2014 RATINGS of TENNESSEE

Transcription

1 2014 RATINGS of TENNESSEE Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 TN Senate Vote Descriptions 5 ACU & ACUF Board Members 3 TN Senate Scores 6 How We Selected the Votes 3 TN House Vote Descriptions Winners & Losers 4 TN House Scores 9

2 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear Fellow Conservatives, On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2014 Rating of the Tennessee State Legislature. Though our State Ratings program is newer than our 44-year old Federal Ratings program, it is quickly evolving into a comprehensive evaluative tool that uses principles of conservatism to rate the voting record of state legislators. Our pledge is to rate every state for each session so that every citizen in the nation knows how his or her state officials vote. Our scoring focuses on the full array of policy issues, including taxes, budgets, religious freedom, 2nd Amendment, government regulation, life, and education. Though Reagan s presidential term ended years ago, his legacy and philosophy live on, continuing to guide modern day conservatives. While we take note how conservatives in State Legislatures cast their votes when choosing legislation to score, we at the ACU are ultimately guided by the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the principles of free markets that articulate the inviolate principles of Life, Liberty, and Property. The goal of our ratings is to educate voters about how the liberal agenda is out of sync with mainstream Americans desire for common sense legislation. It serves also to highlight and educate all Americans about how conservative solutions produce better results. As part of that educational initiative, we are proud to include Tennessee in the 2014 ratings. Sincerely, Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union 2

3 ACU BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Thomas Winter First Vice Chairman Carolyn Meadows Second Vice Chairman Jameson Campaigne, Jr. Secretary Van Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Tim Goeglein Secretary Joe Bast Bob Beauprez Morton Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Al Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman Kellyanne Conway ACU FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS Jose Cardenas Kimberly Bellissimo Amy Frederick Jonathan Garthwaite Tom DeLay Becky Norton Dunlop John Eddy Luis Fortuno Amy Frederick Charlie Gerow Alan Gottlieb Van Hipp, Jr. James Lacy Charlie Gerow Millie Hallow Colin Hanna Willes Lee Michael Long Grover Norquist Anne Northup Ron Robinson Ned Ryun Fred Smith, Jr. Lewis Uhler Carolyn Meadows Matt Schlapp Thomas Winter HOW WE SELECTED THE VOTES As the nation s oldest grassroots conservative organization, the American Conservative Union serves as an umbrella organization for conservatives in America. The ACU tracks a wide range of issues before Congress and State Legislatures to determine which issues and votes serve as a clear litmus test separating those representatives who defend liberty and liberal members who have turned their backs on our founding principles constitutionally limited government, individual liberty, free markets, a strong national defense and traditional values. As a result, the ACU Ratings have included a wide variety of issues covering votes on taxes, wasteful government spending, cultural issues, defense and foreign policy. To contact ACU on a policy issue, please call The votes selected by the ACU are not always considered the most important votes as defined by others, instead the votes selected are chosen to create a clear ideological distinction among those casting them. With our annual ratings, ACU s mission is informing grassroots conservatives and the public in an unbiased, transparent manner on where individual members of Congress fall on the ideological spectrum H Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC (202)

4 2014 WINNERS & LOSERS % AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE < 10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT SENATE HOUSE SENATE HOUSE BEAVERS BUTT Finney Camper BOWLING DURHAM Cooper CAMPFIELD HALL Favors GREEN HILL, M. Gilmore JOHNSON MATLOCK Love KETRON SEXTON Stewart McNALLY SPIVEY Towns SUMMERVILLE WEAVER Turner, J. WHITE, D % AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE BELL GARDENHIRE GRESHAM HAILE HENSLEY KELSEY NORRIS RAMSEY SOUTHERLAND STEVENS TRACY WATSON HOUSE BAILEY CARR, J. CASADA EVANS FORGETY GOINS HARWELL HAWK HAYNES HILL, T. HOLT HOUSE LITTLETON MOODY POWERS RAGAN ROGERS TRAVIS VAN HUSS WATSON WIRGAU 4

