STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

Transcription

1 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA ACU Presents 2011 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the first time ever, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. In the first year of this new initiative, we are grading State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. ACU first began rating members of Congress in Since then, our ratings system has become the most important conservative measuring stick in American politics the gold standard for voters seeking more information on their representatives records. Table of Contents ACU Board Members A Letter From The Chairman How We Selected the Votes Conservative All-Stars NC Legislative Vote Descriptions Senate Scores House Scores This inaugural expansion of our Conservative Ratings program is part of Chairman Al Cardenas vision for building on successful ACU initiatives and taking the fight for conservative principles to the state and local levels. In coming years, the ACU will increase the number of State Legislatures graded, adding to these initial five target states. Historical Capitol Building, Raleigh, NC

2 ACU Board Members Al Cardenas, Chairman Thomas S. Winter, First Vice Chairman Donald J. Devine, Second Vice Chairman Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr., Secretary Becky Norton Dunlop, Treasurer Joe Bast Jeffrey Bell Morton C. Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Floyd Brown Muriel Coleman Dr. Larry Eastland Paul Erickson Charlie Gerow Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. David A. Keene Suhail A. Khan James V. Lacy Michael R. Long Honorable Serphin Maltese Carolyn D. Meadows Cleta Mitchell Joseph A. Morris Grover G. Norquist Ron Robinson Allen Roth Matt Schlapp Fred L. Smith, Jr. Lewis K. Uhler Kirby Wilbur ACU Foundation Board Members Cleta Mitchell, Chairman Tom Tripp, Secretary Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Al Cardenas Richard H. Collins 22 Millie Hallow Robert Luddy Carolyn Meadows Thomas S. Winter

3 November 28, 2011 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I am pleased to present The American Conservative Union s 2011 State Legislative Ratings for members of the North Carolina General Assembly. Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman We ve become the gold standard in Congressional ratings, which we ve done since 1971, and we re pleased this year for the first time ever to expand this trailblazing commitment to the state level. Just as we hold every member of Congress accountable for his or her voting record on the most important issues facing our nation, the American Conservative Union is ensuring voters in bellwether states like North Carolina have access to the latest information on their state legislators conservative credentials. There could not be a more critical time for conservatives to unite. Now approaching three years under the management of Barack Obama, there is no question America has withstood change from crushing debt and unconstrained federal spending to a discomforting loss of international standing in a world more complicated and perilous than ever. Thankfully, this extraordinarily liberal Administration has reignited the national conservative movement in states across the country and driven millions of Americans across the country to activism and engagement in ways we have not witnessed in decades. With State Legislatures playing host to many of the most significant and controversial policy debates facing Americans from fighting ObamaCare to cutting spending to preserving traditional values the ACU is committed to playing a defining role in these conversations. In states across the nation, there are countless examples of courageous leaders shunning big-government solutions in favor of ambitious conservative reforms that advance prosperity and individual freedom. We have an opportunity to foster the next generation of conservative leaders, and the best way to accomplish this is to reach into states that are on the front lines of the battle for the future of our great nation. Thank you for your continued support. I know that, together, we can ensure America s best days are still ahead. Sincerely, Al Cardenas Chairman, American Conservative Union 1007 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA Tel: (703) Fax: (703)

4 How We Selected the Votes 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA As the nation s largest grassroots conservative organization, the American Conservative Union serves as an umbrella organization for conservatives in America. The ACU tracks a wide range of issues before Congress and State Legislatures to determine which issues and votes serve as a clear litmus test separating those legislators who defend liberty and liberal members who have turned their backs on our founding principles constitutionally limited government, individual liberty, free markets, a strong national defense and traditional values. The votes selected for our inaugural State Legislative Ratings in each of our targeted states Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and the Commonwealth of Virginia are not always considered the most important votes as defined by others. Instead, the votes selected are chosen to create a clear ideological distinction among those casting them. Throughout the history of our Conservative Ratings program, the ACU has become the go-to source for determining whether an elected official s philosophical rhetoric matches his or her record. ACU s mission in the expansion of this program is informing grassroots conservatives and the public in an unbiased, transparent manner on where individual members of their State Legislature fall on the ideological spectrum. Conservative All-Stars of the North Carolina General Assembly Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the North Carolina General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2011 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: Jean Preston Louis Pate Harry Brown Bill Rabon Thom Goolsby Brent Jackson David Rouzer Neal Hunt Richard Stevens Bob Atwater Harris Blake Rick Gunn Phil Berger Jerry Tillman Don East Stan Bingham Andrew C. Brock Tommy Tucker Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. Bob Rucho James Forrester Austin M. Allran Kathy Harrington Dan Soucek Debbie A. Clary Ralph Hise Tom Apodaca Jim Davis North Carolina House of Representatives: Marilyn Avila Jeff Barnhart John M. Blust James L. Boles, Jr. William Brawley Larry R. Brown Rayne Brown Harold J. Brubaker Justin P. Burr Jeff Collins Bill Cook William A. Current, Sr. N. Leo Daughtry Jimmy Dixon Jerry C. Dockham Nelson Dollar 4

