Phil Scott

Governor · VT

Republican

Governor of Vermont since 2017

Want to know how closely Phil matches your views?

Where Phil stands

Positions inferred from the public record. Each one shows our confidence level — and when the evidence isn't there, we say so.

What should the federal government's overall approach to taxes and spending be?
Limited evidence
Lower taxes modestly and trim some federal programs
Lower taxes, smaller governmentHigher taxes, expanded programs
⚠ The evidence here is thin — treat this as a rough read, not a firm record.
Vetoed VT H 887 (property tax/education finance) and VT H 494 appropriations, opposing tax and spending increases.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 19 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · Jun 2025 — An act relating to Vermont income tax exclusions and tax credits
Signed · Jun 2025 — An act relating to transforming Vermont’s education governance, quality, and finance systems
Signed · Jun 2025 — An act relating to the fiscal year 2026 Transportation Program and miscellaneous changes to laws related to transportation
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to capital construction and State bonding
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to making appropriations for the support of the government
+14 more
How should Social Security and Medicare be changed, if at all?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
What should the federal government's role be in setting wages and protecting workers?
Limited evidence
Maintain current labor protections without new federal mandates
Less federal labor regulationStronger federal worker protections
⚠ The evidence here is thin — treat this as a rough read, not a firm record.
Vetoed VT S 125 (collective bargaining) and VT H 217 (workers' comp/childcare), opposing expanded labor mandates.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 12 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Vetoed · Jun 2025 — An act relating to collective bargaining
Signed · Jun 2025 — An act relating to economic and workforce development
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to wage and hour, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to expanding employee access to unpaid leave
Signed · Apr 2025 — An act relating to preventing workplace violence in hospitals
+7 more
How should the federal government structure healthcare coverage and costs?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
How should the federal government address climate change and energy policy?
Some evidence
Address climate through innovation and tax incentives; avoid binding mandates
Prioritize energy production and affordabilityRapid transition off fossil fuels
Vetoed VT H 289 (Renewable Energy Standard) and VT S 5 (thermal-sector emissions mandates), opposing binding climate requirements.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 11 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to increasing the size of solar net metering projects that qualify for expedited registration
Became law unsigned · May 2024 — An act relating to climate change cost recovery
Became law unsigned · May 2024 — An act relating to the regulation of wetlands, river corridor development, and dam safety
Vetoed · May 2024 — An act relating to the Renewable Energy Standard
Vetoed · May 2024 — An act relating to community resilience and biodiversity protection through land use
+6 more
What should federal abortion policy be?
Some evidence
Federal protection for abortion access throughout pregnancy
Federal restrictions on abortionFederal protection for abortion access
Signed VT S 28 and VT S 37 protecting access to legally protected abortion and reproductive health care services.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 3 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to access to certain legally protected health care services
Signed · May 2023 — An act relating to access to legally protected health care activity and regulation of health care providers
Signed · May 2023 — An act relating to civil and criminal procedures concerning legally protected health care activity
What should federal firearms policy be?
Limited evidence
Strengthen background checks and red flag laws
Expand firearm rightsExpand firearm restrictions
⚠ The evidence here is thin — treat this as a rough read, not a firm record.
Signed VT H 606 establishing firearms relinquishment and storage procedures, supporting modest firearm restrictions.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 5 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to firearms relinquishment and storage procedures
Became law unsigned · May 2024 — An act relating to prohibiting unserialized firearms and unserialized firearms frames and receivers
Became law unsigned · May 2023 — An act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide and community violence
Signed · May 2023 — An act relating to reducing crimes of violence associated with juveniles and dangerous weapons
Signed · May 2023 — An act relating to prohibiting paramilitary training camps
What should US immigration policy be?
Limited evidence
Expand legal immigration; humane asylum and refugee policies
Reduced immigration, stricter enforcementExpanded immigration, humane policy
⚠ The evidence here is thin — treat this as a rough read, not a firm record.
Signed VT S 56 creating an Office of New Americans and VT S 227 immigration protocols in schools, supporting immigrant integration.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 4 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to creating immigration protocols in Vermont schools
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to creating an Office of New Americans
Signed · May 2025 — An act relating to authorization to enter into certain immigration agreements
Signed · May 2024 — An act relating to professional licensure and immigration status
How should the federal government approach criminal justice and policing?
Limited evidence
Increase law enforcement funding with targeted accountability reforms
Stronger enforcement, expanded authorityDecarceration and federal reform
⚠ The evidence here is thin — treat this as a rough read, not a firm record.
Vetoed VT H 72 (harm-reduction drug response) and VT H 645 (restorative justice expansion), resisting decarceration-oriented reforms.
The record we reviewed on this issue — 30 signings & vetoes
Signings & vetoes
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to gender equity within Vermont’s correctional facilities
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to criminal justice agency protocols for an officer-involved shooting
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to eliminating Department of Corrections supervisory fees
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to the Parole Board
Signed · May 2026 — An act relating to establishing a pilot Law Enforcement Governance Council in Windham County
+25 more
What should drive US foreign policy?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.
How should the federal government approach democratic institutions and elections?
No clear evidence
We don't have clear evidence on this issue.

Where Phil stands

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