.
Passed
in the State Senate on April 19, 2013 by a vote of
23-5
.
Purpose: This is the Big Transportation Bill, one of the “must pass” money bills. It’s official statement of purpose reads, “This bill proposes to adopt, with modifications, the Agency of Transportation’s proposed transportation program for fiscal year 2014, to make miscellaneous additions and changes to the law governing the State’s transportation system, and to amend the State’s taxation of motor fuels.” (Read the Bill)
Analysis: The key items of interest in this vote is the gas and diesel tax rates. Those voting YES agreed to increase the gas tax payed by Vermonters by roughly 6.5 cents per gallon via a 4% sales tax on the price of gasoline. They also voted to raise the tax on diesel fuel by 2.7 cents per gallon (2.9 cents in the second year). It’s worth noting they voted to implement this tax in May of 2013 rather than use the usual July “effective” date in order to wring an extra $1.6 million out of taxpayers’ pockets.
Senate Journal, Friday, April 19, 2013. “…Thereupon, the bill was read the third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment on a roll call, Yeas 23, Nays 5. (Read the Journal, p. 712-733)
How They Voted
(Click on your Senator’s name to send an email)
Timothy Ashe (D/P-Chittenden) – YES
Claire Ayer (D-Addison) – YES
Philip Baruth (D-Chittenden) – YES
Joseph Benning (R-Caledonia) – YES
Christopher Bray (D-Addison) – YES
John Campbell (D-Windsor) – YES
Donald Collins (D-Franklin) – YES
Ann Cummings (D-Washington) – NO
William Doyle (R-Washington) – NO
Margaret Flory (R-Rutland) – YES
Sally Fox (D-Chittenden) – YES
Eldred French (D-Rutland) – ABSENT
Peter Galbraith (D-Windham) – YES
Robert Hartwell (D-Bennington) – ABSENT
M. Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) – YES
Virginia Lyons (D-Chittenden) – YES
Mark MacDonald (D-Orange) – YES
Richard Mazza (D-Chittenden-Grand Isle) – YES
Norman McAllister (R-Franklin) – YES
Richard McCormack (D-Windsor) – NO
Kevin Mullin (R-Rutland) – YES
Alice Nitka (D-Windsor District) – YES
Anthony Pollina (P/D/W-Washington) – NO
John Rodgers (D-Essex-Orleans) – YES
Richard Sears (D-Bennington) – YES
Diane Snelling (R-Chittenden) – YES
Robert Starr (D-Essex-Orleans) – NO
Richard Westman (R-Lamoille) – YES
Jeanette White (D-Windham) – YES
David Zuckerman (P-Chittenden) – YES
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