2015 RATINGS of KANSAS

Transcription

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

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservatives, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union Foundation s ratings for the meeting of the Kansas Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Kansas 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 BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Thomas Winter First Vice Chairman Carolyn Meadows Second Vice Chairman Jameson Campaigne, Jr. Secretary Matt Schlapp Chairman Millie Hallow Vice Chairman Van Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Tim Goeglein Secretary Larry Beasley Bob Beauprez Kimberly Bellissimo Morton Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Al Cardenas Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS 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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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 WINNERS & LOSERS AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE < 10 COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE SENATE BAUMGARDNER CARPENTER, B. GROSSERODE SUTTON Francisco Ballard Houston Tietze DENNING O'DONNELL PILCHER-COOK COUTURE-LOVE- LADY DeGRAAF HILDABRAND R McPHERSON WHITMER Hawk Hensley Holland Bridges Carlin Henderson Kuether Lane Ruiz Ward Winn PYLE AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE LYNN BRUNK KAHRS RHOADES MELCHER CLAEYS KELLEY SCHWAB POWELL CORBET LUNN THIMESCH SMITH GARBER MACHEERS TODD HIGHLAND MASON JONES, K. POWELL 4

5 KANSAS SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS Abortion Restrictions. This bill makes it illegal to knowingly dismember a living unborn child. views abortion as a human tragedy and supports efforts to restrict the practice and educate patients, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 20, by a vote of Government Land Acquisition. This bill allows the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to purchase land without legislative approval. opposes legislation that makes government less accountable to the taxpayer and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 26, by a vote of Renewable Energy Mandate. This bill replaces the Kansas mandate requiring 20 percent of electric power come from renewable sources by 2020 with a voluntary goal. The bill also caps a property tax break for new wind energy projects for ten years. opposes government mandates that drive up the cost of energy for everyone and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 14, by a vote of School Finance Reform. This bill puts in place flexible block grants to replaces the state s finance formula that earmarks money for certain programs. supports reforms that strengthen local control of education and allows more money to be directed to the classroom and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 16, by a vote of Religious Liberty. This bill allows religious groups on college campuses to receive student association funding even if their beliefs are different from government mandates. supports these protections for religious beliefs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 19, by a vote of Melcher Amendment Unions. This bill as originally written, repeals language that gives teachers unions exclusive rights to negotiate collectively on behalf of all teachers. It allows teachers the ability to negotiate their own contracts if they wish. A key vote came on the Melcher amendment that made the bill even stronger. supported the original bill and supported this amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on March 24, by a vote of Electoral Reform. This bill moves municipal elections in Kansas from April to November in odd numbered years. supports electoral reform that increases voter participation and reduces the influence of special interests in ballot initiatives and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Welfare Reform. This bill bans the use of government cash benefits for numerous non-essential activities, such as tickets for concerts and games, jewelry, massages, cruise ships, and tattoos. It also limits ATM cash withdrawals to $25 per day. supports these welfare reforms and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Unemployment Insurance. This bill reforms the state unemployment insurance program by 1) limiting the maximum benefits and 2) using the savings to reduce the employer contribution. supports these pro-growth reforms and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 30, by a vote of Transportation Regulation. This bill imposes insurance requirements on drivers for independent car services such as UBER, insurance requirements otherwise not required for any other vehicle in the state. opposes regulations designed to stifle free market competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 5, by a vote of Civil Service Reform. This bill gives agency heads the ability to expand the number of unclassified employees that are not under traditional civil service rules, rules that make it difficult to hire and fire employees. supports these reforms that make employees more accountable for their work and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 5, by a vote of Tax Increase. This bill increases the sales tax, removes numerous sales tax exemptions and increases the cigarette tax. opposes these tax increases that nullify recent income tax cuts and opposed the bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 12, by a vote of Concealed Carry. This bill eliminates licenses for concealed firearms and eliminates a weapons training mandate for carrying a concealed weapon. supports protecting our founder s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this amendment. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of

6 KANSAS SENATE SCORES KANSAS SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 61 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 73 LOWEST REPUBLICAN SCHMIDT 15 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 13 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT KELLY 25 KANSAS SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District Melcher Amend. 45 ABRAMS R ARPKE R BAUMGARDNER R n/a 92 BOWERS R BRUCE R DENNING R DONOVAN R Faust-Goudeau D FITZGERALD R Francisco D 2 - X Haley D X Hawk D X - X Hensley D Holland D HOLMES R Kelly D X

7 KANSAS SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District Melcher Amend. 45 KERSCHEN R KING R KNOX R LaTURNER R LONGBINE R LOVE R X LYNN R MASTERSON R McGINN R X MELCHER R O'DONNELL R X + X OLSON R OSTMEYER R PETERSEN R Pettey D X PILCHER-COOK R POWELL R PYLE R SCHMIDT R SMITH R TYSON R WAGLE R WILBORN R n/a 69 WOLF R

