OHIO 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

Transcription

1 OHIO 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE The American Conservative Union took our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to the State Legislatures for the third year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. In 2012, we graded State Legislatures in fifteen critical states, including Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. In 2013, we expanded our ratings to twenty 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. Throughout the history of our conservative ratings program, the ACU has also become the go-to source for determining whether an elected official s philosophical rhetoric matches his or her record. Our guides provide a comprehensive analysis of the legislative landscape over the preceding year. This differentiates us from other useful guides which may emphasize single areas, like taxes, Table of Contents defense, or social policy. Our annual matrix covers issues running the gamut of legislative action, including domestic energy production, healthcare, government reform, climate change, border security, foreign policy, and social issues. These issues are carefully selected to ensure legislators are scored and rated on the bellwether conservative topics they voted on over the course of the year. 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. Eventually we will bring our ratings to all fifty states -- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. ACU Board Members... 2 A Letter From The Chairman... 3 How We Selected the... 4 Conservative All-Stars... 4 OH House Vote Descriptions... 6 House Scores... 8 OH Senate Vote Descriptions...12 Senate Scores...14 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 Carly Fiorina (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 February 5, 2014 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2013 State Legislative Ratings for members of the Ohio General Assembly. 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. Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman In 2011, we brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, rating members in five legislatures. I am pleased to report that, in 2013, we scored twenty states. This is a part of the ACU plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states scoring every legislature in every state, every session. There could not be a more critical time for conservatives to evaluate America s leadership and hold them accountable for their actions. Our economy, our international standing, our very moral fiber are weaker because this administration has put us on a course to bigger government, less freedom, and an abandonment of traditional values. With our government expanding faster now than at any time in our country s history, the ACU intends to continue to play a major role in giving the American people the tools they need to make informed voting decisions at every level of government. While some may be disheartened by the results of November s elections, conservatives found themselves in a similar situation after President Obama first took office in the spring of The cause of conservatism dramatically reasserted itself in the 2010 elections, with conservative legislators winning an unprecedented number of elections nationwide. Because of this, our 2013 State Legislative Ratings are vital for voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation. We can come back even stronger in 2014, but only if we start our march toward victory now. Thank you for your continued support. I know that together we can ensure America s best days are still ahead. Sincerely, Al Cardenas Chairman, the American Conservative Union 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC Tel: (202) Fax: (202)

4 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE OHIO Conservatives of the Ohio General Assembly Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the Ohio General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Ohio Senate: Coley Manning Seitz Ohio House of Representatives: Boose Hall Henne Retherford Schuring 4

5 ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the Ohio General Assembly who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Ohio Senate: Bacon Balderson Beagle Burke Eklund Faber Gardner Hite Hughes Jones Jordan LaRose Obhof Oelslager Patton Peterson Schaffer Uecker Widener Ohio House of Representatives: Amstutz Conditt Anielski Damschroder Baker Derickson Batchelder DeVitis Beck Dovilla Becker Green Brenner Hackett Buchy Hayes Burkley Hill Butler Hottinger C. Hagan Huffman Johnson Landis Lynch Maag McClain Perales Roegner Romanchuk Rosenberger Slaby Smith Sprague Stautberg Stebelton Terhar Thompson True Liberals of the Buckeye State True Liberals of the Buckeye State are those members of the Ohio General Assembly who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Ohio Senate: Brown Kearney Sawyer Skindell Smith Tavares Turner Ohio House of Representatives: Sheehy 5

