In an effort to keep you better informed about what’s going on in Montpelier, we’ve decided to start posting some of the key roll call votes this Legislative Biennium so you can keep track of who in the Legislature is really standing up for the people – and who is beholden to the rich and corporate interests.
On April 18th, in a shocking reversal, the Vermont Senate voted to remove a ban on corporate donations from a major campaign finance reform bill, despite having overwhelmingly voted to add it to the bill just weeks before. This vote clearly shows which Senators are with the people and which were ultimately unwilling to wean themselves from the corrupting influence of corporate money.
The following Senators joined Progressives Tim Ashe, Anthony Pollina and David Zuckerman in standing strong against corporate influence in our elections:
• Phil Baruth (D-Chittenden)
• Joe Benning (R-Caledonia)
• Sally Fox (D-Chittenden)
• Peter Galbraith (D-Windham)
• Ginny Lyons (D-Chittenden)*
*Sen. Lyons originally voted against the ban, but on 4/18 voted to keep it in the bill
• Mark MacDonald (D-Orange)
• Dick McCormack (D-Windsor)
• Dick Sears (D-Bennington)
The following Senators voted for the ban initially, before ultimately deciding they were unwilling to part with their corporate donations:
• John Campbell (D-Windsor)
• Don Collins (D-Franklin)
• Ann Cummings (D-Washington)
• Bill Doyle (R-Washington)
• Bob Hartwell (D-Bennington)
• Jane Kitchell (D-Caledonia)
• Dick Mazza (D-Chittenden/Grand Isle)
• Norm McAllister (R-Franklin)
• Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland)
• John Rodgers (D-Essex/Orleans)
• Bobby Starr (D-Essex/Orleans)
• Rich Westman (R-Lamoille)
The following Senators have consistently voted against the ban, at least showing they are honest about being beholden to corporate money:
• Claire Ayer (D-Addison)
• Chris Bray (D-Addison)
• Peg Flory (R-Rutland)
• Eldred French (D-Rutland)
• Alice Nitka (D-Windsor)
• Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden)
• Jeanette White (D-Windham)