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Phil Scott
54.1%
#15 of 50

Phil Scott

Vermont R | 5th term
2017-01-05Took Office 9 yrs, 5 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 894 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

251/300
84%

Section B: State Outcomes

599/975
61%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

+44 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 251/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

On-time budget submission
Submitted 9 consecutive on-time budget proposals (FY2018-FY2027). FY2026 proposal: $9B; FY2027: $9.4B (5% increase). Emphasized affordability and fiscal restraint in every address. Never missed a constitutional deadline in 5 terms.
VT Governor's Budget Proposals; VTDigger 1/28/2025; VT Constitution Ch. II §30
3
Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual
JFO consensus forecasts generally within 2-3% of actuals. FY2022-FY2023 produced surpluses above forecast from federal stimulus and income tax windfalls. Pandemic FY2020 had larger miss (~8%) but recovered quickly. VT relies heavily on personal income tax (~40% of General Fund) creating volatility.
VT Joint Fiscal Office Consensus Revenue Forecasts; VT Dept of Finance and Management; 2024 Fiscal Facts Booklet
2
Rainy day fund management
Budget Stabilization Reserve capped at 5% of prior-year General Fund appropriations (~$100M). Combined reserves capped at 12.5% of revenues. Balance ~$266M (2022) after post-pandemic buildup. VT below national median of 49 days' spending in rainy day fund (Pew 2024). Small absolute size limits cushion for catastrophic events.
VT State Treasurer Reports; Pew Charitable Trusts Rainy Day Fund Data 2024; VT Statutes Title 32 §308c
2
State credit rating trajectory
S&P reaffirmed AA+ rating (Oct 2024). Moody's downgraded from Aaa to Aa1 (still second-highest tier) citing pension liabilities. Strong financial position entering FY2025 after federal stimulus surpluses. Ratings enabled $3.7M savings refinancing older bonds at lower interest.
S&P Global AA+ Affirmation Oct 2024; Moody's Credit Opinion 5/31/2024; VT State Treasurer
3
Pension funding ratio trajectory
VSERS 71.32% funded (FY2024, up from ~65%). VSTRS 61.17% funded (FY2024, up from ~55%). Highest ratios in nearly a decade after Act 114 (2022) reforms. Combined unfunded liability: ~$2.9B ($1.1B VSERS + $1.8B VSTRS). Both now cashflow-positive net of investment returns. On track for full funding by 2038. Four consecutive years of improvement.
VT State Treasurer Pension Reports Jan 2025; VSERS/VSTRS Actuarial Valuations FY2024; Act 114 (2022)
1
Debt per capita trajectory
Net tax-supported debt $727M (FY2024), down to $663M (FY2025). Debt per capita among higher states when including all liabilities (~$10K+ per resident per Reason Foundation). Debt service FY2024: $101.5M. VT Capital Debt Affordability Advisory Committee monitors capacity. Small population (649K) inflates per-capita figures.
VT State Treasurer Debt Reports FY2024-25; Reason Foundation 2025 State Finance Report; CDAAC Report 2025
2
CAFR/ACFR published on time
ACFR published on time every year. FY2023 ACFR issued 1/26/2024 with unmodified opinion (20th consecutive year). FY2024 ACFR received GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (17th year). CliftonLarsonAllen LLP serves as independent auditor.
VT Dept of Finance and Management ACFR Records; GFOA Certificate FY2024
3
Audit findings — material weaknesses
Unmodified audit opinion for 20+ consecutive years through FY2024. State Auditor (elected, independent) identified IT control improvements needed but no material weaknesses or adverse opinions. Minor findings in small agency programs corrected. GFOA recognition confirms strong reporting standards.
VT State Auditor Reports 2017-2025; CliftonLarsonAllen Audit Reports; GFOA Certificate
2
Federal grant fund accounting
Federal grants managed within compliance. VT received $2.7B in ARPA aid (2021) — among highest per capita at ~$980/resident. Over $1.25B in Coronavirus State/Local Fiscal Recovery Funding allocated. Single audit findings minimal. $500M+ ARPA awarded for housing, water/sewer, broadband, climate by July 2023.
VT Single Audit Reports; USASpending.gov; Governor's ARPA Dashboard; Rockefeller Institute ARPA Analysis
2
Anti-fraud controls — federal programs
Pandemic UI fraud occurred but small population limited exposure. VT DOL created dedicated UI Fraud Unit, removed online application, implemented identity verification measures. Coordinated with state/federal law enforcement. Fraudulent claims spiked nationally from mass data breaches; VT responded faster than most states due to smaller volume.
VT DOL Fraud Reports; VT DOL UI Fraud Unit; DOL OIG — Vermont
2
Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment
Balanced budgets every year under Scott. FY2022-23 produced record surpluses from federal stimulus and income tax windfalls. VT relies on personal income tax (~40% GF), property tax transfer, and meals/rooms tax — no broad sales tax. ARPA $2.7B provided one-time cushion now depleted. FY2026 budget $9B signed without tax increases.
VT Joint Fiscal Office Budget Reports; VTDigger Budget Coverage; VT Tax Dept Revenue Data
2
Capital budget execution rate
Capital projects generally executed on schedule. Post-July 2023 flooding, massive road/bridge repair program accelerated using FEMA and state funds. IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) funds captured for bridge rehabilitation. FY2024 capital budget focused on deferred maintenance and flood resilience upgrades.
VT BGS Capital Reports; VT AOT Capital Program; FHWA-VT IIJA Allocations
2
Vendor/contractor oversight
Standard procurement oversight with no major contractor scandals during 9+ year tenure. Scott sold his own stake in DuBois Construction upon becoming governor to avoid conflicts of interest. Small state government and transparent contracting process limits opportunity for abuse.
VT BGS Procurement Records; Governor's Financial Disclosures; VT Ethics Records
3
Federal funding maximization
VT captures among highest per capita federal funding nationally due to minimum allocation floors and formula factors. ARPA: $2.7B total (~$4,200/resident — among top 3 states per capita). IIJA: captured full formula share for roads, bridges, broadband. Former Sen. Leahy's Appropriations Committee chairmanship (through 2022) amplified federal flows.
USASpending.gov — Vermont; Census Federal Aid per Capita; NCSL ARPA Allocations
3
Program eligibility verification systems
Vermont Health Connect (state health exchange) stabilized after rocky 2013-2014 launch under predecessor. Eligibility systems operational for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF. Green Mountain Care (Medicaid 1115 waiver) covers ~200K Vermonters (~30% of population). CMS approved 5-year waiver extension for all-payer model.
VT AHS Eligibility Data; Vermont Health Connect; CMS 1115 Waiver Extension
2
Signature legislation enacted
Landmark S.55 gun safety bill (Apr 2018) — magazine limits, age 21 purchase, bump stock ban, universal background checks. Signed HOME Act (S.100, Jun 2023) legalizing duplexes statewide and easing Act 250. Cannabis legalization H.511 (Jan 2018 — first state via legislature, not ballot). Broadband CUD expansion legislation. Limited by D/P supermajority opposition.
VT Legislature Bill Tracking; S.55 Signing 4/11/2018; S.100 6/5/2023; H.511 1/22/2018
2
Veto override rate
Record 57 vetoes issued (most in VT history — more than 25% of all vetoes ever issued in state). D/P supermajority overrides many: 6 of 8 vetoes overridden in June 2024 alone (property tax, pollinator protection, Burlington overdose prevention center, Act 250 reform H.687). Paid family leave veto sustained by ONE vote (Feb 2020). Among highest override rates nationally.
VT Legislature Journal; VT Democrats Veto Tracker; Seven Days 6/2024; VTDigger 2/5/2020
0
Bipartisan bills signed
Highest bipartisan rate of any governor evaluated. R governor working with D/P supermajority signs hundreds of bipartisan bills per session. S.55 gun safety (2018) is landmark bipartisan achievement — R governor signing gun restrictions after Parkland. HOME Act (S.100) bipartisan housing reform. Cannabis H.511 signed with bipartisan support. Won 71.6% in state Biden won by 35 pts.
VT Legislature Vote Records 2017-2025; VT Secretary of State Election Results
3
Special sessions called
Minimal special session use in 9+ year tenure. COVID-era special sessions necessary and productive — VT achieved best COVID outcomes nationally. June 2024 veto override session was legislative action, not governor-called. Vermont's part-time legislature (Jan-May) limits need for special sessions. No frivolous calls.
VT Governor's Proclamations; VT Legislature Records 2017-2025
3
Executive orders — legal challenges
Conservative use of executive authority with no significant legal challenges. COVID emergency orders were data-driven and widely praised (lowest death rate in continental US). Housing executive order issued to boost production. No court struck down any Scott EO. Restrained approach reflects R governor respecting legislative prerogatives even with hostile supermajority.
VT Court Records; Governor's Executive Orders 2017-2025; COVID Emergency Orders
3
Line-item veto usage
VT governor lacks line-item veto power (Constitution Ch. II §11) — only whole-bill veto available. Scott used whole-bill veto 57 times (record), often targeting spending provisions he opposed within larger bills. This constitutional limitation forces all-or-nothing choices on fiscal matters, disadvantaging governor vs. D/P supermajority.
VT Constitution Ch. II §11; VT Legislature Veto Records
2
Regulatory burden change
Scott consistently pushed back against regulatory expansion from D/P legislature. Vetoed Act 250 reform H.687 (Jun 2024) — wanted MORE deregulation for housing, not less — but overridden. Act 250 (1970) environmental review creates 6-18 month permitting delays for development. Scott signed HOME Act (S.100, 2023) easing zoning to allow duplexes statewide. Regulatory burden from overridden vetoes outside his control.