5 TENNESSEE SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 1496 Handgun Regulation. This bill prohibits local governments from establishing an ordinance prohibiting an individual from carrying or storing a handgun or ammunition in a public park, playground, civic center or public building. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2014 by a vote of HB 1549 Local Control of Education. This bill prohibits the federal government from imposing educational standards on Tennessee public schools. It also grants parents and guardians the right to inspect and review their children s educational records and restricts the adoption of common core standards to math and English language arts. ACU supports local control of education and parental rights and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 17, 2014 by a vote of HB 702 Charter Schools. This bill supports the expansion of charter schools by allowing the state Board of Education to approve charter schools in five counties where there are failing schools, regardless of the local board decision. ACU supports expanding school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 20, 2014 by a vote of SB 2115 College Tuition. This bill authorizes in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who have lived in the state for one year. ACU opposes giving special privileges to illegal immigrants and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 24, 2014 by a vote of HB 937 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would prohibit the Governor from implementing any form of Medicaid expansion under Obama unless authorized by a joint resolution of the general assembly. ACU opposes expanding a program rife with waste and fraud and will be a burden on taxpayers for years to come and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 27, 2014 by a vote of SB 2126 Tort Reform. This bill caps state compensatory damages for workplace discrimination and retaliation cases and limits such cases to one venue, either state or federal court. ACU supports tort reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 7, 2014 by a vote of SB 1811 Labor Law. This bill expands the offense of criminal trespass to include persons who are not employees of the property owner from conducting labor union activities on the property. ACU supports strengthening property rights and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 8, 2014 by a vote of SB 1774 Gun Permit. This bill would allow a law-abiding gun owner to carry a firearm in his or her own vehicle without a handgun carry permit. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 9, 2014 by a vote of SB 196 School Choice. This bill creates a school voucher program to allow students in failing schools to attend any non-public school of their choice. ACU supports school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 10, 2014 by a vote of HB 1574 Government Regulation. This bill severely restricts the ability of people to buy common allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine without a prescription. ACU opposes regulations that needlessly increase the cost of medicines to people who need them and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 17, 2014 by a vote of SB 2039 Welfare Time Limits. This bill places a limit of 18 months for continuous benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program. ACU supports time limits on welfare benefits and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 7, 2014 by a vote of

6 TENNESSEE SENATE SCORES TENNESSEE SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 70% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 80% LOWEST REPUBLICANS MASSEY, OVERBEY 50% DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 45% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT TATE 45% TENNESSEE SENATE VOTE DETAIL* Party District SB 1496 HB 1549 HB 702 SB 2115 HB 937 SB 2039 SB 2126 SB 1811 SB 1774 SB 196 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % BEAVERS R % BELL R X % BOWLING R % Burks D X % CAMPFIELD R % CROWE R X X % DICKERSON R X X % Finney D X % GARDENHIRE R X % GREEN R X % GRESHAM R % HAILE R % Harper D % Henry D % HENSLEY R X % 6

7 TENNESSEE SENATE VOTE DETAIL* Party District SB 1496 HB 1549 HB 702 SB 2115 HB 937 SB 2039 SB 2126 SB 1811 SB 1774 SB 196 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % JOHNSON R % KELSEY R % KETRON R X % Kyle D % MASSEY R X % McNALLY R % NICELEY R % NORRIS R X % OVERBEY R X % RAMSEY R % SOUTHERLAND R X % STEVENS R % SUMMERVILLE R X % Tate D % TRACY R % WATSON R % YAGER R % *The following member of the Senate did not vote on enough of the selected votes and as a result was not rated: Ford. 7

