................3

Selecting the Votes .......................................................................3

2018 Winners & Losers ................................................................4

VT Senate Statistics .......................................................................5

VT Senate Vote Descriptions ................................................ 6

VT Senate Scores ............................................................................ 8

VT House Statistics ..................................................................... 10

VT House Vote Descriptions ................................................11

VT House Scores ...........................................................................14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RATINGS of VERMONTRATINGS of VERMONT

ACUConservative @ACUFoundation | #ACURatings Conservative.org

2

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2018 Ratings of Vermont

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2018 meeting of the Vermont General House. Like our Ratings of Congress, which date back 47 years, our state ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy i.e., conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person, and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend Life, Liberty and Property).

Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. ACUF state ratings—launched in 2011 with ratings for five states—have become a nationally recognized resource for evaluating over 8,000 elected officials comprising each of America’s 99 state legislative chambers.

Each election cycle, citizens choose leaders whose vision for the state most closely matches their own, hoping that candidates’ promises will be kept. ACUF’s ratings measure whether those promises were fulfilled or forsaken. With nearly a decade of data on state legislators’ voting records and average scores for every legislative chamber, citizens in every state can assess how effectively their lawmakers have applied conservative philosophy to the role of government.

We at ACUF believe, as Ronald Reagan once said, that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We hope that by providing this unique tool, these ratings will empower Americans to exercise their right to protect our unique American democracy from tyranny.

Sincerely,

Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union Foundation

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

ACUConservative @ACUFoundation | #ACURatings Conservative.org

TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: acuratings.conservative.org

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SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Vermont General House that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Vermont’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow Vice Chairman

Carolyn D. Meadows 2nd Vice Chair

Bob Beauprez Treasurer

Ron Christie Secretary

Ed Yevoli At-Large

Dan Schneider Executive Director

ACUExecutive Committee

Jackie ArendsLarry BeasleyKimberly BellissimoMorton C. BlackwellJamie BurkeJosé CárdenasMuriel ColemanSean FielerAlan M. GottliebVan D. Hipp, Jr.Dr. M. Zuhdi JasserEd McFadden

Priscilla O’ShaughnessyRon RobinsonMike RosePeter SamuelsonSabrina Schaeffer Terry SchillingMatt SmithChris TurnerBill Walton

Thomas Winter

Board Members

ACUFExecutive CommitteeMatt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chair

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary

Dan Schneider Executive Director

Board Members

José CárdenasGordon ChangJonathan GarthwaiteCharlie GerowNiger InnisAdam LaxaltWilles K. LeeMary MatalinCarolyn D. MeadowsRandy NeugebauerThomas Winter

The ACUF Legislative Ratings Team

Fred McGrath, Director

Luke Schneider, Public Affairs & Policy Analyst

Francis Finnegan, Data Manager

Larry Hart, Senior Policy Fellow

Abby Draiss, Policy Fellow

Joseph Johns, Policy Fellow

Jonathan Moy, Policy Fellow

4


SENATE

Ashe

Ayer

Balint

Baruth

Bray

Campion

Clarkson

Cummings

Ingram

SENATE

Lyons

Macdonald

Mccormack

Pearson

Pollina

Sears

Sirotkin

White

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

Ancel

Bartholomew

Belaski

Bissonnette

Bock

Botzow

Briglin

Brumsted

Burke

Carr

Chesnut-Tangerman

Christensen

Christie

HOUSE

Cina

Colburn

Conlon

Connor

Conquest

Copeland-Hanzas

Dakin

Deen

Donovan

Dunn

Emmons

Fields

Forguites

HOUSE

Gardner

Giambatista

Gonzalez

Grad

Haas

Head

Hill

Hooper, J.

Hooper, M.

Houghton

Howard

Jessup

Joseph

HOUSE

Kitzmiller

Krowinski

Lalonde

Lanpher

Lippert

Long

Lucke

Macaig

Masland

McCormack

McCullough

Miller

Morris

HOUSE

Mrowicki

Noyes

Ode

Partridge

Pugh

Rachelson

Scheu

Sharpe

Sheldon

Squirrell

Stevens

Stuart

Sullivan, M.

