Small business group grades legislators

NFIB Releases Latest Vermont Small Business Voting Record

Vermont Business Magazine The state’s leading small business organization, NFIB, has released its small business voting record for the 2019-2020 session for the Vermont General Assembly. SEE FULL REPORT CARDS BELOW.

“The NFIB Voting Record is an important tool for small business owners who want to know where their lawmakers stood on the issues they consider important,” said Shawn Shouldice, NFIB Vermont’s State Director. “A legislator may say they support small business when out in the community, but when it comes to their actual votes in Montpelier that isn’t always the case.”

Throughout each legislative biennium, NFIB tracks key votes that would positively or negatively impact our member’s ability to own and operate their business. The data is compiled and then sent to Vermont members so they can be informed about how their legislator voted before they go to the polls on Election Day.

“We capture roll call votes that are important to small businesses to help provide a clearer picture of what happens in the halls of government,” added Shouldice. “If a small business owner sees that their lawmaker scored a 70 percent or better than they can feel comfortable that their elected official is supportive of their important role in the economic fabric of our state, but unfortunately the opposite could also be the case.”

2019-2020 Vermont Voting Record

Senate:

  1. Senate Voted to Increase Minimum Wage to $15 (S.23). Senate passed S.23 by a vote of 19-8 on February 22, 2019, proposing to increase the state minimum wage to $13.10 in 2022, $14.05 in 2023, and to $15.00 in 2024 — nearly a 40% total increase, and more than double neighboring New Hampshire’s $7.25 minimum wage. Ultimately, the legislature enacted an increased in Vermont’s minimum wage, over the Governor’s veto to $12.55. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  2. Mandatory Paid Leave/Payroll Tax (H.107). This would have put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new $30 million payroll tax. The Senate passed the legislation on a vote of 19-10 on May 15, 2019, but in 2020 the House agreed to sustain the Governor’s veto thereby killing the bill. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  3. Mandated Paid Leave (H.107). This would have put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new $30 million payroll tax. The Senate passed the legislation on a vote of 20-9 on January 17, 2020, but in 2020 the House agreed to sustain the Governor’s veto thereby killing the bill. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  4. Minimum Wage to $12.55 (S.23). Senate votes to override Governor’s veto by a vote of 24-6 on February 13, 2020. This version of S.23 would increase the minimum wage to $11.75 in 2021 and $12.55 in 2022. This increase was enacted into law under opposition by Governor Scott. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  5. Global Warming Solutions Act (H.688). Passed 23-5 on date June 26, 2020. The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA) mandates that Vermont meet strict carbon emission reduction targets to 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
SENATE
Issue Number 1 2 3 4 5 %
NFIB POSITION ( Enter Yor N) District N N N N N 100%
Ashe, Tim (D/P) Chittenden * Y Y Y * N/A
Balint, Becca (D) Windham Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Baruth, Philip (D/P) Chittenden * Y Y Y Y N/A
Benning, Joe (R) Caledonia N N N N N 100%
Bray, Christopher (D) Addison Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Brock, Randy (R) Franklin N N N N N 100%
Campion, Brian (D) Bennington Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Clarkson, Alison (D) Windsor Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Collamore, Brian (R) Rutland N N N N N 100%
Cummings, Ann (D) Washington Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Hardy, Ruth (D) Addison Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Hooker, Cheryl (D/P) Rutland Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Ingram, Debbie (D) Chittenden Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Kitchel, Jane (D) Caledonia Y N N Y Y 40%
Lyons, Virginia "Ginny" (D) Chittenden Y Y Y Y Y 0%
MacDonald, Mark A. (D) Orange Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Mazza, Dick (D) Grand Isle Y N N N Y 60%
McCormack, Dick (D) Windsor Y Y Y Y Y 0%
McNeil, James (R) Rutland N N N N Y 80%
Nitka, Alice W. (D) Windsor Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Parent, Corey (R) Franklin N N N N N 100%
Pearson, Christopher A. (P/D) Chittenden Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Perchlik, Andrew (D/P) Washington * Y Y Y Y N/A
Pollina, Anthony (P/D) Washington Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Rodgers, John (D) Essex-Orleans N N N Y * N/A
Sears, Jr., Dick (D) Bennington Y N * Y Y N/A
Sirotkin, Michael (D) Chittenden Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Starr, Robert (D) Essex-Orleans N * Y Y N N/A
Westman, Richard (R) Lamoille N N N Y Y 60%
White, Jeanette K. (D) Windham Y Y Y Y Y 0%

House:

