2015 RATINGS of GEORGIA

Transcription

1 RATINGS of GEORGIA Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 GA Senate Vote Descriptions 5 & F Board Members 3 GA Senate Scores 7 Selecting the 3 GA House Vote Descriptions 10 Winners & Losers 4 GA House Scores 11

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 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 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 Larry Beasley Bob Beauprez Kimberly Bellissimo Morton Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Al Cardenas Jose Cardenas Ron Christie Muriel Coleman FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS Matt Schlapp Chairman Millie Hallow Vice Chairman Van Hipp, Jr. Treasurer Tim Goeglein Secretary 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 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. 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 HOUSE SENATE HOUSE HARBIN CALDWELL, M. n/a Bennett HILL, H. CLARK, H. McClain McKOON TARVIN Smith, M. TIPPINS TURNER AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE CRANE GOOCH HEATH LIGON HOUSE BARR BROCKWAY CANTRELL COOKE DUDGEON GRAVLEY HOUSE KELLEY QUICK RUTLEDGE STOVER TEASLEY 4

5 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS Religious Freedom. This bill prohibits government from taking action against any individual if it places a burden on the free exercise of religion unless the government can show a compelling interest and that the action taken is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. The bill does not affect private employment. supports protecting the constitutional right of the free exercise of religion and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 5, by a vote of SR 287 Education Reform. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create an Opportunity School District Program, allowing the state to intervene in chronically failing schools in order to improve students performance. supports education reform that puts students first and supported this resolution. The Senate passed the resolution on March 5, by a vote of Utility Regulations. This bill prohibits local governments from adopting regulations affecting utility construction that are more stringent than state requirements. supports this regulatory reform that prevents utilities from having to deal with 659 local jurisdictions and reduces the cost of projects and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 13, by a vote of Aerospace Engineer License. This bill repeals the requirement that aerospace engineers have a license to work in Georgia after the state discovered there was no organization that could give them a test and, as a result, no licenses were issued. opposes the proliferation of licensing for every profession and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 24, by a vote of Green Building Standards. This bill eliminates the timber certification requirement for so-called green buildings since the standard, known as the LEED standard, does not allow Georgia forest products to be used. opposes these needless requirements and all government standards for green buildings and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 27, by a vote of Competitive Bidding. This bill makes it easier for state agencies to avoid using the competitive bidding process for projects. supports competitive bids whenever possible to keep the cost to the taxpayer low and reduce the possibility of corruption and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 27, by a vote of Gas Tax Increase. This bill raises the gas tax and provides for an annual automatic increase in the tax based on the rate of inflation to pay for the full universe of transportation projects, including rail projects. The bill also allows localities to increase local sales taxes to pay for increased spending. opposes using gas taxes for non-highway projects and opposes increasing taxes without taxpayer accountability and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of Transportation Tax Increase. A substitute amendment to a Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MARTA) bill allows Clayton, Fulton and DeKalb Counties in the Atlanta metro area to propose a 50 percent increase in the MARTA sales tax from 1 to 1.5. opposes including a tax increase in a bill designed to ease regulations on how transportation money is spent and opposed the amendment. The Senate passed the amendment on March 31, by a vote of Fireworks Regulation. This bill deregulates the sale of fireworks by putting them under the laws protecting the right to carry and possess firearms. supports regulatory reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of Charter Schools. This bill prevents localities from delaying a charter school if it has passed state facility inspection and received a certificate of occupancy. supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of Alcohol Sales. This bill eases restrictions on alcohol sales to allow breweries to sell a limited amount of beer directly to the consumer for consumption and to take home. opposes these restrictions that are primarily designed to reduce competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Political Speech. This bill, as amended by the House, requires nonprofit advocacy groups to disclose donors under the same rules as campaign committees or political action committees. opposes this attempt to chill political speech and opposed this bill. The Senate refused to agree to the House amendment on April 2, by a vote of A No vote supports the position. 5

6 Corporate Subsidies. This bill gives a $1.2 million tax break to a new Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Sandy Springs, GA along with other tax breaks to construction programs at private colleges. opposes these corporate subsidies that result in higher taxes for those not favored by the government and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Corporate Subsidies. This bill greatly increases tax credits available for the restoration of historic buildings to benefit a developer who wants to build a luxury hotel on the site of the former Savannah Electric Power Company plant. opposes these special interest tax breaks that result in higher taxes for others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of