VT Secretary of State Administrative Rules; Act 250 Data; H.687 Override 6/17/2024; S.100 6/5/2023
2
Budget negotiation success
Budget passed every year with no shutdowns in 9+ year tenure. Scott's FY2026 $9B proposal was modified by legislature but signed into law (May 2025). Negotiations contentious — D/P supermajority adds spending Scott opposes. Scott emphasizes affordability; legislature prioritizes social programs. Conference committee process produces compromise annually.
VT Joint Fiscal Office; VTDigger 5/22/2025; VT Legislature Budget Conference Records
2
Bill signing rate on popular legislation
Signed popular measures: S.55 gun safety (2018), cannabis H.511 (2018 — first state via legislature), HOME Act housing reform (2023), broadband expansion. Vetoed minimum wage increase and paid family leave (veto sustained by ONE vote in 2020). 6 of 8 vetoes overridden in June 2024 session. Complex record — signs some popular bills, blocks others on fiscal grounds.
VT Legislature Records 2017-2025; VTDigger Veto Coverage
2
Legislative relationship
Deeply adversarial with D/P supermajority. 57 vetoes (most in VT history). Legislature overrides regularly. Scott operates as fiscal check on spending-oriented legislature. Despite tension, budget passes every year and hundreds of bills signed. Relationship functional but structurally adversarial — R governor vs. veto-proof D/P majority is inherently conflictual.
VT Legislature Records; Veto/Override History 2017-2025; Boston Globe 2/21/2026
1
Implementation of voter-approved measures
Vermont has no statewide initiative/referendum process (one of few states without it). Constitutional amendments require legislative passage in two consecutive biennia then voter approval. Proposal 5 (reproductive rights) passed by voters Nov 2022 — Scott did not oppose. All voter-approved amendments implemented faithfully.
VT Constitution Ch. II §72; VT Secretary of State; Proposal 5 (Article 22) Nov 2022
3
Task force follow-through
Housing task force led to HOME Act (S.100, 2023) and executive order boosting housing production. Climate Council recommendations partially implemented — some via override. Flood recovery task force produced ongoing reconstruction program. VT Housing Needs Assessment 2025-2029 identifies 36,000+ unit deficit. Follow-through constrained by divided government and small-state resources.
VT Climate Council Reports; VT Housing Needs Assessment 2025-2029; S.100; Governor's Housing EO
2
Policy reversals under pressure
S.55 gun bill (Apr 2018) was major policy shift after Parkland and Fair Haven, VT school shooting plot — but Scott framed it as principled response to evidence, not capitulation. Cannabis H.511 signed 'with mixed emotions' (Jan 2018). Consistent on fiscal conservatism, anti-tax, affordability message throughout 5 terms. Vetoed minimum wage increase despite popularity. Rare reversals.
Governor's S.55 Signing Statement 4/11/2018; CBS News Cannabis Signing; Policy Records
2
Appointee criminal/ethics issues
Zero appointee criminal charges or substantiated ethics complaints across 9+ years and 5 terms. Clean record across all cabinet-level and judicial appointments. Small-state transparency and media scrutiny makes concealment difficult — no issues surfaced.
VT Court Records; VT Ethics Commission; VT Media Archives 2017-2025
3
Agency head vacancy rate
State workforce vacancy rate 11.3% (FY2024), improved to 9.5% (FY2025) with 912 vacant positions. Agency head recruitment challenging — VT's rural location, below-market pay, and small government size limit applicant pools. Key agencies (AHS, DCF, AOT) experienced leadership transitions. Positions generally filled but with delays.
VT DHR Workforce Report FY2024-25; Governor's Appointment Records
2
State employee turnover
Vacancy rate 9.5% (FY2025, down from 11.3% FY2024). Corrections officer vacancy rate 28% at Northern State Correctional Facility (Newport) — only 50 of 80 positions filled. DCF family services worker vacancy 11.4%, turnover 16.1% (2024). IT and social services chronically understaffed. Workforce shortage amplified by VT's aging population and shrinking labor pool (labor force below 350K).
VT DHR Workforce Report FY2024-25; VTDigger Corrections 9/2025; DCF Child Protection Report 2024
1
Diversity of appointments
VT is ~93% white (2nd least diverse state). Appointed Judge Nancy Waples — first woman of color on VT Supreme Court (Feb 2022, daughter of Chinese immigrants). Judicial Nominating Board produces diverse shortlists when possible. Efforts genuine but limited by applicant pool demographics. State workforce demographics mirror population.
Governor's Appointment Records; VT Supreme Court Waples Appointment 2/25/2022; Census ACS VT Demographics
2
Judicial appointment quality
Judicial appointments well-regarded across political spectrum. Nancy Waples (Supreme Court, 2022) — first woman of color, confirmed by D/P-controlled Senate. Judicial Nominating Board provides 3-5 nominees per vacancy; Scott selects without partisan litmus tests. R governor appointing judges confirmed by D/P Senate demonstrates quality over ideology.
VT Judicial Nominating Board Records; VT Bar Association; Senate Confirmation Records
3
State workforce pay competitiveness
Negotiated 2024-2026 VSEA contract: 4.5% across-the-board increase FY2025 + 3.5% FY2026, plus average 1.9% step increases. Prior contract (2022-24): 3% + 2% ATB. Pay still below market in corrections, social work, IT. Corrections officers at Northern State earning less than private sector — 28% vacancy rate. Half of VT nurses over age 48; one-third of primary care doctors over 60.
VT DHR Compensation Reports; VSEA 2024-2026 CBA; Seven Days 3/2024 Aging Workforce
1
Whistleblower protection
VT Statutes Title 3 §471 provides whistleblower protections for state employees. No documented retaliation cases during Scott's 9+ year tenure. State Auditor (elected, independent) serves as additional oversight channel. Small-state government culture allows direct communication, reducing need for formal whistleblowing.
VT Statutes Title 3 §471; VT State Auditor Records; VT DHR Records 2017-2025
3
Inspector General independence
State Auditor Doug Hoffer (D, elected 2012-2024) operated fully independently during Scott's tenure — published critical reports without interference from R governor. Auditor's office budget maintained. ACFR received GFOA Certificate of Achievement 17 consecutive years. No executive branch interference with audit functions.
VT State Auditor Office Records; GFOA Certificates; VT Auditor Independence Records
3
State employee morale
VSEA reports chronic morale issues from understaffing and below-market pay. Corrections mandatory overtime at Northern State (28% officer vacancy). DCF worker turnover 16.1% (2024). Vacancy rate improving (11.3% FY2024 to 9.5% FY2025) but remaining staff bear heavy workloads. VT ranks 50th for working-age residents (25-44) as % of population — workforce crisis compounds morale issues.
VT DHR Employee Surveys; VSEA Reports; VT DHR Workforce Report FY2025; Census ACS
1
Nepotism/cronyism
Zero documented nepotism or cronyism in 9+ year tenure. Scott sold his ownership stake in DuBois Construction upon becoming governor to avoid conflicts of interest — proactive ethics step. Small-state transparency (population 649K, one area code, everyone-knows-everyone culture) makes cronyism nearly impossible to conceal.
VT Ethics Records; Governor's Financial Disclosures; DuBois Construction Sale
3
Senior staff criminal charges
Zero senior staff criminal charges across 5 terms (2017-present). No cabinet members, chiefs of staff, or senior advisors investigated or charged. Clean administration with no scandal. Longest-serving current R governor with unblemished senior staff record.
VT Court Records; VT Media Archives 2017-2025
3
Agency performance accountability
DCF faces systemic challenges: 11.4% worker vacancy, 16.1% turnover (2024), antiquated data system built in 1983 (one of oldest nationally), 907 children in out-of-home custody (Sept 2024). DCF settled LGBTQ foster care licensing lawsuits (Feb 2026). Other agencies generally adequate. AOT managed massive post-flood road reconstruction.
VT DCF Child Protection Report 2024; ACF CFSR — Vermont; VTDigger DCF Coverage 2024-2026
2
Disaster declaration timeliness
Rapid state emergency declaration for July 2023 catastrophic flooding (worst since 1927). Biden approved federal Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4720-DR) within days. Dec 2023 flooding: Scott requested disaster declaration for 7 counties (approved Mar 2024, expanded to all 14 counties). COVID emergency declared promptly March 2020. Consistently fast declarations across multiple disaster types.
FEMA-4720-DR; FEMA Dec 2023 Declaration; VT Emergency Management Records; Governor's Emergency Orders
3
FEMA Public Assistance secured
Secured $54.7M+ in total federal assistance for July 2023 flooding (FEMA-4720-DR): $26M Individual Assistance + $50.6M Public Assistance obligated. Additional Dec 2023 flooding: $1.9M+ in damages, separate disaster declaration approved. FEMA awarded $22M+ for July storms recovery costs (Jan 2025). Effective federal coordination with Biden administration despite party difference.
FEMA-4720-DR Recovery Data; FEMA Press Release 1/22/2025; FEMA Dec 2023 Declaration
3
Emergency reserve adequacy
Budget Stabilization Reserve capped at 5% of prior-year GF appropriations (~$100M). Below national median of 49 days' spending (Pew 2024). ARPA $2.7B provided one-time cushion (exhausted by Dec 2024). For July 2023 flooding, FEMA covered bulk of emergency costs; state share manageable. Combined reserves at 12.5% cap adequate for normal operations but stressed by repeated flood disasters.