5 North Carolina House of Representatives Continued: John Faircloth Dale R. Folwell Phillip Frye Mitch Gillespie W. David Guice Mike Hager Kelly E. Hastings Mark K. Hilton Mark W. Hollo Bryan R. Holloway D. Craig Horn Julia C. Howard Pat B. Hurley Frank Iler Dan W. Ingle Linda P. Johnson Jonathan C. Jordan Carolyn H. Justice David R. Lewis Darrell G. McCormick Pat McElraft Wm. C. Bill McGee Tim D. Moffitt Tim Moore Tom Murry G. L. Pridgen Shirley B. Randleman Johnathan Rhyne, Jr. Efton M. Sager Phil R. Shepard Paul Stam Edgar V. Starnes Fred F. Steen, II Sarah Stevens Mike C. Stone Thom Tillis Harry Warren Roger West ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the North Carolina General Assembly who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2011 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: E.S. (Buck) Newton Wesley Meredith Warren Daniel Peter Brunstetter* North Carolina House of Representatives: Hugh Blackwell Glen Bradley George G. Cleveland Bert Jones Ric Killian James H. Langdon, Jr. Stephen A. LaRoque Daniel F. McComas Chuck McGrady Grey Mills Ruth Samuelson Norman W. Sanderson Mitchell S. Setzer * = ACU Conservative award due to missed votes True Liberals of the Tar Heel True Liberals of the Tar Heel State are those members of the North Carolina General Assembly who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2011 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: North Carolina House of Representatives: Note: No member of the Senate achieved a zero percent score. Larry M. Bell Alice L. Bordsen Jean Farmer-Butterfield Susan C. Fisher Joe Hackney Larry D. Hall Verla Insko Paul Luebke Jennifer Weiss Larry Womble 5

6 2011 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA North Carolina General Assembly Vote Descriptions 1. S.B. 8. Charter School Expansion. This legislation lifted the state cap on charter schools, allowing for the expansion of quality choice options and increased student enrollment in charter schools. The ACU fully supports parental choice, giving more children more options to receive a quality education. The measure passed by a margin in the Senate on 2/24/11 and a vote in the House on 4/11/ Racial Justice Act Reform. This legislation reforms the so-called Racial Justice Act, which allows Death Row inmates of selected races to lessen their sentence by charging racial discrimination. The ACU opposes race-based sentencing and supports these reforms. This bill passed the House on Second Reading 6/16/11 by a vote of and awaits further action. 3. S.B. 33. Medical Malpractice Reform. This legislation implemented medical malpractice reforms that cap noneconomic damages, limit the liability of emergency services providers and streamline the medical malpractice lawsuit and awards process. The ACU supports tort reform measures that limit frivolous lawsuits that unnecessarily drive up health care costs for families and businesses. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 6/24/11. The veto was overridden by a margin in the Senate on 7/13/11 and a vote in the House on 7/25/ S.B Defense of Marriage. This legislation proposes a constitutional amendment to define marriage in the state constitution as between one man and one woman. The ACU supports traditional marriage and supports this amendment. This amendment passed the House 9/12/11 by a vote of and awaits further action. 5. S.B Government and Unemployment Law Reform. This legislation reforms unemployment law in North Carolina, increasing efficiencies in state government, reduces unemployment tax penalties for employers and strengthens fiscal accountability to the benefit of taxpayers. The ACU supports streamlining government to keep down taxes and enacting pro-growth policies that enable businesses to prosper. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 6/30/11. The veto was overridden by a margin in the Senate on 7/13/11 and a vote in the House on 7/26/ S.B Domestic Energy Production. This legislation would have taken steps to explore and increase energy production through drilling creating jobs and developing a stable energy and natural gas supply. The ACU supports expanding domestic energy production to decrease America s reliance on foreign sources of energy. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 6/30/11. The veto was overridden by a margin in the Senate on 7/13/11, but failed to receive a veto override vote on the House floor. The legislation originally passed the House by a margin of on 6/14/11. 6

