TABLE OF CONTENTS. Letter from the Chairman...2. ACU & ACUF Board Members...3. Selecting the Votes Winners & Losers...4

Transcription

1 2018 RATINGS of INDIANA #ACURatings Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman...2 ACU & ACUF Board Members...3 Selecting the Winners & Losers...4 IN Senate Statistics...5 IN Senate Vote Descriptions... 6 IN Senate Scores... 8 IN House Statistics...10 IN House Vote Descriptions...11 IN House Scores...13

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservative, The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2018 meeting of the Indiana General Assembly. Like our Ratings of Congress, which date back 47 years, our state ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual s life. We begin with our philosophy, i.e., 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 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. ACUF state ratings launched in 2011 with ratings for five states have become a nationally recognized resource for evaluating over 8,000 elected officials comprising each of America s 99 state legislative chambers. Each election cycle, citizens choose leaders whose vision for the state most closely matches their own, hoping that candidates promises will be kept. ACUF s ratings measure whether those promises were fulfilled or forsaken. With nearly a decade of data on state legislators voting records and average scores for every legislative chamber, citizens in every state can assess how effectively their lawmakers have applied conservative philosophy to the role of government. We at ACUF believe, as Ronald Reagan once said, that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We hope that by providing this unique tool, these ratings will empower Americans to exercise their right to protect our unique American democracy from tyranny. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union Foundation TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: acuratings.conservative.org #ACURatings Conservative.org 2

3 ACUF ACU Executive Committee Executive Committee Matt Schlapp Chairman Millie Hallow Vice Chair Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary Dan Schneider Executive Director Board Members José Cárdenas Gordon Chang Jonathan Garthwaite Charlie Gerow Niger Innis Adam Laxalt Willes K. Lee Mary Matalin Carolyn D. Meadows Thomas Winter Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow Vice Chairman Carolyn D. Meadows 2 nd Vice Chair Bob Beauprez Treasurer Board Members Jackie Arends Larry Beasley Kimberly Bellissimo Steve Biegun Morton C. Blackwell Jamie Burke José Cárdenas Muriel Coleman Sean Fieler Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser Ron Christie Secretary Ed Yevoli At-Large Dan Schneider Executive Director Ed McFadden Priscilla O Shaughnessy Ron Robinson Mike Rose Peter Samuelson Sabrina Schaeffer Terry Schilling Matt Smith Chris Turner Bill Walton Thomas Winter SELECTING THE VOTES ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Indiana General Assembly 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 Indiana s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property. The ACUF Legislative Ratings Team Francis Finnegan Larry Hart Fred McGrath Tyler Muench Luke Schneider 3

4 2018 WINNERS & LOSERS AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE HOUSE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE KOCH DAVISSON McNAMARA BRAY AYLESWORTH JUDY SCHAIBLEY SMITH FRIZZELL SPEEDY DELPH BACON KARICKHOFF SMALTZ JORDAN WOLKINS DORIOT BEHNING KIRCHHOFER SOLIDAY MAYFIELD GLICK BORDERS LEHMAN STEUERWALD HOLDMAN BROWN, T. LINDAUER SULLIVAN <= 10 COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT HOUCHIN PERFECT RAATZ BURTON CARBAUGH ELLINGTON LUCAS LYNESS MAHAN THOMPSON TORR VANNATTER SENATE n/a HOUSE n/a ENGLEMAN FRIEND HEINE MILLER MORRIS NEGELE WASHBURNE WESCO ZENT HUSTON OLTHOFF ZIEMKE 4

5 INDIANA SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 67 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 73 INDIANA SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE LOWEST REPUBLICAN BOOTS 45 # OF STATE SENATORS HIGHEST DEMOCRAT 8 6 MRVAN ACUF PERCENTAGE 5

