2016 RATINGS of GEORGIA

Transcription

1 2016 RATINGS of GEORGIA #ACURatings Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 GA Senate Vote Descriptions 5 ACU & ACUF Board Members 3 GA Senate Scores 7 Selecting the 3 GA House Vote Descriptions Winners & Losers 4 GA House Scores 11

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservatives, We are pleased to present the American Conservative Union Foundation s ratings for the 2016 meeting of the Georgia General Assembly. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Georgia legislators with the highest scores voted most consistently with the ideals articulated in the U.S. Constitution: limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility, and lasting cultural values. In 2015, ACU Foundation was proud to make history by being the first organization to rate every single state legislature across the full spectrum of issues, helping each voter understand how his or her state ranks among the rest. Ultimately, we are trying to help people understand what conservatism is and how it improves the lives of everyday Americans. Conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person. We think that understanding this idea is essential if Americans are to successfully govern themselves again. Working with our policy centers and fellows, the ACU Foundation engages in deep policy analysis to help create our annual state scorecards. We have enhanced the vote descriptions this year to show this effort more clearly. By examining all 50 of our State Ratings, we can see which states have most effectively promoted conservative solutions and which have struggled. Our ratings also help identify legislators who have courageously fought against liberal majorities. We hope that this guide helps you learn how well, or poorly, your legislators work to preserve the values we share. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union 2

3 ACU BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman Carolyn D. Meadows Second Vice Chairman Bob Beauprez Treasuer Amy Frederick Secretary Thomas Winter Executive Committee Member Larry Beasley Kimberly Bellissimo Morton C. Blackwell John Bolton Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman Kellyanne Conway Tom DeLay Becky Norton Dunlop ACU FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS John Eddy Luis Fortuno Alan M. Gotleib Van D. Hipp, Jr. Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser James V. Lacy Michael R. Long Ed McFadden Grover G. Norquist Ron Robinson Mike Rose Ned Ryun Peter Samuelson Sabrina Schaeffer Fred L. Smith, Jr. Matt Smith Ed Yevoli SELECTING THE VOTES ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Amy Frederick Secretary Kimberly Bellissimo Jose Cardenas Jonathan Garthwaite Charlie Gerow Colin Hanna Niger Innes Willes Lee Carolyn D. Meadows Randy Neugebauer Thomas Winter 1331 H Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC (202)

4 2016 WINNERS & LOSERS AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE <= 10 COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE CRANE McKOON WILLIAMS, M. DUNCAN RAKESTRAW STOVER Sims Seay Abrams Alexander Bennett, K. Evans Fludd Frazier Randall Scott Sharper Bennett, T. Henson Smith, E. Beverly Howard Smith, M AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT Bruce Buckner Cannon Jones, S. Kaiser Kendrick Stephens, M. Stephenson Thomas, E. SENATE HEATH UNTERMAN HOUSE BARR COOKE DUDGEON PIRKLE HOUSE TANNER TURNER Carter, D. Dickerson Douglas Drenner Dukes Mabra McClain Metze Mosby Oliver Thomas, M. Trammell Wilkerson 4

