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The Voter’s Speakeasy featuring unbiased reporting and insight into life at Vote Smart from our staff, interns, and volunteers.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Fracking

2013 January 28

With new technology comes new debates and in 2012 many state legislatures attempted to regulate a relatively new industry they did not know much of.  This industry is hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”  Although states differed in the requirements they placed on fracking, they all agreed that the process of hydraulic fracturing and its effects need further study.  Because the impact of fracking on our environment and on our economy is still uncertain, state legislatures across the country introduced the following bills and hotly debated them within their respective chambers.


In Vermont, H 464 prohibits hydraulic fracturing in the state.  The bill defines fracking as “the process of pumping a fluid into or under the surface of the ground in order to create fractures in rock for the purpose of the production or recovery of oil or gas.”  Vermont is the first state to put an outright ban on fracking.  However, the bill also requires the Secretary of Natural Resources to submit a report, on or before January 15, 2015, to the legislature on how hydraulic fracturing should be regulated; leaving room for a possible change in legislation in the future.  In opposition of fracking, Gov. Peter Shumlin said ‘‘I think it’s in keeping with our environmental ethic and our protection of our natural resources that we make it clear that we wouldn’t frack for [gas] even if we had it.’’  State Representative Heidi Scheuermann objected the bill,  saying "We don't know what our assets are in this ...

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Legislative Wrap-Up: Bullying in Schools

2013 January 25

Throughout the past decade there has been a national trend of legislation on bullying.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Religious Objections to Birth Control

2013 January 24

In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an interim final rule concerning contraception.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Voter ID

2013 January 16

States across America considered legislation in their most recent sessions that would change voting and voter registration requirements.

But There's More. . .

2012 December 22

There's still time to make your 2013 Membership contribution before the Dec. 31st tax deadline!  

December Common Ground E-Newsletter

2012 December 14

Click here to sign up for our monthly Common Ground E-Newsletter...

Kimball - Vote Smart Members' Report

2012 December 12


Love the Work Vote Smart Does? Be a Part of It!

2012 December 01

Are you a student or recent graduate interested in contributing to Project Vote Smart's mission of providing factual, free and unbiased information on your elected officials? Then our National Internship Program is for you! 

North Carolina Legislative Wrap-Up

2012 November 28

The North Carolina General Assembly has biennial sessions with a regular long session in odd years and a short session held on even years.

November Common Ground E-Newsletter

2012 November 21

Read our November Common Ground E-Newsletter here...

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