7 7. S.B Paycheck Protection for Educators. This legislation would have eliminated school employee payroll deductions for union dues. The ACU supports efforts to protect personal liberty and curb the influence of liberal unions. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 6/18/11. The veto was overridden by a margin in the Senate on 7/13/11, but failed to receive a veto override vote on the House floor. The legislation originally passed the House by a margin of on 7/13/ S.B Regulatory Reform. This legislation implemented wide-ranging reforms to reduce burdensome state regulations on small businesses and corporations which, inhibit private sector prosperity. The ACU supports less government interference in the marketplace and pro-growth policies that accelerate economic development and create jobs. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 6/30/11. The veto was overridden by a 48-0 margin in the Senate on 7/13/11 and a vote in the House on 7/25/ H.B. 2. Health Care Freedom. This legislation would have preserved the freedom of North Carolina residents to choose and provide for their own health care. The ACU supports an individual s right to make his or her own health care decisions and vehemently opposes Obamacare and all similar government health care takeovers. The passed legislation was vetoed by Governor Perdue on 3/5/11. The House attempted a veto override, but with a vote on 3/9/11, but failed to achieve the needed 3/5 majority. The bill previously passed the Senate with a vote on 2/16/ H.B. 3. Law Enforcement. This legislation provides a good faith exception to the exclusionary rule in state law when obtaining evidence, putting state law in line with federal law and U.S. Supreme Court rulings. ACU supports reasonable efforts to strengthen law enforcement and supports this bill. The House passed 3 on 2/10/11 by a vote of H.B. 8. Eminent Domain. This constitutional amendment would protect private property from the use of eminent domain for other than a public purpose. ACU supports strengthening private property rights and supports this amendment. The House passed 8 on third reading 4/28/11 by a vote of No further action was taken. 12. H.B. 36. Immigration Reform. This legislation required large employers and local governments to use the federal E-Verify program to authenticate the work authorization of newly hired employees. The ACU supports measures to crack down on illegal immigration and enforce America s immigration laws. The measure passed by a 40-3 margin in the Senate on 6/17/11 and a vote in the House on 6/18/ H.B. 92. Local Tax Reform. This legislation repealed the land transfer tax option for counties. The ACU supports efforts to lower and eliminate taxes wherever possible to decrease the tax burden on families and businesses. The measure passed by a 40-8 margin in the Senate on 3/21/11 and a vote in the House on 3/8/ H.B Marketplace Fairness. This legislation leveled the playing field when it comes to competition between private and public communications and broadband networks, protecting against unfair advantages for local governments. The ACU supports a competitive free market system that spurs private sector investment and economic development. The measure passed by a margin in the Senate on 5/3/11 and a vote in the House on 5/5/ H.B Budget. balanced the budget without raising taxes or extending temporary tax hikes. The ACU supported this sound fiscal policy and supported this bill. Although passed by the House and Senate, the bill was vetoed by Governor Perdue. The ACU supported the attempts to override the veto. The House voted and the Senate on 6/15/11 to override the veto. 7