HOUSE

Taylor

Till

Toleno

Toll

Townsend

Trieber

Troiano

Walz

Webb

Weed

Wood

Yacovone

Yantachka

≥

2018 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

n/a

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

FRENIER

SENATE

n/a

HOUSE

GAMACHE

QUIMBY

HOUSE

TURNER

VAN WYCK

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

5


VERMONT SENATE STATISTICS

19%OVERALL AVERAGE

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

57%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

8%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

MAZZA38%

HIGHEST DEMOCRATS

VERMONT SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE

SENATORS

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

090-100%

2018 ACUF PERCENTAGE

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

WESTMAN46%

6


1. S 289 Discriminating against Internet Service Providers which Don’t Abide by “Net Neutrality.” This bill attempts to punish Internet Service Providers (ISPs) which don’t abide by Obama-era “net-neutrality” rules (overturned by Chairman Ajit Pai and the FCC) which interfere in the way providers deliver their services and structure their fees. Under the bill, ISPs which don’t abide by net neutrality are not eligible to contract with the state. ACU opposes net neutrality rules and this attempt to drive up taxpayer costs by limiting government contracting options and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 2, 2018 by a vote of 23-5.

2. S 237 Offering Free Legal Representation to Illegal Immigrants. This bill permits scarce taxpayer-funded legal resources to be provided to those facing federal immigration court, including those who have entered the country illegally. Specifically, the bill allows public defenders to represent their clients in matters relating to immigration status. ACU opposes this expansion of taxpayer-funded legal resources and supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 14, 2018 by a vote of 28-2.

3. S 40 Raising the Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour. This bill diminishes job opportunities by raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. Additionally, the bill sets the minimum wage paid to high school students to only $3 less than the minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill violates the right of employers and employees to freely contract by prohibiting “tip sharing,” including employer deductions for credit card processing fees. An increase in the minimum wage results in higher unemployment. High rates of unemployment hinder family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes these artificial wages that hurt those who need help with employment the most, such as students and inexperienced workers, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 15, 2018 by a vote of 20-10.

4. S 120 Infringing Free Speech by Banning Corporate Political Contributions. This bill prohibits corporations from making any direct contributions to political candidates or parties in Vermont. ACU supports free political speech as protected under the First Amendment and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 23-7.

5. S 55 Revoking Second Amendment Rights of Adults Ages 18 to 20. This bill enacts a number of gun control measures that violate Second Amendment rights, most notably raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to age 21 and banning “high-capacity” ammunition magazines. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and believes those old enough to fight for their country should not be deprived of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 2, 2018 by a vote of 17-13.

6. S 197 Increasing Business and Consumer Costs by Permitting Lawsuits for “Medical Monitoring.” This bill holds manufacturers to an unreasonable level of liability concerning chemical exposure, which will increase litigation and drive up consumer costs. Under the bill, low standards of evidence are sufficient to allow individuals who may have been exposed to certain chemicals to sue manufacturers for the costs of medical monitoring, even if individuals have not displayed any symptoms and there is no evidence that a medical condition is even likely to develop due to chemical exposure. While ACU supports strong property rights and just compensation for individuals who have been harmed by chemical exposure, we oppose this overreach which is primarily designed to enrich trial lawyers through increased litigation costs and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 21, 2018 by a vote of 17-13 but it was vetoed by the governor.

7. S 281 Ensuring Equal Opportunity for All to Serve in Government. The Brock (ACUF Lifetime 69%) amendment ensures that all individuals, regardless of race, have the same opportunity to serve on a newly created Civil Rights Advisory Panel. The amendment declares that all appointments to the five-member panel shall be made in a nondiscriminatory manner and shall reflect a variety of backgrounds, skills, experiences and perspectives. Prior to this amendment, the bill required three of the five members to be persons of color. ACU believes in equal rights under the law for all, that it is the duty of government to ensure that all laws are applied equally, and that public appointments should be based on nonracially-discriminatory criteria, such as qualifications and skillsets, and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on March 21, 2018 by a vote of 12-18.

VERMONT SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

7


8. S 94 Socializing Remote Employee Costs. This bill forces Vermont taxpayers to pay up to $10,000 to each employee who works for a company based in another state and who later moves to Vermont and becomes a resident of the state. The new program will cover the costs of moving to Vermont and buying or upgrading to broadband internet, among a litany of other expenses to be paid by taxpayers. ACU opposes all forms of socialism, including socializing the cost of career opportunities, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 23, 2018 by a vote of 30-0.

