Phil Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phil Scott
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Scott in 2019
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| 82nd Governor of Vermont | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2017 |
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| Lieutenant |
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| Preceded by | Peter Shumlin |
| 81st Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 6, 2011 – January 5, 2017 |
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| Governor | Peter Shumlin |
| Preceded by | Brian Dubie |
| Succeeded by | David Zuckerman |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from the Washington district |
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| In office January 5, 2001 – January 5, 2011 Serving with Bill Doyle, Ann Cummings
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| Preceded by | Jeb Spaulding |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Pollina |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Philip Brian Scott
August 4, 1958 Barre, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Diana McTeague |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Vermont (BS) |
| Occupation |
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Philip Brian Scott (born August 4, 1958) is an American politician and businessman. He is also a stock car racer. Since 2017, he has been the 82nd governor of Vermont.
Scott is a member of the Republican Party. Before becoming governor, he was a state senator for the Washington District from 2001 to 2011. He also served as the lieutenant governor of Vermont from 2011 to 2017.
He was first elected governor in 2016. He has been reelected several times, including in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. His win in 2024 was the largest for a Vermont governor since 1946. As of 2025, Phil Scott is one of the longest-serving governors in the United States. Many people see him as a moderate Republican.
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Early Life and Education
Phil Scott was born on August 4, 1958, in Barre, Vermont. His parents were Marian and Howard Scott. He went to Spaulding High School in Barre and graduated in 1976.
After high school, he attended the University of Vermont. In 1980, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. His studies focused on industrial education.
Business Career
After high school, Scott started working at DuBois Construction. This was a business in Middlesex. After college, he owned a motorcycle shop. He also worked as a construction manager.
In 1986, Scott became a co-owner of DuBois Construction. He was also the past president of the Associated General Contractors of Vermont. After he was elected governor, Scott sold his share of the company. He did this to avoid any possible conflicts of interest. This means he wanted to make sure his business dealings didn't interfere with his government work.
Political Journey
Serving in the Vermont Senate
Scott, a Republican, was first elected to the Vermont Senate in 2000. He represented the Washington County district. He was reelected four times and served from 2001 to 2011.
During his time as a senator, he helped lead important committees. He was the vice chair of the Transportation Committee. He also chaired the Institutions Committee. He helped make the Vermont State House cafeteria more efficient.
Role as Lieutenant Governor
On November 2, 2010, Scott was elected the 81st lieutenant governor of Vermont. He started his term on January 6, 2011. He was reelected in 2012 and 2014.
As lieutenant governor, Scott led the Vermont Senate when it was meeting. He also helped decide who would be on Senate committees. If there was a tie vote in the Senate, he would cast the deciding vote. He also acted as governor when the governor was out of state.
Scott has been involved in many community projects. In 2005, he started the "Wheels for Warmth" program. This program sells used car tires to help people pay for heating fuel.
People in Vermont generally liked Scott when he was lieutenant governor. A poll in 2015 showed that about 70% of Vermonters viewed him favorably.
National Work as Lieutenant Governor
Scott was an active member of the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA). He was part of their leadership team. He worked with other lieutenant governors from across the country. They wrote letters to oppose cuts to the Army National Guard.
He also supported ideas to improve transportation in the U.S. He helped pass resolutions to support arts and culture for tourism. He also supported Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. He worked to help end homelessness among U.S. veterans.
Governor of Vermont
Running for Governor in 2016
In September 2015, Phil Scott announced he would run for Vermont governor. Early polls showed he was the favorite among Republican candidates. In May 2016, most Republican lawmakers in Vermont supported him. He did not support Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.
On August 9, Scott won the primary election. He then defeated Sue Minter, the Democratic candidate, in the general election in November.
Time as Governor
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As governor, Scott has focused on several key areas. He has worked to improve the state's finances. He also focuses on economic growth and healthcare.
Scott has often been seen as one of the most popular governors in the country. His approval ratings have been high.
Views on Important Issues
Scott is known as a moderate Republican. This means he often holds views that are in the middle. He is seen as "fiscally conservative but socially liberal." He supports a woman's right to choose.
He has also spoken out on national issues. He supported the process to investigate former President Donald Trump. He also called for Trump to leave office after the events of January 6, 2021. In the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections, Scott said he voted for the Democratic candidates. He said he wanted to "put country over party."
Money and Taxes
Scott has promised not to approve budgets that grow too fast. He also opposes increasing statewide property taxes. He has worked to pay down Vermont's pension debt.
He has also worked to lower some taxes. He called for removing the tax on Social Security benefits for many retirees. He also lowered state income tax rates.
Growing Vermont's Economy
Scott wants to help Vermont's economy grow. He aims to increase the state's population. He wants to encourage young people who study in Vermont to stay after they graduate.
His plan focuses on helping people find jobs and supporting businesses. He has worked to increase tax credits for development. He also supports small businesses and rural economic growth.
Healthcare in Vermont
Scott signed a bill that requires Vermonters to have health insurance. He wants to change how healthcare is paid for. He believes the focus should be on the quality of care.
In 2021, Scott's administration made a plan for COVID-19 vaccination. This plan aimed to help certain groups get vaccinated faster.
Education Initiatives
Scott has worked to improve education in Vermont. He wants to make changes to how schools are funded. He also supports flexible learning plans and new technologies.
His budgets have included more money for colleges and child care. He also worked to remove tuition fees for members of the Vermont National Guard.
Gun Laws
Scott has signed laws to make gun safety stronger. These laws include expanding background checks for gun purchases. They also limit the sale of certain high-capacity magazines. He also created a Violence Prevention Task Force. This group works to prevent violence.
Making Government Better
Scott wants to make Vermont's government more efficient. He supports limiting the yearly legislative session to 90 days. He believes this would encourage more people to run for office.
He created a team to find ways to make state government work better. He also combined some state departments to save money.
Transportation Improvements
Scott has focused on improving Vermont's roads and bridges. He wants to connect economic growth with better infrastructure. He opposes new transportation taxes. He also wants to protect the state's transportation fund.
LGBT Rights
Scott supports same-sex marriage. He signed a law that created gender-neutral bathrooms. This law helps recognize the rights of transgender people. He said Vermont is known for being inclusive.
Immigration Policies
Scott has disagreed with some federal immigration policies. In 2017, he signed a bill to limit how much Vermont police work with the federal government on immigration. He also opposed the separation of families at the border.
Protecting the Environment
Scott has approved funding for clean water projects. He created the Vermont Climate Action Commission. This group works on climate change. In 2017, Vermont joined the United States Climate Alliance. This group works to fight climate change. Scott has committed to using 90% renewable energy by 2050.
Racing Career
Phil Scott is a champion stock car racer. He has won several championships at Thunder Road. He won the Late Model Series championships in 1996 and 1998. He also won the Thunder Road Milk Bowls in 1997 and 1999.
In 2002, he won three championships. These included the Thunder Road and Airborne Late Model Series track championships. He also won the American Canadian Tour championship. He still races in some events. As of July 2019, he has 31 career wins at Thunder Road. This places him third all-time in that division.
Personal Life
Phil Scott lives in Berlin, Vermont, with his wife, Diana McTeague Scott. He has two adult daughters.
Images for kids
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Scott in 2019
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Scott in 2016
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Scott in 2017
See also
In Spanish: Phil Scott para niños