7 GEORGIA SENATE SCORES GEORGIA SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 59 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 68 LOWEST REPUBLICANS BURKE, B. JACKSON 50 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 40 HIGHEST DEMOCRAT SIMS 55 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District 129 SR ALBERS R BEACH R BETHEL R E E BLACK R BURKE R Butler D E - X COWSERT R X CRANE R X Davenport D E DUGAN R Fort D E GINN R E GOOCH R E E HARBIN R n/a 93 Harbison D 15 E E X HARPER R E HEATH R E E

8 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District 129 SR Henson D X X HILL, H. R E + X HILL, JACK R HILL, JUDSON R E + X HUFSTETLER R X + - E E X JACKSON, B. R E E Jackson, L. D X + X James D 35 X X - X + X JEFFARES R X JONES, B. R E Jones, E. D X Jones, H. D X n/a 38 KENNEDY R n/a 57 KIRK R n/a 64 LIGON R E Lucas D X MARTIN R X n/a 62 McKOON R E X MILLAR R 40 E MILLER R MULLIS R X Orrock D X Parent D X n/a 38 Ramsey D X X Rhett D X n/a 31 Seay D 34 X SHAFER R X X X E X 6 9 n/a 78 n/a Sims D X X X STONE R E Tate D E E E THOMPSON, B. R E Thompson, C. D E X E E

9 GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL Party District 129 SR TIPPINS R E + X - X TOLLESON R UNTERMAN R X E + + X X WATSON R X WILKINSON R WILLIAMS, M. R X n/a 77 WILLIAMS, T. R X + E

10 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS Aerospace Engineer License. This bill repeals the requirement that aerospace engineers have a license to work in Georgia after the state discovered there was no organization that could give them a test and, as a result, no licenses were issued. opposes the proliferation of licensing for every profession and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 2, by a vote of Gas Tax Increase. This bill raises the gas tax and provides for an annual automatic increase in the tax based on the rate of inflation to pay for the full universe of transportation projects, including rail projects. The bill also allows localities to increase local sales taxes to pay for increased spending. opposes using gas taxes for non-highway projects and opposes increasing taxes without taxpayer accountability and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 5, by a vote of Electric Vehicle Subsidies. This bill increases tax credits available for companies providing electric vehicle charging stations. supports all forms of energy and opposes subsidies for those the government favors and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 5, by a vote of Competitive Bidding. This bill makes it easier for state agencies to avoid using the competitive bidding process for projects. supports competitive bids whenever possible to keep the cost to the taxpayer low and reduce the possibility of corruption and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 11, by a vote of SR 287 Education Reform. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create an Opportunity School District program, allowing the state to intervene in chronically failing schools in order to improve students performance. supports education reform that puts students first and supported this resolution. The House passed the resolution on March 25, by a vote of Alcohol Sales. This bill eases restrictions on alcohol sales to allow breweries to sell a limited amount of beer directly to the consumer for consumption and to take home. opposes these restrictions that are primarily designed to reduce competition and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 27, by a vote of Political Speech. This bill would require nonprofit advocacy groups to disclose donors under the same rules as campaign committees or political action committees. opposes this attempt to chill political speech and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 31, by a vote of Fireworks Regulation. This bill deregulates the sale of fireworks by putting them under the laws protecting the right to carry and possess firearms. supports regulatory reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Corporate Subsidies. This bill gives a $1.2 million tax break to a new Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Sandy Springs, GA along with other tax breaks to construction programs at private colleges. opposes these corporate subsidies that results in higher taxes for those not favored by the government and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of Corporate Subsidies. This bill greatly increases tax credits available for the restoration of historic buildings to benefit a developer who wants to build a luxury hotel on the site of the former Savannah Electric Power Company plant. opposes these special interest tax breaks that result in higher taxes for others and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 2, by a vote of

