PENNSYLVANIA STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE. ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings. Table of Contents

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2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State

Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states.

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.

1 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen 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. Table of Contents ACU Board Members A Letter From The Chairman How We Selected the Votes Conservative All-Stars PA House Vote Description House Scores PA Senate Vote Descriptions Senate Scores 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. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. Pennsylvania Capitol Building,Harrsiburg, PA American Conservative Union 1331 H St. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC (202) conservative.org

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.

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 Cleta Mitchell (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

October 16, 2012 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2012 State Legislative Ratings for members of the

Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman 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

I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year.

Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs decisive change to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and

3 October 16, 2012 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2012 State Legislative Ratings for members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman 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. Last year we brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, by rating members in five legislatures. I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year is a critical election year in the life of our nation and it is important, now more than ever, that Americans have the information to elect true conservatives into office. Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs decisive change to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and return to the traditional values that made our nation so great. The liberal policies of the Obama administration have energized a national g rassroots conservative movement, bringing change to state and local governments nationwide. Because of this, our 2012 State Legislative Ratings are vital for voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation, especially in battleground states. We are dedicated to supporting the efforts of courageous conservative leaders fighting for limited government, promoting prosperity and individual freedom, and defending traditional values. Standing by voters around the nation, ACU is leading the way to encourage and help the next generation of conservative leaders, beginning at the state level. Thank you for your continued support. I know that together we can ensure America s best days are still ahead. Sincerely, Al Cardenas Chairman, American Conservative Union 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC Tel: (202) Fax: (202)

4 How We Selected the Votes 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen 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. 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. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. Conservative All-Stars of the Pennsylvania General Assembly Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. Pennsylvania Senate: Richard L. Alloway David G. Argall Patrick M. Browne Mike Brubaker Jake Corman John H. Eichelberger Bob Mensch Jeffrey E. Piccola Robert D. Robbins Joseph B. Scarnati Lloyd K. Smucker Kim L. Ward Michael L. Waugh Donald C. White Gene Yaw Pennsylvania House of Representatives: William F. Adolph, Jr. Ryan P. Aument Matthew E. Baker Stephen Barrar John C. Bear Kerry A. Benninghoff Stephen Bloom Karen Boback Michele Brooks Rosemary M. Brown Martin T Causer Jim Christiana Paul I. Clymer Jim Cox Lynda Schlegel Culver Sheryl M. Delozier Gordon Denlinger Gene Digirolamo George Dunbar Brian L. Ellis Joe Emrick Eli Evankovich Garth D. Everett Frank A. Farry Matt Gabler Richard A. Geist Mark M. Gillen Keith Gillespie Mauree Gingrich Glen R. Grell Seth M. Grove Joseph T. Hackett Marcia M. Hahn Julie Harhart Kate Harper Adam Harris Susan C. Helm Tim Hennessey David S. Hickernell Scott E. Hutchinson 4

5 Defenders of Liberty Continued Warren Kampf Rob W. Kauffman Fred Keller Mark K. Keller Jerry Knowles John A. Lawrence John Maher Sandra Major David M. Maloney, Sr. Jim Marshall Daryl D. Metcalfe Nicholas A. Miccarelli Nicholas A. Micozzie David R. Millard Ron Miller Dan Moul Thomas P. Murt Mark Mustio Donna Oberlander John D. Payne Michael Peifer Scott Perry Scott A. Petri Tina Pickett Jeffrey P. Pyle Thomas J. Quigley Kathy L. Rapp Dave Reed Mike Reese Brad Roae Todd Rock Rick Saccone Stan Saylor Mario M. Scavello Samuel H. Smith Curtis G. Sonney Todd Stephens Jerry Stern RoseMarie Swanger Will Tallman John Taylor Mike Tobash Marcy Toepel Tarah Toohil Dan Truitt Mike Turzai Mike Vereb Randy Vulakovich Katharine M. Watson ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. Pennsylvania Senate: Lisa Baker Jane M. Earll Edwin B. Erickson Mike Folmer John R. Gordner Charles T. McIlhinney Dominic Pileggi John C. Rafferty Robert M. Tomlinson Patricia H. Vance Mary Jo White Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Scott W. Boyd Tom C. Creighton Bryan Cutler Gary Day John R. Evans Mike Fleck John T. Galloway Robert W. Godshall Doyle Heffley Dick L. Hess Thomas H. Killion Timothy Krieger Ron Marsico Kurt A. Masser Carl Walker Metzgar Duane Milne Bernie O Neill Marguerite Quinn Curt Schroder Justin J. Simmons Richard R. Stevenson True Liberals of the Keystone State True Liberals of the Keystone State are those members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Robert Freeman Harold James Anthony Johnson Babette Josephs Phyllis Mundy Steven J. Santarsiero Greg Vitali Jake Wheatley 5

