2015 RATINGS of MISSISSIPPI

Transcription

1 RATINGS of MISSISSIPPI Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 MS Senate Vote Descriptions 5 & F Board Members 3 MS Senate Scores 6 Selecting the 3 MS House Vote Descriptions 8 Winners & Losers 4 MS House Scores 9

2 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservatives, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union Foundation s ratings for the meeting of the Mississippi Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Mississippi legislators with the strongest scores voted most consistently with the ideals articulated in the US Constitution: limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility, and a healthy culture. The election completed a political transformation that began in 2010 and resulted in voters of almost half the states, 23 in all, entrusting Republicans with the governorships as well as control of both chambers in the respective state, the biggest sweep since the first half of the 20th Century. By examining all our State Ratings (which cover a wide variety of issues) we can see which states have best used their Republican majorities to apply conservative principles, how others have struggled, and in yet other states, how conservatives have stood up against liberal majorities. I know that this guide will provide you with the most comprehensive evaluative tool to learn how your legislators measure up. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union 2

3 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Thomas Winter First Vice Chairman Carolyn Meadows Second Vice Chairman Jameson Campaigne, Jr. Secretary Larry Beasley Bob Beauprez Kimberly Bellissimo Morton Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Al Cardenas Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Millie Hallow Vice Chairman Van Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Tim Goeglein Secretary Kimberly Bellissimo Jose Cardenas Amy Frederick Jonathan Garthwaite Charlie Gerow Colin Hanna Willes Lee Kellyanne Conway Tom DeLay John Eddy Luis Fortuno Amy Frederick Charlie Gerow Alan Gottlieb Van Hipp, Jr. James Lacy Carolyn Meadows Thomas Winter Michael Long Grover Norquist Becky Norton Dunlop Ron Robinson Ned Ryun Fred Smith, Jr. Matt Smith Lewis Uhler Ed Yevoli SELECTING THE VOTES researched and selected a range of bills before the Mississippi 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 Mississippi s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property. To contact, please call H Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC (202)

4 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi WINNERS & LOSERS AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE < 10 COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE COLLINS BARKER Frazier n/a FILLINGANE BUSBY Norwood McDANIEL DeLANO SMITH GUICE SOJOURNER WATSON AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE CHASSANIOL ALDAY GUNN READ CLARKE ALDRIDGE HANEY SHOWS GOLLOTT BARTON LADNER SNOWDEN HILL BENNETT LAMAR WEATHERSBY LEE BYRD MARTINSON WILLIS MASSEY CARPENTER MAYO ZUBER PARKER CRAWFORD MONSOUR TINDELL CURRIE MOORE TOLLISON EURE PATTERSON WIGGINS FRIERSON POWELL 4

5 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HCR 9 Education Ballot Initiative. This resolution puts on the ballot an alternative to an initiative that gives a Hinds County Chancery Judge power to allocate state education funds. The alternative measure would retain legislative control over education spending. This is the first time the legislature has utilized a constitutional provision that allows for an alternative to a ballot measure. supports taxpayer accountability for government spending and supported the resolution. The Senate passed the bill on January 14, by a vote of SB 2161 Amendment 2 Common Core. This bill creates a commission to devise a replacement for Common Core educational standards but does not require a new standard be adopted. The Hill amendment would require the Department of Education adopt the recommended replacement. supports local control of education and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on February 11, by a vote of SB 2389 Balanced Budget Amendment. This bill enables Mississippi to participate in a constitutional convention to pass a balanced budget amendment and require a two-thirds vote to increase taxes, among other provisions. supports a balanced budget amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 11, by vote of HB 2329 Homeschooler Rights. This bill allows homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools after passing an exam administered by district staff. supports strengthening homeschool students rights and supported this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on February 12, by a vote of SB 2839 Tax Reform. This bill provides broad-based tax relief for individuals and small business owners and phases out the state income tax on the first $5,000 of taxable income. supports pro-growth tax reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 24, by a vote of HB 1402 Alcohol Regulations. This bill makes permanent a year-old law that allows package stores to host tastings and samplings. supports regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 5, by a vote of HB 389 Driving Regulations. This bill prohibits texting and social networking while driving. opposes these intrusive and unenforceable regulations that do not relate to moving traffic violations and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 9, by a vote of HB 1629 Tax Cuts. This bill allows for a reduction in the state income tax every year for 15 years if revenue has grown by 3 or more that year. supports pro-growth tax reduction, however modest, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 17, by a vote of SB 2394 Concealed Carry. This bill allows gun owners to carry a gun in a fully enclosed case, such as a purse or briefcase, without a state issued permit and drops renewal fees across the board for a concealed carry license. supports our founding fathers belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, by a vote of HB 1096 Alcohol Regulations. This bill allows theaters to obtain a temporary alcohol permit to serve cocktails to patrons. supports common sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of SB 2804 Civil Service Reform. This bill suspends the Mississippi Department of Corrections civil service rules for one year to allow a new commissioner to make employee changes as needed. supports reform efforts to make government more efficient and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 1, by a vote of