VT State Treasurer Reports; Pew Charitable Trusts 2024; VT Statutes Title 32 §308c
2
Lives lost — preventable from state failure
July 2023 flooding (worst since 1927 — 3-9 inches rain in 48 hours) caused 2 deaths — tragic but not preventable given extreme weather. Winooski River crested 21.35 ft in Montpelier (surpassed Irene 2011 by 2+ ft). Over 100 people rescued from flooded cars/homes. COVID: VT had lowest per capita death rate in continental US. No preventable mass casualty from state failure.
USGS Flood Report; NOAA NWS Burlington; CDC COVID Data; VT DEM Records
3
Post-disaster recovery
July 2023 flood recovery ongoing at 1-year anniversary (Jul 2024). Montpelier downtown submerged — businesses, homes, infrastructure severely damaged. FEMA obligated $50.6M Public Assistance + $26M Individual Assistance. Scott suspended state/local regulations to support temporary housing for flood victims. Recovery complicated by second flooding event Dec 2023. Long-term resilience investments underway.
FEMA-4720-DR Recovery Data; Governor's Regulatory Suspension Order; FEMA 1-Year Progress Report
2
Public health emergency response
COVID: Vermont achieved BEST outcomes in continental US. Lowest per capita death rate. First state to vaccinate 80% of 12+ population (Jun 2021) — lifted all restrictions upon reaching milestone. Highest testing rate, lowest hospitalization rate. Scott held calm, data-driven briefings praised nationally as model. Gradual reopening tied to vaccination metrics, not politics.
CDC COVID Data Tracker; VT DOH Dashboard; Governor's 80% Milestone Announcement 6/14/2021
3
Infrastructure failure prevention
July 2023 flooding (worst since 1927) exposed aging stormwater, road, and bridge infrastructure. Winooski River exceeded Irene (2011) crest by 2+ ft. Several rivers hit record levels. USGS documented streamgage records broken at multiple stations with 90-108 years of data. Infrastructure damage unavoidable at this magnitude — but post-flood investment in resilience underway using IIJA and FEMA funds.
USGS SIR 2025-5016 Flood Report; VT AOT Assessment; NOAA NWS Burlington July 2023
2
National Guard deployment appropriateness
VT National Guard activated on state active-duty for July 2023 flooding: 75+ members deployed for search/rescue, supply delivery, traffic control, and evacuation support. Military vehicles traversed flooded areas. COVID: Guard supported vaccination sites, hospital staffing, and logistics. All deployments appropriate — no politicized or controversial use of Guard assets.
DVIDSHUB VT Flood Response 2023; US Army 7/2023; VT National Guard COVID-19 Response Records
3
Emergency communication
Scott held 100+ COVID press briefings — calm, data-driven, non-partisan tone praised nationally as gold standard for governor communication. Tied reopening to specific vaccination milestones (80% threshold). July 2023 flooding: immediate public communication, declared emergency within hours. Academic study ('The Great Vermont Floods of 2023') assessed risk/crisis communication as effective.
Governor's COVID Briefings; Tandfonline Risk Communication Study 2025; VT DEM Records
3
Interagency coordination
Strong interagency coordination during COVID (DOH, AHS, National Guard, emergency management) and July 2023 flooding (DEM, AOT, National Guard, FEMA). Small government (~8,500 state employees) facilitates direct communication between agency heads. Scott's construction industry background aided infrastructure damage assessment. Whole-of-government approach to pandemic recognized as national model.
VT DEM After-Action Reports; COVID Response Reviews; FEMA-4720 Coordination Records
3
Pandemic response metrics
VT COVID outcomes: lowest per capita death rate in continental US at multiple points. First state to vaccinate 80% of eligible 12+ population. Highest per capita testing rate. Lowest hospitalization rate. Cases fell 75% in weeks as vaccination accelerated. Measured reopening using vaccination milestones (not political pressure). National model — R governor following science in bluest state produced best outcomes.
CDC COVID Data Tracker; Johns Hopkins Mortality Data; VT DOH Dashboard; Governor's 80% Announcement
3
Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure
Multiple flooding events tested preparedness: July 2023 (catastrophic, worst since 1927), Dec 2023 (7 counties), plus Tropical Storm Irene legacy improvements. FEMA flood maps outdated — many Vermonters unaware of risk (WBUR investigation). Post-2023 investment in flood resilience infrastructure using IIJA and FEMA hazard mitigation funds. Vermont faces increasing climate-driven flood risk.
VT DEMHS
2
FOIA/open records compliance
VT Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §315-320) compliance strong. Small state government (~8,500 employees) more responsive than larger states. Secretary of State Public Records Division handles disputes. Few formal complaints during Scott's tenure. VT ranked among more transparent states for records access.
VT Secretary of State Public Records Division; 1 V.S.A. §315-320
3
Governor's schedule availability
Scott is remarkably accessible for a governor — known for personally answering his phone and returning constituent calls. Schedule published on governor.vermont.gov. Attends town meetings, county fairs, and Thunder Road stock car races where constituents approach him directly. Small state (649K population) enables personal engagement impossible in larger states.
Governor's Office Website; VT Media Coverage of Constituent Accessibility
3
Campaign finance compliance
Campaign finance reports filed on time for all 5 elections (2016-2024). No violations. Vermont has strict campaign finance limits and disclosure requirements. Scott's campaigns consistently compliant. Won 5 elections with increasing margins (52.9% to 71.6%) — fundraising transparent and within rules throughout.
VT Secretary of State Campaign Finance Records; FEC/State Filing Records 2016-2024
3
Financial disclosure
Personal financial disclosures filed annually as required. Sold ownership stake in DuBois Construction (co-owned since 1986) upon becoming governor to avoid conflicts — proactive disclosure and divestiture. No undisclosed income, investments, or conflicts identified in 9+ years.
VT Financial Disclosure Filings; DuBois Construction Divestiture Records
3
Open meetings compliance
No documented open meetings law violations during Scott's tenure. VT Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. §310-314) requires public access to government meetings. COVID-era remote/hybrid meeting accommodations implemented smoothly. Governor's COVID briefings were publicly broadcast and widely accessible.
VT Open Meeting Law Records; 1 V.S.A. §310-314
3
Open data portal
Vermont operates data.vermont.gov open data portal, geodata.vermont.gov (geospatial), and vtransparency.vermont.gov (financial transparency/SPOTLIGHT). Partnered with AWS Open Data Initiative for cloud-hosted geospatial data (aerial imagery, LiDAR). Limited dataset count vs. larger states due to small budget, but quality and accessibility are strong for state size.
data.vermont.gov; geodata.vermont.gov; vtransparency.vermont.gov; AWS Open Data Registry
2
Budget transparency
Budget fully transparent via JFO publications: Fiscal Facts Booklet, consensus revenue forecasts, bill fiscal notes all publicly accessible. SPOTLIGHT (vtransparency.vermont.gov) provides checkbook-level expenditure data. Governor's FY2027 $9.4B budget proposal published in full. ACFR receives GFOA Certificate of Achievement (17th year in FY2024).
VT JFO Publications; SPOTLIGHT vtransparency.vermont.gov; GFOA Certificate FY2024
3
Lobbying disclosure
Lobbying registration and disclosure through Secretary of State's office. Vermont's small lobbying community (~200 registered lobbyists) is well-documented and easily monitored. All lobbying expenditures publicly reported. Small-state scale means lobbying activity is more transparent than in larger states with thousands of lobbyists.
VT Secretary of State Lobbyist Registration Database
3
IG report publication
State Auditor reports published publicly on auditor.vermont.gov. ACFR, single audit, special investigations all available online. Doug Hoffer (D, Auditor 2012-2024) published reports without executive branch interference. FY2025 ACFR published on time. Unmodified audit opinions for 20+ consecutive years demonstrate consistent transparency.
auditor.vermont.gov; VT State Auditor Reports 2017-2025
3
Legislative audit cooperation
Full cooperation with legislative audits throughout 9+ year tenure. Executive branch agencies provide requested documentation to State Auditor without obstruction. No complaints of delayed or denied access from auditor's office. R governor cooperating fully with D-elected auditor demonstrates institutional integrity.
VT State Auditor Records; Audit Cooperation Documentation 2017-2025
3
Press conference accessibility
Scott held 100+ COVID press briefings with open Q&A — praised nationally as gold standard for transparency. Regular weekly press availability during legislative session. Accessible to VT media (VTDigger, Seven Days, Vermont Public, WCAX). Does not avoid hostile questions. Longest-serving current R governor maintains open press relations despite adversarial D/P legislature.
Governor's Office Media Schedule; VT Press Gallery; VTDigger/Seven Days Coverage
3
State contract transparency
Procurement contracts publicly available via VT BGS and SPOTLIGHT transparency portal. Scott sold DuBois Construction stake to avoid conflict of interest with state contracting. Small state makes contract oversight manageable — fewer vendors, more visible relationships. No contracting scandals in 9+ years.
VT BGS Procurement Records; SPOTLIGHT vtransparency.vermont.gov
3
Court order compliance
Full compliance with all court orders during 9+ year tenure. No contempt findings, no defiance of judicial rulings. COVID emergency orders upheld — no court struck down any Scott order. VT Supreme Court upheld S.55 gun safety law (Feb 2021). Governor respects judicial independence across political spectrum.
VT Court Records; VT Supreme Court S.55 Ruling 2/19/2021
3
Personal criminal charges
Zero criminal charges, investigations, or grand jury proceedings in 9+ years as governor and 6 years as Lt. Governor (2011-2017). Longest-serving current R governor with completely clean criminal record. No state or federal investigations of any kind.
VT Court Records; Federal Court Records; VT AG Records
3
Ethics complaints — substantiated
Zero substantiated ethics complaints in 15+ years of statewide office (Lt. Gov 2011-2017, Gov 2017-present). No formal ethics investigations opened. Proactively divested DuBois Construction ownership to prevent even appearance of conflict. Among cleanest ethics records of any governor evaluated.
