2023 VT Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Vermont General Assembly in 2023 and ranks their State Senators and House Representatives based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
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Senate Votes
S32 would change the method of voting to a ranked choice ballot, where the state currently uses “first past the post” system.
The Vermont Senate passed S32 on March 29, 2023, by a vote of 23 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the nays because states should oppose all attempts to enact ranked-choice voting. This complicated, multiple-round, and unconstitutional method threatens election integrity by allowing a candidate to potentially win without genuine support from a plurality of voters. The scheme’s ballot casting requirements not only undermine a citizen’s right to vote, but could effectively force them to violate their conscience.
S102 expands the definition of collective bargaining to allow outside and distinct organizations to sue employers for cause.
The Vermont Senate passed S102 on March 30, 2023 by a vote of 23 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the nays because collective bargaining interferes with individual liberties, and compelling individuals to negotiate collectively infringes upon their right to freely associate or negotiate on an individual basis.
S5 would put in place a carbon credit system that allots companies a certain amount of emissions each year, with the ability to buy or sell such credits.
The Vermont Senate passed S5 on May 9, 2023, by a vote of 20 to 10, after the bill was vetoed by the Governor. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this bill expands government by pushing for interventions infringing on individual freedoms and economic liberties. Tax dollars should not go toward complying with any aspect of the UN’s Agenda 2030, as it is not constitutional. Additionally, this legislation creates more government interference in the free-market economy and advances the Marxist climate change agenda. Businesses should have the freedom to conduct business without the government meddling in their affairs by setting unrealistic and costly regulations.
H230 allows family members to report someone as mentally unstable, which can result in them being prohibited from purchasing a firearm.
The Vermont Senate passed H230 on May 2, 2023 by a vote of 19 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the nays because red-flag laws are a gross violation of our 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 14th Amendment rights. Ultimately, the right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and should not be infringed upon.
H217 requires all school districts in the state to provide a full day kindergarten service, available to anyone in the district.
The Vermont Senate passed H217 on June 20, 2023, by a vote of 23 to 7. We have assigned pluses to the nays because education is the responsibility of—and a fundamental right of choice retained by—a child’s parents or legal guardians, not the government. Forcing American citizens to furnish ever-increasing sums of taxpayer money for a compulsory, government-run, and failed school system violates their individual liberty protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment.
S213 provides control of riverways in Vermont to the Agency of Natural Resources.
The Vermont Senate passed S213 on March 20, 2023, by a vote of 24 to 4. We have assigned pluses to the nays because investing taxpayer dollars in creating a climate change response strategy is a complete waste of money. States should not be buying into the climate-change agenda.