8 KANSAS VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HR 2096 Paycheck Protection. This bill limits automatic paycheck deductions for public employee unions and other organizations to just those required under federal law. supports reforms that allow workers to decide how to spend their money and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 25, by a vote of Boldra Amendment Teachers Unions. This bill, as originally written, repeals language that gives teachers unions exclusive rights to negotiate collectively on behalf of all teachers, whether they agree or not. It allows teachers the ability to negotiate their own contracts if they wish. A key vote came on the Boldra Amendment to eliminate these reforms. supported the reforms and opposed the liberal amendment. The House passed the amendment on February 25, by a vote of Electoral Reform. This bill moves municipal elections in Kansas from April to November in odd numbered years. supports electoral reform that increases voter participation and reduces the influence of special interests in ballot initiatives and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 26, by a vote of School Finance Reform. This bill puts in place flexible block grants to replace the state s finance formula which earmarks money for certain programs. supports reforms that strengthen local control of education and allows more money to be directed to the classroom and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 13, by a vote of Concealed Carry. This bill eliminates licenses for concealed firearms and eliminates a weapons training mandate for carrying a concealed weapon. supports protecting our founder s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this amendment. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Abortion Restrictions. This bill makes it illegal to knowingly dismember a living unborn child. views abortion as a human tragedy and supports efforts to restrict the practice and educate patients, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Government Land Acquisition. This bill allows the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to purchase land without legislative approval. opposes legislation that makes government less accountable to the taxpayer and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Firearm Sales Regulation. This bill prohibits municipalities from passing ordinances regulating gun dealers. supports protecting our founder s belief in the Second Amendment and supported this amendment. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Civil Service Reform. This bill gives agency heads the ability to increase the designation of unclassified employees so that a greater portion of the state employees are not governed under traditional civil service rules, rules that make it difficult to hire and fire employees. supports these reforms that make employees more accountable for their work and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Powdered Alcohol. This bill bans the sale and service of powdered alcohol. opposes regulations primarily designed to prevent competition in the marketplace and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, by a vote of Unemployment Insurance. This bill reforms the state unemployment insurance program by 1) limiting the maximum benefits and 2) using the savings to reduce the employer contribution. supports these pro-growth reforms and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 2, b y a vote of Welfare Reform. This bill bans the use of government cash benefits for numerous non-essential activities, such as tickets for concerts and games, jewelry, massages, cruise ships, and tattoos. It also limits ATM cash withdrawals to $25 per day. supports these welfare reforms and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Transportation Regulation. This bill imposes insurance requirements on drivers for independent car services such as UBER, insurance requirements otherwise not required for any other vehicle in the state. opposes regulations designed to stifle free market competition and opposed this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of the bill on May 5, by a vote of Renewable Energy Mandate. This bill replaces the Kansas mandate requiring 20 percent of electric power come from renewable sources by 2020 with a voluntary goal. The bill also caps a property tax break for new wind energy projects for ten years. opposes government mandates that drive up the cost of energy for everyone and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 14, by a vote of Tax Increase. This bill increases the sales tax, removes numerous sales tax exemptions and increases the cigarette tax. opposes these tax increases that nullify recent income tax cuts and opposed the bill. The House passed the bill on June 11, by a vote of

9 KANSAS SCORES KANSAS STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 55 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 67 LOWEST REPUBLICANS BOLLIER, ROOKER 13 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 13 HIGHEST DEMOCRATS FROWNFELTER, LUSKER 33 KANSAS VOTE DETAIL Party District HR Boldra Amend Alcala D ALFORD R ANTHIMIDES R Ballard D X BARKER R BARTON R n/a 73 BECKER R BILLINGER R n/a 60 BOLDRA R BOLLIER R BRADFORD R 40 + X Bridges D X X BRUCHMAN R BRUNK R Burroughs D CAMPBELL R X

10 KANSAS VOTE DETAIL Party District HR Boldra Amend Carlin D X Carmichael D CARPENTER, B. R n/a 93 CARPENTER, W. R CLAEYS R X X CLARK R X n/a 50 CLAYTON R CONCANNON R CORBET R COUTURE-LOVELADY R Curtis D n/a 13 DAVIS R DeGRAAF R DIERKS R DOLL R DOVE R 38 + X EDMONDS R X X ESAU R ESTES R EWY R FINCH R Finney D FRANCIS R n/a 60 Frownfelter D GALLAGHER R n/a 20 GARBER R GOICO R X GONZALEZ R X GROSSERODE R X HAWKINS R

11 KANSAS VOTE DETAIL Party District HR Boldra Amend HEDKE R HEMSLEY R n/a 47 Henderson D X Henry D HIBBARD R Highberger D n/a 13 HIGHLAND R HILDABRAND R X HILL R HINEMAN R HOFFMAN R R R Houston D X HUEBERT R HUTCHINS R n/a 60 HUTTON R JENNINGS R JOHNSON R JONES, D. R n/a 73 JONES, K. R KAHRS R X KELLEY R KELLY R KIEGERL R X KLEEB R X X Kuether D Lane D X LEWIS R 113 X X X X n/a 73 LUNN R Lusk D

12 12 KANSAS VOTE DETAIL Party District HR Boldra Amend Lusker D MACHEERS R MASON R n/a 80 MAST R n/a 67 McPHERSON R MERRICK R MOXLEY R X + X O'BRIEN R OSTERMAN R Ousley D n/a 20 PATTON R n/a 53 PAULS R 102 X X PECK R X PHILLIPS R X POWELL R PROEHL R READ R RHOADES R X ROOKER R RUBIN R Ruiz D RYCKMAN R RYCKMAN, Sr. R Sawyer D 95 X X X - X X - X - X X n/a 0 n/a SCAPA R n/a 73 SCHROEDER R X SCHWAB R X SCHWARTZ R SEIWERT R 101 X X SLOAN R X X - + X SMITH R n/a

13 KANSAS VOTE DETAIL Party District HR Boldra Amend SUELLENTROP R SUTTON R SWANSON R THIMESCH R THOMPSON R Tietze D X TODD R Trimmer D X VICKERY R Victors D Ward D WAYMASTER R Whipple D X + X WHITMER R n/a 93 WILLIAMS R n/a 67 Wilson D Winn D Wolfe Moore D Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the percentage and lifetime average was not rated