8 16. H.B Budget. Amendment 19. This amendment by Representative Ross would have restored state funding of abortions through the state health plan. The ACU opposes government funding of abortion and opposed this amendment. It failed in the House on 5/3/11by a vote of H.B Budget. Amendment 20. This amendment by Representative Glazier would have restored state funding to Planned Parenthood. The ACU opposes government funding of organizations which perform abortions and opposed this amendment. It failed in the House on 5/3/11 by a vote of A similar amendment by Senator Garrou failed in the Senate on 6/1/11 by a vote H.B Rights of the Unborn. This legislation creates a criminal offense for the death or injury of an unborn child. The ACU supports strengthening the rights of the unborn and supports this bill. It passed the Senate in final form on 4/14/11 by a vote of 45-4 and the House in final form on 4/19/11 by a vote of H.B Education Reform. This legislation removed the power of an accreditation company, which has suppressed the expansion of school choice through charter schools. The ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on Third Reading on 6/6/11 by a vote of and the Senate on 6/14/11 on Second reading by a vote of and awaits further action. 20. H.B Voting Integrity. This legislation would require photo identification in order to vote. The ACU supports reasonable efforts to strengthen laws against voting fraud and supports this bill. It passed the House on 6/9/11 on Third Reading by a vote of and the Senate on Second Reading on 6/15/11 on Second Reading by a vote of and awaits further action. 21. H.B Law Enforcement. This legislation would expand the list of felonies for which a DNA sample can be taken upon arrest. The ACU supports reasonable efforts to strengthen law enforcement and supports this bill. It passed the House on Third Reading 5/9/11 by a vote of and awaits further action. 22. H.B Tort Reform. This legislation reformed state law on the calculation of medical expenses and trespass law. The ACU supports tort reform of this type and supports this bill. This bill passed the Senate on Third reading 6/15/11 by a vote of 42-8 and the House on 6/16/11 by a vote of H.B Merit Pay. This legislation authorizes the Charlotte/Mecklenburg school system, North Carolina s second largest, to develop and implement a merit pay system for teachers. The ACU supports this type of education reform and supports this bill. This bill passed the House on Second Reading 4/28/11 by a vote of and awaits further action. 24. H.B Castle Doctrine. This legislation strengthens Second Amendment Rights by reforming laws relating to the use of defensive force. The ACU strongly supports Second Amendment rights and supports this legislation. This bill passed the Senate on Second Reading 6/14/11 by a vote of 37-9 and the House 6/16/11 by a vote of H.B Informed Consent. This legislation requires a 24-hour waiting period and informed consent for an abortion except in cases of medical emergency. The ACU supports this type of restriction on abortions and support this bill. This bill passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Perdue. The vote listed in the Senate was on Second reading 6/15/11 and passed The House voted to override the veto of this bill on 7/26/11 by a vote of

9 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 SENATE VOTES ; = Bill H.B Am 2. H.B.. Am 4 (20) ACU + / - ACU % Senator Name District Party Austin M. Allran 42 R + E /0 100% Tom Apodaca 48 R E /0 100% Bob Atwater 18 D //13 28% Doug Berger 7 D //13 28% Phil Berger 26 R /0 100% Stan Bingham 33 R /0 100% Harris Blake 22 R /0 100% Dan Blue 14 D //14 22% Andrew C. Brock 34 R /0 100% Harry Brown 6 R /0 100% Peter S. Brunstetter 31 R + E E E E /0 100%* Debbie A. Clary 46 R /0 100% Daniel G. Clodfelter 37 D X X E //11 27% Warren Daniel 44 R /1 94% Charlie Smith Dannelly 38 D E X - 1//15 6% Jim Davis 50 R /0 100% Don East 30 R /0 100% James Forrester (In Memoriam) 41 R /0 100% Linda Garrou 32 D E E //12 25% Thom Goolsby 9 R /0 100% Malcolm Graham 40 D X E - - E - 3//12 20% Rick Gunn 24 R /0 100% Kathy Harrington 43 R /0 100% Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr. 36 R /0 100% Ralph Hise 47 R /0 100% Neal Hunt 15 R /0 100% Brent Jackson 10 R /0 100% Clark Jenkins 3 D - E E E E - E E - + E - NR Ed Jones 4 D //10 44% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence; NR=Not Rated Due to Missing Votes; * = ACU Conservative award due to missed votes 9

