2016 RATINGS of ALABAMA

Transcription

1 2016 RATINGS of ALABAMA #ACURatings Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 AL Senate Vote Descriptions 5 ACU & ACUF Board Members 3 AL Senate Scores 6 Selecting the 3 AL House Vote Descriptions Winners & Losers 4 AL House Scores 9

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 Alabama Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama, DC (202)

4 2016 WINNERS & LOSERS AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE <= 10 COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE MELSON SELLS WADSWORTH WHORTON, I. WINGO n/a Coleman Givan Grimsley AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE HOUSE GLOVER HARBISON WHATLEY 4

5 ALABAMA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 135 Legislative Authority. This bill clarifies the laws relating to firearms, saying that the legislature holds authority regarding purchases, transfers, and use of firearms, among other provisions. The bill also prohibits local officials from imposing fees or requirements for firearms other than what is outlined in general law. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 11, 2016 by a vote of SB 86 Taxpayer-Funded Advocacy. This bill prohibits public colleges or universities from expending public funds to advocate for or against statewide or local ballot measures. ACU opposes using taxpayer funds for these purposes and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 23, 2016 by a vote of SB 260 Orr Amendment Proper Use of the State Park Fund. The Orr amendment to a bill prohibiting the State Parks Fund from being used for purposes other than the operation of the state parks exempts those parks with a new hotel, providing 50 percent of those funds go into the general treasury. ACU opposes the diversion of funds from their stated purpose and opposed this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on March 10, 2016 by a vote of SB 208 Auditing Government Programs. This bill requires an audit of government tax incentive programs to determine the success of the program, the return on investment for each program, and whether there is a conflict between these programs and existing regulations. ACU supports these oversight measures for all government programs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 15, 2016 by a vote of HB 176 Brewery Beer Sales. This bill allows breweries that produce less than 60,000 barrels per year to directly sell up to 288 ounces of beer per customer per day for offpremise consumption and allows the donation of two kegs of beer for charitable events. ACU opposes the micromanagement of beer sales that is primarily designed to reduce competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 15, 2016 by a vote of SB 205 Location of Abortion Clinics. This bill prohibits a new or renewed license for an abortion clinic located within 2,000 feet of a K-8 public school. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of SB 26 Cosmetology Licensing Board Extension. This bill extends the life of the Alabama Board of Cosmetology through When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licenses in many states that are primarily designed to reduce competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of SB 14 Firearms Regulatory Reforms. This bill clarifies the open carry law related to carrying firearms. The bill states that no one can be charged with disorderly conduct for lawfully carrying a firearm in a crowd this is not concealed and allows anyone 18 or older to carry a firearm on their own property. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 5, 2016 by a vote of HB 45 Sale of Fetal Tissue. This bill prohibits the sale or transfer of fetal tissue, organs, or remains of an aborted fetus. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and believes abortion is a human tragedy. ACU supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 5, 2016 by a vote of HB 120 F&TC Amendment Tuskegee University Funding. The Finance and Taxation Committee amendment to a bill providing subsidies to Tuskegee University increases an earmark mandating that almost 20 percent of the subsidies be spent on agricultural research. ACU opposes these earmarks that are not based on educational needs and opposed this amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on April 13, 2016 by a vote of SB 344 Unemployment Compensation Reform. This bill specifies that an employee of a private company providing direct services to schools may not receive unemployment benefits during breaks in the school year, such as vacations or holiday recesses. ACU supports closing loopholes in the law that result in unnecessary government spending and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2016 by a vote of SB 348 Sales and Use Tax Exemption. This bill exempts Southern Research University from paying or collecting state, county, or municipal sales and use taxes. ACU opposes special tax exemptions that place a higher tax burden on others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2016 by a vote of SB 363 Dismemberment Abortion. This bill prevents a dismemberment abortion, in which the fetus is torn apart, unless the life of the mother is at risk. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and believes abortion is a human tragedy. ACU supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2016 by a vote of HB 98 Dial Amendment Concealed Carry. The Dial amendment to a firearms bill allows a military identification card to serve as a concealed carry permit for the purposes of carrying a concealed pistol. ACU supports the founders belief in the Second Amendment and supported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on May 3, 2016 by a vote of

