TABLE OF CONTENTS. Letter from the Chairman ACU & ACUF Board Members Selecting the Votes Winners & Losers...

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1 2017 RATINGS of VERMONT #ACURatings Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman... 2 ACU & ACUF Board Members... 3 Selecting the Votes Winners & Losers... 4 VT Senate Statistics... 5 VT Senate Vote Descriptions... 6 VT Senate Scores... 7 VT House Statistics... 8 VT House Vote Descriptions... 9 VT House Scores... 10

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservative, The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Vermont Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual s life. We begin with our philosophy (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 their 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. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress. The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for We the People. It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation s founding fathers envisioned. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union 2

3 ACU BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman Bob Beauprez Treasuer Amy Frederick Secretary Ed Yevoli At-Large ACUF BOARD MEMBERS Jackie Arends Larry Beasley Kimberly Bellissimo Steve Biegun Morton C. Blackwell John Bolton Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman Becky Norton Dunlop John Eddy Luis Fortuno Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser Michael R. Long Ed McFadden Carolyn D. Meadows Priscilla O'Shaughnessy Ron Robinson Mike Rose Ned Ryun Peter Samuelson Sabrina Schaeffer Terry Schilling Matt Smith Thomas Winter SELECTING THE VOTES ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Vermont Legislature 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 Millie Hallow Vice Chairman Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary Jose Cardenas Jonathan Garthwaite Charlie Gerow Colin Hanna Niger Innes Adam Laxalt Willes K. Lee Mary Matalin Carolyn D. Meadows Randy Neugebauer Thomas Winter 201 N. Union Street, Suite 370 Alexandria, VA (202)

4 2017 WINNERS & LOSERS % AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE <= 10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE SENATE n/a BEYOR GRAHAM ROSENQUIST Ayer Ancel Cina Gonzalez Lippert BRENNAN HELM SAVAGE Balint Bartholomew Colburn Grad Long CANFIELD HIGLEY SMITH, H. Brooks Belaski Conlon Haas Lucke CUPOLI HUBERT STRONG Clarkson Bissonnette Conquest Head Masland 80-89% SENATE BENNING BRANAGAN DICKINSON FRENIER GAMACHE AINSWORTH BANCROFT NOLAN PEARCE QUIMBY LAWRENCE MORRISSEY TERENZINI VAN WYCK AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT Cummings Ingram Lyons McCormack Pollina Sirotkin Bock Botzow Briglin Brumsted Buckholz Burke Carr Christensen Christie Chesnut-Tangerman Copeland-Hanzas Dakin Deen Donovan Dunn Emmons Fields Forguites Gardner Giambatista Hill Hooper Houghton Howard Jessup Keenan Kitzmiller Krowinski LaLonde Lanpher McCormack McCullough Miller Morris Mrowicki Noyes Ode O'Sullivan COLLAMORE BATCHELOR Norris DEGREE BURDITT SHAW GAGE HARRISON KEEFE TURNER VIENS 4

5 VERMONT SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 31% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 74% VERMONT SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 17% RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS LOWEST REPUBLICANS MULLIN, WESTMAN 60% # OF STATE SENATORS HIGHEST DEMOCRAT 0 0-9% 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 2017 ACU PERCENTAGE % MAZZA 50% 5

6 VERMONT SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. S 136 Protecting the Right to Contract for Home Improvements. The Rodgers Amendment would allow a contractor and property owner to waive, in writing, certain state requirements within a contract. ACU supports the right of two parties to freely negotiate their own contracts without government interference and supported this amendment. The amendment was defeated on March 31, 2017 by a vote of S 88 Raising the Smoking Age. This bill raises the smoking age for cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21 years of age. ACU opposes this arbitrary age restriction that is above the age required to vote or serve one s country in the armed forces and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of S 100 Subsidizing Affordable Housing. This bill establishes yet another new affordable housing program that is permitted to spend $2.5 million per year to fund the creation and improvement of owner-occupied and rental housing for individuals earning up to 120 percent of the median area income. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this expansion of taxpayer-funded benefits and a bloated welfare state that leads to intergenerational poverty and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 3, 2017 by a vote of H 509 Hiking Property Taxes. This bill increases taxes on property classified as non-residential and transfers an additional one percent of sales and use tax to the education fund, resulting in a shortfall in the general fund. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tax increase, especially when the Governor proposed a plan to save millions of dollars by reforming the state s healthcare plans and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 18, 2017 by a vote of 20-8 but the Governor later vetoed the bill. 5. H 518 Increasing the State Budget. This bill increases overall state spending by raising taxes (H 509) and raiding the state s rainy day reserves. Increased government spending has a negative effect on both the public and private sectors of a community, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the usage of rainy day funds in order to continue the state s unsustainable spending and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 18, 2017 by a vote of 20-6 but the Governor later vetoed the bill. 6