6 Ohio House Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE OHIO 1. HB 203 Second Amendment Rights. This bill requires the state of Ohio to recognize a concealed handgun license from another state if that state recognizes Ohio licenses. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on November 20, 2013 by a vote of HB 5 Municipal Tax Reform. This bill is designed to bring more uniformity and simplicity to a hodgepodge of municipal income tax laws that has been an impediment to economic development. Although the bill was watered down before passage, ACU supports the tax cap in the bill as worthy of support and supported the bill. The bill passed the House on November 13, 2013 by a vote of HB 59 Budget Bill. The operating budget for fiscal year includes a cut in the personal income tax, expansion of the school choice program and includes funds to nonprofit entities that provide services to pregnant women and mothers of newborns to promote childbirth over abortion. ACU supports these initiatives and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on June 27, 2013 by a vote of HB 7 Internet Cafes. This bill prohibits Internet cafes from giving out cash prizes greater than $10. ACU opposes this effort by large casinos and government run lotteries to prevent competition and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on March 13, 2013 by a vote of HB 92 Needle Exchange. This bill allows local boards of health to establish needle exchange programs for illegal drug users and gives legal immunity to those who participate. ACU opposes taxpayer funds being used for programs that facilitate illegal drug use and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on October 2, 2013 by a vote of HB 69 Traffic Cameras. This bill prohibits local government from using a photo-monitoring device to determine a moving traffic violation. The bill makes an exception for speed limit enforcement in a school zone. ACU supports this strengthening of individual rights and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on June 26, 2013 by a vote of HB 2 Unemployment Compensation. This bill strengthens work search requirements for unemployment compensation by having them register with OhioMeansJobs as part of their job search efforts. ACU supports reasonable job search requirements for extended benefits and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on March 19, 2013 by a vote of HB 3 Obamacare Implementation. This bill sets requirements for the insurance navigators paid to help people sign up for Obamacare so that they conform to state insurance law. ACU supports efforts to maintain the rights of states in the face of the federal takeover of health insurance and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on April 24, 2013 by a vote of

7 9. HB 167 Government Oversight. This bill requires larger school districts to create the position of independent auditor and then put it up for approval in a local referendum. ACU supports efforts to strengthen oversight of government spending and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on June 25, 2013 by a vote of SJR 5 Balanced Budget Amendment. This resolution requests Congress to call a constitutional convention to pass a balanced budget amendment. ACU has long supported such amendment and supported this resolution. The resolution passed the House on November 20, 2013 by a vote of

8 OHIO 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 HB 167 HB 3 HB 2 HB 69 HB 92 HB 7 HB 59 HB 5 HB 203 Representative Name Party District ADAMS, J. R % ADAMS, R. R X % AMSTUTZ R % ANIELSKI R % ANTONIO D % ASHFORD D X X % BAKER R % BARBORAK D % BARNES, JR. D X % BATCHELDER R % BECK R % BECKER R % BISHOFF D X % BLAIR R X % BLESSING III R % BOOSE R % BOYCE D % BOYD* D X X - X X X X N/A BRENNER R % BROWN R % BUCHY R % BUDISH D x % BURKLEY R % BUTLER R % CARNEY D X % CELEBREZZE D % CERA D % CLYDE D % CONDITT R % CURTIN D % DAMSCHRODER R 88 X 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; P voted present; *Representative did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 8

9 OHIO 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 HB 167 HB 3 HB 2 HB 69 HB 92 HB 7 HB 59 HB 5 HB 203 Representative Name Party District DERICKSON R % DEVITIS R % DOVILLA R % DRIEHAUS D % DUFFEY R % FEDOR D 45 E % FOLEY D % GERBERRY D % GONZALES R 19 X X % GREEN R % GROSSMAN R % HACKETT R % HAGAN, C. R % HAGAN, R. D X % HALL R % HAYES R % HEARD D % HENNE R % HILL R % HOOD R % HOTTINGER R % HUFFMAN R % JOHNSON R X % KUNZE R % LANDIS R % LETSON D 64 X X % LUNDY D % LYNCH R % MAAG R % MALLORY D % MCCLAIN 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; P voted present; * Representative did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 9

10 OHIO 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 HB 167 HB 3 HB 2 HB 69 HB 92 HB 7 HB 59 HB 5 HB 203 Representative Name Party District MCGREGOR R % MILKOVICH D % O BRIEN D % PATMON D X X % PATTERSON D % PELANDA R % PERALES R % PHILLIPS D % PILLICH D 28 E X % RAMOS D % REDFERN D 89 X % REECE D % RETHERFORD R % ROEGNER R % ROGERS D % ROMANCHUK R % ROSENBERGER R % RUHL R % SCHERER R X % SCHURING R X % SEARS R % SHEEHY D X - - X X X % SLABY R % SLESNICK D % SMITH R % SPRAGUE R % STAUTBERG R % STEBELTON R % STINZIANO D % STRAHORN D % SYKES D 34 X - E 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; P voted present; *Representative did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 10