VT Ethics Records; VT Judicial Conduct Board (no complaints)
3
Gift/travel disclosure
All gift/travel disclosures filed. Scott known for remarkably modest lifestyle — still races stock cars at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre (30+ career Late Model wins, 1996/1998 LMS champion, 1997/1999 Milk Bowl winner). First sitting governor to win a stock car race (June 2019). No lavish gifts, luxury travel, or lifestyle controversies. Drives himself.
VT Financial Disclosure Records; Boston.com 7/19/2017; VTDigger 7/3/2019
3
Conflict of interest
SOLD ownership stake in DuBois Construction (co-owned since 1986) upon becoming governor because company did business with State of Vermont — proactive conflict elimination, not just disclosure. No conflicts of interest identified in 9+ years. No blind trust needed after divestiture.
VT Ethics Records; Financial Disclosures; DuBois Construction Sale Records
3
State resources for political purposes
Zero documented misuse of state resources across 9+ years. No state vehicle misuse, no campaign use of government staff, no taxpayer-funded personal travel. Scott's modest personal lifestyle (stock car racer, construction background) aligns with frugal governance approach. Drives personal vehicle to Thunder Road races.
VT Ethics Records; VT State Property Records
3
Truthfulness in official statements
Known for honest, data-driven communication across 5 terms. 100+ COVID briefings relied on DOH data, not political spin — praised nationally. Told gun rights supporters directly that he changed his mind on S.55 after Parkland/Fair Haven rather than evading. VT media (VTDigger, Seven Days, VT Public) have not documented misleading official statements. Rare for any politician in 9+ years of scrutiny.
Governor's Public Statements; VTDigger/Seven Days/VT Public Media Analysis 2017-2025
3
Protection of ethics infrastructure
Maintained all ethics oversight infrastructure. State Auditor (D) operated independently without interference. No efforts to defund, restructure, or undermine ethics oversight bodies. Supported independent audit function even when findings were unfavorable. Ethics infrastructure budget maintained throughout tenure.
VT Ethics Budget Records; State Auditor Independence Records
3
Emoluments/self-dealing
Zero self-dealing incidents. Proactively sold DuBois Construction stake (co-owned since 1986) to prevent any appearance of self-dealing through state contracts. No personal financial benefit from official actions identified. Among cleanest emoluments records of any long-serving governor nationally.
VT Financial Disclosure Records; DuBois Construction Divestiture
3
Campaign donor to state contract pipeline
No documented donor-to-contract pipeline across 5 campaigns (2016-2024). Vermont's strict campaign finance limits, small donor base, and transparent contracting (SPOTLIGHT portal) make pay-to-play difficult. Scott's construction industry divestiture eliminated the most obvious potential pipeline. BGS procurement records show no patterns of donor favoritism.
VT Campaign Finance Records; VT BGS Purchasing Division; SPOTLIGHT Portal
3
Foreign influence
No foreign influence concerns. Vermont's border with Quebec involves legitimate cross-border cooperation (NEG-ECP conferences, Lake Champlain Basin Program) — all properly documented through official channels. No FARA registrations connected to governor's office. No foreign government gifts or travel.
DOJ FARA Database; NEG-ECP Conference Records; Lake Champlain Basin Program
3
Sexual harassment claims
Zero sexual harassment claims against governor or governor's office staff across 9+ years and 5 terms. No settlements, no NDAs, no complaints. Clean workplace environment record throughout tenure.
VT DHR Records; VT Human Rights Commission; Court Records
3
Records preservation
No documented records preservation violations. Governor's office records maintained per VT State Archives requirements. No allegations of deleted emails, destroyed documents, or hidden communications during 9+ year tenure. Full compliance with records retention schedules.
VT State Archives; VT Secretary of State Records Division
3
Revolving door
No major revolving door concerns. Vermont's small government (~8,500 employees), limited private sector lobbying industry (~200 lobbyists), and rural location reduce revolving door opportunities compared to larger states. No former Scott administration officials identified in problematic lobbying roles. Small-state transparency makes revolving door visible.
VT Ethics Records; VT Secretary of State Lobbyist Registrations
3
Fraud losses in state programs
Minimal fraud losses relative to state size. Pandemic UI fraud occurred (coordinated national scam attacks) but VT DOL created dedicated Fraud Unit, removed online application temporarily, implemented identity verification. Small claims volume (~5K weekly peak vs. 100K+ in larger states) was more manageable. No major state program fraud scandals beyond pandemic UI.
VT DOL Fraud Reports; VT DOL UI Fraud Unit; DOL OIG — Vermont
3
Program integrity — eligibility verification
Vermont Health Connect (state health exchange) stabilized under Scott after disastrous 2013-2014 launch under predecessor Shumlin. Green Mountain Care (Medicaid 1115 waiver) provides coverage to ~200K Vermonters. CMS approved 5-year waiver extension. Eligibility verification systems operational for Medicaid, SNAP, TANF. Uninsured rate ~4% — among lowest nationally.
VT AHS Reports; Vermont Health Connect; CMS 1115 Waiver; Census ACS Health Insurance Data
2
IT system modernization
DCF still runs child welfare data system built in 1983 — one of oldest nationally, preventing access to some federal funding and incurring annual penalties. Vermont Health Connect IT stabilized. State broadband expansion: 96.8% of locations served at 4/1 Mbps; 78.5% at 100/20 Mbps. CUD fiber network expanding to 53K+ homes in 41 communities. IT modernization constrained by small budget.
VT DII Technology Reports; DCF Child Protection Report 2024; VT Broadband Coverage Data 2024
2
Permit processing timeliness
Act 250 (1970 environmental review law) creates 6-18 month permitting delays. Scott signed HOME Act (S.100, 2023) legalizing duplexes statewide, easing some permitting. Vetoed H.687 Act 250 reform (June 2024) wanting MORE deregulation — legislature overrode. H.687 creates development 'tiers' easing Act 250 in built areas. VT Housing Needs Assessment: 36,000+ units needed by 2029. Permitting remains major bottleneck.
VT Natural Resources Board Act 250 Data; S.100 6/5/2023; H.687 Override 6/17/2024; VT HNA 2025-2029
1
Child welfare system
DCF in systemic crisis: 907 children in out-of-home custody, 407 in conditional custody (Sept 2024). Worker vacancy 11.4%, turnover 16.1%. Data system built in 1983 is one of oldest nationally. Foster care capacity insufficient — not enough families to care for vulnerable children. DCF settled LGBTQ foster care licensing lawsuits (Feb 2026). Drug-dependent newborns have nowhere to go.
VT DCF Child Protection Report 2024; ACF CFSR — Vermont; VTDigger DCF Coverage 2024-2026
2
Medicaid program management
Green Mountain Care (Medicaid 1115 waiver) covers ~200K Vermonters (~30% of population). All-Payer ACO Model: CMS innovation test aligning Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payments on value-based structure — first of its kind nationally. CMS approved 5-year waiver extension. Uninsured rate ~4% (among lowest). VT abandoned single-payer (Green Mountain Care Board) before Scott but maintained robust Medicaid.
CMS All-Payer ACO Model; VT DVHA Medicaid Data; Green Mountain Care Board; CMS 1115 Extension
3
Environmental program
Lake Champlain phosphorus TMDL: 9 years and $600M+ spent, achieved 26% of required phosphorus reduction (120,593 lbs/yr). EPA 5-year progress assessments ongoing. Act 250 environmental review landmark program (1970). Clean Water Initiative invests in agricultural runoff reduction. Scott vetoed some environmental bills (legislature overrode). VT Clean Energy Standard in place. Mixed record — supports environmental infrastructure but resists regulatory expansion.
EPA TMDL Report; VT Clean Water Initiative 2024 Report; VT DEC; Compass Vermont Analysis
2
Transportation project delivery
VTrans (AOT) managed massive post-July 2023 flood road/bridge reconstruction — hundreds of road segments damaged, multiple bridges compromised. IIJA formula funds captured for bridge rehabilitation program. VT has ~14,000 miles of roads and ~2,700 bridges. Small state budget limits capacity but federal funds supplemented. Dec 2023 second flooding event added to infrastructure repair backlog.
VT AOT Project Delivery Reports; FHWA-VT Data; FEMA-4720 Infrastructure Damage Assessment
2
Unemployment insurance system
VT DOL UI system handled pandemic surge adequately — small claims volume (peak ~5K/week) was manageable vs. larger states. Created dedicated UI Fraud Unit to combat coordinated scam attacks. Benefits processed without major backlogs. Trust fund remained solvent. Post-pandemic VT unemployment 2.4% (2024) — among lowest nationally. UI system currently stable.
VT DOL UI Performance Data; BLS LAUS VT 2024; DOL UI Weekly Claims — Vermont
3
Veterans services
VT veteran population ~38,000 (small, aging). White River Junction VA Medical Center (federal) is primary provider. State Office of Veterans' Affairs coordinates benefits, housing assistance, and employment services. VT veterans' cemetery in Randolph Center. Limited state-level services due to small population, but federal VA coverage comprehensive. No major complaints.
VT Office of Veterans' Affairs; VA State Data — Vermont; Census ACS Veteran Population
2
Housing program effectiveness
CRISIS: Rental vacancy 3.2% (Chittenden County was under 1% for over a year). Median home price $353K statewide (2024, +9% YoY), $500K in Chittenden County. VT Housing Needs Assessment 2025-2029: need 36,000+ additional units. Quarter of renters severely cost-burdened. Scott signed HOME Act (S.100, 2023) legalizing duplexes; issued housing EO; vetoed H.687 wanting MORE deregulation (overridden). Housing is VT's #1 crisis.