9. H 294 Prohibiting Employers from Inquiring about Salary History. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring about a prospective employee’s prior salary history or determining whether to interview an applicant based on past compensation. ACU opposes this government interference in the hiring process and believes salary history is a legitimate line of inquiry, especially considering it is required for federal government positions, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 18, 2018 by a vote of 30-0.

10. S 103 Expanding the Regulatory Power of Unelected Government Bureaucrats. This bill creates an avenue for government abuse of power by giving the Commissioner of Health unilateral authority to ban or regulate products for children. Specifically, the bill removes the provision that the commissioner “weigh credible evidence” when determining whether to ban a product and instead allows the commissioner to impose bans based on a single source of research of the commissioner’s choosing. Additionally, the commissioner can now ban products without the recommendation of the Chemicals of High Concern to Children Working Group. ACU opposes heavy-handed regulation which drives up costs for families and efforts to weaken government integrity by providing a government bureaucrat carte blanche authority over regulatory power and opposed this bill. The Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the bill on April 19, 2018 by a vote of 22-8, but the House failed to override the veto and the bill was defeated.

11. S 175 Weakening Innovation by Establishing a Program to Import Drugs from Canada. This bill directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services to devise a program for wholesale importation of prescription drugs into Vermont from Canada. ACU opposes the importation of socialist pricing schemes and believes allowing people to profit from labor yields innovation, including the development of new life-saving drugs, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 7, 2018 by a vote of 29-0.

12. H 410 Expanding Costly Energy Efficient Mandates. This bill creates further interference in the marketplace by mandating that 16 additional consumer products meet certain energy efficiency standards determined by the state. As a result, consumers will have fewer affordable options when shopping for household items, including dishwashers, portable air conditioners, showerheads, steam cookers and fryers. ACU opposes these mandates which limit consumer choices and drive up the cost of household items and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 9, 2018 by a vote of 25-4.

13. H 16 Enacting a Budget that Raises Property Taxes (Special Session). Despite strong opposition from Governor Scott, this state budget bill raises property tax rates on nearly half of all property owners in the state. Specifically, the bill hinders economic growth by raising the following tax rates by 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation: nonresidential, including camps; out-of-state homeowners; and rental properties. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tax hike, which will harm numerous families and the state’s economy, especially considering the state has a budget surplus, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 21, 2018 by a vote of 27-0.

8


VERMONT SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

S 289

S 237

S 40

S 120

S 55

S 197

S 281

S 94

H 294

S 103

S 175

H 410

H 16 (Special

Session) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Ashe D Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 12 0% 20% 9%

Ayer D Addison - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 12 0% 0% 0%

Balint D Windham - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

Baruth D Chittenden X - - - - - - - - - X - - 0 11 0% n/a 0%

BENNING R Caldedonia + - + + + + + - - + - - - 7 13 54% 80% 77%

BRANAGAN R Franklin + + + - + + + - - + - - - 7 13 54% 80% 67%

Bray D Addison - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 20% 9%

BROCK R Franklin + + + + + + + - - + - + - 9 13 69% n/a 69%

Brooks D Washington - - - - - + + - - - - - - 2 13 15% 0% 8%

Campion D Bennington - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 20% 12%

Clarkson D Windsor - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 4%

COLLAMORE R Rutland + - + + + + - - - + - + - 7 13 54% 80% 70%

Cummings D Washington - - - - - - + - - - - - - 1 13 8% 0% 2%

FLORY R Rutland X - + + + + + - - + - + - 7 12 58% 75% 67%

Ingram D Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 12 0% 0% 0%

Kitchel D Caledonia - - - - + + - - - - - - - 2 13 15% 40% 21%

Lyons D Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

Macdonald D Orange - - - - - - + - - - - - - 1 13 8% 20% 7%

Mazza D Grand Isle - - + - + + + - - + - - - 5 13 38% 50% 32%

Mccormack D Windsor - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

Nitka D Windsor - - - - + + + - - - - - - 3 13 23% 40% 22%

Pearson D Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 40% 22%

Pollina D Washington - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 10%

VERMONT SENATE SCORES

9


VERMONT SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

S 289

S 237

S 40

S 120

S 55

S 197

S 281

S 94

H 294

S 103

S 175

H 410

H 16 (Special

Session) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Rodgers D Essex-Orleans - - + + + + - - - - - - X 4 12 33% n/a 34%