6 INDIANA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 250 Expanding Absentee Voting. This bill expands absentee voting in the state by removing the requirement that an individual provide a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. ACU believes absentee voting should only be provided to those planning to be absent on election day and opposes this measure that reduces ballot integrity and increases the possibility of fraud and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 22, 2018 by a vote of SB 24 Allowing Sunscreen in School. This bill allows children to bring sunscreen lotion to school without a doctor s note or being required to keep it locked in a school nurse s office. Currently, sunscreen lotion is considered a medicine. ACU supports strengthening parental rights and allowing parents to decide whether their children should use sunscreen and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 23, 2018 by a vote of SB 232 Establishing a Government Program to Promote Nutritious Food. This bill creates a new government-run program known as the Access to Food program, which is meant to increase the distribution of what the government classifies as fresh and nutritious food and educate people who live in food deserts about such food. ACU opposes this measure which fails to even define a nutritious food and believes the marketplace is the best mechanism to expand access to groceries and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 23, 2018 by a vote of SB 237 Streamlining Handgun License Requirements. This bill brings the Indiana handgun permit law into compliance with federal law, allowing law-abiding permit-holders to purchase a firearm from a dealer without delays associated with an additional background check. The permit itself becomes a verification that the holder has undergone a background check. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 30, 2018 by a vote of SB 99 Reforming Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws. This bill establishes oversight and places restrictions on the ability of law enforcement to seize property under the state s civil asset forfeiture laws. For example, an affidavit of probable cause must be filed within seven days of a seizure, and an owner is able to request a provisional release of their property until a legal decision is made. Previously, property could be held for six months with no legal recourse. The ACU Foundation s Center for Criminal Justice Reform is a leading voice on reforming the asset forfeiture process. ACU believes property should not be seized without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on January 30, 2018 by a vote of SB 383 Requiring Competition in Public Works Contracts. This bill is designed to increase competition by requiring public school boards that are seeking bids for public works contracts valued at $1 million or above to specify at least three separate sources (of equivalent quality) of products or systems that can be used to fulfill the contract. Furthermore, the board must always justify seeking only a single source specification of a particular product or system. ACU supports an open competition process for government contracts and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 1, 2018 by a vote of SB 399 Reforming Occupational Licensing Laws. This model bill of the Institute for Justice requires a regulatory review of occupational licensing laws every seven years to ensure that the licensing is necessary and the least restrictive form of regulation. The bill also allows those incarcerated for non-violent crimes to petition the government to be allowed to obtain a license. The ACU Foundation s Center for Criminal Justice Reform is a leading voice on eliminating unnecessary occupational licensing which creates a barrier to the workforce. ACU opposes the proliferation of licenses which are primarily designed to restrict competition and supports efforts to improve public safety by increasing employment opportunities for those who have been incarcerated and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of

7 8. SB 33 Authorizing Firearms on Church Property. This bill allows those authorized to carry a firearm on school property to also be authorized to carry a firearm while in a house of worship. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of SB 213 Expanding Tax Exemptions for Government-Favored Housing. This bill gives a property tax exemption to nonprofit organizations that provide what the government deems affordable housing. ACU opposes these special exemptions that place an undue tax burden on those not favored by the government and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of SB 340 Requiring Inspections of and Reporting on Abuse at Abortion Facilities. This bill requires annual inspections of abortion facilities and requires that the facilities report any medical complications that their patient developed as a result of an abortion. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 7, 2018 by a vote of SB 65 Requiring Parental Consent to Instruction on Human Sexuality. This bill requires that before a school provides instruction on human sexuality, it must fully inform a parent of the course s content and obtain parental permission. ACU supports increased parental control over education and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 14, 2018 by a vote of

8 INDIANA SENATE SCORES INDIANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. SB 250 SB 24 SB 232 SB 237 SB 99 SB 383 SB 399 SB 33 SB 213 SB 340 SB 65 ALTING R BASSLER R BECKER R BOHACEK R BOOTS R BRAY R Breaux D BROWN R BUCHANAN R 7 X X X X X X X X X n/a n/a n/a BUCK R CHARBONNEAU R CRANE R CRIDER R DELPH R DORIOT R E ECKERTY R FORD R FREEMAN R GLICK R GROOMS R HEAD R HOLDMAN R HOUCHIN R KOCH R KRUSE R Lanane D ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 8