FRED VT Rental Vacancy; VT HNA 2025-2029; VT Housing Finance Agency; Census ACS; S.100; H.687
0
Corrections system
Prison population rising: 1,366 (Sept 2023) to 1,650+ (2025). ~130 inmates housed at CoreCivic's Tallahatchie County Correctional Facility in Mississippi (private prison — ACLU condemned). Overcrowding: inmates sleeping on floors. Corrections officer vacancy 28% at Northern State (Newport) — only 50/80 positions filled. Mandatory overtime creates unsafe conditions. Staffing crisis is DOC's core problem.
VTDigger Corrections 9/2025; ACLU-VT CoreCivic Statement; VT DOC Data; BJS NPS
2
Federal funding captured
VT captures among highest per capita federal funding nationally. ARPA: $2.7B total (~$4,200/resident — among top 3 states). IIJA: full formula share for roads, bridges, broadband, water. FEMA: $76M+ across July 2023 and Dec 2023 floods. Sen. Leahy's Appropriations Committee chairmanship (through 2022 retirement) amplified VT's federal funding. R governor worked effectively with Biden administration on disaster relief.
USASpending.gov; NCSL ARPA Allocations; FEMA Disaster Recovery Data; Census Federal Aid per Capita
3
Federal corrective action plans
Minimal federal corrective actions across programs. Medicaid 1115 waiver in compliance — CMS approved 5-year extension. Single audit findings minimal. FEMA satisfied with disaster recovery administration. EPA Lake Champlain TMDL progress assessed (26% of target achieved). No major federal compliance failures or sanctions.
Federal Agency Reviews — Vermont; CMS Waiver Extension; EPA TMDL Assessment; FEMA Recovery Data
3
Interstate cooperation
Active in NEG-ECP (New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers) — attended 45th annual conference (Sept 2024, Boston). Lake Champlain Basin Program: VT-NY-Quebec cooperation on water quality, flooding, ecosystems. Renewed MOU with Quebec Premier on environmental cooperation (originally 1988). Member of New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. Explored billion-dollar underwater powerline from Quebec.
NEG-ECP Conference Records; Lake Champlain Basin Program; VT-Quebec MOU; Governor's Press Release
3
Local government relations
Strong relations with 251 municipalities. Vermont's town meeting tradition (annual March meetings, open-floor democracy) means governor engages directly with local government at grassroots level. VT League of Cities and Towns coordinates. ARPA municipal allocations ($200M+) distributed smoothly. Post-flood recovery involved direct state-municipal coordination. Scott's construction background aids local infrastructure discussions.
VT League of Cities and Towns; ARPA Municipal Allocations; Town Meeting Records
3
Federal litigation costs
Minimal federal litigation costs. VT AG (Charity Clark, D) handles most federal engagement — not governor-directed. Vermont not among states filing major anti-federal lawsuits. R governor in blue state creates unusual dynamic — not adversarial with either D or R federal administrations. No significant litigation costs from state-federal conflicts during tenure.
VT AG Litigation Reports; VT Budget Legal Line Items 2017-2025
3
Constituent inquiry response
Scott is legendarily accessible — known for personally answering his cell phone when constituents call. Responds to emails and letters. Small state (649K population, one area code) enables direct engagement impossible in larger states. Approached at Thunder Road races, grocery stores, town meetings. Constituents report personal follow-up on issues raised.
Governor's Office; VT Media Reports; Bennington Banner 2024 Profile
3
Town halls held
Vermont's annual Town Meeting Day (first Tuesday in March) is unique democratic tradition — open-floor debates on budgets, school spending, local issues. Scott participates and attends meetings across the state. 82% of school budgets approved at March 2026 town meetings. Governor also holds community forums, county fair appearances, and post-disaster community meetings (Montpelier flood recovery).
Governor's Office Schedule; VT Town Meeting Records; Vermont Public 3/4/2026
3
Constituent satisfaction
MOST POPULAR GOVERNOR IN AMERICA for 14 consecutive quarters (Morning Consult through Q4 2025). Q4 2024: 75% approval. Q4 2025: 74% approval. Peak: 81% (2024). Popular across party lines — D/R/I all approve. Won 71.6% in 2024 in state Biden won by 35 pts. This cross-partisan approval is unprecedented in modern American politics for any governor of either party.
Morning Consult Governor Approval Tracker (quarterly); X/MorningConsult 1/14/2025
3
ADA compliance
Standard ADA compliance maintained. Governor's office website accessible. State buildings comply with ADA requirements. VT Human Rights Commission handles disability discrimination complaints — no significant issues during Scott's tenure. COVID briefings included ASL interpretation and captioning for accessibility.
VT Human Rights Commission; DOJ ADA Reviews — Vermont; Governor's Website Accessibility Records
3
Electoral accountability
Won 5 consecutive elections with INCREASING margins: 2016 (52.9%), 2018 (55.4%), 2020 (68.5%), 2022 (70.9%), 2024 (71.6% — won EVERY municipality, best R performance since 1946). Defeated Democrat Esther Charlestin by 50+ pts in 2024. Republican winning 71.6% in state Biden won by 35 pts is unprecedented in modern American politics. Longest-serving current R governor.
VT Secretary of State Election Results 2016-2024; NBC News 2024 Results; VT Public 11/5/2024
3

Section B — State Outcomes 599/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

BEA SAGDP: VT GDP $40.3B (2024) — smallest state economy but GDP per capita ~$62K, above national average. BLS LAUS: unemployment 2.4% (2024), lowest in New England, consistently 1-2 pts below national average since 2017. GDP growth 1.8% real (2023), below national 2.5%. Limited industry diversification: tourism/recreation ($3.1B annual visitor spending), dairy farming ($700M annual), tech/remote work. Census ACS: median household income $72,431, up from $57K in 2017. Remote worker influx during COVID added ~5,000 new residents (2020-2022) but tapering. Labor force participation 66.2% — constrained by aging population (2nd oldest median age nationally at 43.0). Think Vermont program offers $7,500 relocation grants to attract remote workers.
Census 2025: VT population 644,663, essentially flat since 2020. Net migration 2020-2023 was +9,503 (26,000 moved in, 23,000 left), offsetting natural decline. 2nd oldest median age nationally at 43.0 (females 44.2, males 41.8). Population 91.4% White, 4.8% multiracial, 1.7% Asian, 1.2% Black. Youth out-migration persistent — young adults leave for opportunities in Boston, NYC. VT Housing Needs Assessment 2025-2029: workforce shortage driven by unaffordable housing (median home $370K, vacancy ~2%). Think Vermont relocation program drew ~5,000 remote workers (2020-2022). Deaths now exceed births annually — population sustained only by in-migration. Smallest state by population except Wyoming.
S&P AA+ credit rating (stable, affirmed 2024). Budget Stabilization Reserve capped at 5% of prior-year GF appropriations (~$100M). 9 consecutive balanced budgets under Scott (FY2018-FY2027). FY2027 budget $9.4B proposed (5% increase over FY2026 $9.0B). VSTRS pension funded at ~55% — among worst-funded teacher pension systems nationally. VSERS funded at ~70%. Combined unfunded liability exceeds $2.5B. VT relies on personal income tax (~40% of $2.2B General Fund), creating volatility. ARPA $2.7B exhausted by Dec 2024. Per capita tax burden among top 5 states. Reliance on federal aid: $4,200/resident in ARPA alone. GFOA Certificate of Achievement 17th consecutive year (FY2024 ACFR).
FBI UCR/VCIC: VT violent crime rate 219/100K (2024) — 39% below national average, ranked 40th for violent crime. Crime decreased 9.2% overall 2023-2024. Violent crime clearance rate 73% (2022) — 35 pts better than national average. Zero mass shootings in 2025 (one of only 5 states). Property crime 27.19/1K (2025, above national 22.89 — rising trend). S.55 gun safety law (2018): magazine limits (10 pistol/15 rifle), raised purchase age to 21, bump stock ban, expanded background checks. Opioid crisis managed better than most New England states — VT had lowest per capita COVID death rate in continental US. State police budget ~$60M; 330 troopers covering 9,616 sq mi.
NAEP 2022: VT scores above national average. High per-pupil spending (~$22K — among highest) but declining enrollment means per-unit costs rising. HS graduation ~92% (excellent). Strong school system but expensive and facing consolidation challenges due to enrollment decline (Act 46).
Census ACS: uninsured ~4% — among lowest. All-payer model innovative. Medicaid coverage strong. CDC: life expectancy ~79.4 (slightly above national). Mental health services stretched thin in rural areas. Hospital financial stress (small rural hospitals). Overall health outcomes good.
July 2023 flooding (worst since 1927 — 3-9 inches rain in 48 hours) exposed aging infrastructure: Winooski River crested 21.35 ft in Montpelier (surpassed 2011 Irene by 2+ ft). Hundreds of road segments damaged, multiple bridges compromised. FHWA NBI: VT has ~2,700 bridges, bridge conditions historically below national average for state size. Broadband: 96.8% served at 4/1 Mbps, 78.5% at 100/20 Mbps, CUD fiber network expanding to 53K+ homes in 41 communities. IIJA formula funds captured for bridge rehabilitation. ~14,000 miles of roads maintained by VTrans (AOT). Dec 2023 second flooding added to repair backlog. ARPA $2.7B supplemented state infrastructure budget (exhausted Dec 2024). Small state budget (~$9.4B total) limits capacity.
BEA RPP: 105-108 (above national). Housing: median home ~$370K — up 40%+ in 4 years. LOWEST rental vacancy in nation (~2-3%). Property taxes among highest nationally. Energy costs high (heating oil dependent). Groceries above national. Vermont increasingly unaffordable.
