STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

Transcription

1 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states. 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 House Vote Description House Scores NC Senate Vote Descriptions Senate Scores This 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. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. North Carolina State Capitol Building,Raleigh, NC American Conservative Union 1331 H St. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC (202) conservative.org

2 ACU Board Members Al Cardenas (Chairman) Thomas S. Winter (First Vice Chairman) Donald Devine (Second Vice Chairman) Becky Norton Dunlop (Treasurer) Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr. (Secretary) Joe Bast Jeffrey Bell Morton C. Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Floyd Brown Muriel Coleman Dr. Larry Eastland Paul Erickson Carly Fiorina Charlie Gerow Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. Asa Hutchinson 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) Van D. Hipp, Jr. (Treasurer) Carolyn D. Meadows (Secretary) Al Cardenas Amy Noone Frederick Tim Goeglein Millie Hallow Colin A. Hanna David Keene Robert Luddy Ambassador Roger F. Noriega Thomas S. Winter 2

3 November 17, 2012 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2012 State Legislative Ratings for members of the North Carolina General Assembly. Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman Since 1971, our Congressional ratings have become the gold standard in holding every member of Congress accountable for their voting record on the most important issues facing our nation. Last year we brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, by rating members in five legislatures. I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year is a critical election year in the life of our nation and it is important, now more than ever, that Americans have the information to elect true conservatives into office. Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs decisive change to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and return to the traditional values that made our nation so great. The liberal policies of the Obama administration have energized a national grassroots conservative movement, bringing change to state and local governments nationwide. Because of this, our 2012 State Legislative Ratings are vital for voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation, especially in battleground states. We are dedicated to supporting the efforts of courageous conservative leaders fighting for limited government, promoting prosperity and individual freedom, and defending traditional values. Standing by voters around the nation, ACU is leading the way to encourage and help the next generation of conservative leaders, beginning at the state level. 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 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC Tel: (202) Fax: (202)

4 How We Selected the Votes 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states. 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. This 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. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. 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 2012 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: Austin Allran Tom Apodaca Stan Bingham Harris Blake Andrew Brock Harry Brown Peter Brunstetter Chris Carney Warren Daniel Don East Rick Gunn Kathy Harrington Brent Jackson Wesley Meredith E. S. Buck Newton Louis Pate Bill Rabon David Rouzer Bob Rucho Dan Soucek Jerry Tillman Tommy Tucker Wes Westmoreland North Carolina House of Representatives: Hugh Blackwell James Boles Jr. Justin Burr Jeff Collins Jimmy Dixon Mark Hilton Bert Jones Jonathan Jordan Darrell McCormick Tom Murry Shirley Randleman Norman Sanderson Paul Stam Mike Stone Thom Tillis John Torbett 4

5 ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the North Carolina General Assembly who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: Phil Berger Jim Davis Thom Goolsby Fletcher Hartsell Ralph Hise Neal Hunt Jean Preston Richard Stevens North Carolina House of Representatives: Marilyn Avila John Blust Glen Bradley William Brawley William Brisson Larry Brown Rayne Brown Harold Brubaker George Cleveland Bill Cook James Crawford William Current N. Leo Daughtry Jerry Dockham Nelson Dollar John Faircloth Dale Folwell Phillip Frye Mitch Gillespie Mike Hager Kelly Hastings Mark Hollo Bryan Holloway D. Craig Horn Julia Howard Pat Hurley Frank Iler Dan Ingle Linda Johnson Carolyn Justice Ric Killian Stephen Laroque David Lewis Daniel McComas Pat Mcelraft Wm. C. Bill McGee Grey Mills Tim Moffitt Tim Moore Larry Pittman G. L. Pridgen Efton Sager Jason Saine Ruth Samuelson Mitchell Setzer Phil Shepard Edgar Starnes Fred Steen Sarah Stevens Trudi Walend Harry Warren Roger West True Liberals of the Tar Heel State True Liberals of the Tar Heel State are those members of the North Carolina General Assembly who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. North Carolina Senate: None North Carolina House of Representatives: Alma Adams Marth Alexander Larry Bell Alice Bordsen Jean Farmer-Butterfield Susan Fisher R. Phillip Haire Verla Insko Maggie Jeffus 5