10 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 SENATE VOTES Bill H.B Am 2. H.B.. Am 4 (20) ACU + / - ACU % Senator Name District Party Eleanor Kinnaird 23 D //17 6% Eric Mansfield 21 D //13 28% Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. 20 D E - + E - 4//12 25% Wesley Meredith 19 R /2 89% Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. 49 D X //15 12% E. S. (Buck) Newton 11 R /3 83% Louis Pate 5 R /0 100% Jean Preston 2 R E /0 100% William R. Purcell 25 D //14 22% Bill Rabon 8 R /0 100% Gladys A. Robinson 28 D E //15 17% David Rouzer 12 R /0 100% Bob Rucho 39 R /0 100% Dan Soucek 45 R /0 100% Josh Stein 16 D //16 11% Richard Stevens 17 R /0 100% Jerry W. Tillman 29 R /0 100% Tommy Tucker 35 R /0 100% Don Vaughan 27 D //11 39% Michael P. Walters 13 D E //11 39% Stan White 1 D //13 38% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence 10

11 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 HOUSE VOTES Bill H.B. Am. 19 Am ACU + / - ACU % Representative Name District Party Alma Adams 58 D / 20 13% Kelly M. Alexander, Jr. 107 D - - E E / 20 5% Martha B. Alexander 106 D / 21 9% Marilyn Avila 40 R / 0 100% Jeff Barnhart 82 R E E 21 / 0 100% Larry M. Bell 21 D E / 22 0% Hugh Blackwell 86 R / 1 96% John M. Blust 62 R / 0 100% James L. Boles, Jr. 52 R / 0 100% Alice L. Bordsen 63 D / 23 0% Glen Bradley 49 R X X / 3 86% Marcus Brandon 60 D x - E - - X X / 15 21% William Brawley 103 R / 0 100% William D. Brisson 22 D / 6 74% Larry R. Brown 73 R E / 0 100% Rayne Brown 81 R / 0 100% Harold J. Brubaker 78 R / 0 100% Angela R. Bryant 7 D E X E / 18 10% Justin P. Burr 67 R / 0 100% Becky Carney 102 D / 19 17% George G. Cleveland 14 R / 1 96% Jeff Collins 25 R / 0 100% Bill Cook 6 R / 0 100% Tricia Ann Cotham 100 D / 21 9% James W. Crawford, Jr. 32 D / 5 78% William A. Current, Sr. 109 R E / 0 100% N. Leo Daughtry 26 R + + E E / 0 100% Jimmy Dixon 4 R E / 0 100% Jerry C. Dockham 80 R / 0 100% Nelson Dollar 36 R / 0 100% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence 11

12 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 HOUSE VOTES Bill H.B. Am. 19 Am ACU + / - ACU % Representative Name District Party Beverly M. Earle 101 D / 20 13% Bill Faison 50 D E - E - E - - E 5 / 14 26% John Faircloth 61 R / 0 100% Jean Farmer-Butterfield 24 D E / 22 0% Susan C. Fisher 114 D / 23 0% Elmer Floyd 43 D X / 20 9% Dale R. Folwell 74 R X / 0 100% Phillip Frye 84 R / 0 100% Rosa U. Gill 33 D / 22 7% Mitch Gillespie 85 R / 0 100% Rick Glazier 45 D / 18 22% Ken Goodman 66 D / 13 43% Charles Graham 47 D X X / 17 19% W. David Guice 113 R E / 0 100% Joe Hackney 54 D / 23 0% Mike Hager 112 R / 0 100% R. Phillip Haire 119 D / 22 4% Larry D. Hall 29 D / 23 0% Susi H. Hamilton 18 D / 19 17% Pricey Harrison 57 D / 22 4% Kelly E. Hastings 110 R / 0 100% Dewey L. Hill 20 D X / 5 77% Mark K. Hilton 96 R / 0 100% Mark W. Hollo 88 R / 0 100% Bryan R. Holloway 91 R + + E E / 0 100% D. Craig Horn 68 R E / 0 100% Julia C. Howard 79 R / 0 100% Pat B. Hurley 70 R / 0 100% Frank Iler 17 R / 0 100% Dan W. Ingle 64 R / 0 100% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence 12