9 INDIANA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. SB 250 SB 24 SB 232 SB 237 SB 99 SB 383 SB 399 SB 33 SB 213 SB 340 SB 65 LEISING R LONG R Melton D E MERRITT R MESSMER R MISHLER R Mrvan D NIEMEYER R Niezgodski D PERFECT R RAATZ R Randolph D E E E E n/a RUCKELSHAUS R SANDLIN R SMITH R E SPARTZ R n/a 73 Stoops D E Tallian D X - - X Taylor D TOMES R WALKER R YOUNG R ZAKAS R ZAY R ACU Cast 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 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 9

10 INDIANA HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 64 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 80 INDIANA HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS DEMOCRAT AVERAGE LOWEST REPUBLICAN OBER 58 # OF STATE REPS HIGHEST DEMOCRATS 5 GOODIN TAYLOR ACUF PERCENTAGE

11 INDIANA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 1030 Reducing Townhouse Building Regulations. This bill prohibits state agencies or local governments from mandating the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems in townhouses. In addition, the bill deems a one-hour (versus two-hour) fire-resistant wall sufficient between two dwelling units if both units are equipped with fire sprinkler systems. ACU supports this effort to keep homes affordable for all and believes property owners should have the right to decide whether they wish to install a fire sprinkler system and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 23, 2018 by a vote of HB 1080 Diverting Highway Funds to Light Rail Projects. This bill lifts a ban on light rail projects in central Indiana. ACU opposes this deceptive attempt to pay for light rail projects by diverting funds that were approved in a ballot referendum (which raised taxes) and meant to pay for select transportation improvements and roads and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on January 30, 2018 by a vote of HB 1278 Creating New Taxing Districts. This bill makes it easier to set up new taxing districts, called Economic Improvement Districts, by reducing the required percentage of property owners needing to approve to be subject to the new tax from 66 percent to 60 percent. ACU opposes easing requirements to create additional new taxing bodies (in addition to existing property taxes) that burden some taxpayers with paying for certain improvements they may or may not want and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of HB 1319 Expanding Opportunities for Unsecured Loans. This bill eases restrictions on unsecured loans, known as payday loans, by allowing lenders to offer loans ranging from $605 to $1,500 with an APR of up to 222 percent (18.5 percent per month). Currently, lenders can only issue loans in amounts of up to $550. ACU supports the freedom of consumers to know the terms of their loans and select any product they feel best suits their needs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of HB 1315 Giving School Districts Financial Flexibility. This bill gives financially-stressed school districts the ability to lay off up to 5 percent of their teaching force after September 30 (with 90 days notice). ACU supports this flexibility that protects taxpayers and allows districts to properly adjust their staff based upon enrollment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 1, 2018 by a vote of HB 1061 Reforming Asbestos Litigation Rules. This bill ensures that juries have more information when making decisions pertaining to product liability cases involving asbestos. The bill prevents plaintiffs lawyers from abusing the system, ensuring that those who have certain diseases related to asbestos are given priority for the funds. This bill is modeled after legislation supported by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ACU supports litigation reform that protects the integrity of the asbestos trust fund while allowing for legitimate claims and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 5, 2018 by a vote of HB 1289 Allowing for Natural Resource Development on Private Property. This bill protects the right of property owners to harvest natural resources (such as minerals and timber) by preventing local governments from regulating such actions. The ACU Foundation s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading authority on this issue and others relating to land usage. ACU supports the right of property owners (who already are required to abide by state law and permitting requirements) to exercise their property rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 5, 2018 by a vote of HB 1424 Streamlining Handgun License Requirements. This bill brings the Indiana handgun permit law into compliance with federal law, allowing law-abiding permit-holders to purchase a firearm from a dealer without delays associated with an additional background check. The permit itself becomes a verification that the holder has undergone a background check. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 5, 2018 by a vote of