6 Pennsylvania House Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA 1. HB Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would allow Pennsylvania to opt-out of abortion funding allowed under the national health care law. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and supports this bill. The House passed this bill on December 12, 2011 by a vote of HB 495. Medical liability reform. This bill allows a physician to give a patient a full and clear explanation of a poor outcome without that conversation being used in a future lawsuit. ACU supports medical liability reform and supports this bill. The House passed this bill on March 1, 2011 by a vote of HB 761. Tax Reform. This bill greatly expands school choice programs in Pennsylvania and eliminates the Death Tax and Realty Transfer Tax for family farms. ACU supports school choice. ACU supports the complete elimination of the Death Tax but supports this bill as a first step. The House passed this bill on June 30, 2012 by a vote of HB 934. Voting Integrity. This bill requires a photo ID for proof of identification when voting. ACU supports strengthening the integrity of the voting process and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on March 14, 2012 by a vote of HB Impact of Regulations. This bill requires an impact statement for regulations that may have an adverse effect on small business and judicial review for aggrieved small businesses. ACU supports regulatory reform and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on October 5, 2011 by a vote of SB 263. Regulatory Reform. This bill requires regulatory agencies to inform the public through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission data that was used to formulate regulations. The agency must prove the acceptability of the data and the Commission must take this information into consideration when deciding to approve a regulation. ACU supports increased government accountability and supports this bill. The House passed the bill on June 28, 2011 by a vote of SB Budget. Although this bill increased spending over the 2011 budget, it includes new efficiencies to government programs, continues efforts begun in 2011 to get Pennsylvania s fiscal house in order and improve the climate for business. ACU supports these initiatives and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on June 28, 2012 by a vote of SB Unemployment Compensation Reform. This bill allows the state to pay its $4.5 billion debt to the federal government for unemployment compensation while increasing the basic requirements for workers to receive unemployment compensation. ACU supports fiscal responsibility in government programs and supports this bill. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2012 by a vote of

7 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party ADOLPH R % AUMENT R % BAKER R % Barbin D % BARRAR R % BEAR R % BENNINGHOFF R % Bishop D % BLOOM R % BOBACK R % BOYD R X % Boyle, B. D E - + X % Boyle, K. D % Bradford D % Brennan D X % Briggs D % BROOKS R % BROWN, R. R % Brown, V. D % Brownlee D % Burns D % Buxton D - X % Caltagirone D % Carroll D % CAUSER R % CHRISTIANA R % CLYMER R % Cohen D % Conklin D % Costa, D. D % Costa, P. D % + 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 7

8 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party COX R % CREIGHTON R X % Cruz D % CULVER R % Curry D % CUTLER R X % Daley D X % Davidson D % Davis D % DAY R X % Dean D I I + I I I % Deasy D X % Delissio D % DELOZIER R % DeLuca D % DENLINGER R % Depasquale D % Dermody D % Deweese D - - I I I % DIGIROLAMO R % Donatucci D % DUNBAR R % ELLIS R % EMRICK R % EVANKOVICH R % Evans, D. D - + X X % EVANS, J. R X % EVERETT R % Fabrizio D % FARRY R % FLECK R + + 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 8

9 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party Frankel D % Freeman D % GABLER R % Galloway D % GEIST R % George D + + X % Gerber D X X % Gergely D % Gibbons D % GILLEN R % GILLESPIE R % GINGRICH R % GODSHALL R X % Goodman D % GRELL R % GROVE R % HACKETT R % HAHN R % Haluska D + + X % Hanna D % Harhai D % HARHART R % Harkins D % HARPER R % HARRIS R % HEFFLEY R % HELM R % HENNESSEY R % HESS R X % HICKERNELL 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 9

10 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party Hornaman D E % HUTCHINSON R % James D I I - I I I % Johnson D E - I I - - I I 0 4 0% Josephs D % KAMPF R % KAUFFMAN R % Kavulich D % KELLER, F. R % KELLER, M.K. R % Keller, W. D % KILLION R X % Kirkland D % KNOWLES R % Kortz D % Kotik D % KRIEGER R X % Kula D % LAWRENCE R % Longietti D % MACKENZIE R I I + I I I % MAHER R % Mahoney D % MAJOR R % MALONEY R % Mann D % Markosek D % MARSHALL R % MARSICO R X % MASSER R % Matzie D % + 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 10

11 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party McGeehan D % METCALFE R % METZGAR R % MICCARELLI R % MICOZZIE R % MILLARD R % MILLER R % MILNE R % Mirabito D % MOUL R % Mullery D % Mundy D % Murphy D % MURT R % MUSTIO R % Myers D % Neilson D I I + I I I % Neuman D X % OBERLANDER R % O'BRIEN, D. R X X I I X + I I % O'Brien, M. D % O'NEILL R X % Parker D % Pashinski D % PAYNE R % Payton D E % PEIFER R % PERRY R % Petrarca D % PETRI R % PICKETT 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 11