Sears D Bennington - - - - + - - - - - - - - 1 13 8% 40% 12%

Sirotkin D Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

SOUCY R Rutland + - + + + + + - - + - + - 8 13 62% n/a 62%

Starr D Essex-Orleans - - + - + + + - - - - - - 4 13 31% 40% 35%

WESTMAN R Lamoille - - + + + + + - - + - - - 6 13 46% 60% 53%

White D Windham - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 20% 8%

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position“-” Member voted against ACU’s position“X” Member was absent for vote“E” Member was excused for vote

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

10


VERMONT HOUSE STATISTICS

26%OVERALL AVERAGE

BASER23%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

64%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

3%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

BROWNING43%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

VERMONT HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATE REPS

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

090-100%

2018 ACUF PERCENTAGE

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

11


1. H 410 Expanding Costly Energy Efficient Mandates. This bill creates further interference in the marketplace by mandating that 16 additional consumer products meet certain energy efficiency standards determined by the state. As a result, consumers will have fewer affordable options when shopping for household items, including dishwashers, portable air conditioners, showerheads, steam cookers and fryers. ACU opposes these mandates which limit consumer choices and drive up the cost of household items and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of 137-4.

2. H 294 Prohibiting Employers from Inquiring about Salary History. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring about a prospective employee’s prior salary history or determining whether to interview an applicant based on past compensation. ACU opposes this government interference in the hiring process and believes salary history is a legitimate line of inquiry, especially considering it is required for federal government positions, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 15, 2018 by a vote of 137-0.

3. H 582 Hiking Phone Taxes to Benefit Special Interests. This bill raises the surcharge placed on all telecommunications bills from 2 percent to 2.5 percent, which amounts to an estimated $6.3 million fee increase. The funds are earmarked to expand broadband to rural areas of the state, however, these earmarks are rarely observed in reality; the connectivity fund to which the revenue is directed has a history of being raided for other purposes and there is no clear plan for how the additional funds will be used. ACU opposes unnecessary tax hikes and believes the market is the best mechanism to determine the need for broadband and does not believe that taxpayers in one area of the state should be forced to subsidize the amenities of individuals who chose to reside in rural areas and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 16, 2018 by a vote of 109-27.

4. H 675 Strengthening Evidence Standards for Issuance of Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The Donahue (ACUF Lifetime 67%) amendment to a bill concerning extreme risk protection orders raises the standard of evidence required for a court to issue an order temporarily prohibiting an individual from possessing a firearm due to the risk of danger they may cause to themselves or others. Specifically, the amendment raises the standard of evidence to “clear and convincing” instead of a “preponderance of evidence.” ACU supports the founders’ belief in both in the Second Amendment and due process under the law and supported the amendment as a step in the right direction. The House defeated the amendment on March 1, 2018 by a vote of 53-85.

5. S 55 Revoking Second Amendment Rights of Adults Ages 18 to 20. This bill enacts a number of gun control measures that violate Second Amendment rights, most notably raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to age 21 and banning “high-capacity” ammunition magazines. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and believes those old enough to fight for their country should not be deprived of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, 2018 by a vote of 89-54.

6. S 237 Offering Free Legal Representation to Illegal Immigrants. This bill permits scarce taxpayer-funded legal resources to be provided to those facing federal immigration court, including those who have entered the country illegally. Specifically, the bill allows public defenders to represent their clients in matters relating to immigration status. ACU opposes this expansion of taxpayer-funded legal resources and supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 10, 2018 by a vote of 97-40.

VERMONT HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

12


7. S 103 Expanding the Regulatory Power of Unelected Government Bureaucrats. This bill creates an avenue for government abuse of power by giving the Commissioner of Health unilateral authority to ban or regulate products for children. Specifically, the bill removes the provision that the commissioner “weigh credible evidence” when determining whether to ban a product and instead allows the commissioner to impose bans based on a single source of research of the commissioner’s choosing. Additionally, the commissioner can now ban products without the recommendation of the Chemicals of High Concern to Children Working Group. ACU opposes heavy-handed regulation which drives up costs for families and efforts to weaken government integrity by providing a government bureaucrat carte blanche authority over regulatory power and opposed this bill. The House failed to override the governor’s veto of the bill on April 25, 2018 by a vote of 94-53. (A two-thirds majority vote was required and a “No” vote supported the ACU position.)

