TABLE OF CONTENTS. Letter from the Chairman ACU & ACUF Board Members Selecting the Votes Winners & Losers...

Transcription

1 2017 RATINGS of HAWAII #ACURatings Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman... 2 ACU & ACUF Board Members... 3 Selecting the Votes Winners & Losers... 4 HI Senate Statistics... 5 HI Senate Vote Descriptions... 6 HI Senate Scores... 8 HI House Statistics... 9 HI House Vote Descriptions HI House Scores... 12

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservative, The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Hawaii State Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend life, liberty and property). Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently their elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress. The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for We the People. It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation s founding fathers envisioned. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union 2

3 ACU BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman Bob Beauprez Treasuer Amy Frederick Secretary Ed Yevoli At-Large ACUF BOARD MEMBERS Jackie Arends Larry Beasley Kimberly Bellissimo Steve Biegun Morton C. Blackwell John Bolton Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman Becky Norton Dunlop John Eddy Luis Fortuno Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser Michael R. Long Ed McFadden Carolyn D. Meadows Priscilla O'Shaughnessy Ron Robinson Mike Rose Ned Ryun Peter Samuelson Sabrina Schaeffer Terry Schilling Matt Smith Thomas Winter SELECTING THE VOTES ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Hawaii State Legislature that determine a member s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan s philosophy of the three-legged stool : 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Hawaii s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property. Matt Schlapp Chairman Millie Hallow Vice Chairman Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary Jose Cardenas Jonathan Garthwaite Charlie Gerow Colin Hanna Niger Innes Adam Laxalt Willes K. Lee Mary Matalin Carolyn D. Meadows Randy Neugebauer Thomas Winter 201 N. Union Street, Suite 370 Alexandria, VA (202)

4 2017 WINNERS & LOSERS % AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE <= 10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE n/a n/a n/a n/a 80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE HOUSE n/a n/a 4

5 HAWAII SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 25% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE N/A HAWAII SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 25% RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS 18 N/A LOWEST REPUBLICANS # OF STATE SENATORS HIGHEST DEMOCRAT 4 2 RIVIERE 36% 0 0-9% 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 2017 ACU PERCENTAGE % 5

6 HAWAII SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 871 Cigar Tax. This bill caps the excise tax on large cigars at 50 cents. Currently, the excise tax is 50% of the price, regardless of the amount. ACU supports reducing draconian taxes on one specific product that punish select consumers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 16, 2017 by a vote of SB 1129 Physician Assisted Suicide. This bill allows a Hawaiian with a doctordiagnosed terminal disease to obtain a prescription for medication that will end the patient s life. ACU opposes assisted suicide laws as they create a class of citizens no longer protected from coercion from medical professionals, insurance companies, and heirs and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 425 Employer Sick Leave Mandate. This bill requires employers to give employees one day of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. ACU opposes this interference in the right of employees to negotiate their own benefits and recruit the best employees, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 134 University of Hawaii Tobacco and Vaping Prohibition. This bill prohibits the use of any tobacco or vaping product or chewing tobacco on the premises of the University of Hawaii, inside or outside of buildings. ACU believes the use of both tobacco and e-cigarettes to be a personal liberty issue and government regulations on products are only appropriate when their use substantially impacts others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 221 Red Light Cameras. This bill authorizes four counties including Honolulu to install red light cameras. ACU opposes these cameras that are primarily designed to increase revenue rather than increase traffic safety, and the pernicious offshoot of tracking the location of citizens and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 739 Behavior Analyst Licensing. This bill clarifies current law to exempt from licensure students and psychological assistants who work with licensed professionals in the field of applied behavior analysis, which has been used as a treatment for those diagnosed as autistic. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition, and result in higher costs for consumers, and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 404 E-Cigarette Regulations. This bill increases the state s license fee on all tobacco products and establishes permit requirements and taxes on e-cigarettes. ACU opposes heavy-handed taxes and licensure standards which hurt small businesses, opposes equating cigarettes and e-cigarettes (that do not use tobacco), and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 197 Charter Schools. This bill authorizes start-up grants for new public charter schools in areas where existing schools are at or near capacity. Educational yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the strengthening of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 518 Barber and Cosmetology Licensing. This bill increases the license requirements for barbers and cosmetologists to include a training program of domestic violence awareness and education. ACU opposes the proliferation of license requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of HB 533 Charter School Facilities Funding. This bill provides funding to the state public charter school commission for acquisition and maintenance costs as well as facilities rental for public charter schools. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the strengthening of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 6, 2017 by a vote of HB 1333 Corporate Subsidies. This bill authorizes $50 million in special purpose revenue bonds for Honokaa Land Company, LLC to acquire and develop agricultural facilities.. ACU opposes government subsidies for one company that puts other companies at a disadvantage and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 6, 2017 by a vote of HB 1230 Corporate Subsidies. This bill authorizes $13 million in special purpose revenue bonds to pay for the expansion plans of MauiGrown Coffee, Inc. ACU opposes government subsidies for one company that puts other companies at a disadvantage and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 7, 2017 by a vote of

