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
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. 11, 2007 WI SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 11, 2007 WI SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Dec. 10, 2007 NJ S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Dec. 1, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Nov. 29, 2007 WA HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
Nov. 20, 2007 MI HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
Nov. 19, 2007 MD HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
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. 15, 2007 MA S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 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 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
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. 31, 2007 MI SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
Oct. 30, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
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 4360 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
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 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 29, 2007 MI SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
Oct. 23, 2007 WI AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
Oct. 15, 2007 WI SB 2 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Oct. 15, 2007 WI SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
Oct. 12, 2007 IL HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1)
Oct. 1, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 5198 Consumption Tax on Services Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
Oct. 1, 2007 MI S Sub for Sub HB 5194 Income Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
Oct. 1, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 1, 2007 MI H Sub for S Sub SB 546 Public School Employee Retirement Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
Sept. 23, 2007 MI Sub SB 237 2007-2008 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Sept. 23, 2007 MI Sub SB 511 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Sept. 18, 2007 National S 1257 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
Sept. 18, 2007 National S 1257 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
Sept. 18, 2007 IL HB 2035 Gaming Expansion to Fund Infrastructure and Social Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
Sept. 17, 2007 MI Sub SB 772 30-Day Budget Extension Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2007 MI Sub SB 689 State Employees' Retirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Aug. 29, 2007 MO SCS HCS HB 1 Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Aug. 24, 2007 KY HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
Aug. 22, 2007 MI SB 624 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Aug. 21, 2007 CA SB 77 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
Aug. 10, 2007 IL HB 3866 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 5)
Aug. 9, 2007 IL HB 556 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24)
Aug. 2, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
Aug. 2, 2007 National S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
July 31, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
July 26, 2007 National S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
July 17, 2007 NC CS HB 1016 County Medicaid Cost Assumption Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
July 16, 2007 PA HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 2)
July 16, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
July 16, 2007 PA HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
June 28, 2007 MI Sub for SB 94 Michigan Business Tax Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
June 27, 2007 OH SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
June 26, 2007 PA SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
June 26, 2007 WI SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
June 26, 2007 MI Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
June 25, 2007 PA A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
June 25, 2007 LA HB 678 Insurance Funds Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
June 25, 2007 LA HB 489 Salary Increase for Statewide Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 22, 2007 NH HB 1 208-2009 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
June 21, 2007 ME LD 1925 Tax Cuts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
June 20, 2007 LA HB 320 Extension of Satellite Voting Provisions Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
June 20, 2007 AZ HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
June 20, 2007 OR SB 10 Legislative Ethics Reform Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
June 19, 2007 SC S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
June 19, 2007 RI LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
June 18, 2007 OR SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 18, 2007 AZ HB 2781 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
June 14, 2007 FL SJR 4B Property Tax Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 14, 2007 NH CACR 19 Constitutional Amendment Regarding Education Resolution Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
June 12, 2007 MI Sub HB 4850 Tobacco Fund Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 7, 2007 NH HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
June 7, 2007 CA SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
June 6, 2007 CA SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
June 4, 2007 CA SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 4, 2007 OR HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
June 3, 2007 NV AB 595 Highway Funding Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
June 2, 2007 CT HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
May 31, 2007 CT Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
May 31, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 31, 2007 TN SB 2326 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
May 31, 2007 CT HB 7400 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
May 31, 2007 OH SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
May 30, 2007 CT SB 1483 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
May 30, 2007 NE LB 551 Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
May 23, 2007 CT Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
May 21, 2007 TN SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 21, 2007 TN SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 17, 2007 IL HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
May 16, 2007 NE LB 367 Tax Credits and Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
May 15, 2007 MT HB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
12/11 SB 176 Compensation for Discharged Police Officers Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 3)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/11 SJR 5 Limiting Governor's Partial Veto Authority Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
12/10 S 171 Eliminating the Death Penalty Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
12/01 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
11/29 Sub SB 6178 Property Tax Deferral Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