5 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 309 Religious Expression. This bill requires schools to allow personal and voluntary religious expression, such as religious symbols on sports uniforms. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and supports voluntary religious expression and ACU supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 18, 2016 by a vote of SB 269 Sanctuary Cities. This bill prohibits state funding from going to cities that refuse to comply with a state sanctuary city law requiring local governments to use the federal system (SAVE) to verify the lawful presence of individuals before they receive government benefits. ACU supports compliance with federal immigration law and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 26, 2016 by a vote of SB 346 Regulatory Reform. This bill exempts construction, road, and airport improvement projects that cost less than $100 million from extensive Environmental Policy Act requirements, which are aimed at projects that would significantly affect the environment. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 29, 2016 by a vote of HB 859 Firearm Regulations on College Campuses. This bill allows those who are 21 years old or older who have a license to carry a firearm the right to carry the firearm on a public college or university campus. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 11, 2016 by a vote of HB 649 Licensing Lactation Consultants. This bill requires licenses for individuals who act as lactation consultants and requires background checks and training certification to obtain the licenses. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index shows that when entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements for every occupation, opposes bills primarily designed to restrict competition, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 15, 2016 by a vote of HB 951 Sales Tax Exemptions. This bill creates a series of sales tax exemptions for government favored activities, including major sporting events (as determined by the Commissioner of Economic Development) and products that receive government approval for energy efficiency during a special period between September 30 and October 2, Although supportive of general tax relief, ACU opposes these bills that single out government-favored programs and place a heavier tax burden on those not favored by the government, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 15, 2016 by a vote of HB 757 Religious Freedom. This bill protects the religious liberty of clergy and faith-based organizations, such as a church or religious school, to define marriage as their conscience dictates. In addition, faith-based organizations may retain hiring rights consistent with their religious belief. ACU supports the constitutional right to practice religion and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 16, 2016 by a vote of HB 838 Insurance Mandates. This bill requires that insurance agents receive a minimum 5 percent commission for selling health coverage to a small business. ACU opposes this interference in the free market and opposed this bill. The Senate made a motion to table, or kill, the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of HB 792 Stun Gun Regulations. This bill allows the use of tasers and stun guns as a method of personal protection on state college campuses by those 18 and older who are enrolled students. ACU supports our founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of SB 323 Access to Public Records. This bill severely restricts the publics access to records regarding state economic development projects by extending from 3 to 90 days the deadline for public college athletic associations to respond to open records requests. It also allows the state to conceal documentation for economic development projects involving business expansions of either $25 million or more in investment or 50 jobs. ACU supports government transparency and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 23, 2016 by a vote of

6 11. HB 216 Worker s Compensation. This bill creates a special provision for firefighters that allows them to claim worker s compensation for cancer if there is a preponderance of evidence that the cancer is the result of their work. ACU opposes laws that single out one group over another and invites litigation that will be paid for by the taxpayers and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of SB 308 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides a conservative alternative to Planned Parenthood by creating a grant program for pregnancy resource centers while prohibiting them from counseling women to obtain an abortion or referring them to clinics that perform abortions, unless the life of the mother is at stake. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index indicates that declining birth rates ultimately hinder economic growth, which negatively effects family prosperity. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and educating patients, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of HB 408 Tax Increase. This bill subjects newly incorporated communities to a tax that is imposed to fund a new sports stadium, while allowing the new communities to use portions of the revenue for tourism promotion. Such mandates crowd out private investment. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index shows that a more robust private sector leads to greater per household personal income, increasing the prosperity of the family. ACU opposes taxes for projects that can easily be financed through private enterprise and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of

7 GEORGIA SENATE SCORES GEORGIA SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 54 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 68 LOWEST REPUBLICAN MILLAR 54 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 22 HIGHEST DEMOCRATS FORT, SPARKS L. JACKSON GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District SB 309 SB 269 SB 346 HB 859 HB 649 HB 951 HB 757 HB 838 HB 792 SB 323 HB 216 SB 308 HB 408 ACU ALBERS R BEACH R BETHEL R E E BLACK R E - X X BURKE R E E E Butler D COWSERT R E E CRANE R Davenport D DUGAN R E Fort D E GINN R GOOCH R X HARBIN R E Harbison D 15 - X - - E E - - X HARPER R X E HEATH R X Henson D HILL, H. R HILL, JACK R E E Cast LIFETIME AVG 7

8 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL 8 Party District SB 309 SB 269 SB 346 HB 859 HB 649 HB 951 HB 757 HB 838 HB 792 SB 323 HB 216 SB 308 HB 408 ACU HILL, JUDSON R E E HUFSTETLER R X Jackson, L. D 2 - E JACKSON, W. R James D X - X X JEFFARES R E JONES, B. R Jones, E. D Jones, H. D KENNEDY R KIRK R LIGON R Lucas D MARTIN R 9 + E McKOON R MILLAR R MILLER R MULLIS R Orrock D 36 - E - X Parent D Rhett D Seay D SHAFER R X X n/a 85 Sims D 12 X - E X STONE R E Tate D THOMPSON, B. R E Thompson, C. D X TIPPINS R E UNTERMAN R X + X VanNESS R X - X n/a 55 WALKER R 20 + X n/a 58 WATSON R E E WILKINSON R WILLIAMS, M. R E WILLIAMS, T. R X Cast LIFETIME AVG