7 13. HB 1593 Energy Subsidies. This bill sets up a three year pilot program that subsidizes renewable energy storage systems through rebates to replace a failed loan program. ACU supports all forms of energy, believes government should not favor one form of energy over another and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 11, 2017 by a vote of SB 410 State Employee Collective Bargaining Regulations. This bill reduces the ability of state and local governments to manage their workforce by requiring union participation in deciding job assignments, hiring, firing, transfer, promotions and other employer responsibilities if it affects the conditions of employment. ACU supports the ability of government employers (including non-union) to manage their workforce in the best interest of the taxpayers and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 27, 2017 by a vote of SB 403 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the state of Hawaii to implement most of the elements of Obamacare should the law be repealed on the federal level. ACU opposes a program that has caused millions of people to lose their existing insurance and choice of doctor and have seen their premiums and deductibles dramatically increased and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 501 Abortion Promotion. This bill requires all pregnancy centers to refer patients to abortion clinics by posting a notice in a conspicuous area or an individual notice given to the patient. ACU opposes this attack on religious freedom, and believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and educating patients and opposed this bill. Then Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 947 Beauty Culture License Enforcement. This bill sets up a series of fines for beauty schools and beauty shops that violate strict regulations governing license displays, price lists, name tags, and the ratio of teachers to students at beauty schools, among other provisions. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of license requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 1475 Farmer Food Sale Regulations. This bill expands the ability of farmers to sell their products directly to consumers. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 119 Rental Price Controls. This bill caps a late fee on rental payments to 8 percent. ACU opposes price controls, which inevitably distort the market for products, in this case rentals, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 4 (Special Session) Tax Increase. This bill extends an excise tax surcharge on the island of Oahu for three years and raises the tax on hotel rooms to bail out a rail project in Honolulu. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for a boondoggle project that is 100 percent over budget and has a $3 billion shortfall and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 30, 2017 by a vote of HB 209 Income Tax Increase. This bill dramatically increases the top rate of the state income tax to 11% from 8.25%. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for increased spending and to offset tax credits the government favors and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 213 Employer Family Leave Mandate. This bill adds siblings with serious health conditions to the list of reasons an employer is required to give four weeks of unpaid family leave per year. ACU opposes these employer mandates that interfere with the right of employees to negotiate their own benefits and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of

8 HAWAII SENATE SCORES HAWAII SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District SB 871 SB 1129 SB 425 SB 134 SB 221 SB 739 SB 404 SB 197 SB 518 HB 533 HB 1333 Baker D % 23% 17% Chang D % n/a 18% Dela Cruz D % 23% 18% English D E E E % 21% 17% Espero D E % 27% 16% Gabbard D % 23% 26% Galuteria D % 23% 17% Green D % 27% 20% Harimoto D % 30% 24% Ihara D % 33% 19% Inouye D % 27% 21% Kahele D % 23% 25% Keith-Agaran D % 23% 17% Kidani D % 23% 17% Kim D % 30% 19% Kouchi D % 21% 16% Nishihara D % 24% 17% Rhoads D % 26% 16% Riviere D % n/a 32% Ruderman D % 29% 21% Shimabukuro D % 23% 17% Taniguchi D % 25% 16% Thielen D % 39% 26% Tokuda D % 23% 17% Wakai D E % 23% 19% HB 1230 HB 1593 SB 410 SB 403 SB 501 HB 209 HB 213 SB 947 HB 1475 SB 119 SB 4 (Special Session) ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016 % LIFETIME AVG + Member voted with ACU s position - Member voted against ACU s position X Member was absent for vote E Member was excused for vote Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 8