7 VERMONT SENATE SCORES VERMONT SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District S 136 Rodgers Amendmnet S 88 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% Ashe D/P Chittenden % 0% 11% Ayer D Addison % 0% 0% Balint D Windham % 0% 0% Baruth D Chittenden - - X X X 0 2 n/a 0% 0% BENNING R Caledonia % 75% 85% BRANAGAN R Franklin % n/a 80% Bray D Addison % 0% 11% Brooks D Washington % n/a 0% Campion D Bennington % 13% 16% Clarkson D Windsor % 7% 5% COLLAMORE R Rutland % 75% 75% Cummings D Washington % 0% 0% DEGREE R Franklin % 75% 85% FLORY R Rutland X % 50% 70% Ingram D Chittenden % n/a 0% Kitchel D Caledonia % 13% 22% Lyons D Chittenden % 0% 0% MacDonald D Orange % 0% 7% Mazza D Grand Isle + E % 25% 30% McCormack D Windsor % 0% 0% MULLIN R Rutland % 50% 56% Nitka D Windsor % 13% 22% Pearson D/P Chittenden % 20% 29% Pollina D/P Washington X % 25% 14% Rodgers D Essex-Orleans X X 1 3 n/a 25% 34% Sears D Bennington % 0% 13% Sirotkin D Chittenden % 0% 0% Starr D Essex-Orleans % 25% 36% WESTMAN R Lamoille % 25% 55% White D Windham % 13% 11% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 7

8 VERMONT STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 33% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 81% VERMONT CONSERVATIVE RATINGS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 4% RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS LOWEST REPUBLICANS BASER, MCFAUN, WRIGHT 50% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT # OF STATE REPS SMITH, S. 75% % 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 2017 ACU PERCENTAGE % 8

9 VERMONT VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HR 9 Supporting Abortion. This resolution urges Congress to preserve and uphold the U.S. Supreme Court s decision in Roe v. Wade and celebrates the services provided by Planned Parenthood. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice, and educating patients and opposed this resolution. The House passed the resolution on January 31, 2017 by a vote of H 422 Confiscating Firearms Without Due Process. This bill permits a law enforcement officer to confiscate a firearm without due process of law. The firearm is then to be returned after a period of five days unless the owner is not permitted to have a gun. ACU opposes this unconstitutional seizure of private property without due process of law. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2017 by a vote of H 136 Establishing Employer Workplace Mandates. This bill forces employers to make certain accommodations for a pregnant worker, including more frequent or longer break periods, modified schedules, and job restructuring. ACU supports employers freely negotiating these kinds of benefits and opposes employment mandates which lead to increased business costs and reduced hiring and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2017 by a vote of 97-44, but certain provisions were later changed. 4. H 197 Expanding Workers Compensation. An amendment proposed by the Committee on Healthcare provides coverage for mental health conditions to first responders who are hurt on the job. ACU opposes the further expansion of taxpayerfunded workers compensation benefits, especially when the estimated cost of such benefits are unknown and opposed this bill. The House passed the amendment on April 13, 2017 by a vote of H 196 Mandating Paid Family and Medical Leave. The Donahue amendment makes voluntary a new mandatory six-week paid employee family and medical leave program run by the state. Under the original bill, a payroll tax would be imposed on private-sector employees and the program would reimburse workers for up to 80 percent of their wages. ACU opposes this private-sector mandate and additional state tax which harms business and lowers worker wages and supported the Donahue amendment to make the program voluntary. The House defeated the amendment on May 2, 2017 by a vote of S 103 Expanding Chemical Regulations. This bill creates a new bureaucracy to regulate the manufacturing and sale of select products containing certain chemicals. ACU opposes actions that reduce legislative oversight over regulations that harm business and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2017 by a vote of S 100 Subsidizing Affordable Housing. This bill establishes yet another new affordable housing program that is permitted to spend $2.5 million per year to fund the creation and improvement of owner-occupied and rental housing for individuals earning up to 120 percent of the median area income. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this expansion of taxpayer-funded benefits, and an overly bloated welfare state that leads to intergenerational poverty and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 5, 2017 by a vote of H 509 Hiking Property Taxes. This bill increases taxes on property classified as non-residential and transfers an additional one percent of sales and use tax to the education fund, resulting in a shortfall in the general fund. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tax increase, especially when the Governor proposed a plan to save millions of dollars by reforming the state s healthcare plans and opposed this bill. The House failed to override the Governor s veto on June 21, 2017 by a vote of (A NO vote supported ACU s position). 10. H 518 Increasing the State Budget. This bill increases overall state spending by raising taxes (H 509) and raiding the state s rainy day reserves. Increased government spending has a negative effect on both the public and private sectors of a community and reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the usage of rainy day funds in order to continue the state s unsustainable spending and opposed this bill. The House failed to override the Governor s veto on June 21, 2017 by a vote of (A NO vote supported ACU s position). 6. H 233 Infringing Upon Property Rights. This bill further restricts land development by implementing regulations that are meant to dictate where houses are placed in a development. The ACU Foundation s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU opposes this government interference which reduces property values and prevents individuals from freely utilizing their property and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2017 by a vote of