  1. Double Tax on Home Heating Fuel (H.439, House Ways & Means Committee Amendment). This proposal would double the tax on the retail sale of heating oil, propane, kerosene, and other dyed diesel fuel delivered to a residence or business which equates to a $4.6 million tax. This legislation passed 81-60 on March 26, 2019 but has not seen further action in the Senate. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  2. Mandate Vermonters Purchase Health Insurance (H.524). This mandates that all Vermonters purchase health insurance, restoring at a state level the Obamacare federal mandate repealed by the Trump Administration. The House passed this legislation on a vote of 92-44 and the Governor signed the bill into law on June 17, 2019. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  3. Mandatory Paid Leave/Payroll Tax (H.107). This would have put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new $76 million payroll tax. The House passed this legislation 92-52 but the Governor vetoed H.107 on February 6, 2020. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  4. Increased Minimum Wage (S.23). There were several variations during the debate over increased minimum wage. This vote was to impose increases at a rate of 2.25% annually. This bill passed the House passed 90-53 on May 15, 2019. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  5. Increased Cap Gains Tax/Reduces Estate Tax (H.541). Passed 116-22 on March 29, 2019. This version of the bill was an effort to provide a financial incentive to wealthy taxpayers to stay in Vermont, this bill would increase the estate tax exclusion (raising the point where the tax kicks in) from $2.75 million to $4.25 million in January 2020, and to $5 million in January 2021, resulting in a substantial estate tax cut. However, in order to backfill the lost revenue anticipated from the estate tax cut, the bill would also decrease the exemption for capital gains from 40% to 30% and cap the exemption at $450,000. The former change positively impacts mostly wealthy citizens passing on assets to younger generations, the latter change negatively impacts mostly middle/working Vermonters who rely on a one-time, large dollar sale of a home or business to fund their retirement. H.541 was enacted and NFIB DID SUPPORT the final version which increases the estate tax State exclusion from $2,750,000 to $5,000,000 by January 1, 2021 and limits the amount of capital gains subject to the preferential 40% rate to a total gain amount of $350,000.00, effective July 1, 2019. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  6. Mandated Paid Leave (H.107). This would have put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new $70 million payroll tax. The House passed this legislation 89-58-2 but the Governor vetoed H.107 on February 6, 2020. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  7. Gubernatorial Veto Sustained by House (H.107). This would have put in place a government-mandated Paid Family Leave program paid for with a new $30 million payroll tax. The House agreed to sustain the Governor’s veto by a vote of 99-51. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  8. Minimum Wage Increase to $12.55 (S.23). There were several variations during the debate over increased minimum wage by nearly 40% - to $13.10 in 2022, $14.05 in 2023, and to $15 by January 1, 2024. The House vote was 93-54 on January 24, 2020 in favor of these increases. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
  9. House overrides Gubernatorial Veto and Enacts Minimum Wage Increase to $12.55 (S.23). Gubernatorial veto overridden by a vote of 100-49 on February 25, 2020 (just 2 votes short of sustaining the veto). This enacted S.23 with an increase in the minimum wage to $11.75 in 2021 and $12.55 in 2022. A “No” vote supports the NFIB Position.
HOUSE
Issue Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 %
NFIB POSITION ( Enter Yor N) District N N N N N N N N N 100%
Aldrich, Joshua (R)+ Franklin-5 - - - - - - - - - N/A
Ancel, Janet (D) Washington-6 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Anthony, Peter (D) Washington-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Austin, Sarah "Sarita" (D) Chittenden-9-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Bancroft, Robert (R) Chittenden-8-3 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Bartholomew, John L. (D) Windsor-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Batchelor, Lynn (R) Orleans-1 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Bates, Christopher (D) Bennington-2-1 N N N Y Y N N Y N 67%
Beck, Scott (R) Caledonia-3 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Birong, Jr., Matthew (D) Addison-3 N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 11%
Bissonnette, Clement (D)+ Chittenden-6-7 - - - - - - - - - N/A
Bock, Thomas (D) Windsor-3-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Brennan, Patrick (R) Chittenden-9-2 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Briglin, Timothy (D) Windsor-Orange-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Brownell, Nelson (D) Bennington-1 N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 11%
Browning, Cynthia (D) Bennington-4 N Y N N Y N N N N 78%