9 HAWAII HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 23% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 29% HAWAII HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 22% RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS LOWEST REPUBLICAN McDERMOTT 22% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT # OF STATE REPS KONG 40% % 10-19% 20-29% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89% 2017 ACU PERCENTAGE % 9

10 HAWAII HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 1593 Energy Subsidies. This bill sets up a three year pilot program that subsidizes renewable energy storage systems through rebates to replace a failed loan program. ACU supports all forms of energy, believes government should not favor one form of energy over another and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 3, 2017 by a vote of HB 533 Charter School Facilities Funding. This bill provides funding to the state public charter school commission for acquisition and maintenance costs as well as facilities rental for public charter schools. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the strengthening of school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 3, 2017 by a vote of HB 1172 Fireworks Regulations. This bill authorizes citizen arrests for the use of fireworks on private property by individuals who witness the offense and establishes property owner liability for fireworks set off on their property by others. ACU opposes vigilante justice for fireworks violations, supports the freedom to use fireworks in a safe manor and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of HB 680 Barber and Cosmetology Licensing. This bill increases the license requirements for barbers and cosmetologists to include a training program of domestic violence awareness and education. ACU takes sexual assault seriously, but believes forcing discussions over a haircut is impracticable, and opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of SB 425 Employer Sick Leave Mandate. This bill requires employers to give employees one day of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. ACU opposes this interference in the right of employees to negotiate their own benefits and recruit the best employees, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 17, 2017 by a vote of SB 197 Charter Schools. This bill authorizes start-up grants for new public charter schools in areas where existing schools are at or near capacity. Educational yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the strengthening of school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 23, 2017 by a vote of SB 739 Behavior Analyst Licensing. This bill clarifies current law to exempt from licensure students and psychological assistants who work with licensed professionals in the field of applied behavior analysis, which has been used as a treatment for those diagnosed as autistic. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition, and result in higher costs for consumers, and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 24, 2017 by a vote of SB 404 E-Cigarette Regulations. This bill increases the state s license fee on all tobacco products and establishes permit requirements and taxes on e-cigarettes. ACU opposes heavy-handed taxes and licensure standards which hurt small businesses, opposes equating cigarettes and e-cigarettes (that do not use tobacco), and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 24, 2017 by a vote of SB 410 State Employee Collective Bargaining Regulations. This bill reduces the ability of state and local governments to manage their workforce by requiring union participation in deciding job assignments, hiring, firing, transfer, promotions and other employer responsibilities if it affects the conditions of employment. ACU supports the ability of government employers (including non-union) to manage their workforce in the best interest of the taxpayers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 6, 2017 by a vote of 48-0 but it was vetoed by the governor. 10. SB 221 Red Light Cameras. This bill authorizes four counties including Honolulu to install red light cameras. ACU opposes these cameras that are primarily designed to increase revenue rather than increase traffic safety, and the pernicious offshoot of tracking the location of citizens and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 7, 2017 by a vote of HB 552 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the state of Hawaii to implement most of the elements of Obamacare should the law be repealed on the federal level. ACU opposes a program that has caused millions of people to lose their existing insurance and choice of doctor and have seen their premiums and deductibles dramatically increased and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 663 Abortion Promotion. This bill requires all pregnancy centers to refer patients to abortion clinics by posting a notice in a conspicuous area or an individual notice given to the patient. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and educating patients and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of