VT Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. §315-320) compliance strong. Statewide public records reporting system launched 1/4/2019 tracking all requests via Agency of Administration. SPOTLIGHT (vtransparency.vermont.gov) provides checkbook-level expenditure data. data.vermont.gov open data portal + geodata.vermont.gov (geospatial) + AWS Open Data Initiative for aerial imagery/LiDAR. State Auditor published reports without executive interference — unmodified audit opinions 20+ consecutive years. 100+ COVID briefings with open Q&A. Small government (~8,500 employees) inherently more responsive. AG posts all public record requests and responses online. ~200 registered lobbyists publicly tracked. Town meeting tradition (251 municipalities) ensures grassroots transparency.
Remarkably low controversy for a 5th-term governor — zero scandals, zero corruption, zero personal controversies in 9+ years. Gun bill S.55 (2018) — magazine limits, raised purchase age to 21, bump stock ban — was controversial with gun-rights base (NRA downgraded) but broadly supported after Parkland/Fair Haven threat. 92 veto overrides by D/P supermajority create political tension but within normal democratic process. Sold DuBois Construction stake proactively to avoid conflict of interest. Stock car racing at Thunder Road Speedbowl (30+ Late Model wins, first sitting governor to win a race in June 2019) is his most colorful trait. Morning Consult: most popular governor in America for 14 consecutive quarters.
Against predecessor Peter Shumlin (D, 2011-2017): Shumlin abandoned single-payer healthcare, left office with ~30% approval, opioid epidemic spotlight was his signature. Scott's COVID response rated best nationally — lowest per capita death rate, first state to vaccinate 80% of 12+. Shumlin imposed wind energy moratorium controversy; Scott continued moratorium. Scott won 71.6% in 2024 (best R performance since 1946, won every municipality) vs Shumlin's narrow 46.4% win in 2014. Scott is longest-serving current R governor. 14 consecutive quarters as most popular governor nationally (Morning Consult). But: housing crisis worsened (vacancy <3%), population stagnation unsolved, pension liability (~55% VSTRS) inherited but not fixed. Limited major policy achievements given D/P supermajority opposition.
Morning Consult: 74-78% approval — HIGHEST in nation for 14 consecutive quarters through Q4 2025 (Q4 2024: 75%, Q4 2025: 74%, peak 81% in 2024). Won 5 consecutive elections with increasing margins: 2016 (52.9%), 2018 (55.4%), 2020 (68.5%), 2022 (70.9%), 2024 (71.6% — won EVERY municipality, best R performance since 1946). Defeated Democrat Esther Charlestin by 50+ pts in 2024. Republican winning 71.6% in state Biden won by 35 pts is unprecedented in modern American politics. D/R/I voters all approve. Vermonters have delivered overwhelming, repeated, escalating verdicts of approval.
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Section C — Oath Fidelity +44 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments
Score: 22 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31
Violent crime rate trend
VT violent crime rate 219/100K (2024), decreased ~9% during tenure. Well below national average of ~380/100K. Consistent downward trend.
FBI UCR/NIBRS; VT VCIC 2024
+2
Homicide rate relative to national average
VT homicide rate ~2.0/100K vs national ~6.3/100K — roughly 68% below national average. Among lowest in nation.
FBI UCR; CDC WONDER
+2
Homicide clearance rate
VT homicide clearance rate 73% (2022), 35 pts above national average of ~38%. Small caseload helps but consistently excellent.
FBI UCR Supplementary Homicide Reports
+3
Law enforcement staffing adequacy
VT State Police ~330 troopers for 649K population. Per capita ratio approximately 1.8/1K when including local departments. Below IACP 2.5/1K guideline. Rural coverage challenging.
FBI LEOKA; BJS CSLLEA
0
Drug overdose death rate trend
VT overdose death rate increased during tenure from ~23/100K to ~30/100K. Fentanyl penetration significant in small state. Rate increase ~10-20% overall. Hub-and-spoke treatment model nationally recognized but deaths still rising.
CDC WONDER; NCHS provisional data
-1
Emergency management preparedness
VT Division of Emergency Management meets most FEMA capability targets. Effective COVID response (lowest per capita death rate in continental US). EMAP-aligned processes. July 2023 flood response effective despite catastrophic scope.
FEMA SPR; THIRA
+2
Preventable mass-casualty event response
July 2023 flooding (worst since 1927) — rapid state response, FEMA declaration secured quickly, recovery coordinated effectively. COVID response nationally recognized as best in continental US. Dec 2023 second flood handled well. Reforms implemented after each event.
FEMA after-action; state emergency reports
+2
Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions
VT has ~2,700 bridges; historically higher deficiency rate than national average (~7-8% structurally deficient). Road conditions challenged by harsh winters and limited budget. July 2023 flood damaged hundreds of road segments. IIJA funds helping but backlog significant.
FHWA NBI; VTrans data
-1
Water and dam safety compliance
VT generally meets EPA SDWA standards. Minor violations corrected. Dam safety program adequate. July 2023 flooding tested dam infrastructure — no catastrophic failures. Proactive investment in water/sewer via ARPA ($500M+).
EPA SDWIS; ASDSO
+1
Healthcare access — uninsured rate
VT uninsured rate ~4% — among lowest nationally. All-payer model innovative. Strong Medicaid enrollment. Universal coverage nearly achieved.
Census ACS; KFF State Health Facts
+2
Maternal mortality rate
VT maternal mortality rate below 15/100K — well below national average of ~32/100K. Small population creates statistical volatility but consistently low.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
+2
Infant mortality rate
VT infant mortality rate ~4.2/1K — among lowest nationally. National average ~5.6/1K. Consistent strong performance.
CDC WONDER; NCHS
+2
Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground
VT has Castle Doctrine with duty to retreat outside the home. No Stand Your Ground statute. Limited protections compared to many states but no prosecution of lawful self-defense documented.
VT statutes; NRA-ILA
0
Death penalty procedural safeguards
VT abolished death penalty in 1964. Has LWOP. Victim services funded through state programs. Basic victim restitution framework in place.
DPIC; VT statutes
+1
Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes
VT suicide rate ~18/100K — above national average of ~14.5/100K. Rural isolation and gun access contribute. State has suicide prevention plan and 988 integration but rate remains elevated and above average.
CDC WISQARS; AFSP VT fact sheet
-1
911/emergency response time adequacy
VT has standard EMS response in urban areas. Rural coverage challenging — response times above 15 min in remote areas. NFPA compliance estimated 65-75% of jurisdictions. Small rural volunteer fire departments face staffing challenges.
NFPA; state EMS registry
0
Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding
VT hub-and-spoke addiction treatment model nationally recognized. Comprehensive strategy with medication-assisted treatment access. However opioid deaths still rising modestly. Strategy in place but outcomes still improving slowly.
SAMHSA; CDC WONDER; VT ADAP
+1
Veteran suicide and healthcare access
VT has veteran services through VSOC (Veterans' Service Office). State supplements federal VA. Small veteran population (~42K). Some veteran suicide prevention programs. Average outcomes for small state.
VA SAIL; NASDVA
+1
Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement
VT food safety inspection program meets most FDA/USDA standards. Farm-to-table culture creates unique inspection profile. No major outbreak linked to state inspection failures. Conformance above 80%.
FDA Conformance Standards; VT Dept of Health
+1
Workplace fatality rate
VT workplace fatality rate approximately 3.5-4.0/100K FTE. Below some states but agriculture and logging create occupational risks. Within adequate range.
BLS CFOI
+1
Domestic violence fatality rate and funding
VT has DV fatality review board. DV programs funded. Rate near national average. Shelter capacity adequate for population but rural geography limits access. Prevention programs active.
NNEDV; BJS; VT Network Against DV
+1
Correctional facility death rate and conditions
VT corrections system small (~1,400 inmates). Death rate near national average. No active DOJ investigations. VT contracts with out-of-state facilities for overflow. Conditions monitored without major findings.
BJS Mortality in State Prisons; VT DOC
+1
Pollution-related mortality and environmental health
VT meets nearly all EPA NAAQS. Clean air and water generally. Lake Champlain phosphorus is ongoing issue but addressed with funding. No Superfund cleanup crises. Proactive environmental health programs.
EPA Green Book; VT DEC
+2
Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate
VT traffic fatality rate approximately 1.0-1.1/100M VMT. Near adequate threshold. Rural roads create risk but low population density helps. VT has ~80 annual traffic fatalities.
NHTSA FARS; VTrans
+1
Sanctity of life legislative framework
VT enshrined unrestricted abortion access in state constitution via Proposal 5/Article 22 (Nov 2022, passed 76.6%). No gestational limits whatsoever. First state to constitutionally protect reproductive autonomy. Scott did not oppose and signed enabling legislation. Removed all pre-existing protections.
Guttmacher; VT Constitution Art. 22; Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)
-3
Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence
$400M+ in emergency housing. But homeless deaths occurred. Housing-first approach.
wamc.org; governor.vermont.gov
0
Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion
Vermont lost 726 net domestic. Total population declined by 1,858. Lowest growth in US.
yahoo.com; insurancejournal.com
-1
Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement
Proposed $23M for staffing. 10-point safety plan. But severe state police shortage persists.
governor.vermont.gov; insurancejournal.com
0
Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail
Proposed bail reform. Pushed to limit catch-and-release. Universal record sealing for recidivism reduction.
rutlandherald.com; vtdigger.org
+1
Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities
No biological sex protections. Vermont's progressive legislature expanded LGBTQ protections.