12 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party Preston D E % PYLE R % QUIGLEY R % QUINN R + X % RAPP R % Ravenstahl D % Readshaw D % REED R % REESE R % REICHLEY R + + I I + + I I % ROAE R % ROCK R % Roebuck D % ROSS R % Sabatina D - - X - - X % SACCONE R % Sainato D % Samuelson D % Santarsiero D % Santoni D % SAYLOR R % SCAVELLO R % SCHRODER R + + I I I % Shapiro D I % SIMMONS R E % Smith, K. D % Smith, M. D % SMITH, S. R % SONNEY R % Staback D X % STEPHENS 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 12

13 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 HOUSE VOTES HB 1977 HB 495 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 SB 263 SB 1466 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Representative Name Party STERN R % STEVENSON R X % Sturla D % SWANGER R % TALLMAN R % TAYLOR R % Thomas D % TOBASH R % TOEPEL R % TOOHIL R % TRUITT R % TURZAI R % VEREB R % Vitali D % VULAKOVICH R % Waters D % WATSON R % Wheatley D X 0 7 0% White D % Williams D I % Youngblood D % + 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 13

14 Pennsylvania Senate Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE PENNSYLVANIA 1. SB 3. Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would allow Pennsylvania to opt out of abortion funding allowed under the national health care law. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and supports this bill. The Senate passed this bill by a vote on June 7, 2011 by a vote of HB 761. Tax Reform. This bill greatly expands school choice programs in Pennsylvania and eliminates the Death Tax and Realty Transfer Tax for family farms. ACU supports school choice. ACU supports the complete elimination of the Death Tax but supports this bill as a first step. The bill passed the Senate on June 29, 2012 by a vote of HB 934. Voting Integrity. This bill requires a photo ID for proof of identification when voting. ACU supports strengthening the integrity of the voting process and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on March 7, 201 by a vote of HB Impact of Regulations. This bill requires an impact statement for regulations that may have an adverse effect on small business and judicial review for aggrieved small businesses. ACU supports regulatory reform and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 19, 2012 by a vote of HB This amendment to the Oil and Gas Act bill would substantially raise taxes on drilling for oil and natural gas above what the original bill proposed. ACU opposes tax increases which would discourage domestic energy production and opposes this amendment. The amendment failed in the Senate on December 14, 2011 by a vote of SB 1. Education Reform. This bill expands school choice in Pennsylvania by allowing lower income families whose children are in low performing schools to obtain scholarships that can be used in private as well as public schools among other provisions. ACU supports school choice and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on October 26, 2011 by a vote of SB 263. Regulatory Reform. This bill requires regulatory agencies to inform the public through the Independent Regulatory Review Commission data that was used to formulate regulations. The agency must prove the acceptability of the data and the Commission must take this information into consideration when deciding to approve a regulation. ACU supports increased government accountability and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 6, 2011 by a vote of SB Unemployment Compensation Reform. This bill allows the state to pay its $4.5 billion debt to the federal government for unemployment compensation while increasing the basic requirements for workers to receive unemployment compensation. ACU supports fiscal responsibility in government programs and supports this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 5, 2012 by a vote of

15 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 SENATE VOTES SB 3 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 HB 1950 SB 1 SB 263 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party ALLOWAY R % ARGALL R % BAKER R % Blake D % Boscola D % Brewster D % BROWNE R % BRUBAKER R % CORMAN R % Costa D % Dinniman D % EARLL R X X % EICHELBERGER R % ERICKSON R % Farnese D % Ferlo D % FOLMER R % Fontana D % GORDNER R % GREENLEAF R % Hughes D % Kasunic D % Kitchen D % Leach D % MCILHINNEY R % MENSCH R % PICCOLA R % PILEGGI R % PIPPY R X + X + X % RAFFERTY R % ROBBINS 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 15

16 PENNSYLVANIA 2012 SENATE VOTES SB 3 HB 761 HB 934 HB 1349 HB 1950 SB 1 SB 263 SB 1310 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party SCARNATI R % Schwank D % SMUCKER R % Solobay D % Stack D % Tartaglione D % TOMLINSON R % VANCE R % VOGEL R % WARD R % Washington D % WAUGH R % WHITE, D R % WHITE, M R % Williams D % Wozinak D % YAW R % Yudichak D % + 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 16

18 Save the Date March 14 th - 16 th CPAC is a project of conservative.org

20 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

2014 RATINGS of PENNSYLVANIA

2014 RATINGS of PENNSYLVANIA Conservative @Conservative Conservative.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the Chairman 2 PA Senate Vote Descriptions 5 & F Board Members 3 PA Senate Scores 6 How We Selected