11 13. HB 209 Income Tax Increase. This bill dramatically increases the top rate of the state income tax to 11% from 8.25%. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for increased spending and to offset tax credits for those the government favors and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 1230 Corporate Subsidies. This bill authorizes $13 million in special purpose revenue bonds to pay for the expansion plans of MauiGrown Coffee, Inc. ACU opposes government subsidies for one company that puts other companies at a disadvantage and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 1333 Corporate Subsidies. This bill authorizes $50 million in special purpose revenue bonds for Honokaa Land Company, LLC to acquire and develop agricultural facilities.. ACU opposes government subsidies for one company that puts other companies at a disadvantage and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 947 Beauty Culture License Enforcement. This bill sets up a series of fines for beauty schools and beauty shops that violate strict regulations governing license displays, price lists, name tags, and the ratio of teachers to students at beauty schools, among other provisions. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of license requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 213 Employer Family Leave Mandate. This bill adds siblings with serious health conditions to the list of reasons an employer is required to give four weeks of unpaid family leave per year. ACU opposes these employer mandates that interfere with the right of employees to negotiate their own benefits and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of HB 1475 Farmer Food Sale Regulations. This bill expands the ability of farmers to sell their products directly to consumers. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 119 Rental Price Controls. This bill caps a late fee on rental payments to 8%. ACU opposes price controls, which inevitably distort the market for products, in this case rentals, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of SB 4 (Special Session) Tax Increase. This bill extends an excise tax surcharge on the island of Oahu for three years and raises the tax on hotel rooms to bail out a rail project in Honolulu. ACU opposes tax increases to pay for a boondoggle project that is 100 percent over budget and has a $3 billion shortfall and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on September 1, 2017 by a vote of

12 HAWAII HOUSE SCORES HAWAII HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 1593 HB 533 HB 1172 HB 680 SB 425 SB 197 SB 739 SB 404 SB 410 SB 221 Aquino D E E E % 32% 20% Belatti D % 23% 15% Brower D % 23% 19% Cachola D % 26% 19% Choy D E % 32% 31% Creagan D % 26% 18% Cullen D % 32% 22% DeCoite D E E % 36% 21% Evans D % 23% 17% Fukumoto D % 26% 20% Gates D % n/a 20% Har D E E E % 33% 29% Hashem D E % 24% 16% Holt D % n/a 20% Ichiyama D 32 E E E E E E E E E E E E - E E E n/a 23% 17% Ing D % 24% 16% Ito D % 29% 15% Johanson D % 23% 18% Keohokalole D % 23% 17% Kobayashi D % 23% 18% Kong D % 33% 40% Lee D E E % 23% 17% LoPresti D % 23% 17% Lowen D % 26% 17% Luke D % 23% 15% MATSUMOTO R E % 26% 20% McDERMOTT R 40 E E % 35% 43% McKelvey D E % 32% 22% Mizuno D % 23% 16% Morikawa D % 26% 14% + Member voted with ACU s position - Member voted against ACU s position X Member was absent for vote E Member was excused for vote HB 552 SB 501 HB 209 HB 1230 HB 1333 Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. SB 947 HB 213 HB 1475 SB 119 SB 4 (Special Session) ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016 % LIFETIME AVG 12

13 HAWAII HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 1593 HB 533 HB 1172 HB 680 SB 425 SB 197 SB 739 SB 404 SB 410 SB 221 Nakamura D % n/a 20% Nakashima D % 23% 16% Nishimoto D E % 23% 18% Ohno D E % 32% 23% Onishi D % 23% 12% Oshiro D E E % 27% 28% Quinlan D % n/a 25% Saiki D E E % 23% 16% San Buenaventura D % 23% 20% Say D E % 30% 25% Souki D E E % 24% 15% Takayama D % 23% 15% Takumi D % 23% 16% THIELEN R E E % 29% 26% Todd D % n/a 25% Tokioka D % 31% 30% TUPOLA R % 33% 36% WARD R % 24% 35% Woodson D % 20% 15% Yamane D % 33% 21% Yamashita D % 26% 16% WESTLIND R X % n/a 32% ZUBKE R % 65% 63% + Member voted with ACU s position - Member voted against ACU s position X Member was absent for vote E Member was excused for vote HB 552 SB 501 HB 209 HB 1230 HB 1333 Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. SB 947 HB 213 HB 1475 SB 119 SB 4 (Special Session) ACU Votes Votes Cast 2017 % 2016 % LIFETIME AVG 13

14 NOTES

15 NOTES

16 TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: acuratings.conservative.org #ACURatings Conservative.org