6 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI SENATE SCORES MISSISSIPPI SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 61 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 78 LOWEST REPUBLICAN BROWNING 50 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 33 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT S. JACKSON 60 MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL 6 Party District HCR 9 SB 2161 Amd. 2 SB 2389 HB 2329 SB 2839 HB 1402 HB 389 HB 1629 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 Blount D BROWNING R 3 X Bryan D BURTON R Butler, A. D Butler, K. D CARMICHAEL R CHASSANIOL R X CLARKE R COLLINS R Dawkins D X DOTY R FILLINGANE R Frazier D GANDY R X GOLLOTT R Hale D HARKINS R 20 X HILL R

7 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 SB 2161 Amd. 2 SB 2389 HB 2329 SB 2839 HB 1402 HB 389 HB 1629 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 HOPSON R Horhn D HUDSON R X JACKSON, G. R Jackson, R. D Jackson, S. D X Jolly D X Jones D X Jordan D KIRBY R LEE R X LONGWITZ R MASSEY R McDANIEL R Montgomery D X MORAN R Norwood D PARKER R PARKS R POLK R Simmons, D. D 12 - X X X Simmons, W. D SMITH R SOJOURNER R Stone D X TINDELL R TOLLISON R Turner D WARD R WATSON R WIGGINS R 52 + X X Wilemon D YOUNGER R n/a 73 7

8 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HCR 9 Education Ballot Initiative. This resolution puts on the ballot an alternative to an initiative that gives a Hinds County Chancery Judge power to allocate state education funds. The alternative measure would retain legislative control over education spending. This is the first time the legislature has utilized a constitutional provision that allows for an alternative to a ballot measure. supports taxpayer accountability for government spending and supported the resolution. The House passed the resolution on January 13, by a vote of HB 385 Common Core. This bill bans the state from using Common Core education assessment programs without legislative permission. supports local control of education and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 29, by a vote of HB 1402 Alcohol Regulations. This bill makes permanent a year-old law that allows package stores to host tastings and samplings. supports regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 5, by a vote of HB 1108 Powdered Alcohol. This bill bans the sale, possession, manufacture or importation of powdered alcohol in the state. opposes this interference in the free market that is primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 10, by a vote of HB 389 Driving Regulations. This bill prohibits texting and social networking while driving. opposes these intrusive and unenforceable regulations that do not relate to moving traffic violations and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 11, by a vote of HB 1137 Government Contracting. This bill reforms the government contracting process by removing agency heads from the Personal Service Contract Review Board and requiring additional reporting on sole-source contracts, among other provisions. supports more accountability and transparency in government contracting and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 12, by a vote of HB 1338 Rights of the Unborn. This bill amends the wrongful death statute to say that an unborn child is included in the definition of a wrongful death and that those who can claim damages include the family members of the unborn child. supports strengthening the rights of the unborn and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 12, by a vote of HB 1629 Tax Cuts. This bill allows for a reduction in the state income tax every year for 15 years if revenue has grown by 3 or more that year. supports pro-growth tax reduction, however modest, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 25, by a vote of SB 2389 Balanced Budget Amendment. This bill enables Mississippi to participate in a constitutional convention to pass a balanced budget amendment and require a two-thirds vote to increase taxes, among other provisions. supports a balanced budget amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 10, by a vote of SB 2394 Concealed Carry. This bill allows gun owners to carry a gun in a fully enclosed case, such as a purse or briefcase, without a state issued permit and drops renewal fees across the board for a concealed carry license. supports our founding fathers belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, by a vote of HB 1096 Alcohol Regulations. This bill allows theaters to obtain a temporary alcohol permit to serve cocktails to patrons. supports common sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 30, by a vote of SB 2804 Government Reform. This bill suspends the Mississippi Department of Corrections civil service rules for one year to allow a new commissioner to make employee changes as needed. supports reform efforts to make government more efficient and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of

