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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 28, 2008 MI Anderson Amendment: Increase Revenue Sharing Grants Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 18)
April 20, 2009 MN Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
April 27, 2009 MN Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
May 24, 2006 UT 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
March 1, 2006 UT 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
Feb. 5, 2007 NJ A 1 Property Tax Relief and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Aug. 8, 2008 NY A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
Jan. 31, 2019 NJ A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
April 2, 2009 NY A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NY A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NY A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
April 3, 2009 NY A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
Feb. 3, 2009 NY A 163-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
March 20, 2006 NJ A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 23, 2008 NJ A 2873 School Construction Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 9, 2017 NY A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 4)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 18, 2009 NJ A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
Nov. 24, 2008 NJ A 3294 Capital Investment and Employment Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
Dec. 15, 2008 NJ A 3373 Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Nov. 24, 2008 NJ A 3459 Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
July 30, 2020 NJ A 3971 Authorizes the Issuance of "Coronavirus Relief Bonds" by Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Dec. 2, 2009 NY A 40022 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 3)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4100 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
June 25, 2009 NJ A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 25, 2009 NJ A4141 Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
July 16, 2020 NJ A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 20, 2023 NJ A 4772 Specifies Circumstances in Which an Individual May Receive Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
July 8, 2006 NJ A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 7, 2008 NJ A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
June 24, 2021 NJ A 5580 Restructures the Urban Enterprise Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
June 2, 2022 NY A 7389 Establishes Restrictions on Cryptocurrency Industry Bill Passed - Senate
June 3, 2009 NY A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
Feb. 13, 2008 NY A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
May 13, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
March 25, 2008 WI AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Feb. 20, 2018 WI AB 1 Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
June 27, 2023 CA AB 102 Appropriate Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
March 9, 2011 WI AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
Aug. 14, 2008 CA AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
May 24, 2019 NV AB 132 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
March 11, 2006 CA AB 134 Public Infrastructure Bond Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
May 4, 2006 CA AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
Sept. 2, 2009 CA AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 9, 2013 WI AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Sept. 16, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
Sept. 8, 2008 CA AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
June 27, 2006 CA AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
June 5, 2023 NV AB 232 Establishes New Rules Regarding Premium Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 14, 2023 WI AB 245 Establishes a New City and County Tax to Pay for Underfunded Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 29, 2022 CA AB 257 Establishes Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Aug. 7, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Sept. 9, 2019 CA AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 25, 2006 WI AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
June 1, 2009 NV AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
June 5, 2023 NV AB 527 Amends Rules Regarding the Preparation of the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
May 31, 2009 NV AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
Aug. 29, 2008 CA AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
June 3, 2007 NV AB 595 Highway Funding Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
April 26, 2010 CA AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
June 25, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
June 17, 2009 WI AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
March 8, 2022 WI AB 940 Appropriates $3 Million for Talent Attraction and Retention Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Dec. 18, 2008 CA ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Aug. 20, 2009 CA ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2009 CA ABx3 3 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
July 23, 2009 CA ABX4 1 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 2 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 26 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
July 24, 2009 CA ABX4 30 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 18, 2010 CA ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 4, 2010 CA ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
March 6, 2008 NH Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
Nov. 18, 2008 NE Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
April 30, 2009 FL Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
May 24, 2006 MA Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
April 21, 2010 VA Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/28 Anderson Amendment: Increase Revenue Sharing Grants Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 18)
4/20 Permitting Slot Machines at Race Tracks Amendment Rejected - Senate (25 - 41)
4/27 Ban on State Funds for Abortions Amendment Rejected - Senate (26 - 39)
5/24 2SHB 3001 2006-2007 Transportation Budget Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 10)
3/01 3SHB 109 Food Tax Cut Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
2/05 A 1 Property Tax Relief and Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
8/08 A 11258 Mandatory Cigarette Taxation Bill Passed - Senate (54 - 4)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
1/31 A 15 Increases State Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
4/02 A 156-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 A 157-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 A 158-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
4/03 A 159-B Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 30)
2/03 A 163-A 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
3/20 A 2813 New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/23 A 2873 School Construction Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/09 A 3009 Establishes State Fiscal Plan (53 - 4)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/18 A 3101 Creating Homelessness Trust Funds Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 7)