8. S 175 Weakening Innovation by Establishing a Program to Import Drugs from Canada. This bill directs the Vermont Agency of Human Services to devise a program for wholesale importation of prescription drugs into Vermont from Canada. ACU opposes the importation of socialist pricing schemes and believes allowing people to profit from labor yields innovation, including the development of new life-saving drugs, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2018 by a vote of 141-2.

9. S 197 Increasing Business and Consumer Costs by Permitting Lawsuits for “Medical Monitoring.” This bill holds manufacturers to an unreasonable level of liability concerning chemical exposure, which will increase litigation and drive up consumer costs. Under the bill, low standards of evidence are sufficient to allow individuals who may have been exposed to certain chemicals to sue manufacturers for the costs of medical monitoring, even if individuals have not displayed any symptoms and there is no evidence that a medical condition is even likely to develop due to chemical exposure. While ACU supports strong property rights and just compensation for individuals who have been harmed by chemical exposure, we oppose this overreach which is primarily designed to enrich trial lawyers through increased litigation costs and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 3, 2018 by a vote of 92-45 but it was vetoed by the governor.

10. S 260 Raising Taxes to Further Expand Funding for Clean Water Projects. This bill imposes an additional 0.25 percent tax on hotel rooms and restaurant and bar bills. It is claimed that the new revenue will be used as a source of funding for additional clean water projects, but these earmarks are rarely observed in reality. ACU opposes placing further tax burdens on Vermonters to fund a program that already has a substantial budget and opposed this bill. The House advanced the bill on May 4, 2018 by a vote of 84-55.

11. S 40 Raising the Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour. This bill diminishes job opportunities by raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. Additionally, the bill sets the minimum wage paid to high school students to only $3 less than the minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill violates the right of employers and employees to freely contract by prohibiting “tip sharing,” including employer deductions for credit card processing fees. An increase in the minimum wage results in higher unemployment. High rates of unemployment hinder family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes these artificial wages that hurt those who need help with employment the most, such as students and inexperienced workers, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 8, 2018 by a vote of 77-69 but it was vetoed by the governor.

12. H 196 Reducing Employment Opportunities by Mandating Paid Family Leave. This bill mandates paid family leave and paid sick leave for every employee working in the state. Under the bill, employees are entitled to 12 weeks’ paid parental leave and six weeks’ family care leave each year. These mandates are paid by a payroll tax imposed on all earned income up to $150,000 per year. ACU believes employees should have the ability to negotiate their own benefits and opposes employer mandates which drive up business costs and reduce employment opportunities and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 11, 2018 by a vote of 90-53.

13


13. H 696 Preserving Obamacare and Maintaining Burdensome Health Care Costs. This bill prevents consumers from obtaining cheaper health care policies by forcing all health insurance policies offered in the state to cover the “essential health benefits” mandated under Obamacare. Furthermore, the bill requires the state to enforce the individual mandate—even if repealed at the federal level—and impose fees on anyone who does not maintain a government-approved health care policy. ACU has long opposed Obamacare, which has led to skyrocketing health care costs, and its mandates that prevent individuals from obtaining more affordable health care by selecting the plan that best suits their needs, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 12, 2018 by a vote of 118-16.

14. H 16 Enacting a Budget that Raises Property Taxes (Special Session). Despite strong opposition from Governor Scott, this state budget bill raises property tax rates on nearly half of all property owners in the state. Specifically, the bill hinders economic growth by raising the following tax rates by 4.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation: nonresidential, including camps; out-of-state homeowners; and rental properties. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tax hike, which will harm numerous families and the state’s economy, especially considering the state has a budget surplus, and opposed this bill. The House advanced the bill on June 22, 2018 by a vote of 94-23.

15. H 16 Preventing a Property Tax Hike in the State Budget (Special Session). The Browning (ACUF Lifetime 59%) amendment sets the property tax rate to the same level as the previous year, preventing a significant tax hike on homeowners and businesses. Reducing tax burdens increases economic growth, which increases family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports protecting families from unnecessary tax hikes and maintaining the economic competition of the state and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on June 25, 2018 by a vote of 40-85.