6 North Carolina House Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA 1. SB 727 Employee rights. This bill eliminates the deduction of union dues from the paychecks of school employees. ACU supports the right of employees to pay union dues voluntarily and supports this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on January 5, 2012 by a vote of H7 Local Control of Education. This bill allows community college trustees to opt out of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. ACU supports local control of education and supports this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on June 14, 2012 by a vote of SB 416 Death Penalty Reform. This bill reforms the use of evidence to show that a death penalty decision is the result of racial discrimination. It clarifies the law to say that statistical data alone is not enough to prove discrimination and defendants may no longer use statewide statistical data to prove racial discrimination. ACU supports these reforms and supports this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of HB 950 Appropriations. This bill included a budget for with no increase in tax rates and no new borrowing. The bill also included much of the Senate-passed education reform bill which puts students first when spending taxpayer dollars without massive increases in government spending. ACU opposes the Governor s efforts to increase taxes in order to raise spending levels, supports needed education reforms and supports this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of SB 820 Energy regulations. This bill creates the Mining and Energy Commission that is necessary to begin the process of promulgating rules to allow drilling for oil and natural gas through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. ACU supports increasing domestic energy production to provide abundant and affordable energy for all and supports this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of HB 925 Local control of government. This bill reforms the annexation process by requiring a referendum vote of an area s registered voters prior to that area s annexation by a municipality. If the voters reject the annexation, the municipality cannot move forward with an involuntary annexation process for three years. ACU supports these reforms to increase local control of government and supports this bill. The House voted to pass this bill on May 29, 2012 by a vote of HB 5 Deannexation. This bill reversed the forced annexation of certain areas by nine municipalities. ACU opposes the annexation of areas over the wishes of local residents and supports this bill. The House voted to pass this bill on May 29, 2012 by a vote of

7 8. SB 847 Amendment 1--Film industry subsidies. This amendment extends the film industry production tax credit to January 1, Although called a tax credit, it is refundable, meaning taxpayer checks are written to film producers to cover production costs. ACU opposes government picking winners and losers for subsidies with taxpayer funds and opposes this amendment. The House passed the amendment on July 2, 2012 by a vote of HB Environmental regulation reform. This bill exempts facilities that already require federal pollution controls from having to comply with the state air toxics program. ACU supports the reduction of duplicative, burdensome regulations and supports this bill. The House voted to pass this bill on Second Reading on May 29, 2012 by a vote of HB 810, Consumer Finance Regulations. This bill raises the maximum loans allowed by non-bank lenders from $10,000 to $15,000 among other regulatory changes. ACU supports this free market approach and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on June 2, 2011 by a vote of SB 810, Regulatory reform. This bill requires permitting agencies to track and report the time it takes to issue permits among other reforms that build on the Regulatory Reform Act of ACU supports these regulatory reforms and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on June 21, 2012 by a vote of

8 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 HOUSE VOTES SB 727 HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 847 HB 952 HB 810, 2011 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name District Party Adams 58 D % Alexander, K 107 D % Alexander, M 106 D % AVILA 40 R % Bell 21 D % BLACKWELL 86 R % BLUST 62 R % BOLES 52 R % Bordsen 63 D X X - X % BRADLEY 49 R % Brandon 60 D X % BRAWLEY 103 R % Brisson 22 D % BROWN, L 73 R % BROWN, R 81 R % BRUBAKER 78 R x % Bryant 7 D % BURR 67 R % Carney 102 D % CLEVELAND 14 R % COLLINS 25 R % COOK 6 R % Cotham 100 D % Crawford 32 D X % CURRENT 109 R % DAUGHTRY 26 R % DIXON 4 R % DOCKHAM 80 R X X - X % DOLLAR 36 R % Earle 101 D % FAIRCLOTH 61 R % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 8 8

9 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 HOUSE VOTES SB 727 HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 847 HB 952 HB 810, 2011 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name District Party Faison 50 D % Farmer-Butterfield 24 D % Fisher 114 D % Floyd 43 D % FOLWELL 74 R % FRYE 84 R X % Gill 33 D % GILLESPIE 85 R % Glazier 45 D % Goodman 66 D % Graham 47 D % Hackney 54 D % HAGER 112 R % Haire 119 D % Hall 29 D % Hamilton 18 D - X - X % Harrison 57 D % HASTINGS 110 R X % Hill 20 D X % HILTON 96 R % HOLLO 88 R % HOLLOWAY 91 R % HORN 68 R % HOWARD 79 R % HURLEY 70 R % ILER 17 R % INGLE 64 R % Insko 56 D % Jackson 39 D % Jeffus 59 D % JOHNSON 83 R % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 9

10 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 HOUSE VOTES SB 727 HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 847 HB 952 HB 810, 2011 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name District Party JONES 65 R % JORDAN 93 R % JUSTICE 16 R % Keever 115 D % KILLIAN 105 R X % LANGDON 28 R % LAROQUE 10 R X % LEWIS 53 R % Lucas 42 D % Luebke 30 D % Martin 34 D % MCCOMAS 19 R % MCCORMICK 92 R % MCELRAFT 13 R X % MCGEE 75 R % MCGRADY 117 R % McGuirt 69 D % McLawhorn 9 D % Michaux 31 D % MILLS 95 R % Mobley 5 D - X % MOFFITT 116 R X % Moore, R 99 D % MOORE, T 111 R % MURRY 41 R % Owens 1 D % Parfitt 44 D % Parmon 72 D % Pierce 48 D % PITTMAN 82 R X % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 10