11 GEORGIA HOUSE SCORES GEORGIA HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 44 REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 51 LOWEST REPUBLICAN GEISINGER 20 DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 32 HIGHEST DEMOCRATS BENTLEY, MABRA 63 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR Abrams D Alexander D ALLISON R X E Anderson D 92 E - - E ATWOOD R BALLINGER R BARR R X BATTLES R 15 E Beasley-Teague D 65 E E E E E E - E - X 0 2 n/a 18 n/a Bell D BELTON R X n/a 44 Bennett D 94 E E Bentley D E E BENTON R E BESKIN R n/a 50 Beverly D BROADRICK R

12 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR BROCKWAY R X E Brooks D Bruce D Bryant D Buckner D BURNS R CALDWELL, J. R 131 E CALDWELL, M. R CANTRELL R n/a 80 CARSON R CARTER, A. R CASAS R 107 E E CHANDLER R X CHEOKAS R X CLARK, D. R CLARK, H. R n/a 90 CLARK, V. R COLEMAN R X COOKE R 18 E E COOMER R COOPER R X CORBETT R n/a 30 Dawkins-Haigler D 91 E E E E - E E 0 4 n/a 0 n/a DEFFENBAUGH R DEMPSEY R Dickerson D DICKEY R X DICKSON R DOLLAR R 45 X Douglas D Drenner D DUDGEON R

13 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR Dukes D 154 E DUNAHOO R E E DUNCAN R 26 E Ealum D n/a 50 EFSTRATION R EHRHART R ENGLAND R EPPS R Evans D 42 E FLEMING R E - E Floyd D X + X - E Fludd D X X Frazier D Frye D 118 E Gardner D 57 X X GASAWAY R GEISINGER R E E E E E n/a 71 n/a Glanton D E GOLICK R Gordon D GRAVLEY R GREENE R X HAMILTON R HARBIN R E HARDEN R HARRELL R HATCHETT R HAWKINS R Henson D X HIGHTOWER R HITCHENS R X Holcomb D

14 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR HOLMES R E E E E E 2 5 n/a 79 n/a HOUSTON R Howard D E Hugley D Jackson D E JACOBS R E JASPERSE R JONES, JAN R 47 + E E JONES, JEFF R n/a 50 Jones, L. D 62 E E E - E n/a 17 n/a Jones, S. D E Jordan D 77 E E E X 1 6 n/a 23 n/a Kaiser D X X KELLEY R Kendrick D Kidd I X KIRBY R E KNIGHT R LaRICCIA R n/a 30 LUMSDEN R Mabra D 63 + E E Marin D 96 E E MARTIN R MAXWELL R E Mayo D 84 E X E McCALL R 33 + E E McClain D MEADOWS R X Mitchell D E MORRIS R 156 E X - X Mosby D 83 + X - X NIMMER R E

15 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR NIX R X Oliver D O'NEAL R X PAK R E PARRISH R PARSONS R PEAKE R PETREA R n/a 60 PEZOLD R E X POWELL, A. R X POWELL, J. R Prince D PRUETT R QUICK R RAFFENSPEREGER R n/a 70 RAKESTRAW R RAMSEY R Randall D 142 E X REEVES R n/a 50 RHODES R n/a 50 RICE R X ROBERTS R ROGERS, C. R ROGERS, T. R E RUTLEDGE R RYNDERS R X X - E E n/a 86 n/a Scott D SETZLER R Sharper D X SHAW R SIMS R E - + E Smith, E. D X

16 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR SMITH, L. R E Smith, M. D SMITH, R. R Smyre D 135 E X SPENCER R Stephens, M. D STEPHENS, R. R X Stephenson D Stovall D STOVER R STRICKLAND R TANKERSLEY R TANNER R TARVIN R TAYLOR, D. R X TAYLOR, T. R E TEASLEY R Thomas, E. D E n/a 33 Thomas, M. D 56 + E E Trammell D n/a 20 TURNER R Waites D 60 + X WATSON R WELCH R X X WELDON R 3 E - X X - X 2 6 n/a 60 n/a WERKHEISER R n/a 60 Wilkerson D WILKINSON R WILLARD R Williams, A. D E WILLIAMS, CHUCK R X Williams, Coach D

17 GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL Party District SR WILLIAMSON R X YATES R X - + X Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the percentage and lifetime average was not rated. 17