11 OHIO 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 HB 167 HB 3 HB 2 HB 69 HB 92 HB 7 HB 59 HB 5 HB 203 Representative Name Party District SZOLLOSI* D 46 X X X + X X + X X X 2 2 N/A TERHAR R % THOMPSON R X % WACHTMANN R 81 X X % WILLIAMS D 11 E X - X + X % WINBURN D X % YOUNG 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; P voted present; *Representative did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 11

12 Ohio Senate Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE OHIO 1. HB 59 Budget Bill. The operating budget for fiscal year includes a cut in the personal income tax, expansion of the school choice program and includes funds to nonprofit entities that provide services to pregnant women and mothers of newborns to promote childbirth over abortion. ACU supports these initiatives and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 6, 2013 by a vote of SB 205 Voting Integrity. This bill restricts the mailing of unsolicited absentee ballots and requires legislative approval for funding of those programs. ACU supports measures that reduce the possibility of voter fraud and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on November 6, 2013 by a vote of HB 7 Internet Cafes. This bill prohibits Internet cafes from giving out cash prizes greater than $10. ACU opposes this effort by large casinos and government run lotteries to prevent competition and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 22, 2013 by a vote of HB 51 Transportation Bill. An amendment by Senator Brown would prohibit the state from leasing or renting rest areas to private entities. ACU supports more participation by private enterprise and opposed this amendment. The amendment was tabled (killed) by the Senate on March 13, 2013 by a vote of HB 51 Transportation Bill. An amendment by Senator Gentile would delay any privatization efforts by the Department of Transportation until a cost savings analysis is done. ACU opposes delaying tactics on efforts to reduce government competition with private enterprise and opposed this amendment. The amendment was tabled (killed) by the Senate on March 13, 2013 by a vote of SB 109 Election Law. An amendment by Senator Turner would revise election law to allow ballots to be counted in which the voter both marks the ballot for a candidate and writes the name in. The ballot would then be remade by an election official so it could be counted by optical scan. ACU opposes measures that diminish the integrity of the ballot and make it easier for fraud to occur and opposed this amendment. The amendment was tabled (killed) by the Senate on May 8, 2013 by a vote of HB 3 Obamacare Implementation. This bill sets requirements for the insurance navigators paid to help people sign up for Obamacare so that they conform to state insurance law. ACU supports efforts to maintain the rights of states in the face of the federal takeover of health insurance and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 23, 2013 by a vote of SB 200 Voter Database. This bill allows the Secretary of State and other state agencies to share information in order to update the statewide voter registration database and establish agreements with other states to share information. ACU supports efforts to maintain voting integrity and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on October 30, 2013 by a vote of

13 9. SJR 5 Balanced Budget Amendment. This resolution requests Congress to call a constitutional convention to pass a balanced budget amendment. ACU has long supported such amendment and supported this resolution. The key vote came on an amendment which would have made broad exceptions to the balanced budget requirement. The Senate tabled (killed) the amendment on October 30, 2013 by a vote of

14 OHIO 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 MOTION TO TABLE SB 200 HB 3 SB 109 TURNER AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 51 GENTILE AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 51 BROWN AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 7 SB 205 HB 59 Senator Name Party District BACON R % BALDERSON R % BEAGLE R % BROWN D % BURKE R % CAFARO D % COLEY R % EKLUND R % FABER R % GARDNER R % GENTILE D % HITE R % HUGHES R % JONES R % JORDAN R X X % KEARNEY D % LAROSE R % LEHNER R % MANNING R % OBHOF R % OELSAGER R % PATTON R X % PETERSON R X X % SAWYER D % SCHAFFER R % SCHIAVONI D % SEITZ R % SKINDELL D % SMITH D % TAVARES D % TURNER D % UECKER 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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 14

15 OHIO 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SJR 5 MOTION TO TABLE SB 200 HB 3 SB 109 TURNER AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 51 GENTILE AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 51 BROWN AMDT MOTION TO TABLE HB 7 SB 205 HB 59 Senator Name Party District WIDENER 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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 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