2014 RATINGS of OKLAHOMA

Transcription

1 2014 RATINGS of OKLAHOMA Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 OK Senate Vote Descriptions 5 ACU & ACUF Board Members 3 OK Senate Scores 6 How We Selected the Votes 3 OK House Vote Descriptions Winners & Losers 4 OK 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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 HOUSE SENATE HOUSE N/A BILLY QUINN Shumate Cannaday BRUMBAUGH ROBERTS, S. McPeak CLEVELAND SEARS Williams HULBERT VAUGHAN MURPHEY WESSELHOFT O'DONNELL 80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT SENATE BRANAN BROOKS BROWN DAHM SIMPSON HOUSE BIGGS DANK ECHOLS FISHER HALL HARDIN HOUSE JOYNER KERN NELSON REYNOLDS TURNER WALKER 4

5 OKLAHOMA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. SB 906 Federalism. This bill would allow Oklahoma to cast its electoral votes for president for the winner of popular vote nationwide regardless of the vote within the state. ACU opposes measures that change our federalist system and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 12, 2014 by a vote of SB 1174 Law Enforcement. This bill would have removed from the Corporation Commission the power to appoint peace officers to enforce the law. ACU opposes giving police powers to bureaucratic agencies and supported this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on March 4, 2014 by a vote of SB 1848 Abortion. This bill requires an abortion facility to have on the premises a physician that has admitting privileges at an accredited hospital within 30 miles of the facility and includes other safety measures for patients. ACU supports restrictions on abortions and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2014 by a vote of HB 1020 Health Care. This bill authorized physical therapists to treat patients without a physician referral. ACU supports a free market in health care services and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 22, 2014 by a vote of HJR 1092 Fiscal Policy. This constitutional amendment authorizes School Districts to exceed their cap on bond issues to pay for school safety projects. ACU opposes busting bond limitations that often lead to higher taxes and opposed this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on May 23, 2014 by a vote of HB 3399 Common Core. This bill repealed Common Core for the state of Oklahoma. ACU supports local control of education and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 23, 2014 by a vote of SB 1495 Medicaid reform. This bill would have established a pilot program that would reduce the role of government in providing health care and allow evaluation of a patentcentered, integrated managed care system for services under the Oklahoma Medicaid Program. ACU supports reform of a program rife with waste and abuse and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 13, 2014 by a vote of HB 2630 Pension Reform. This bill changes the state retirement system for government employees to a defined contribution system for new employees while keeping the old system for Department of Corrections employees. ACU supports fiscal responsibility and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 15, 2014 by a vote of SB 2128 Housing Subsidies. This bill creates a new low-income housing tax credit for government approved projects in rural counties. ACU opposes this interference in the free market and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 20, 2014 by a vote of

6 OKLAHOMA SENATE SCORES OKLAHOMA SENATE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 58% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 70% LOWEST REPUBLICAN CRAIN 33% DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 24% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT IVERSTER 44% OKLAHOMA SENATE VOTE DETAIL* Party District SB 906 SB 1174 SB 1848 SB 1495 HB 2630 SB 2128 HB 1020 HJR 1092 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % ALDRIDGE R E E % ALLEN R % ANDERSON R E % Ballenger D E E % BARRINGTON R % Bass D E - E % BINGMAN R % BOGGS R 7 E % BRANAN R E % BRECHEEN R % BRINKLEY R % BROOKS R E % BROWN R 36 + E % Burrage D E E % CRAIN R % DAHM R % 6

7 OKLAHOMA SENATE VOTE DETAIL* Party District SB 906 SB 1174 SB 1848 SB 1495 HB 2630 SB 2128 HB 1020 HJR 1092 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % DAVID R E % Ellis D E E E % FIELDS R % FORD R % Garrison D % GRIFFIN R % HALLIGAN R % HOLT R % Iverster D % Johnson, C. D E E - E + + E % JOHNSON, R. R % JOLLEY R E % JUSTICE R % LOVELESS R % MARLATT R % MAZZEI R % McAffrey D E - E - + E % NEWBERRY R E % Paddack D % SCHULZ R % SHARP R % SHAW R % Shumate D E E E % SIMPSON R % Sparks D E % STANDRIDGE R E % STANISLAWSKI R % SYKES R % TREAT R % Wyrick D % * The following members of the Senate did not vote on enough of the selected votes and as a result were not rated: SHORTEY, COATES. 7