12 9. SB 24 Allowing Sunscreen in School. This bill allows children to bring sunscreen lotion to school without a doctor s note or being required to keep it locked in a school nurse s office. Currently, sunscreen lotion is considered a medicine. ACU supports strengthening parental rights and allowing parents to decide whether their children should use sunscreen and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 19, 2018 by a vote of SB 99 Reforming Civil Asset Forfeiture Laws. This bill establishes oversight and places restrictions on the ability of law enforcement to seize property under the state s civil asset forfeiture laws. For example, an affidavit of probable cause must be filed within seven days of a seizure, and an owner is able to request a provisional release of their property until a legal decision is made. Previously, property could be held for six months with no legal recourse. The ACU Foundation s Center for Criminal Justice Reform is a leading voice on reforming the asset forfeiture process. ACU believes property should not be seized without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on February 26, 2018 by a vote of SB 65 Requiring Parental Consent For Instruction on Human Sexuality. This bill requires that before a school provides instruction on human sexuality, it must fully inform a parent of the course s content and obtain parental permission. ACU supports increased parental control over education and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of SB 340 Requiring Inspections of and Reporting on Abuse at Abortion Facilities. This bill requires annual inspections of abortion facilities and requires that the facilities report any medical complications that their patient developed as a result of an abortion. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of

13 INDIANA HOUSE SCORES INDIANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. HB 1030 HB 1080 HB 1278 HB 1319 HB 1315 HB 1061 HB 1289 HB 1424 SB 24 SB 99 SB 65 SB 340 Austin D AYLESWORTH R 11 + E E E E BACON R BAIRD R E BARTELS R n/a 75 Bartlett D Bauer D X X BEHNING R E BEUMER R BORDERS R Bosma R 88 X - X + X + X + X n/a n/a 95 Brown, C. D BROWN, T. R BURTON R Candelaria Reardon D X CARBAUGH R CHERRY R E E E CLERE R COOK R CULVER R X DAVISSON R E E Delaney D DEVON R E E E Dvorak D E EBERHART R E ELLINGTON R ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 13

14 INDIANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. HB 1030 HB 1080 HB 1278 HB 1319 HB 1315 HB 1061 HB 1289 HB 1424 SB 24 SB 99 SB 65 SB 340 ENGLEMAN R 70 E Errington D Forestal D E - - E FRIEND R FRIZZELL R 93 E FRYE R E Giaquinta D Goodin D 66 - E E GUTWEIN R Hamilton D HAMM R Harris D Hatfield D HEATON R HEINE R E HUSTON R E JORDAN R JUDY R KARICKHOFF R Kersey D KIRCHHOFER R Klinker D Lawson D E E E LEHE R LEHMAN R LEONARD R LINDAUER R n/a 83 LUCAS R 69 + E ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 14

15 INDIANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. HB 1030 HB 1080 HB 1278 HB 1319 HB 1315 HB 1061 HB 1289 HB 1424 SB 24 SB 99 SB 65 SB 340 LYNESS R Macer D X MAHAN R MAY R E E MAYFIELD R McNAMARA R MILLER R Moed D X MORRIS R MORRISON R E E E + + E E 5 7 n/a Moseley D E E E NEGELE R NISLY R OBER R OLTHOFF R Pelath D Pierce D Porter D PRESSEL R Pryor D RICHARDSON R E E SAUNDERS R E SCHAIBLEY R Shackleford D X SIEGRIST R SLAGER R SMALTZ R SMITH, M. R 59 E E E E E n/a ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 15

16 INDIANA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party Dist. HB 1030 HB 1080 HB 1278 HB 1319 HB 1315 HB 1061 HB 1289 HB 1424 SB 24 SB 99 SB 65 SB 340 Smith, V. D SOLIDAY R SPEEDY R E + + E Stemler D E E E STEUERWALD R SULLIVAN R Summers D E - - E E E Taylor D 7 - E E E E THOMPSON R TORR R VANNATTER R WASHBURNE R WESCO R WOLKINS R Wright D YOUNG R ZENT R ZIEMKE R X ACU Cast 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 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score. 16