6 ALABAMA SENATE SCORES ALABAMA SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 67 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 74 LOWEST REPUBLICAN ALBRITTON 58 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 39 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT SPARKS BEASLEY ALABAMA SENATE VOTE DETAIL 6 Party District SB 135 SB 86 SB 260 Orr Amd. SB 208 HB 176 SB 205 SB 26 SB 14 HB 45 HB 120 F&TC Amd. SB 344 SB 348 SB 363 ALBRITTON R 22 + X - + X ALLEN R X Beasley D X X BLACKWELL R 15 + X X BREWBAKER R 25 X X X X X n/a n/a 77 BUSSMAN R X X CHAMBLISS R X Coleman-Madison D 20 X X X + X DIAL R 13 + X + + X Dunn D 19 X X X Figures D X + X X - + X X n/a GLOVER R X X + X HIGHTOWER R HOLLEY R HOLTZCLAW R X LIVINGSTON R MARSH R 12 + X X McCLENDON R X MELSON R 1 + X X X HB 98 Dial Amd. ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG

7 ALABAMA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District SB 135 SB 86 SB 260 Orr Amd. SB 208 HB 176 SB 205 SB 26 SB 14 HB 45 HB 120 F&TC Amd. SB 344 SB 348 SB 363 ORR R X PITTMAN R 32 X + + X X X + X n/a REED R 5 + X + X X Ross D Sanders D 23 X X X n/a 17 SANFORD R X X SCOFIELD R X SHELNUTT R 17 + X X + X X X X + X 6 7 n/a Singleton D X + + X X X Smith I X X Smitherman D X X X - X - X X 3 8 n/a STUTTS R WAGGONER R X WARD R 14 X + + X n/a 68 WHATLEY R X WILLIAMS R Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2016 percentage was not rated. HB 98 Dial Amd. ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 7

8 ALABAMA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 38 Taxpayer Accountability. This bill strengthens the position of the Taxpayer Advocate to identify ambiguities in the law, propose legislative solutions to resolve problems and educate taxpayers on responsibilities and rules. ACU supports regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 9, 2016 by a vote of HB 45 Sale of Fetal Tissue. This bill prohibits the sale or transfer of fetal tissue, organs or remains of an aborted fetus. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and believes abortion is a human tragedy. ACU supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 17, 2016 by a vote of HB 176 Brewery Beer Sales. This bill allows breweries that produce less than 60,000 barrels per year to directly sell up to 288 ounces of beer per customer per day for off-premise consumption and allows the donation of two kegs of beer for charitable events. ACU opposes the micromanagement of beer sales that is primarily designed to reduce competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 1, 2016 by a vote of SB 26 Cosmetology Licensing Board Extension. This bill extends the life of the Alabama Board of Cosmetology through When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licenses in many states and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2016 by a vote of HB 170 Competitive Bidding. This bill exempts many purchases and contracts from the state s competitive bidding law. Some exemptions include contracts with outside professionals such as attorneys, architects, or accountants and the renewal of existing contracts for sanitation. ACU supports competitive bidding whenever possible and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 23, 2016 by a vote of HB 167 Massage Therapy Licensing. This bill imposes a new set of heavy regulations on those who practice massage therapy, including the elimination of temporary licenses, increasing the minimum hours of supervised course instruction required, allowing the massage therapy board to impose fees, providing compensation for members of the board, removing the requirement that the Senate confirm members of the board, and making a violation of this act a Class A misdemeanor. At the same time, the bill exempts hospitals from the regulations. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes these regulations that are primarily designed to reduce competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 23, 2016 by a vote of HB 57 Sky Lantern Ban. This bill prohibits the possession of sky lanterns, defined as a free-floating luminary lantern with an open flame inside. ACU opposes the criminalization of sky lanterns, a festive tradition for Asian-Americans, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 19, 2016 by a vote of SB 205 Location of Abortion Clinics. This bill prohibits a new or renewed license for an abortion clinic located within 2,000 feet of a K-8 public school. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of SB 208 Auditing Government Programs. This bill requires an audit of government tax incentive programs to determine the success of the program, the return on investment for each program, and whether there is a conflict between these programs and existing regulations. ACU supports these oversight measures for all government programs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of SB 344 Unemployment Compensation Reform. This bill specifies that an employee of a private company providing direct services to schools may not receive unemployment benefits during breaks in the school year, such as vacations or holiday recesses. ACU supports closing loopholes in the law that result in unnecessary government spending and supported this bill. A key procedural vote came on a motion allowing the bill to come to a vote. That procedural vote passed the House on May 4, 2016 by a vote of SB 363 Dismemberment Abortion. This bill prevents a dismemberment abortion, in which the fetus is torn apart, unless the life of the mother is at risk. ACU Foundation s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on these issues and believes abortion is a human tragedy. ACU supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 4, 2016 by a vote of HB 40 (Special Session) Special Session Rules. This bill requires the Governor to announce an extraordinary session of the legislature at least 7 days in advance and to state the specific matters requiring action during that session. ACU supports checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches and supported this bill. The House defeated the bill on August 17, 2016 by a vote of