8 OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS 1. HB 2624 Pension Reform. This bill requires the legislature to provide the required contributions to the state public retirement system to keep it on a sound fiscal footing. ACU supports fiscal responsibility and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 13, 2014 by a vote of HB 2730 Open Records Act. This bill prohibits schools from being a member of any school athletic association that does not adhere to the Oklahoma Open Records Act and requires annual financial and compliance audits. ACU supports tax payer accountability and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 26, 2014 by a vote of HB 2329 Second Amendment. This bill authorizes storage of a handgun in a secure motor vehicle on school property. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 10, 2014 by a vote of HB 2630 Pension Reform. This bill changes the state retirement system for government employees to a defined contribution system for new employees while keeping the old system for Department of Corrections employees. ACU supports fiscal responsibility and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 11, 2014 by a vote of HB 1020 Health Care. This bill authorized physical therapists to treat patients without a physician referral. ACU supports a free market in health care services and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 19, 2014 by a vote of HB 2625 Education. This bill eliminates third grade reading requirements to be promoted to the fourth grade and allows a student proficiency team to make that decision instead. ACU supports reading standards and opposed this bill and supported Governor Fallin s veto of the bill. The House overrode the Governor s veto on May 21, 2014 by a vote of SB 2128 Housing Subsidies. This bill creates a new low-income housing tax credit for government approved projects in rural counties. ACU opposes this interference in the free market and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 22, 2014 by a vote of HB 3399 Common Core. This bill repealed Common Core for the state of Oklahoma. ACU supports local control of education and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 23, 2014 by a vote of SB 1848 Abortion. This bill requires an abortion facility to have on the premises a physician that has admitting privileges at an accredited hospital within 30 miles of the facility and includes other safety measures for patients. ACU supports restrictions on abortions and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2014 by a vote of HB 3143 Tax Increase. This bill would allow cities to impose local taxes on military installations. ACU opposes increasing the tax burden on our military men and women and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 14, 2014 by a vote of

9 OKLAHOMA HOUSE SCORES OKLAHOMA HOUSE STATISTICS OVERALL AVERAGE 58% REPUBLICAN AVERAGE 71% LOWEST REPUBLICAN COOKSEY 33% DEMOCRAT AVERAGE 27% HIGHEST DEMOCRAT PRUETT 60% OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL* Party District HB 2624 HB 2730 HB 2329 HB 2630 SB 1848 HB 3143 HB 1020 HB 2625 SB 2128 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % ARMES R % BANZ R % BENNETT R % BIGGS R E % BILLY R % BLACKWELL R % Brown D X - E % BRUMBAUGH R % Cannaday D % CASEY R % CHRISTIAN R E % CLEVELAND R E % COCKROFT R E % Condit D E % COODY, A. R % 9

10 OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL* Party District HB 2624 HB 2730 HB 2329 HB 2630 SB 1848 HB 3143 HB 1020 HB 2625 SB 2128 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % COOKSEY R E % COX R 5 + E E % DANK R % DENNEY R E % DERBY R % DeWITT R E E % Dorman D 65 - E E - E - E % ECHOLS R % ENNS R 41 E E % FISHER R % FLOYD D % Fourkiller D E - E E % Glenn D E % GRAU R E % HALL R % Hamilton D E % HARDIN R 49 + E % HENKE R E E E - E E % HICKMAN R % Hoskin D E % HULBERT R 14 + X + + E + + E E E % Inman D E % JACKSON R % JOHNSON R % JORDAN R % JOYNER R % KERN R 84 E % 10

11 OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL* Party District HB 2624 HB 2730 HB 2329 HB 2630 SB 1848 HB 3143 HB 1020 HB 2625 SB 2128 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % KIRBY R % Kouplen D % Lockhart D E % MARTIN, SCOTT R E % MARTIN, STEVE R % Matthews D % McBRIDE R E % McCALL R 22 + E E % McCULLOUGH R % McDaniel, C. D % McDaniel, J. D 78 E E % McDANIEL, R. R E % McNIEL R % McPeak D % MOORE R E % Morrissette D 92 - E - - E % MULREADY R % MURPHEY R % NELSON R % NEWELL R % NOLLAN R E % O'DONNELL R % ORTEGA R E % OSBORN R % OWNBEY R % Perryman D % PETERSON R % 11

12 OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL* Party District HB 2624 HB 2730 HB 2329 HB 2630 SB 1848 HB 3143 HB 1020 HB 2625 SB 2128 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Pittman D 99 - E E % Proctor D % Pruett D % QUINN R % Renegar D E E % REYNOLDS R E E + + E + + E % RITZE R E % ROBERTS, D. R E % ROBERTS, S. R % Rousselot D E % RUSS R % SANDERS R E % SCHWARTZ R 43 E % Scott D % SEARS R E E E % Shelton D 97 - E E % Sherrer D 8 E E % Shoemake D % SMALLEY R 32 + E E % STILES R E % THOMSEN R % TREBILCOCK R 98 E E % TURNER R E % VAUGHAN R % Virgin D 44 E E % WALKER R % 12

13 OKLAHOMA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL* Party District HB 2624 HB 2730 HB 2329 HB 2630 SB 1848 HB 3143 HB 1020 HB 2625 SB 2128 HB 3399 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % WATSON R E % WESSELHOFT R E % Williams D 34 E E E % WOOD R % WRIGHT R % * The following member of the House did not vote on enough of the selected votes and as a result was not rated: SHANNON. 13

14 NOTES

15 NOTES

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