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
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Jan. 11, 2010 NJ A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
Jan. 7, 2010 NJ A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
June 21, 2010 NJ SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
June 28, 2010 NJ A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 8, 2010 NM SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
Feb. 18, 2010 NM SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 119 Temporary Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (34 - 32)
March 3, 2010 NM SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
Feb. 16, 2010 NM HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 120 Increasing Tax Withholding Requirements Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
March 3, 2010 NM HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 9 Income Tax Surtax Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 270 Including State and Local Taxes as Taxable Income Bill Failed - House (33 - 34)
Feb. 5, 2010 NM HB 2 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
March 2, 2010 NM SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 12, 2010 NM SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
Feb. 11, 2010 NM SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2010 NM HB 162 Severance Bonds For Tribal Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
Feb. 13, 2010 NM SB 10 Limiting Food Tax Deduction to Staple Foods Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2010 NV AB 6 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
Feb. 8, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
Jan. 20, 2010 NY A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
June 21, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
Aug. 3, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
June 16, 2010 NY S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
Feb. 9, 2010 NY R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
March 24, 2010 NY E 1153 2010-2011 Executive Budget Proposals Resolution Passed - House (91 - 51)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
July 1, 2010 NY A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 10, 2010 NY S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
May 17, 2010 NY S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
Feb. 9, 2010 NY R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
June 28, 2010 NY A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
June 14, 2010 NY S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
May 25, 2010 OH Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
Jan. 13, 2010 OH HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Joint Resolution Passed - House (85 - 13)
Jan. 27, 2010 OH SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
Jan. 13, 2010 OH HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
Jan. 26, 2010 OH Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
May 27, 2010 OH HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
Jan. 20, 2010 OH HB 166 Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
March 24, 2010 OH SB 35 State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
March 24, 2010 OH SB 150 County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
Feb. 1, 2010 OK SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
May 21, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 24, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2010 OK HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
May 5, 2010 OK SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
March 1, 2010 OK HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Jan. 6, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Jan. 5, 2010 PA SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
Sept. 29, 2010 PA SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
July 3, 2010 PA SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
June 23, 2010 PA HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
June 29, 2010 PA SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
July 2, 2010 PA HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
May 13, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
May 12, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
June 3, 2010 SC H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
Feb. 10, 2010 SC H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
April 14, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
Jan. 13, 2010 SC H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
6/29 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 22)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
6/28 S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/29 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
1/11 A 4378 Exception to the Ban on Former State Employees Working for the Casino Industry Bill Passed - House (42 - 31)
1/07 A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
1/07 A 2139 Tax Expenditure Report Requirement for Governor's Budget Message Bill Passed - House (47 - 28)
6/21 SCR 108 Appeal to Governor Against Joining Federal Health Care Lawsuit Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
6/28 S 3000 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
6/28 A 3009 Professional Sports Team Specialty License Plates Bill Passed - House (41 - 37)
6/28 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
5/20 A 10 Increasing Income Tax Rate on Income Exceeding $1 Million Bill Passed - House (46 - 32)
5/20 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
6/28 S 2139 2010-2011 Supplemental Health Services Budget Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10)
2/16 Holguin Nomination Neri Holguin, Environmental Improvement Board (17 - 25)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/08 SB 531 Legislative Finance Committee Review of Confidential Information Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 8)
2/18 SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - House (37 - 31)
2/05 HB 119 Temporary Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (34 - 32)