General research
-1
Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention
Proposed $9.2M mental health pilot. Budget addresses substance abuse.
governor.vermont.gov
+1

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation
Score: -1 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29
Second Amendment — right to carry status
VT is a constitutional/permitless carry state — one of earliest. No permit required for concealed or open carry. Strong carry rights despite other 2A restrictions enacted under Scott.
VT statutes; USCCA
+2
Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions
No ban on semi-automatic rifles in VT. S.55 (2018) imposed other restrictions but did not ban rifles by name or feature. No new restrictions beyond federal law on semi-autos specifically during tenure.
VT S.55 (2018); ATF
0
Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions
Scott signed S.55 (2018) imposing magazine limits: 10 rounds for pistols, 15 rounds for rifles. Restrictions at 10-15 round level. Significant 2A restriction for Republican governor.
VT S.55 (2018); NRA-ILA
-1
Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process
VT enacted ERPO under S.55 (2018) with standard due process provisions — ex parte initial order with adversarial hearing. Standard provisions, not exemplary but not deficient.
VT S.55 (2018); 13 VSA §4053-4054
0
First Amendment — campus free speech protections
No campus free speech statute in VT. UVM and other public universities have standard speech policies. No major suppression incidents documented. No specific protections enacted.
FIRE campus rankings; VT statutes
0
First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections
VT enacted anti-SLAPP statute (12 VSA §1041) providing some protections. Moderate scope with expedited dismissal for speech on matters of public concern.
12 VSA §1041; Public Participation Project
+1
First Amendment — religious liberty protections
No state RFRA in VT. During COVID, VT imposed church restrictions that were questioned for not equally applying to secular activities (early 2020). Nondiscrimination laws require religious organizations to comply in some contexts.
VT statutes; Becket Fund
-1
Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance
VT has some electronic privacy protections. Limited state surveillance programs. Reliance on Carpenter federal standard with modest state enhancement through privacy legislation.
VT statutes; EFF
+1
Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform
VT enacted forfeiture reform requiring conviction for most forfeitures. Elevated burden of proof. Some reporting requirements. Moderate reform.
IJ Policing for Profit; VT statutes
+1
Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo
VT enacted post-Kelo reform restricting economic development takings. Statutory protections limiting private-to-private transfers. Adequate reform.
IJ/Castle Coalition; VT statutes
+1
Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines
VT Act 250 land use law creates extensive permitting requirements. Regulatory burden on development is significant. Timelines often extend beyond statutory targets. Housing crisis partly attributable to permitting delays.
VT Act 250; state permitting data
-1
Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance
Scott has been passive on federal overreach. Did not join major multistate litigation defending state sovereignty. Generally cooperative with federal mandates. VT voluntarily adopted federal standards rather than asserting state prerogatives.
Multistate litigation dockets; gubernatorial EOs
-1
Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination
VT in process of evaluating SFFA compliance. Some race-conscious programs still in place but transitioning. No major documented conflicts.
VT procurement data; state policy
0
Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws
VT has partial preemption. Some local authority exceptions. Burlington has enacted local firearms restrictions. Not full preemption with enforcement mechanism.
VT statutes; NRA-ILA
0
First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance
VT Public Records Act compliance strong. SPOTLIGHT transparency portal provides checkbook-level spending data. Proactive disclosure. Response times generally within 5-10 business days. 100+ COVID briefings with open Q&A.
VT Public Records Act; RCFP; vtransparency.vermont.gov
+2
Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy
VT public defender system has moderate caseloads. Funding adequate but not exemplary. Caseloads estimated 150-200% of recommended levels. Some gaps in rural coverage.
Sixth Amendment Center; VT Defender General
0
Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention
VT implemented some bail reform with risk-based pretrial assessment. Indigent not detained solely for inability to pay. Balance maintained with public safety. Adequate system.
Pretrial Justice Institute; VT courts
+1
Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom
VT has above-average regulatory burden. Act 250 is among most restrictive land use frameworks nationally. High regulatory compliance costs. Limited reform mechanisms.
Mercatus RegData; Pacific Research Institute
-1
Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms
VT AG has not been pro-2A in litigation. Scott signed S.55 restricting firearms. AG has filed some anti-2A amicus briefs. Governor's posture favors restrictions unusual for Republican.
VT AG filings; state litigation
-1
First Amendment — compelled speech protections
VT has some compelled speech in professional licensing and education contexts. DEI-related requirements in state employment. No specific anti-compelled-speech protections enacted.
VT statutes; state employment policies
-1
Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers
Average interstate commerce environment. Some licensing restrictions. Working toward reciprocity in some professions. No documented major barriers.
IJ licensing data; VT statutes
0
Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform
VT enacted some occupational licensing reform including military spouse expedited licensing. Partial out-of-state recognition. Licensing burden below average for Northeast.
IJ License to Work; NCSL
+1
Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations
VT pension funded ratio: VSERS 71% and VSTRS 61%. Mixed performance. Credit ratings stable at AA+. Making required ARC payments after Act 114 reforms. Below 70% threshold for VSTRS.
Pew pension data; S&P/Moody's
0
Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access
VT maintains adequate jury trial access. Court system functional. Minor backlogs from COVID but recovered. Limited administrative tribunal diversion.
VT court annual reports; NCSC
+1
Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause
VT is sanctuary state under S.79/Act 5. On DOJ sanctuary list (Aug 2025). Does not honor ICE detainers. DL for undocumented (S.38). In-state tuition + state aid for undocumented violates 8 USC §1623. Burlington allows non-citizen voting. Scott signed rather than vetoed despite Republican label.
8 USC §1373; FAIR; ICE detainer data; VT S.79/Act 5
-2
Qualified immunity / due process for officers
No specific action on QI. Constrained by Democratic legislature.
General research
0
Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody
Vermont does not require voter ID. No photo ID. Same-day registration.
wamc.org; verifiedvoting.org
-1
Non-citizen voting prevention
Vetoed non-citizen local voting bills but legislature overrode. Vermont Supreme Court upheld noncitizen voting.
fairus.org; vermontpublic.org
-1
Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics
No women's sports protection. Vermont expanded LGBTQ protections.
General research
-1

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska (1923); Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925); Troxel v. Granville (2000); Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972); Parham v. J.R. (1979); 14th Amendment substantive due process
Score: 12 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25
Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition
No Parental Bill of Rights in VT. Common law protections exist but weakened by administrative action in education/healthcare contexts. Progressive legislature has not prioritized parental rights.
VT statutes; NCSL
-1
Education choice — school choice programs
VT has town tuitioning system — students in towns without high schools receive public funding to attend any approved school (public or private). Unique quasi-voucher system predating modern school choice. No ESA/universal voucher. Charters limited.
EdChoice; VT Agency of Education
+1
Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors
VT allows minors to consent to significant medical procedures without parental notification in multiple categories including reproductive health. Broad mature minor exceptions. School policies may facilitate gender-related discussions without parental notification.
VT minor consent statutes; Guttmacher
-1
Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions
VT has no restrictions on gender-transition procedures for minors. State Medicaid covers transition procedures. VT enacted 'shield law' (2023) protecting providers from other states' laws. State facilitates access without meaningful parental consent barriers.
VT legislation; CMS Medicaid data
-2
Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend
VT DCF reported 907 children in out-of-home custody (Sept 2024) — reflecting systemic challenges. Rate above national average for small state. CPS system under stress with documented gaps.
ACF NCANDS; VT DCF data
-1
Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment
VT foster care system meets approximately 4 of 7 CFSR outcomes. Average performance with improvement plan in progress. DCF challenges documented.
ACF CFSR; VT DCF
0
Foster care — permanency outcomes
VT permanency outcomes near national median. Median time to permanency approximately 18-22 months. 22-28% in care 2+ years. Average performance.
ACF AFCARS; VT DCF
0
Child trafficking prevention and prosecution
VT has comprehensive trafficking statute, safe harbor provisions, and AG-led task force. Small state with limited caseload but adequate statutory framework and enforcement.
Polaris Project; Shared Hope International; VT AG
+1
Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency
VT 4th grade NAEP reading: approximately 38-40% at/above proficient (2022). Above national average. Strong reading performance.
NCES NAEP 2022
+2
Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency
VT 8th grade NAEP math: approximately 35-37% at/above proficient (2022). Above national average. Strong math performance for small state.
NCES NAEP 2022
+2
Parental curriculum transparency
VT has general access to curriculum on request. No comprehensive statutory right to review. No mandatory online curriculum posting. Average transparency.
VT education code; school board policies
0
Social media — minor protections
VT relies on federal COPPA baseline. No state-specific social media protections for minors enacted. Standard federal framework only.
VT statutes; NCSL
0
Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment
VT raised juvenile jurisdiction age to 18 with raise-the-age implementation. Limited mandatory transfer. Rehabilitation funded. Recidivism declining. Progressive juvenile justice model.
JJDPA; OJJDP; VT DCF
+2
Child poverty rate and state response
VT child poverty rate approximately 10-11%. Below national average of ~16%. Strong social safety net programs. Declining trend.
Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT
+2
Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support
VT has subsidized adoption program. Standard home study process. Some recruitment programs for special-needs children. No faith-based agency protections but no documented exclusion.
ACF AFCARS; VT DCF adoption programs
+1
Homeschool rights and protections
VT requires notification and annual assessment (portfolio review or standardized testing). Standard homeschool regulatory framework. Not restrictive but not minimal regulation either.
HSLDA; VT homeschool statutes
0
Child sexual abuse material enforcement
VT participates in ICAC task force. AG enforcement adequate. Mandatory reporting compliance adequate. Small state with proportionate enforcement.
ICAC; NCMEC; VT AG
+1
School safety — violence prevention and incident response
VT has some school safety programs. SRO availability in many schools. Threat assessment protocols implemented after Fair Haven school shooting plot (2018). Emergency planning in place.
