Legislators Rated on their Business Support
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/29/10
Contact: Patricia Moulton Powden
(802) 262-0138
pmpowden@vtchamber.com
LEGISLATORS RATED ON THEIR BUSINESS SUPPORT
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce today released their 2009-2010 Vermont Chamber Legislative Report Card. The Report Card assesses legislators' support of economic development and business issues important to the Vermont economy. "This Report Card informs members and the public on legislative support of key business issues" explained Betsy Bishop, Vermont Chamber President. "This year's Report Card illustrates that business issues faired well in the 2010 Legislature specifically increasing funding for tourism promotion, workforce training and a reduction in the capital gains tax," added Bishop.
The biennial assessment looks at roll call votes on amendments and bills important to the Vermont Chamber membership. This year's collection of roll call votes includes the vote to override Governor Douglas's budget veto in 2009, the capital gains and estate tax votes in both 2009 and 2010 and votes addressing the Unemployment Trust Fund crisis.
Senators scored slightly better than their Representative counterparts in the House with 26 of 30 Senators achieving a score of 40% to 100% from the Vermont Chamber. On the House side, 127 of 150 Representatives scored better than 40%, up to 100%. "Without electronic voting on all bills and amendments, we are forced to look at only bills or amendments with a roll call which means fewer votes to gauge legislators' support," commented Patricia Moulton Powden, VP of Public Affairs for the Vermont Chamber. "The 2010 session was more business friendly than the 2009 session resulting in more favorable ratings for all; Legislators of both major parties understood the need to address our problems and stimulate our economy, " Powden added.
The Vermont Chamber Report Card is issued after the end of each biennium, the two year term for legislative activity. The Report Card also includes a list of "Chamber Champions," legislators who worked behind the scenes to support issues important to the Vermont Chamber.
The Vermont Chambers Legislative Report Card can be found on the Vermont Chamber website at http://www.vtchamber.com/
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