14


VERMONT HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

S 197

S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)

H 16 (Special Session

- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

AINSWORTH R Windsor-Orange-1 X X X X X X + - X + + + - X + 5 7 n/a† 80% 80%

Ancel D Washington-6 - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 4%

BANCROFT R Chittenden-8-3 - - + + + + + - + + + + - + + 11 15 73% 89% 78%

Bartholomew D Windsor-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - X - X 0 13 0% 0% 6%

BASER R Addison-4 - X - + - - + - - - + - - X - 3 13 23% 50% 43%

BATCHELOR R Orleans-1 - - + X + + + - + + + + + + + 11 14 79% 88% 82%

BECK R Caledonia-3 - - - + + - + - X + + + - - - 6 14 43% 67% 59%

Belaski D Windsor-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

BEYOR R Franklin-5 + - + + X + + - + - + + + + + 11 14 79% 90% 83%

Bissonnette D Chittenden-6-7 X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 8%

Bock D Windsor-3-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Botzow D Bennington-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

BRENNAN R Chittenden-9-2 - - + + + + + - + + + + - - + 10 15 67% 90% 64%

Briglin D Windsor-Orange-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 9%

Browning D Bennington-4 - - - + - + - - - + + + X - + 6 14 43% 56% 59%

Brumsted D Chittenden-5-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Buckholz D Windsor-4-1 - - - X X - - - X - - - X X X 0 9 n/a† 0% 0%

BURDITT R Rutland-2 - - + X + + + - + + + + + + + 11 14 79% 86% 84%

Burke D Windham-2-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 8%

CANFIELD R Rutland-3 - - + + + + + - + + + + - + + 11 15 73% 100% 79%

Carr D Rutland-6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 6%

Chesnut-Tangerman D Rutland-Bennington - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 11%

Christensen D Windsor-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

VERMONT HOUSE SCORES

15



Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

S 197

S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)


- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Christie D Windsor-4-2 - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 3%

Cina D Chittenden-6-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X X 0 13 0% 0% 0%

Colburn D Chittenden-6-4 - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Condon D Chittenden-9-1 X - X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 1 n/a† 25% 32%

Conlon D Addison-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Connor D Franklin-6 - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 11% 11%

Conquest D Orange-Caledonia - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 1 15 7% 0% 13%

Copeland-Hanzas D Orange-2 X - - - X - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 6%

Corcoran D Bennington-2-1 - - - - + - - - - + - + - - - 3 15 20% 20% 24%

CUPOLI R Rutland-5-2 - - + + + + + - + + + + + - + 11 15 73% 90% 81%

Dakin D Chittenden-9-2 - - - - - - - - - - + - - - X 1 14 7% 10% 9%

Deen D Windham-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 4%

DEVEREUX R Rutland-Windsor-2 - - - + - - + - + + + + X + + 8 14 57% 78% 71%

DICKINSON R Franklin-3-2 - - + + + + + - + + + + - X + 10 14 71% 90% 84%

DONAHUE R Washington-1 - - - + + - + - + - + + - + + 8 15 53% 70% 67%

Donovan D Chittenden-6-5 - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 2%

Dunn D Chittenden-8-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Emmons D Windsor-3-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

FAGAN R Rutland-5-1 - - X + - + + - + + + + - - - 7 14 50% 70% 54%

FELTUS R Caledonia-4 - - + + + - + - + + + + - - - 8 15 53% 70% 56%

Fields D Bennington-2-1 - - - - - X X - - - - - - - X 0 12 0% 0% 3%

Forguites D Windsor-3-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 7%

FRENIER R Orange-1 + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + 14 15 93% 90% 92%

GAGE R Rutland-5-4 + - - + + + + - + X + + + + X 10 13 77% 80% 75%

GAMACHE R Franklin-4 - - + + + + + - + + + + + + + 12 15 80% 90% 84%

Gannon D Windham-6 - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - 2 15 13% 22% 18%

16



Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

S 197

S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)


- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Gardner D Chittenden-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Giambatista D Chittenden-8-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Gonzalez D Chittenden-6-7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 10%

Grad D Washington-7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 5%

GRAHAM R Orange-1 - - + X + + + - - + + + X - + 8 13 62% 90% 83%

Haas D Windsor-Rutland - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 10%