13 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 HOUSE VOTES Bill H.B. Am. 19 Am ACU + / - ACU % Representative Name District Party Verla Insko 56 D / 23 0% Darren G. Jackson 39 D / 22 4% Maggie Jeffus 59 D / 20 13% Linda P. Johnson 83 R / 0 100% Bert Jones 65 R / 1 95% Jonathan C. Jordan 93 R / 0 100% Carolyn H. Justice 16 R E / 0 100% Patsy Keever 115 D / 22 4% Ric Killian 105 R E + + E E / 0 100% Marvin W. Lucas 42 D / 19 17% James H. Langdon, Jr. 28 R / 1 96% Stephen A. LaRoque 10 R / 1 96% David R. Lewis 53 R X / 0 100% Paul Luebke 30 D / 23 0% Grier Martin 34 D E / 20 9% Daniel F. McComas 19 R + + E X + + E E E + E / 0 100% Darrell G. McCormick 92 R / 0 100% Pat McElraft 13 R + E / 0 100% Wm. C. "Bill" McGee 75 R / 0 100% Chuck McGrady 117 R X / 3 86% Frank McGuirt 69 D X / 13 41% Marian N. McLawhorn 9 D - E / 16 38% Henry M. Michaux, Jr. 31 D / 21 9% Grey Mills 95 R X / 1 96% Annie W. Mobley 5 D / 21 9% Tim D. Moffitt 116 R / 0 100% Rodney W. Moore 99 D / 19 17% Tim Moore 111 R E X / 0 100% Tom Murry 41 R / 0 100% Bill Owens 1 D E / 9 59% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence 13

14 NORTH CAROLINA 2011 HOUSE VOTES Bill H.B. Am. 19 Am ACU + / - ACU % Representative Name District Party Diane Parfitt 44 D / 19 17% Earline W. Parmon 72 D E / 20 9% Garland E. Pierce 48 D / 20 13% G. L. Pridgen 46 R / 0 100% Shirley B. Randleman 94 R / 0 100% Ray Rapp 118 D / 18 21% Johnathan Rhyne, Jr. 97 R / 0 100% Deborah K. Ross 38 D / 22 4% Efton M. Sager 11 R / 0 100% Ruth Samuelson 104 R E + E E + 20 / 0 100% Norman W. Sanderson 3 R / 1 96% Phil R. Shepard 15 R / 0 100% Timothy L. Spear 2 D X / 5 77% Paul Stam 37 R / 0 100% Edgar V. Starnes 87 R / 0 100% Fred F. Steen, II 76 R / 0 100% Mitchell S. Setzer 89 R / 1 96% Sarah Stevens 90 R X E E + 20 / 0 100% Mike C. Stone 51 R / 0 100% Thom Tillis 98 R + X + + X + X X + X + X X X + + X X / 0 100% Joe P. Tolson 23 D / 20 13% John A. Torbett 108 R / 1 96% William L. Wainwright 12 D E / 19 14% Edith D. Warren 8 D / 18 22% Harry Warren 77 R / 0 100% Jennifer Weiss 35 D / 23 0% Roger West 120 R E / 0 100% W. A. (Winkie) Wilkins 55 D E E E - 8 / 12 40% Larry Womble 71 D / 23 0% Michael H. Wray 27 D / 16 30% X = Did not vote.; E= Excused Absence 14

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16 The American Conservative Union The American Conservative Union (ACU) is America s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization. Founded in 1964, ACU represents the views of Americans who are concerned with economic growth through lower taxes and reduced government spending and the issues of liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values and national security. As America s conservative voice, ACU is the leading entity in providing conservative positions on issues to Congress, White House Administration Officials, State Governments, the media, political candidates and the public. The ACU s marquee initiatives include the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and the annual Ratings of Congress guide. Under the leadership of new ACU Chairman Al Cardenas, the organization remains the standard bearer of conservatism in America. Chairman Cardenas is dedicated to growing the national conservative movement through the expansion of ACU programs, unprecedented outreach and advocacy especially to young, emerging activists and an extended reach into local and state issues. Among these inaugural efforts are the expansion of conservative ratings to State Legislatures and a first-ever series of regional CPACs in states across the country, building on the legacy of the annual national CPAC event in our Nation s Capital. For more information on the American Conservative Union, please visit our website at Contact Us 1007 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA Phone: (703) conservative.org