9 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 859 Firearm Regulations on College Campuses. This bill allows those who are 21 years old or older who have a license to carry a firearm the right to carry the firearm on a public college or university campus. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 22, 2016 by a vote of HB 838 Insurance Mandates. This bill requires that insurance agents receive a minimum 5 percent commission for selling health coverage to a small business. ACU opposes this interference in the free market and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 24, 2016 by a vote of HB 951 Sales Tax Exemptions. This bill creates a series of sales tax exemptions for government favored activities, including major sporting events (as determined by the Commissioner of Economic Development) and products that receive government approval for energy efficiency during a special period between September 30 and October 2, Although supportive of general tax relief, ACU opposes these bills that single out government-favored programs and place a heavier tax burden on those not favored by the government, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 26, 2016 by a vote of SB 309 Religious Expression. This bill requires schools to allow personal and voluntary religious expression, such as religious symbols on sports uniforms. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and supports voluntary religious expression and ACU supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 10, 2016 by a vote of SB 308 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides a conservative alternative to Planned Parenthood by creating a grant program for pregnancy resource centers while prohibiting them from counseling women to obtain an abortion or referring them to clinics that perform abortions, unless the life of the mother is at stake. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index indicates that declining birth rates ultimately hinder economic growth, which negatively effects family prosperity. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and educating patients, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 11, 2016 by a vote of SB 269 Sanctuary Cities. This bill prohibits state funding from going to cities that refuse to comply with a state sanctuary city law requiring local governments to use the federal system (SAVE) to verify the lawful presence of individuals before they receive government benefits. ACU supports compliance with federal immigration law and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 15, 2016 by a vote of HB 757 Religious Freedom. This bill protects the religious liberty of clergy and faith-based organizations, such as a church or religious school, to define marriage as their conscience dictates. In addition, faith-based organizations may retain hiring rights consistent with their religious belief. ACU supports the constitutional right to practice religion and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 16, 2016 by a vote of HB 649 Licensing Lactation Consultants. This bill requires licenses for individuals who act as lactation consultants and requires background checks and training certification to obtain the licenses. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index shows that when entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements for every occupation, opposes bills primarily designed to restrict competition, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of SB 323 Access to Public Records. This bill severely restricts the publics access to records regarding state economic development projects by extending from 3 to 90 days the deadline for public college athletic associations to respond to open records requests. It also allows the state to conceal documentation for economic development projects involving business expansions of either $25 million or more in investment or 50 jobs. ACU supports government transparency and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of SB 346 Regulatory Reform. This bill exempts construction, road, and airport improvement projects that cost less than $100 million from extensive Environmental Policy Act requirements, which are aimed at projects that would significantly affect the environment. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the will on March 22, 2016 by a vote of

10 11. HB 792 Stun Gun Regulations. This bill allows the use of tasers and stun guns as a method of personal protection on state college campuses by those 18 and older who are enrolled students. ACU supports our founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of HB 216 Worker s Compensation. This bill creates a special provision for firefighters that allows them to claim worker s compensation for cancer if there is a preponderance of evidence that the cancer is the result of their work. ACU opposes laws that single out one group over another and invites litigation that will be paid for by the taxpayers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of HB 408 Tax Increase. This bill subjects newly incorporated communities to a tax that is imposed to fund a new sports stadium, while allowing the new communities to use portions of the revenue for tourism promotion. Such mandates crowd out private investment. Research based on the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index shows that a more robust private sector leads to greater per household personal income, increasing the prosperity of the family. ACU opposes taxes for projects that can easily be financed through private enterprise and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 24, 2016 by a vote of