Brumstead, Jessica (D) Chittenden-5-2 Y Y * Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Burditt, Thomas (R) Rutland-2 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Burke, Mollie S. (P) Windham-2-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Campbell, R. Scott (D) Caledonia-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Canfield, William (R) Rutland-3 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Carroll, James (D) Bennington-2-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Chase, Seth (D) Chittenden-9-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Chestnut-Tangerman, Robin (P) Rutland-Bennington Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y 11%
Christensen, Annmarie (D) Windsor-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Christie, Kevin "Coach" (D) Windsor-4-2 Y Y Y Y Y * Y Y Y 0%
Cina, Brian (P/D) Chittenden-6-4 Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y 11%
Coffey, Sara (D) Windham-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Colburn, Selene (P) Chittenden-6-4 Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y 11%
Colston, Harold "Hal" (D)+ Chittenden-6-7 * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Conlon, Peter (D) Addison-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Conquest, Charles (D) Orange-Caledonia Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Copeland Hanzas, Sarah (D) Orange-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Corcoran, II, Timothy R. (D) Bennington-2-1 N Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y 22%
Cordes, Mari (D) Addison-4 Y * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 0%
Cupoli, Lawrence (R) Rutland-5-2 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Demrow, Carl (D) Orange-1 N Y * Y Y Y Y Y Y 13%
Dickinson, Eileen (R) Franklin-3-2 N N N * N N N N N 100%
Dolan, Katherine "Kari" (D) Washington-7 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Donahue, Anne B. (R) Washington-1 N Y N N Y N N N N 78%
Donovan, Johannah (D) Chittenden-6-5 * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Durfee, David (D) Bennington-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Elder, Caleb (D) Addison-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Emmons, Alice M. (D) Windsor-3-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Fagan, Peter J. (R) Rutland-5-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Fegard, Charen (D)+ Franklin-5 N Y Y N Y N Y N N 56%
Feltus, Martha (R) Caledonia-4 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Forguites, Robert (D)+ Windsor-3-2 Y * Y - * - - - - N/A
Gamache, Marianna (R) Franklin-4 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Gannon, John (D) Windham-6 Y Y Y * Y Y Y N Y 13%
Gardner, Marcia (D) Chittenden-1 N * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 14%
Giambatista, Dylan (D) Chittenden-8-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Gonzalez, Diana (P) Chittenden-6-7 * * * * * N Y * Y N/A
Goslant, Kenneth (R) Washington-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Grad, Maxine (D) Washington-7 Y * Y Y * * Y * Y 0%
Graham, Rodney (R) Orange-1 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Gregoire, James (R) Franklin-6 N * N N * N N N N 100%
Hass, Sandy (P) Windsor-Rutland Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y 11%
Hango, Lisa (R) Franklin-5 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Harrison, James (R) Rutland-Windsor-1 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Hashim, Nader (D) Windham-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Helm, Robert (R) Rutland-3 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Higley, Mark (R) Orleans-Lamoille N N N N N N N N N 100%
Hill, Matthew (D) Lamoille-2 N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 11%
Hooper, Mary S. (D) Washington-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Hooper, Philip Jay (D) Orange-Washington-Addison Y * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 0%
Hooper, Robert (D) Chittenden-6-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Houghton, Lori (D) Chittenden-8-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Howard, Mary E. (D) Rutland-5-3 * * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 0%
James, Kathleen (D) Bennington-4 Y * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 0%
Jermoe, Stephanie (D) Rutland-6 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Jessup, Kimberly (D) Washington-5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Jickling, Benjamin (I)+ Orange-Washington-Addison N Y Y Y Y - - - - 20%
Johnson, Mitzi (D) Grand Isle-Chittenden * * * * * * Y * Y N/A
Killacky, John (D) Chittenden-7-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Kimbell, Charles (D) Windsor-5 Y N Y * Y Y Y N Y 25%
Kitzmiller, Warren F. (D) Washington-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Kornheiser, Emilie (D) Windham-2-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Krowinski, Jill (D) Chittenden-6-3 * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
LaClair, Robert (R) Washington-2 N N N N N N N N N 100%
LaLonde, Martin (D) Chittenden-7-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Lanpher, Diane (D) Addison-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Lefebvre, Paul (R) Essex-Caledonia-Orleans * N N N N N N Y N 88%
Leffler, Felisha (R) Franklin-7 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Lippert, Jr., William J. (D) Chittenden-4-2 * * Y Y * Y Y Y Y 0%
Long, Emily (D) Windham-5 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Macaig, Terence (D) Chittenden-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Marcotte, Michael (R) Orleans-2 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Martel, Marcia (R) Caledonia-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Masland, James (D) Windsor-Orange-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Mattos, Christopher (R) Chittenden-10 N * N N * N N N N 100%