9 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE SCORES MISSISSIPPI HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 59 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 76 LOWEST REPUBLICANS ARNOLD, DeBAR, M. ROGERS, STEVERSON 58 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 38 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT COCKERHAM 67 MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 HB 385 HB 1402 HB 1108 HB 389 HB 1137 HB 1338 HB 1629 SB 2389 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 ALDAY R ALDRIDGE R X X Anderson D n/a 25 ARNOLD R Bailey D Bain D BAKER R X Banks D Baria D X BARKER R X BARTON R X BECKETT R BELL R BENNETT R Blackmon D BOUNDS R BOYD R

10 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 HB 385 HB 1402 HB 1108 HB 389 HB 1137 HB 1338 HB 1629 SB 2389 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 Brown, Cecil D BROWN, CHRIS R Burnett D BUSBY R X BYRD R Calhoun D Campbell D X n/a 36 CARPENTER R CHISM R Clark D Clarke D Cockerham D Coleman, L. D Coleman, M. D CRAWFORD R CURRIE R DeBAR R DeLANO R DENNY R Denton D n/a 42 Dickson D X Dixon D X Eaton D Ellis D Espy D X - X EURE R Evans, B. D 91 - X X Evans, J. D X Evans, M. D Faulkner D n/a 33 FORMBY R X X X X X n/a 100 n/a FRIERSON R

11 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 HB 385 HB 1402 HB 1108 HB 389 HB 1137 HB 1338 HB 1629 SB 2389 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 Gibbs D n/a 42 GIPSON R GUICE R GUNN R HAMILTON R X HANEY R X Harrison D X Hines D X X - X - X Holland D X Holloway D X - + X HOOD R Horan D X X HORNE R HOWELL R HUDDLESTON, M. R Huddleston, R. D Jackson D X n/a 36 JENNINGS R Johnson D X X KINKADE R LADNER R X X LAMAR R X X Lane D LOTT R X X X MARTINSON R MASSENGILL R MAYO R McLEOD R METTETAL R X Middleton D Miles D MIMS R

12 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 HB 385 HB 1402 HB 1108 HB 389 HB 1137 HB 1338 HB 1629 SB 2389 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 Moak D X MONSOUR R MOORE R MORGAN R Myers D NELSON R Oberhousen D PATTERSON R Perkins D PIGOTT R POWELL R READ R Reynolds D ROGERS, M. R ROGERS, R. R RUSHING R Scott D X SHIRLEY R SHOWS R Smith, F. D X SMITH, J. R SNOWDEN R STAPLES R STEVERSON R Straughter D Stringer D Sullivan D TAYLOR R Thomas D TURNER R Warren D Watson D

13 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION S Ratings of Mississippi MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HCR 9 HB 385 HB 1402 HB 1108 HB 389 HB 1137 HB 1338 HB 1629 SB 2389 SB 2394 HB 1096 SB 2804 WEATHERSBY R WHITE R Whittington D X Williams-Barnes D WILLIS R n/a 83 Wooten D X Young D ZUBER R Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the percentage and lifetime average was not rated. 13