3/03 SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (38 - 28)
2/16 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - House (40 - 21)
2/16 HB 118 Prohibiting Lobbyist and Contractor Campaign Contributions Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/05 HB 120 Increasing Tax Withholding Requirements Bill Passed - House (42 - 25)
3/03 HB 3 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - House (41 - 26)
2/05 HB 9 Income Tax Surtax Bill Passed - House (36 - 32)
2/05 HB 270 Including State and Local Taxes as Taxable Income Bill Failed - House (33 - 34)
2/05 HB 2 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 25)
3/02 SB 10 Tax Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/12 SB 112 Authorizing Severance Tax Bonds and Allocating Proceeds Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 17)
2/11 SB 216 Repeal "Guilty but Mentally Ill" Plea Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 19)
2/09 HB 162 Severance Bonds For Tribal Infrastructure Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
2/13 SB 10 Limiting Food Tax Deduction to Staple Foods Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 19)
2/28 AB 6 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (34 - 8)
6/21 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
2/08 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (35 - 26)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 27)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (93 - 51)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
5/28 A 11308 Emergency State Parks Appropriations Bill Passed - House (86 - 47)
1/20 A 9544 Election and Campaign Finance Ethics Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 2)
6/21 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (83 - 56)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - House (92 - 50)
8/03 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 28)
6/16 S 2165B Allows Mixed Martial Arts Performances and Ultimate Fighting Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
2/09 R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
3/24 E 1153 2010-2011 Executive Budget Proposals Resolution Passed - House (91 - 51)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
7/01 A 9710D 2010-2011 Budget Financing Bill Passed - House (88 - 57)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/10 S 7777 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
5/17 S 7846 Emergency Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 29)
2/09 R 3904 Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate from the Senate Resolution Passed - Senate (53 - 8)
6/28 A 9703 2010-2011 Education, Labor, and Family Assistance Budget Bill Passed - House (111 - 34)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 26)
6/18 A 9705 2010-2011 Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation Budget Bill Passed - House (82 - 51)
6/14 S 8167 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 27)
5/25 Collins-Taylor Nomination of Cathy Collin-Taylor as Director of the Department of Public Safety Nomination Rejected - Senate (15 - 18)
1/13 HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Joint Resolution Passed - House (85 - 13)
1/27 SJR 8 Casino Location Amendment Joint Resolution Passed - House (71 - 26)
1/13 HB 5 Campaign Finance Amendments Concurrence Vote Failed - House (48 - 50)
1/26 HJR 12 "Third Frontier" Program Extension Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
1/26 Schiavoni Amdt Casino Location Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 13)
5/27 HJR 15 Apportionment of State Legislative Districts Bill Passed - House (69 - 28)
1/20 HB 166 Authorizing Regional Transportation Authorities Bill Passed - House (72 - 26)
3/24 SB 35 State Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
3/24 SB 150 County Sheriff Assistance with Federal Immigration Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 10)
2/01 SB 1685 Regarding Gun Rights (28 - 16)
5/21 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Failed - Senate (29 - 16)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/24 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (41 - 2)
5/18 HJR 1056 Prohibits Use of International and Sharia Law in State Courts Conference Report Adopted - House (82 - 10)
2/04 HB 2430 2010-2011 Space Industry Development Authority Budget Bill Passed - House (68 - 27)
5/05 SB 1685 Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act Veto Override Failed - Senate (28 - 16)
3/01 HB 2745 Pet Sales Licensing Process Bill Passed - House (63 - 30)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
1/06 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - House (103 - 89)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
1/05 SB 711 Legalizing Table Games Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 22)
6/30 HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Concurrence Vote Passed - House (117 - 84)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
9/29 SB 1155 Establishing a Natural Gas Severance Tax Bill Passed - House (104 - 94)
6/30 HB 2279 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
7/03 SB 1042 2010-2011 Budget Implementation and Fiscal Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
6/23 HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
6/29 SR 348 Audit of Methadone Treatment Programs & Medical Assistance Transportation Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
7/02 HB 2601 Environmentally Beneficial and Energy Efficient Technologies Bill Passed - House (125 - 71)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
5/13 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (33 - 13)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
5/12 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
6/03 H 4657 2010-2011 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (64 - 54)
2/10 H 3272 Property Tax Law Amendments Bill Failed - Senate (28 - 13)
4/14 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 12)
1/13 H 4219 Censuring Governor Mark Sanford Resolution Passed - House (102 - 11)

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