McCarthy, Michael (D) Franklin-3-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
McCormack, Curt (D) Chittenden-6-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
McCoy, Patricia (R) Rutland-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
McCullough, James (D) Chittenden-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
McFaun, Francis (R) Washington-2 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Morgan, Leland (R) Grand Isle-Chittenden N N N N N N N N N 100%
Morris, Kristi (D)+ Windsor-3-2 - - - - - Y Y Y Y N/A
Morrissey, Mary A. (R) Bennington-2-2 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Mrowicki, Michael (D) Windham-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Murphy, Barbara (I) Franklin-2 N Y N N Y N N N N 78%
Myers, Linda K. (R) Chittenden-8-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Nicoll, Logan (D) Rutland-Windsor-2 Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y 11%
Norris, Terry (I) Addison-Rutland N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Notte, William (D) Rutland-5-4 Y N Y N Y Y Y Y Y 22%
Noyes, Daniel (D) Lamoille-2 N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y 33%
O'Brien, John (D) Windsor-Orange-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
O'Sullivan, Jean (D) Chittenden-6-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Ode, Carol (D) Chittenden-6-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Page, Woodman (R) Orleans-2 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Pajala, Kelly (I) Windham-Bennington-Windsor N Y Y N Y N N N Y 56%
Palasik, John (R) Chittenden-10 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Partridge, Carolyn W. (D) Windham-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Patt, Avram (D) Lamoille-Washington Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Potter, David (D) Rutland-2 Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y 11%
Pugh, Ann (D) Chittenden-7-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Quimby, Constance (R) Essex-Caledonia-Orleans N N N N N N N N N 100%
Rachelson, Barbara (D) Chittenden-6-6 Y * * Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Ralph, Zachariah (P) Windsor-1 Y Y * N Y Y Y Y Y 13%
Redmond, Marybeth (D) Chittenden-8-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Reed, Peter (I)+ Orange-Washington-Addison - - - - - Y Y Y Y N/A
Rogers, Lucy (D) Lamoille-3 N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y 33%
Rosenquist, Carl (R) Franklin-1 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Savage, Brian K. (R) Franklin-4 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Scheu, Robin (D) Addison-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Scheuermann, Heidi E. (R) Lamoille-1 N N Y N Y N N N N 78%
Seymour, Patrick (R) Caledonia-4 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Shaw, Charles "Butch" (R) Rutland-6 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Sheldon, Amy (D) Addison-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Sibilia, Laura (I) Windham-Bennington-Windsor N Y N * Y N N N N 75%
Smith, Brian (R) Orleans-1 N N N N Y N N N N 89%
Smith, Harvey (R) Addison-5 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Squirrell, Trevor (D) Chittenden-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Stevens, Thomas (D) Washington-Chittenden Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Strong, Vicki (R) Orleans-Caledonia N N N N N N N N N 100%
Sullivan, Linda Joy (D) Bennington-Rutland Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Sullivan, Mary (D) Chittenden-6-5 Y Y N Y Y N N Y Y 33%
Szott, Randall (D) Windsor-4-1 N Y Y Y Y N N Y Y 33%
Taylor, Curt (D) Chittenden-9-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Terenzini, Thomas (R) Rutland-4 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Till, George W. (D) Chittenden-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Toleno, Tristan (D) Windham-2-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Toll, Catherine (D) Calednoia-Washington Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Toof, Casey (R) Franklin-3-1 N N N N N N N N N 100%
Townsend, Maida (D) Chittenden-7-4 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Trieber, Matthew (D)+ Windham-3 Y * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Troiano, Joseph "Chip" (D) Caledonia-2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Tully, Kelley (D)+ Windham-3 - - - - - - - - - N/A
Walz, Tommy (D) Washington-3 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Webb, Kathryn (D) Chittenden-5-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
White, Rebecca (D) Windsor-4-2 * Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Wood, Theresa (D) Washington-Chittenden Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y 22%
Yacovone, David (D) Lamoille-Washington Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Yantachka, Michael (D) Chittenden-4-1 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 0%
Young, Samuel (D) Orleans-Caledonia N Y Y N Y Y Y N Y 33%

Notes:

Representative Harold Colston replaced Clem Bissonnette in January 2019

Representative Lisa Hango replaced Joshua Aldrich in January 2019

Representative Kristi Morris replaced Bob Forguites in June 2019.

Representative Peter Reed replaced Ben Jickling in January 2020

Representative Kelley Tully replaced Matthew Treiber in April 2020.

Source: MONTPELIER, (Aug. 31, 2020) -- NFIB