10 VERMONT SCORES VERMONT VOTE DETAIL Party District HR 9 H 422 H 136 H 197 H 196 (Amd.) H 233 S 103 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% AINSWORTH R Windsor-Orange % n/a 80% Ancel D Washington % 7% 6% BANCROFT R Chittenden-8-3 X % 77% 80% Bartholomew D Windsor % 7% 8% BASER R Addison % 40% 50% BATCHELOR R Orleans-1 + X X % 64% 84% BECK R Caledonia-3 + X % 62% 64% Belaski D Windsor % n/a 0% BEYOR R Franklin % 73% 85% Bissonnette D Chittenden % 13% 11% Bock D Windsor % n/a 0% Botzow D Bennington X % 7% 5% BRENNAN R Chittenden % 43% 62% Briglin D Windsor-Orange % 7% 11% Browning D Bennington-4 X % 36% 64% Brumsted D Chittenden-5-2 X % n/a 0% Buckholz D Windsor-4-1 X X X 0 7 0% n/a 0% BURDITT R Rutland-2 X X + X % 73% 86% Burke P Windham % 13% 11% CANFIELD R Rutland % 60% 81% Carr D Rutland % 13% 7% Chesnut-Tangerman P Rutland-Bennington % 15% 14% Christensen D Windsor % n/a 0% Christie D Windsor % n/a 5% Cina P Chittenden % n/a 0% Colburn D/P Chittenden % n/a 0% Condon D Chittenden X - - X % 33% 32% Conlon D Addison % n/a 0% Connor D Franklin-6 X % 7% 15% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 10

11 VERMONT VOTE DETAIL Party District HR 9 H 422 H 136 H 197 H 196 (Amd.) H 233 S 103 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% Conquest D Orange-Caledonia % 14% 15% Copeland-Hanzas D Orange % 7% 8% Corcoran D Bennington % 20% 25% CUPOLI R Rutland % 77% 83% Dakin D Chittenden % n/a 10% Deen D Windham % 7% 5% DEVEREUX R Rutland-Windsor X % 60% 76% DICKINSON R Franklin % 83% 88% DONAHUE R Washington % 71% 71% Donovan D Chittenden % 7% 3% Dunn D Chittenden % n/a 0% Emmons D Windsor X % 8% 6% FAGAN R Rutland % 40% 55% FELTUS R Caledonia % 53% 56% Fields D Bennington % 10% 3% Forguites D Windsor % 20% 10% FRENIER R Orange % n/a 90% GAGE R Rutland % 71% 75% GAMACHE R Franklin % 77% 86% Gannon D Windham-6 - X % n/a 22% Gardner D Chittenden-1 - X X % n/a 0% Giambatista D Chittenden % n/a 0% Gonzalez P Chittenden % 20% 13% Grad D Washington X % 0% 7% GRAHAM R Orange % 80% 90% Greshin I Washington % 53% 55% Haas P Windsor-Rutland % 13% 14% HARRISON R Windsor-1 X X X % n/a 86% Head D Chittenden % 7% 5% HEBERT R Windham-1 + X X % 80% 77% HELM R Rutland % 60% 71% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 11