11/29 HB 2416 Adjusting the Property Tax Cap Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 9)
11/20 HB 5408 Michigan Business Tax Surcharge Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 16)
11/19 HB 1 2007-2008 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 13)
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)
11/15 S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 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 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
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)
10/31 SB 229 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
10/30 S Sub for Sub HB 4354 2007-2008 Department of Natural Resources Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 6)
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 4360 2007-2008 Community College and Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
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 4344 2007-2008 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/29 SB 238 2007-2008 Department of State Police Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 234 2007-2008 Department of Labor and Economic Growth Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 1)
10/29 H Sub for Sub SB 235 2007-2008 Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/29 SB 231 2007-2008 Department of Art, History, and Library Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
10/23 AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
10/15 SB 2 Transportation Funding Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
10/15 SB 1 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 14)
10/12 HB 664 Homeowner Tax Exemption Veto Override Passed - Senate (55 - 1)
10/01 S Sub for Sub HB 5198 Consumption Tax on Services Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
10/01 S Sub for Sub HB 5194 Income Tax Increase Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
10/01 H Sub for Sub SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/01 H Sub for S Sub SB 546 Public School Employee Retirement Benefits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
9/23 Sub SB 237 2007-2008 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
9/23 Sub SB 511 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
9/18 S 1257 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
9/18 S 1257 District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (57 - 42)
9/18 HB 2035 Gaming Expansion to Fund Infrastructure and Social Programs Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 15)
9/17 Sub SB 772 30-Day Budget Extension Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
8/30 Sub SB 689 State Employees' Retirement Act Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
8/29 SCS HCS HB 1 Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
8/24 HCS HB 1 Renewable Energy Tax Incentives Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 1)
8/22 SB 624 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
8/21 SB 77 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
8/10 HB 3866 2007-2008 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (52 - 5)
8/09 HB 556 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24)
8/02 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
8/02 S 1 Lobbying and Donation Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (83 - 14)
7/31 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
7/26 S Amdt 2405 REAL ID Funding Amendment Tabled - Senate (50 - 44)
7/17 CS HB 1016 County Medicaid Cost Assumption Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 18)
7/16 HB 1286 2007-2008 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 2)
7/16 SB 246 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (13 - 36)
7/16 HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
6/28 Sub for SB 94 Michigan Business Tax Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 3)
6/27 SB 7 Eminent Domain Bill Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
6/26 SB 246 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
6/26 SS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
6/26 Sub for SB 547 Public School Employee Retirement Plan Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 17)
6/25 A 2062 Exceptions to Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Adopted - Senate (29 - 21)
6/25 HB 678 Insurance Funds Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
6/25 HB 489 Salary Increase for Statewide Elected Officials Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/22 HB 1 208-2009 Operating Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (16 - 8)
6/21 LD 1925 Tax Cuts Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (7 - 28)
6/20 HB 320 Extension of Satellite Voting Provisions Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 21)
6/20 HB 2641 Maturity Requirement for Underage Abortions Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 6)
6/20 SB 10 Legislative Ethics Reform Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 4)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
6/19 S 99 Presidential Primaries Conducted by the State Election Commission Veto Override Passed - Senate (36 - 7)
6/19 LCO # 2552/4 to H5300Aaa Repeal of Provision Requiring the Trying Seventeen Year-Olds as Adults in Criminal Cases Amendment Rejected - Senate (5 - 30)
6/18 SB 863 Regulating Automated Phone Calls Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/18 HB 2781 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
6/14 SJR 4B Property Tax Amendments Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/14 CACR 19 Constitutional Amendment Regarding Education Resolution Failed - Senate (14 - 10)
6/12 Sub HB 4850 Tobacco Fund Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/07 HB 143 Damages in Civil Actions Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 11)
6/07 SB 606 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
6/06 SB 974 Shipping Fee Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
6/04 SB 1019 Access to Police Misconduct Investigations Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/04 HB 2760 Annexation of Unincorporated Land Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 4)
6/03 AB 595 Highway Funding Act Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 3)
6/02 HB 7432 Energy and Electricity Efficiency Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
5/31 Sub SB 167 Restricting Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
5/31 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/31 SB 2326 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 16)
5/31 HB 7400 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/31 SJR 1 Eminent Domain Constitutional Amendment Ballot Bill Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 11)
5/30 SB 1483 Tax Code Modification Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/30 LB 551 Sports Arena and Convention Center Funding Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 9)
5/23 Sub SB 938 Reporting of Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
5/21 SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/21 SJR 139 Popular Election of Statewide Officers Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/17 HB 1798 Wrongful Death Damages Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 23)
5/16 LB 367 Tax Credits and Reductions Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 2)
5/15 HB 2 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)

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