Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 13, 2008 WA HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
March 13, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
March 12, 2008 FL HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 12, 2008 KY HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
March 12, 2008 MI SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
March 11, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
March 10, 2008 IA HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
March 10, 2008 AZ SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
March 6, 2008 NH Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
March 6, 2008 MN HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
March 6, 2008 FL SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
March 6, 2008 AZ HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
March 5, 2008 AK SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
March 4, 2008 UT SB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
March 4, 2008 HI SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
March 4, 2008 UT HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
March 3, 2008 UT SB 48 School Building Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
March 3, 2008 NJ S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2008 ID S 1436 Teacher Pay-for-Performance Plan Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
Feb. 27, 2008 VA HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 27, 2008 CO SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 26, 2008 IN HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
Feb. 26, 2008 KY SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
Feb. 25, 2008 IN Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
Feb. 25, 2008 VA HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2008 NH CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
Feb. 21, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2008 WA SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
Feb. 19, 2008 WI SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2008 WA SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2008 MN HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
Feb. 14, 2008 NM HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2008 NM HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Feb. 13, 2008 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
Feb. 12, 2008 GA SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
Feb. 11, 2008 NM SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2008 NM HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Feb. 6, 2008 NM HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
Feb. 5, 2008 UT SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
Feb. 4, 2008 NM SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 29, 2008 IN SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
Jan. 28, 2008 CO SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2008 CO SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
Jan. 25, 2008 MS SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
Jan. 22, 2008 IN SB 18 Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
Dec. 13, 2007 MI SB 981 Mackinac Bridge Funding Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 1, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Nov. 20, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
Nov. 16, 2007 AK SCS CSHB 2001 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
Nov. 8, 2007 WI SB 299 School Tax Credit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
Nov. 7, 2007 MI Sub SB 838 Amending the Use Tax Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4360 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4358 2007-2008 Department of Environmental Quality Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/13 HB 2687 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 18)
3/13 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
3/12 HB 7009 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/12 HB 600 State Retirement System Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
3/12 SB 120 Issuing Food Stamps Twice Monthly Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
3/11 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
3/10 HF 2359 Veterans Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
3/10 SB 1476 Reducing Probation for Good Behavior Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 7)
3/06 Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
3/06 HB 2043 State Government Hiring Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
3/06 HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget Bill Passed - Senate (57 - 9)
3/06 SB 1852 Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
3/06 HB 2857 State Spending Freeze Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
3/05 SB 256 2008-2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 2)
3/04 SB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Education Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 7)
3/04 SB 2423 Turtle Bay Acquisition Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 2)
3/04 HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 3)
3/03 SB 48 School Building Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 9)
3/03 S 786 Extending Family Leave Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/29 S 1436 Teacher Pay-for-Performance Plan Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 19)
2/27 HB 30 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/27 SB 128 Eliminating Sales and Use Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/26 HB 1001 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 14)
2/26 SB 14 Non-Partisan Public Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
2/25 Amnd. 17 Elimination of Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 23)
2/25 Amnd. 19 Referendum on Township Assessors Amendment Rejected - Senate (24 - 20)
2/25 HB 11 Property Tax Exemptions Motion Agreed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/21 CACR 34 Constitutional Amendment to Define an Adequate Education Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 5)
2/21 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
2/20 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Resolution Passed - Senate (51 - 4)
2/19 SB 6809 Working Family Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 16)
2/19 SB 171 Financing of Judicial Campaigns Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10)
2/18 SB 6305 Use of Federal Sex Education Grants Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 11)
2/14 HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 17)
2/14 HB 24 Removing Tax Restrictions for Counties and Municipalities Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
2/13 HB 237 Mandatory Election Recounts Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
2/13 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
2/12 SR 686 Property Tax Assessment Freeze Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 3)
2/12 SR 796 Property Tax Assessment Cap Resolution Passed - Senate (48 - 7)
2/11 SB 225 Health Care Commission Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/10 HB 661 Affordable Housing Tax Relief Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
2/06 HB 2 2008-2009 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/05 SB 35 Salary Supplement for Math and Science Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 7)
2/04 SB 34 New Mexico School for the Arts Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
1/29 SB 16 Change in Township Assessment Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/29 SJR 1 Constitutional Property Tax Cap Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (41 - 7)
1/28 SB 3 Medicaid Funded Family Planning Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
1/25 SA Mitchell Prohibiting State Funding of Abortion Providers Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 20)
1/25 SB 2188 Attorney General-Private Attorney Contract Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
1/22 SB 18 Allowing Referendum on Public Construction Projects Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 25)
1/07 A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
12/13 SB 981 Mackinac Bridge Funding Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/01 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
11/29 HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
11/29 Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
11/20 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
11/19 HB 5 Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 20)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
11/16 SCS CSHB 2001 Oil and Gas Production Tax Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
11/08 SB 299 School Tax Credit Formula Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8)
11/07 Sub SB 838 Amending the Use Tax Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
10/31 SB 232 2007-2008 Department of Human Services Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 16)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4348 2007-2008 Department of Corrections Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4360 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4358 2007-2008 Department of Environmental Quality Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 13)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)

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