12 VERMONT VOTE DETAIL Party District HR 9 H 422 H 136 H 197 H 196 (Amd.) H 233 S 103 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% HIGLEY R Orleans-Lamoille % 67% 86% Hill D Lamoille % n/a 0% Hooper D Washington % 13% 11% Hooper D Washington % 13% 11% Houghton D Chittenden X % n/a 0% Howard D Rutland % n/a 0% HUBERT R Chittenden % 77% 85% Jessup D Washington % n/a 0% Jickling I Orange-Washington- Addison % n/a 40% Johnson D Grand Isle-Chittenden X X X X X X X X n/a 7% 8% Joseph D Grand Isle-Chittenden X % n/a 22% JUSKIEWICZ R Lamoille % 54% 62% KEEFE R Bennington % n/a 80% Keenan D Franklin X - X % 7% 8% Kimbell D Windsor X X % n/a 13% Kitzmiller D Washington % 7% 8% Krowinski D Chittenden % 7% 5% LACLAIR R Washington X - X X % 67% 73% LaLonde D Chittenden X X 0 8 0% 7% 8% Lanpher D Addison % 7% 5% LAWRENCE R Caledonia % 67% 76% LEFEBVRE R Essex-Caledonia-Orleans % 60% 68% LEWIS R Washington X X % 67% 67% Lippert D Chittenden % 7% 8% Long D Windham % 8% 9% Lucke D Windsor-4-2 X % 8% 6% Macaig D Chittenden X X X X 0 6 n/a 7% 3% MARCOTTE R Orleans-2 + X X % 64% 74% MARTEL R Caledonia X X - X X 5 6 n/a 64% 78% Masland D Windsor-Orange % 7% 11% McCormack D Chittenden % n/a 0% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 12

13 VERMONT VOTE DETAIL Party District HR 9 H 422 H 136 H 197 H 196 (Amd.) H 233 S 103 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% McCOY R Rutland-1 - X X X % 79% 75% McCullough D Chittenden % 7% 5% McFAUN R Washington % 73% 62% Miller D Bennington-3 X % 8% 6% Morris D Bennington % 7% 2% MORRISSEY R Bennington % 71% 78% Mrowicki D Windham X X 0 8 0% 14% 14% Murphy I Franklin % 33% 49% MYERS R Chittenden % 73% 72% NOLAN R Lamoille-Washington % n/a 90% Norris I Addison-Rutland X % n/a 89% Noyes D Lamoille % n/a 10% Ode D Chittenden % n/a 0% Olsen I Windham- Bennington-Windsor X % 13% 23% O'Sullivan D Chittenden % 7% 5% PARENT R Franklin-3-1 X + - X % 57% 74% Partridge D Windham X X X % 8% 9% PEARCE R Franklin % 40% 70% Poirier I Washington % 33% 34% Potter D Rutland % 13% 17% Pugh D Chittenden-7-2 X - - X X X 0 6 n/a 8% 8% QUIMBY R Essex-Caledonia % 71% 83% Rachelson D Chittenden X % 7% 2% ROSENQUIST R Franklin % n/a 90% SAVAGE R Franklin % 77% 83% Scheu D Addison % n/a 0% SCHEUERMANN R Lamoille-1 X % 57% 75% Sharpe D Addison % 8% 6% SHAW R Rutland % 80% 72% Sheldon D Addison % 7% 8% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 13

14 VERMONT VOTE DETAIL Party District HR 9 H 422 H 136 H 197 H 196 (Amd.) H 233 S 103 S 100 H 509 H 518 ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016% Sibilia I Windham-Bennington % 33% 40% SMITH, H. R Addison % 80% 86% Smith, S. D Lamoille-Washington - X + + X % n/a 75% Squirrel D Chittenden % n/a 0% Stevens D Washington-Chittenden % 8% 3% STRONG R Orleans-Caledonia % 77% 89% Stuart D Windham X X 0 8 0% 7% 10% Sullivan, L. D Bennington-Rutland % n/a 20% Sullivan, M. D Chittenden % 7% 5% TATE R Rutland-Windsor X X X X X X X 3 3 n/a 70% 85% Taylor D Chittenden % n/a 30% TERENZINI R Rutland X X X % 64% 79% Till D Chittenden % 7% 2% Toleno D Windham % 7% 11% Toll D Caledonia-Washington % 0% 9% Townsend D Chittenden X X 0 8 0% 7% 5% Trieber D Windham-3 - X % 29% 19% Troiano D Caledonia-2 - X % 7% 8% TURNER R Chittenden % 67% 76% VAN WYCK R Addison % 80% 93% VIENS R Orleans-2 X % 80% 90% Walz D Chittenden % 13% 7% Webb D Chittenden % 7% 5% Weed D/P Franklin % n/a 0% WILLHOIT R Caledonia % 73% 75% Wood D Washington-Chittenden % 13% 7% WRIGHT R Chittenden % 54% 55% Yacovone D Lamoille-Washington % n/a 0% Yantachka D Chittenden % 7% 6% Young D Orleans-Caledonia % 20% 25% LIFETIME AVG + 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 14