11/24 A 3294 Capital Investment and Employment Grants Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 7)
12/15 A 3373 Amending NJ STARS/NJ STARS II Scholarship Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
11/24 A 3459 Foreclosure Assistance Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
6/25 A 3901 Issuing Bonds for Conservation and Preservation Purposes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
7/30 A 3971 Authorizes the Issuance of "Coronavirus Relief Bonds" by Local Governments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
12/02 A 40022 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 3)
6/25 A 4048 2009 Economic Package Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 12)
6/25 A 4100 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
6/25 A 4111 State Employee Wage Increases Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/25 A4141 Eliminating Non-Operating School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
7/16 A 4175 Establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Emergency Bond Act" Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
7/08 A 4707 Luxury and Fuel Inefficient Automobiles Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
7/08 A 4714 Fur Clothing Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/20 A 4772 Specifies Circumstances in Which an Individual May Receive Unemployment Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
7/08 A 4901 Sales Tax Bill of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/07 A 500 Education Funding Reform Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/24 A 5580 Restructures the Urban Enterprise Zone Program Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
6/02 A 7389 Establishes Restrictions on Cryptocurrency Industry Bill Passed - Senate
6/03 A 8501 Government Consolidation Bill Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 16)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/21 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/21 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
8/03 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
2/13 A 9998 New York Racing Association Funding Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 17)
5/13 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 16)
3/25 AB 1 Budget Repair Plan Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
2/20 AB 1 Increases Work Hour Requirements for Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
6/27 AB 102 Appropriate Funds for the 2023 State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
3/09 AB 11 Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Employees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 1)
8/14 AB 1107 Drought-Related Unemployment Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
5/04 AB 127 Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
5/24 AB 132 Prohibits Employment Discrimination for Positive Marijuana Drug Tests Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 8)
3/11 AB 134 Public Infrastructure Bond Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 12)
5/04 AB 140 Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
9/02 AB 1422 Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
9/16 AB 1452 Suspending Carryback and Net Operating Loss Deductions Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/09 AB 15 Authorizes Work-Share Programs Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
9/16 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 11)
8/29 AB 1781 2008-2009 Budget Conference Report Rejected - Senate (24 - 15)
9/08 AB 1793 2008-2009 Budget Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21)
6/27 AB 1801 2006-2007 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 10)
6/05 AB 232 Establishes New Rules Regarding Premium Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
8/29 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/14 AB 245 Establishes a New City and County Tax to Pay for Underfunded Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/29 AB 257 Establishes Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
8/07 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
9/09 AB 35 Requires Reporting on Employee Blood Level Testing for Lead Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/25 AB 4 Tax Deduction for Health Savings Account Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 14)
6/01 AB 458 Establishing the K-12 Public Education Stabilization Account Veto Override Failed - Senate (12 - 9)
6/05 AB 527 Amends Rules Regarding the Preparation of the State Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 5)
5/31 AB 543 Property Tax Reappropriation Veto Override Passed - Senate (15 - 6)
8/29 AB 583 Public Financing of Elections Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
6/03 AB 595 Highway Funding Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
4/26 AB 711 Authorizing Loan for East Los Angeles Incorporation Study Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
6/25 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 15)
6/17 AB 75 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
3/08 AB 940 Appropriates $3 Million for Talent Attraction and Retention Initiatives Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
12/18 ABx1 2 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
12/18 ABx1 4 Reducing Education Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
12/18 ABx1 5 Modifying Transportation Project Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
12/18 ABx1 8 Amending Sentencing, Parole, and Property Crime Statutes Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
8/20 ABx3 14 Correctional Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 ABx3 3 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
7/23 ABX4 1 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
7/24 ABX4 14 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
7/24 ABX4 15 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Implementing Prop 1A Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/24 ABX4 19 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: In-Home Supportive Services Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
7/24 ABX4 2 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
7/24 ABX4 23 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Oil Drilling Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
7/24 ABX4 26 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Shifting Redevelopment Funds Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
7/24 ABX4 30 Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Transfer of Local Government Revenue Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 ABx8 2 2010-2011 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/04 ABx8 6 Fuel Tax Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/18 ABx8 8 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/04 ABx8 9 Tax and Transportation Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
3/06 Amdt 0891 to SB 530 Fully Subsidized Kindergarten Construction Program Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 12)
11/18 Amdt 4 Establishing an Age Limit on Safe Haven Law Amendment Rejected - Senate (23 - 26)
4/30 Amdt 626368 Liability Insurance Related to SunRail Commuter Line Motion Rejected - Senate (17 - 23)
5/24 Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
4/21 Amdt 91 Limiting State Funding of Abortion Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)

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