11 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 HOUSE VOTES SB 727 HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 847 HB 952 HB 810, 2011 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name District Party PRIDGEN 46 R X % RANDLEMAN 94 R % Rapp 118 D % Ross 38 D % SAGER 11 R % SAINE 97 R X % SAMUELSON 104 R X X - X % SANDERSON 3 R % SETZER 89 R % SHEPARD 15 R % Spear 2 D X X % STAM 37 R % STARNES 87 R % STEEN 76 R % STEVENS 90 R % STONE 51 R % TILLIS 98 R X X X X X % Tolson 23 D % TORBETT 108 R % Wainright 12 D X X % WALEND 113 R X % Warren, E 8 D % WARREN, H 77 R % Weiss 35 D % WEST 120 R X % Wilkins 55 D X % Wray 27 D % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 11

12 North Carolina Senate Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NORTH CAROLINA 1. H7 Local Control of Education. This bill allows community college trustees to opt out of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. ACU supports local control of education and supports this bill. The Senate moved to override the Governor s veto of this bill by a vote of on June 18, SB 416 Death Penalty Reform. This bill reforms the use of evidence to show that a death penalty decision is the result of racial discrimination. It clarifies the law to say that statistical data alone is not enough to prove discrimination and defendants may no longer use statewide statistical data to prove racial discrimination. ACU supports these reforms and supports this bill. The Senate voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of HB 950 Appropriations. This bill included a budget for with no increase in tax rates and no new borrowing. ACU opposes the Governor s efforts to increase taxes in order to raise spending levels and supports this bill. The Senate voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of SB 820 Energy regulations. This bill creates the Mining and Energy Commission that is necessary to begin the process of promulgating rules to allow drilling for oil and natural gas through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. ACU supports increasing domestic energy production to provide abundant and affordable energy for all and supports this bill. The senate voted to override the Governor s veto of this bill on July 2, 2012 by a vote of HB 925 Local control of government. This bill reforms the annexation process by requiring a referendum vote of an area s registered voters prior to that area s annexation by a municipality. If the voters reject the annexation, the municipality cannot move forward with an involuntary annexation process for three years. ACU supports these reforms to increase local control of government and supports this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 21, 2012 by a vote of HB 5 Deannexation. This bill reversed the forced annexation of certain areas by 9 municipalities. ACU opposes the annexation of areas over the wishes of local residents and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 21, 2012 by a vote of SB 795 Education reform. This bill builds on a previous education reform bill by putting students first when spending taxpayer dollars without massive increases in government spending. Reforms include promoting literacy in grades K-3 and ending social promotion; grading schools A though F based on student achievement, adding minimum standards for teachers and giving principals and superintendents the ability to get bad teachers out of the classroom. ACU supports these common sense reforms and supports this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 4, 2012 by a vote of

13 8. HB Environmental regulation reform. This bill exempts facilities that already require federal pollution controls from having to comply with the state air toxics program. ACU supports the reduction of duplicative, burdensome regulations and supports this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 21, 2012 by a vote of SB 810, Regulatory reform. This bill requires permitting agencies to track and report the time it takes to issue permits among other reforms that build on the Regulatory Reform Act of ACU supports these regulatory reforms and supports this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 27, 2012 by a vote of

14 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 SENATE VOTES HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 795 HB 952 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party ALLRAN R % APODACA R % Atwager D - X X X % Berger, D D % BERGER, P R X % BINGHAM R % BLAKE R % Blue D X % BROCK R % BROWN R % BRUNSTETTER R % CARNEY R % Clodfelter D - X X X % DANIEL R % Dannelly D - X X X X % DAVIS R X % EAST R % GOOLSBY R % Graham D X X - X % GUNN R % HARRINGTON R % HARTSELL R % HISE R X X % HUNT R % JACKSON R % Jones D X X - X % Kinnaird D % McKissick D X % MEREDITH R % Nesbitt D % NEWTON R % PATE R % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 14

15 NORTH CAROLINA 2012 SENATE VOTES HB 7 SB 416 HB 950 SB 820 HB 925 HB 5 SB 795 HB 952 HB 810, 2012 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party PRESTON R X % Purcell D % RABON R % ROUZER R % RUCHO R % SOUCEK R % Stein D % STEVENS R % TILLMAN R % TUCKER R % Vaughan D % WESTMORELAND R % White D X % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 15

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 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 rating to State Legislatures and a first-ever series of regional CPAC s 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 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC Phone: (202) conservative.org