9 ALABAMA HOUSE SCORES ALABAMA HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 53 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 65 LOWEST REPUBLICAN J. D. WILLIAMS 42 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 23 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT FORD 50 ALABAMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 38 HB 45 HB 176 SB 26 HB 170 HB 167 HB 57 SB 205 SB 208 SB 344 SB 363 AINSWORTH R Alexander D X X X BAKER R BALL R X X Bandy D X X - X - X X - - X 0 6 n/a BECKMAN R Beech D 65 - X X Black D X BLACKSHEAR R n/a 58 BOOTHE R Boyd D X X - X - X X n/a Bracy D X X - X BROWN R Buskey D X X X BUTLER R X CARNS R CHESTEEN R Clarke D 97 - X CLOUSE R Coleman D X X HB 40 (Special Session) ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 9

10 ALABAMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 38 HB 45 HB 176 SB 26 HB 170 HB 167 HB 57 SB 205 SB 208 SB 344 SB 363 COLLINS R CRAWFORD R 5 X n/a 64 Daniels D 53 - X + X - X X X X X X X 1 3 n/a DAVIS R X DRAKE R Drummond D X England D FARLEY R FAULKNER R X FAUST R X FINCHER R Ford D Forte D FRIDY R GARRETT R X - X GASTON R Givan D X X GREER R X Grimsley D 85 - X X X X Hall D X - X X X HAMMON R X HANES R HARBISON R HARPER R X HENRY R HILL, J. R X HILL, M. R X X Holmes, A. D HOLMES, M. R 31 X X Howard D X X HUBBARD R X HURST R X INGRAM R X Jackson D X X - - X X JOHNSON, K. R JOHNSON, R. R HB 40 (Special Session) ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 10

11 ALABAMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 38 HB 45 HB 176 SB 26 HB 170 HB 167 HB 57 SB 205 SB 208 SB 344 SB 363 JONES R X Knight D X Lawrence D X X X LEDBETTER R X LEE R Lindsey D X + - X MARTIN R X X McCampbell D X McClammy D McCUTCHEON R McMILLAN R X Melton D MILLICAN R X MOONEY R X MOORE, B. R Moore, M. D X - X Morrow D 18 - X X NORDGREN R PATTERSON R PETTUS R POLIZOS R X POOLE R X - X PRINGLE R X RICH R Robinson D X Rogers D X X X ROWE R SANDERFORD R Scott D X X X SELLS R X + X X X SESSIONS R SHEDD R SHIVER R X SOUTH R STANDRIDGE R Todd D X - - X X HB 40 (Special Session) ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 11

12 ALABAMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 38 HB 45 HB 176 SB 26 HB 170 HB 167 HB 57 SB 205 SB 208 SB 344 SB 363 TREADAWAY R TUGGLE R X WADSWORTH R X Warren D X - - X WEAVER R WHORTON, I. R X WHORTON, R. R X - - X WILCOX R WILLIAMS, J. D. R WILLIAMS, J. W. R WILLIAMS, P. R WINGO R X X WOOD R X Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2016 percentage was not rated. HB 40 (Special Session) ACU Cast LIFETIME AVG 12