8 TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 937 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would prohibit the Governor from implementing any form of Medicaid expansion under Obama unless authorized by a joint resolution of the general assembly. ACU opposes expanding a program rife with waste and fraud and will be a burden on taxpayers for years to come and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 24, 2014 by a vote of SB 2115 College Tuition. This bill authorizes in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who have lived in the state for one year. ACU opposes giving special privileges to illegal immigrants and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 7, 2014 by a vote of SB 1774 Gun Permit. This bill would allow a law-abiding gun owner to carry a firearm in his or her own vehicle without a handgun carry permit. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 14, 2014 by a vote of HB 2258 Property Rights. This law makes it a criminal offense to interfere with the operation of an animal facility although it does not prohibit videotaping to document alleged animal abuse. ACU supports strengthening property rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 14, 2014 by a vote of HB 702 Charter Schools. This bill supports the expansion of charter schools by allowing the state Board of Education to approve charter schools in five counties where there are failing schools, regardless of the local board decision. ACU supports expanding school choice and supported this bill. The House concurred in a Senate amendment to the bill for final passage on April 14, 2014 by a vote of SB 1811 Labor Law. This bill expands the offense of criminal trespass to include persons who are not employees of the property owner from conducting labor union activities on the property. ACU supports strengthening property rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 16, 2014 by a vote of HB 1549 Local Control of Education. This bill prohibits the federal government from imposing educational standards on Tennessee public schools. It also grants parents and guardians the right to inspect and review their children s educational records and restricts the adoption of common core standards to math and English language arts. ACU supports local control of education and parental rights and supported this bill. A key vote came on a motion to allow a vote on the bill which passed the House on April 16, 2014 by a vote of SB 2126 Tort Reform. This bill caps state compensatory damages for workplace discrimination and retaliation cases and limits such cases to one venue, either state or federal court. ACU supports tort reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 16, 2014 by a vote of HB 1574 Government Regulation. This bill severely restricts the ability of people to buy common allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine without a prescription. ACU opposes regulations that needlessly increase the cost of medicines to people who need them and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 17, 2014 by a vote of

9 TENNESSEE HOUSE SCORES TENNESSEE HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 61% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 79% LOWEST REPUBLICAN McMANUS 40% DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 16% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT DeBERRY 67% TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 937 SB 2115 SB 1774 HB 2258 HB 702 SB 1811 HB 1549 SB 2126 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Akbari D X X % ALEXANDER R % Armstrong D 15 - X % BAILEY R X X % BROOKS, H. R % BROOKS, K. R 24 X % BUTT R % CALFEE R % Camper D X % CARR, D. R % CARR, J. R 48 + X X % CARTER R X % CASADA R 63 + X X % COLEY R % Cooper D % 9

10 TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 937 SB 2115 SB 1774 HB 2258 HB 702 SB 1811 HB 1549 SB 2126 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % DEAN R E % DeBerry D % DENNIS R % DOSS R % DUNN R X % DURHAM R 65 + X + X X % ELDRIDGE R % EVANS R % FAISON R X % FARMER R % Favors D 28 X % Fitzhugh D X % FLOYD R X + X % FORGETY R X % Gilmore D X - X - X % GOINS R 10 + X % HALFORD R % HALL R X % Hardaway D X % HARRISON R % HARWELL R 56 + X + X % HAWK R % HAYNES R X % HILL, M. R X % HILL, T. R % HOLT R % Jernigan D % 10

11 TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 937 SB 2115 SB 1774 HB 2258 HB 702 SB 1811 HB 1549 SB 2126 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % JOHNSON, C. R % Johnson, G. D % Jones D % KANE R % KEISLING R % LAMBERTH R X % LITTLETON R % LOLLAR R % Love D X % LUNDBERG R X % LYNN R 57 X + X X X % MARSH R % MATHENY R X % MATLOCK R X % McCORMICK R X % McDANIEL R % McMANUS R X X X X % Miller D % Mitchell D % MOODY R X % Odom D % Parkinson D % Pitts D % PODY R % Powell D 53 X X % POWERS R % RAGAN R X X X X % 11

12 TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 937 SB 2115 SB 1774 HB 2258 HB 702 SB 1811 HB 1549 SB 2126 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % RAMSEY R % RICH R 94 X % ROACH R 35 X X % ROGERS R % SANDERSON R % SARGENT R % SEXTON R X % Shaw D % Shepard D % SHIPLEY R % SPARKS R 49 + X % SPIVEY R 92 + X X % Stewart D % SWANN R % Tidwell D X % TODD R 95 + X X % Towns D X - X - - X % TRAVIS R % Turner, J. D % Turner, M. D X % VAN HUSS R X X % WATSON R X X X X % WEAVER R % WHITE, D. R % WHITE, M. R % Williams, K. I % WILLIAMS, R. R % 12

13 TENNESSEE HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District HB 937 SB 2115 SB 1774 HB 2258 HB 702 SB 1811 HB 1549 SB 2126 HB 1574 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Windle D % WIRGAU R % WOMICK R % 13

14 NOTES

15 NOTES

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