 VPIRG produces a scorecard of key votes at the conclusion of each legislative biennium. You can use this year’s scorecard to find out how your representatives in the Vermont House and Senate voted on VPIRG backed legislation to fight global warming, invest in clean local energy, make health care more affordable and democracy more accessible.
Description of the Bills scored
2005 BILLS
H.524
Would have raised $43.8 million to provide primary and preventive health coverage to 35,000
Vermonters who have no health insurance. Vote scored for both houses is to adopt the final version of the bill which was vetoed by the governor. Correct vote is YES.
H.241
Closed a loophole in Vermont’s existing ban on smoking in restaurants and public places by extending it to bars and private clubs. Vote scored for both houses is to adopt the final version of the bill. Correct vote is YES.
S.52
Promotes clean energy by requiring utilities to meet new demand for electricity between now and 2013 using renewable resources, creating incentives to utilities to spur their investments in clean energy projects, and removing an arbitrary cap on funding for Efficiency Vermont. House vote scored is to support a final technical amendment. Senate vote scored is to allow the bill to proceed to final passage. Correct vote in both cases is YES.
S.84 — SENATE ONLY
Phases in a ban on sale of products containing mercury, such as mercury thermometers, thermostats, switches and relays, beginning in 2006. Schools are prohibited from using elemental mercury and dental offices must have equipment to recycle mercury amalgam. Vote scored is to weaken the law by removing certain products containing mercury. Correct vote is NO.
2006 BILLS
S.18
Protected all Vermont farmers by ensuring that the manufacturers of biotech crops are responsible for any damages caused by their products, and that any disputes that arise from their use are settled in Vermont courts; also clarified the GMO seed labeling law passed in 2004. Vote scored for both houses is to adopt the final version of the bill, which was vetoed by the governor. Correct vote is YES.
H.861
Establishes “Catamount Health,” an affordable set of comprehensive health care benefits, accessible to anyone in Vermont who has been uninsured for 12 months, and decreases out-of-pocket expenses for Medicaid, VHAP and Dr. Dynosaur patients. Also establishes a chronic care management system available to all Vermonters. Vote scored for both houses is to adopt the final version of the bill. Correct vote is YES.
S.124
Ensures that the Vermont legislature will have a vote before Vermont Yankee is allowed to apply for a license to operate after 2012. Senate vote is to pass a version of the bill later amended by the House. House vote is to adopt the final version of the bill. Correct vote for both is YES.
H.253
Enables Vermont businesses and consumers to save energy and money by getting more energy efficient products onto Vermont shelves. House vote scored was a strengthening amendment adding a fine for retailers who violate the law. Senate vote scored is for final passage of the bill. Correct vote for both is YES.
H.859
Sets strong minimum energy efficiency standards for commercial building construction, provides for the expansion of Vermont's net metering program, requires a study of building efficiency potential and allocates money to the Clean Energy Development fund for 2006–2007. House vote scored was to weaken the bill by adding a moratorium on wind power to it. Senate vote scored was to weaken the bill by revisiting old issues of dam removal. Correct vote for both is NO.
S.48
Created a study on the feasibility and costs of statewide implementation of Instant Runoff Voting. Vote scored in both houses is for final passage of the bill. Correct vote is YES.
S.164
Allow Vermonters to register to vote on Election Day. Vote in the Senate is for passage of the bill. Vote in the House is for passage of a study of Election Day registration. Correct vote in both houses is Yes.
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 Back to vpirg.org/elections
VPIRG's 2003-2004 legislative scorecard
VPIRG's 2004 questionnaire for Gubernatorial and Lt Gubernatorial candidates (includes responses from Gov Douglas and Lt. Gov. Dubie)
Other organizations that produce scorecards and voter guides
 Vermont Alliance Of Conservation Voters: A key VPIRG ally in the fight to protect Vermont's environment.
Vermont NEA : One of the state's largest labor unions and a member of the Health Care Affordability Coalition with VPIRG.
AARP: A member of the Health Care Affordability Coalition with VPIRG.
The Vermont Sierra Club: One of the nation's oldest environmental groups.
Public Citizen: A national ally in the fight for clean elections. |