HARRISON R Rutland-Windsor-1 - - - + + + + - + + + + - - + 9 15 60% 86% 73%

Head D Chittenden-7-3 - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 4%

HEBERT R Windham-1 X X X + + + + - + X + + X X - 7 9 n/a† 63% 77%

HELM R Rutland-3 - - + + + + + - + + + + - - - 9 15 60% 90% 68%

HIGLEY R Orleans-Lamoille - - + + + + + - + + + + + X X 10 13 77% 90% 83%

Hill D Lamoille-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Hooper, J. D Orange-Washington-Addison - - - - + - - - - - - - X - - 1 14 7% 0% 4%

Hooper, M. D Washington-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 8%

Houghton D Chittenden-8-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Howard D Rutland-5-3 - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 0%

Jessup D Washington-5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Jickling I Orange-Washington-Addison - - - - + - - - - + + + - - - 4 15 27% 40% 33%

Johnson D Grand Isle-Chittenden X X X X X X - X X X X X X X X 0 1 n/a† n/a 8%

Joseph D Grand Isle-Chittenden - - - - - - - - - X + - - - X 1 13 8% 22% 15%

JUSKIEWICZ R Lamoille-3 - - - + + - + - + + + + - - - 7 15 47% 70% 59%

KEEFE R Bennington-4 - - - + - X - - + + + X X - + 5 12 42% 80% 61%

Keenan D Franklin-3-1 - - X X - + - - - - + X - X - 2 11 18% 0% 11%

Kimbell D Windsor-5 - - - + - + - - + - + - - - - 4 15 27% 13% 20%

Kitzmiller D Washington-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 6%

Krowinski D Chittenden-6-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

17



Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

S 197

S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)


- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

LACLAIR R Washington-2 - - + + + + + - + + + + - + + 11 15 73% 71% 73%

Lalonde D Chittenden-7-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 6%

Lanpher D Addison-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

LAWRENCE R Caledonia-4 - - + + + + + - + + + + - - + 10 15 67% 80% 74%

LEFEBVRE R Essex-Caledonia-Orleans - - - + X - + - - - + - - + + 5 14 36% 70% 60%

LEWIS R Washington-1 - - + + + - + - + + + + - + + 10 15 67% 63% 67%

Lippert D Chittenden-4-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 6%

Long D Windham-5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 7%

Lucke D Windsor-4-2 - X - - - X - - - - X - - X X 0 10 0% 0% 4%

Macaig D Chittenden-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% n/a 2%

MARCOTTE R Orleans-2 - - + + + + + - + + + + - - + 10 15 67% 75% 72%

MARTEL R Caledonia-1 - - + X + + + - + + + + + + + 11 14 79% n/a 78%

Masland D Windsor-Orange-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 9%

MATTOS R Chittenden-10 - - X + + + + - + + + + - - + 9 14 64% n/a 64%

McCormack D Chittenden-6-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

McCOY R Rutland-1 - - - + + - + - X + + + - - + 7 14 50% 71% 67%

McCullough D Chittenden-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

McFAUN R Washington-2 - - - + + + + - + + + + - + + 10 15 67% 50% 63%

Miller D Bennington-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

Morris D Bennington-2-2 - X - - - - - - - - - - X - - 0 13 0% 0% 2%

MORRISSEY R Bennington-2-2 - X - + + + - - - + + + + + + 9 14 64% 80% 74%

Mrowicki D Windham-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 10%

Murphy I Franklin-2 - - X + + - - - - + + + - - - 5 14 36% 60% 46%

MYERS R Chittenden-8-1 - - - + + - + - + + + - - - + 7 15 47% 70% 66%

NOLAN R Lamoille-Washington - - - + + + + - + + + + - - X 8 14 57% 90% 74%

Norris I Addison-Rutland - - - + + + + - - + + + - - X 7 14 50% 89% 69%

18



Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

S 197

S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)


- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Noyes D Lamoille-2 - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 1 15 7% 10% 8%

O'Sullivan D Chittenden-6-2 - X X - - - - X X X - - - X X 0 8 n/a† 0% 5%

Ode D Chittenden-6-1 X - - - - X - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