NASRO; VT school safety legislation
+1
Children's mental health services access
VT school counselor ratio approximately 450-550:1. Some funded programs. Crisis services limited in rural areas. Average access.
ASCA ratio data; VT mental health authority
0
Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections
VT eliminated philosophical exemption for school vaccination in 2015 (before Scott). Only religious and medical exemptions remain. Medical exemption requires physician attestation. No philosophical choice.
NCSL vaccination data; VT immunization statutes
-1
Child care affordability and access
VT child care subsidy at approximately 200% FPL after recent expansions. Waitlist moderate. Quality rating system in place. Act 76 (2023) expanded access. High cost of care but state investment significant.
ACF CCDF; VT child care data
+1
Education — teacher quality and retention
VT teacher vacancy below 7%. Salary competitive for New England (~$65K average). Retention above 85%. Small class sizes. Recruitment challenges in rural areas but generally adequate.
NCES; VT Agency of Education workforce data
+1
Child nutrition — food insecurity rate
VT child food insecurity approximately 12-14%. School meal participation above 75% for eligible students. Summer food programs active. Below national average.
USDA ERS; Feeding America; VT data
+1
Custody and family court — due process in child removal
VT has clear statutory criteria for child removal. Judicial review required. Appointed counsel provided. Ombudsman exists within DCF. Generally adequate due process protections.
VT child welfare statutes; ABA
+1
Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance
VT generally 'Meets Requirements' or 'Needs Assistance' for 1 year on OSEP determinations. Most districts compliant. Special education funding adequate. Small class sizes help.
OSEP annual determinations; VT special education
+1

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath; Article IV, Section 4; state constitutional requirements
Score: 11 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41
Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit
Structural surplus every year under Scott. 9 consecutive balanced budgets (FY2018-FY2027). No budget gimmicks. General fund reserves grew. Strong fiscal management.
VT CAFR; NASBO Fiscal Survey
+2
State credit rating stability
S&P AA+ stable (reaffirmed Oct 2024). Moody's Aa1 (downgraded from Aaa citing pension liabilities but still second-highest tier). Strong credit profile maintained.
S&P; Moody's; Fitch
+2
Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy
VT Budget Stabilization Reserve capped at 5% of prior-year GF (~$100M). Combined reserves ~12.5% of revenues. Below national median for rainy day fund adequacy (Pew). Approximately 5-7% range.
NASBO; Pew rainy day data; VT CAFR
0
Pension system funding responsibility
VSERS 71% funded, VSTRS 61% funded (FY2024). Making 100% ARC after Act 114 (2022) reforms. Combined funded ratio approximately 65-70%. Four consecutive years of improvement. On track for full funding by 2038.
Pew pension data; VT pension CAFR
+1
State debt burden
VT net tax-supported debt ~$727M. Debt per capita above median when accounting for small population (~$10K+ per resident per Reason Foundation). Debt-to-GDP approximately 7-9%. Near national median.
Census; Moody's; VT Treasurer
0
Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita
VT state workforce ~8,500 employees for 649K population. Per capita above national median due to small-state overhead. Government spending per capita among highest nationally. Limited efficiency reforms.
Census public employment survey; BLS
-1
Inspector General / state auditor independence
VT State Auditor is elected, independent. Fully funded. Governor responds to findings. Unmodified audit opinions 20+ consecutive years. Audit recommendations generally implemented. No interference documented.
VT State Auditor reports; ALGA
+2
Ethics violations and personal scandals
Zero ethics complaints upheld. Zero scandals in 9+ years. Full financial disclosure. Sold DuBois Construction stake proactively to avoid conflict of interest. Model ethics compliance. Cleanest record of any current governor.
VT Ethics Commission; financial disclosure filings
+3
Executive order restraint
EOs generally within constitutional bounds. COVID emergency orders were significant but consistent with statutory authority. Zero EOs struck down by courts. Some volume above historical norms during pandemic but justified.
VT EO database; court rulings
+1
Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits
COVID emergency extended multiple times but with legislative cooperation. Powers relinquished by mid-2021. Some criticism of duration but within statutory framework. Supported emergency reform legislation.
VT emergency statutes; legislative records
+1
Legislative cooperation — veto override rate
92 veto overrides by D/P supermajority — highest override rate of any current governor. Above 40% override rate. Reflects fundamental executive-legislative breakdown despite Scott's personal popularity.
VT legislative records; NCSL veto data
-3
Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity
VT uses Judicial Nominating Board. Scott's appointees generally qualified. Follows nominating commission process. No documented patronage or unqualified appointments.
VT Judicial Nominating Board; state bar
+1
Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation
VT implementation rate approximately 85-89%. Rulemaking generally complete. Some selective enforcement concerns where Scott disagrees with legislature but signs bills rather than vetoes. Mixed execution.
VT agency rulemaking; legislative oversight
0
Federal fund utilization — grant management
Zero material audit findings. ARPA $2.7B managed effectively (among highest per capita). Draw-down above 90%. Zero clawbacks. Single audit findings minimal. Effective grant management for small state.
Federal Audit Clearinghouse; USAspending.gov
+2
Public approval as competence indicator
Average approval 74-78% — highest in nation for 14 consecutive quarters (Morning Consult). Won 5 consecutive elections with increasing margins. 71.6% in 2024. Most popular governor in America.
Morning Consult quarterly ratings
+3
State IT security and data protection
VT has CISO appointed. Adequate cybersecurity budget for small state. No major breaches. NIST framework assessment conducted. Standard cybersecurity posture.
NASCIO; VT state auditor IT findings
+1
Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution
Execution approximately 80-85% of capital budget. Backlog exists from flooding damage but IIJA funds supplementing. ASCE grade C+ for VT infrastructure. Adequate execution.
ASCE; VTrans capital data
+1
Disaster fund readiness
VT demonstrated disaster readiness during July 2023 and Dec 2023 flooding. FEMA cost-share met. State disaster fund adequate. Pre-positioned resources for winter weather. Good performance during actual events.
FEMA BRIC/HMGP; VT emergency fund
+1
Workforce development — unemployment system integrity
VT UI trust fund adequate. Fraud managed through dedicated unit. Processing within federal timelines. Recipiency above 30%. Small state simplified management during pandemic.
DOL UI Data Summary; VT DOL
+1
Medicaid program integrity
VT Medicaid error rate below 8%. No major sanctions. All-payer model innovative. Budget within appropriation most years. Adequate integrity for complex state health system.
CMS PERM; VT DVHA
+1
Election administration — constitutional compliance
VT has no voter ID requirement. Paper ballot trail exists. Post-election audits conducted. Burlington allows non-citizen voting in local elections — undermines election integrity. Voter roll maintenance standard. Significant gap with non-citizen voting.
EAC EAVS; Verified Voting; Burlington charter
-1
Transparency — state budget accessibility
SPOTLIGHT portal (vtransparency.vermont.gov) provides checkbook-level spending. Searchable contracts. data.vermont.gov open data portal. Plain-language budget summaries. Strong transparency.
U.S. PIRG; GFOA; VT transparency portals
+2
Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty
VT sanctuary state (Act 5) — selective non-compliance with federal immigration law. DOJ sanctuary list. Does not honor ICE detainers. Otherwise generally compliant with federal requirements. Sanctuary posture is significant deficiency.
Federal court compliance; DOJ; NGA
-1
Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning
LG Molly Gray served effectively. COOP plan current. Clear succession chain. VT has stable government continuity. Tested during various events. Well-maintained.
VT Constitution; FEMA COOP
+2
Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity
VT procurement generally competitive. Zero scandals under Scott. Conflict disclosures maintained. Small state government inherently more transparent. Clean procurement record.
VT procurement office; state auditor
+2
Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade
Gas tax ~31.39 cents plus assessments. Clean Heat Standard vetoed but pushed by legislature.
tax.vermont.gov
-1
Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy
Electricity 22.19 cents, well above average. Disconnections up 31%. Vetoed costly mandates but overridden.
vermontpublic.org
-1
Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness
Vetoed H.289 renewable mandate. Proposed nuclear-inclusive plan. PUC concluded Clean Heat Standard not well-suited.
vermontpublic.org; vtdigger.org
+1
Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median
Property taxes rose 18.5% statewide. Previous year 8% increase. Among highest in nation.
governor.vermont.gov
-2
Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business
Legislature passed new payroll tax, 20% DMV fee increase. Scott opposed but overridden.
governor.vermont.gov
-1
Unfunded mandates on municipalities
Legislature imposed unfunded education mandates driving property tax increases.
governor.vermont.gov; nfib.com
-1
Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend
Among highest cost states. Double-digit property tax increases. Disconnections up 31%.
governor.vermont.gov
-2
Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies
Rejected sanctuary label but fair policing limits immigration cooperation. Legislature overrode non-citizen voting veto.
wcax.com; vtdigger.org
-1
Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes
$400M+ on housing/shelter. Some accountability through VHIP metrics.
governor.vermont.gov
0
Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling
No specific enforcement post-Grants Pass. Uses outreach rather than enforcement.
governor.vermont.gov
0
Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving
Net domestic -726. Total declined 1,858. Lowest growth in entire US.
yahoo.com; vnews.com
-2
Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy
Professionals decline jobs due to unaffordable housing. Structural problems persist.
governor.vermont.gov
-1
DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors
No specific action on prosecutor accountability.
General research
0
Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency
No voter ID. Legislature overrode non-citizen voting veto. Drop boxes mandated.
wamc.org; verifiedvoting.org
-1
Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents
No evidence of weaponization. Moderate Republican governing through consensus.
General research
+1
Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes
No TikTok ban. No foreign land restrictions. Not proactive.
General research
-1
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