11 GEORGIA HOUSE SCORES GEORGIA HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 46 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 62 LOWEST REPUBLICAN BESKIN 33 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 12 HIGHEST DEMOCRATS EALUM, FRYE, JORDAN 33 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 Abrams D Alexander D ALLISON R E + E + + E E ATWOOD R BALLINGER R E BARR R X BATTLES R Beasley-Teague D E E E E X X n/a n/a 10 BELTON R X Bennett, K. D 94 E E E Bennett, T. D n/a 8 Bentley D E - X - - X E X n/a BENTON R BESKIN R E Beverly D BLACKMON R n/a 69 BROADRICK R X + + X - + X BROCKWAY R E Bruce D X X Buckner D X ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 11

12 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 BURNS R CALDWELL, J. R CALDWELL, M. R Cannon D E E E n/a 10 CANTRELL R CARSON R CARTER, A. R Carter, D. D n/a 8 CASAS R E CHANDLER R E E CHEOKAS R CLARK, D. R E CLARK, H. R CLARK, V. R 101 X COLEMAN R X COOKE R E E E E COOMER R COOPER R X CORBETT R Dawkins-Haigler D n/a 7 DEFFENBAUGH R DEMPSEY R Dickerson D X DICKEY R DICKSON R X DOLLAR R Douglas D Drenner D E E DUDGEON R Dukes D X DUNAHOO R E X DUNCAN R E E Ealum D 153 X EFSTRATION R EHRHART R X X ENGLAND R ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 12

13 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 EPPS R X X Evans D FLEMING R Floyd D E E E X - X - + X E E 1 5 n/a Fludd D Frazier D E Frye D X Gardner D GASAWAY R GILLIGAN R n/a 69 Glanton D 75 E - E E GOLICK R E Gordon D GRAVLEY R X GREENE R HARDEN R HARRELL R E X HATCHETT R HAWKINS R Henson D HIGHTOWER R E E X HITCHENS R Holcomb D HOLMES R E - + X X n/a 80 HOUSTON R Howard D E - E Hugley D X X Jackson D E + E - E JASPERSE R X - X + - X JONES, JAN R X X JONES, JEFF R X Jones, L. D E X n/a 22 Jones, S. D E Jordan D 77 - E E X X n/a 20 Kaiser D KELLEY R Kendrick D E X ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 13

14 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL 14 Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 Kidd I KIRBY R X KNIGHT R X LaRICCIA R LOTT R n/a 62 LUMSDEN R 12 + E Mabra D 63 - E - - X - E Marin D E X MARTIN R X MAXWELL R E Mayo D X E E - E E n/a McCALL R E X McClain D E E E MEADOWS R X Metze D E n/a 8 Mitchell D MORRIS R Mosby D X NIMMER R NIX R X Oliver D PAK R X E PARRISH R E PARSONS R PEAKE R E PETREA R PEZOLD R E X - X PIRKLE R E X n/a 82 POWELL, A. R E POWELL, J. R X PRICE R n/a 62 Prince D PRUETT R X + + E QUICK R E RAFFENSPEREGER R RAKESTRAW R 19 + E X RALSTON R 7 X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 0 n/a n/a n/a ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG

15 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 RAMSEY R E + E Randall D REEVES R RHODES R RICE R X X + X X E 5 8 n/a ROGERS, C. R ROGERS, T. R X RUTLEDGE R RYNDERS R n/a 79 Scott D SETZLER R X E + - E Sharper D SHAW R X SIMS R Smith, E. D SMITH, L. R 70 + X Smith, M. D E SMITH, R. R Smyre D SPENCER R Stephens, M. D X STEPHENS, R. R X Stephenson D Stovall D STOVER R STRICKLAND R TANKERSLEY R TANNER R X TARVIN R 2 + X TAYLOR, D. R E TAYLOR, T. R 79 E E X TEASLEY R 37 + E Thomas, E. D E - X E Thomas, M. D X X Trammell D TURNER R X ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 15

16 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 859 HB 838 HB 951 SB 309 SB 308 SB 269 HB 757 HB 649 SB 323 SB 346 HB 792 HB 216 HB 408 Waites D WATSON R WELCH R X WELDON R 3 + X - + E E n/a 73 WERKHEISER R E E Wilkerson D WILKINSON R E E WILLARD R E Williams, A. D X WILLIAMS, C. R Williams, E. D 87 E - E - X - E E E E - X n/a WILLIAMSON R YATES R X Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2016 percentage was not rated. ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 16