Pajala I Windham-Bennington-Wind-sor

- - - + - X - - - + + - - - - 3 14 21% n/a 21%

PARENT R Franklin-3-1 - - + + + + + - X + + X - X + 8 12 67% 75% 72%

Partridge D Windham-3 - - - - - X - - X X - - - - - 0 12 0% 0% 6%

PEARCE R Franklin-5 - - - + + + X X X X X + - X X 4 8 n/a† 90% 70%

Poirier I Washington-3 - - - + + X + X - + + - - + - 6 13 46% 40% 37%

Potter D Rutland-2 - - - + + - - - - - - + - - - 3 15 20% 10% 18%

Pugh D Chittenden-7-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% n/a 6%

QUIMBY R Essex-Caledonia X - + + + + + - + + + + + + + 12 14 86% 90% 84%

Rachelson D Chittenden-6-6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 2%

Read I Washington-7 - - - - - - + - + X + - - - - 3 14 21% n/a 21%

ROSENQUIST R Franklin-1 - - X + + + + + + + + + - + + 11 14 79% 90% 84%

SAVAGE R Franklin-4 - - + + + + + - + + + + + - + 11 15 73% 90% 81%

Scheu D Addison-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

SCHEUERMANN R Lamoille-1 - - - - - - + - + + + + - - - 5 15 33% 78% 65%

Sharpe D Addison-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

SHAW R Rutland-6 - - - + + - + - + + + + - - - 7 15 47% 80% 65%

Sheldon D Addison-1 - - X - - - - - - - - - - X X 0 12 0% 0% 6%

Sibilia I Windham-Bennington - - - - - - - - X + + + - X X 3 12 25% 60% 36%

SMITH, B. R Orleans-1 - - X + + + + - + + + + X + + 10 13 77% n/a 77%

SMITH, H. R Addison-5 - - - + + - + - + + + + - + + 9 15 60% 90% 80%

Squirrell D Chittenden-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Stevens D Washington-Chittenden - X X - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 12 0% 0% 2%

19



Party Dist.

H 410

H 294

H 582

H 675

S 55

S 237

S 103

S 175

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S 260

S 40

H 196

H 696

H 16 (Special

Session)


- Brow

ning Am

d.) ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

STRONG R Orleans-Caledonia - - - + + + + - + + + + + + + 11 15 73% 90% 85%

Stuart D Windham-2-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X X 0 13 0% 0% 7%

Sullivan, L. D Bennington-Rutland - - - + - - - - + - - X X - X 2 12 17% 20% 18%

Sullivan, M. D Chittenden-6-5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 4%

Taylor D Chittenden-9-1 - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 1 15 7% 30% 18%

TERENZINI R Rutland-4 - - + + + + + - + + + X X - + 9 13 69% 100% 77%

Till D Chittenden-3 - X - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 13 0% 0% 2%

Toleno D Windham-2-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 8%

Toll D Caledonia-Washington-1 - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - 0 14 0% 0% 7%

Townsend D Chittenden-7-4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X 0 14 0% 0% 4%

Trieber D Windham-3 - - - - - - - - - X + - X - - 1 13 8% 0% 16%

Troiano D Caledonia-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 6%

TURNER R Chittenden-10 - X + + + + + - X + + + + X + 10 12 83% 80% 78%

VAN WYCK R Addison-3 + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + 13 15 87% 100% 92%

VIENS R Orleans-2 - - + X + + + - + + + + + X + 10 13 77% 89% 86%

Walz D Washington-3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 6%

Webb D Chittenden-5-1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 14 0% 0% 4%

Weed D Franklin-7 - X X - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 13 0% 0% 0%

WILLHOIT R Caledonia-3 - - - + + - + - + + + - - X X 6 13 46% 70% 68%

Wood D Washington-Chittenden - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 1 15 7% 0% 7%

WRIGHT R Chittenden-6-1 - - + - - - + - X + + + - - + 6 14 43% 50% 52%

Yacovone D Lamoille-Washington - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 15 0% 0% 0%

Yantachka D Chittenden-4-1 X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 0 13 0% 0% 4%

Young D Orleans-Caledonia - - - - + - - X - - + - - - X 2 13 15% 20% 23%

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position“-” Member voted against ACU’s position“X” Member was absent for vote“E” Member was excused for vote

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

RATINGS of VERMONTacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2019. 9. 9. · 2...

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