NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

Transcription

1 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY 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 NJ Assembly Vote Descriptions... 6 House Scores... 8 NJ Senate Vote Descriptions...11 Senate Scores...13 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 6, 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 New Jersey Legislature. 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 NEW JERSEY Conservatives of the New Jersey Legislature Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. New Jersey Senate: Doherty Oroho O Toole Pennacchio New Jersey Assembly: Angelini Bramnick Bucco, Tony M. Carroll Casagrande Clifton DiMaio Gove Handlin McGuckin Munoz O Scanlon, Jr. Peterson Rumana Russo Schroeder Simon Webber ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. New Jersey Senate: Addiego Bateman Beck Bucco, Anthony R. Cardinale Connors Holzapfel Kean, Jr., Thomas Kyrillos, Jr. Thompson New Jersey Assembly: Ciattarelli Dancer DeCroce Kean, Sean McHose Rible Rudder Rumpf Schepisi Space Wolfe 4

5 True Liberals of the Garden State True Liberals of the Garden State are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. New Jersey Senate: Beach Buono Codey Cunningham Gill Gordon Greenstein Lesniak Madden, Jr. Norcross Pou Rice Ruiz Sarlo Scutari Smith Stack Sweeney Turner Vitale Weinberg Whelan New Jersey Assembly: Barnes, III Benson Burzichelli Caputo Caride Chivukula Conaway, Jr. Connors Coughlin Cryan DeAngelo Diegnan, Jr. Egan Eustace Fuentes Giblin Green Greenwald Gusciora Jasey Jimenez Johnson Lampitt Mainor McKeon Moriarity Mosquera O Donnell Oliver Prieto Quijano Ramos, Jr. Riley Schaer Singleton Spencer Stender Sumter Tucker Vainieri Huttle Wagner Watson Coleman Wilson Wimberly Wisniewski 5

6 New Jersey Assembly Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY 1. A 3206 Tax Credit Increase. This bill includes a 50 percent increase in the Neighborhood Revitalization State Tax Credit program with no offsetting budget cuts. ACU opposes budget-busting bills that are passed outside the normal budget process and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 25, 2012 by a vote of A 4182 Second Amendment Rights. This bill creates a defacto gun registry by linking all firearm permits and law enforcement records regarding gun ownership into a digital card designed and maintained by the New Jersey State Police as well as a host of other state agencies, even though the technology to do this does not currently exist. ACU opposes diminishing Second Amendment rights and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 43-34, but was vetoed by the Governor. 3. A 3679 Project Labor Agreements. This bill revises the definition of public works projects to permit more project labor agreements. ACU opposes these agreements that serve to shut out non-union contractors and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on February 14, 2013 by a vote of 47-26, but was vetoed by the Governor. 4. A 3553 Early Voting Mandate. This bill would require local governments to set up early voting programs in addition to absentee ballots at their own expense. ACU opposes this type of unfunded mandate without local approval and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on March 21, 2013 by a vote of 46-31, but was vetoed by the Governor. 5. A 2974 Local Control of Education. This bill would allow five counties to take over food purchasing and all subcontracting for local school districts. ACU supports local control of education and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 50-27, but was vetoed by the Governor. 6. A 998 Privatization. This bill would add requirements to make it more difficult to privatize government services. ACU supports privatization efforts and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on May 20, 2013 by a vote of A 4233 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would implement the Obamacare Medicaid expansion program. ACU opposes this expansion of a government program rife with waste, fraud and abuse and that would burden on New Jersey taxpayers for many years to come. The bill passed the Assembly on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 46-32, but was vetoed by the Governor. 8. A 4172 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides $7.4 million in supplemental funding for family planning services, including organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortion procedures. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 45-29, but was vetoed by the Governor. 6

7 9. A 3668 State Investments. This bill would prohibit the state from investing its pension and annuity funds in companies that manufacture so-called assault weapons for civilian use. ACU opposes this type of attack on legitimate gun manufacturers and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on February 21, 2013 by a vote of 44-29, but was vetoed by the Governor. 10. A 3878 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to conduct a public awareness campaign about Obamacare s health insurance exchanges. ACU opposes using taxpayer funds to promote Obamacare and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on April 29, 2013 by a vote of 45-32, but was vetoed by the Governor. 11. A 4171 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would utilize a provision of Obamacare that allows the expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services for families with incomes at 200 percent of the poverty level. ACU opposes these programs that go around the regular budget process and allow taxpayer payments to organizations that provide abortion procedures and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 49-27, but was vetoed by the Governor. 12. A 1329 Gun Control. This bill reduces the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds. ACU opposes these types of measures that have done nothing to prevent violent crime and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on February 21, 2013 by a vote of A 3775 Labor Law. This bill would require employers to notify the Department of Labor when relocating a call center outside the United States and would make them ineligible for some state grant programs. ACU opposes this type of punitive regulation and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 20, 2013 by a vote of

8 NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES Cast ACU % ACU A 3775 A 1329 A 4171 A 3878 A 3668 A 4172 A 4233 A 998 A 2974 A 3553 A 3679 A 4182 A 3206 Assemblyman Name Party District ALBANO D X - - X % AMODEO R % ANDRZEJCZAK D 1 X + X X - - X % ANGELINI R % BARNES, III D X % BENSON D % BRAMNICK R % BROWN, C.A. R % BROWN, C.J. R X % BUCCO, T.M. R X % BURZICHELLI D X X - - X % CAPUTO D % CARIDE D % CARROLL R % CASAGRANDE R % CHIUSANO* R 24 + X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 1 N/A CHIVUKULA D % CIATTARELLI R X + X + + X + X % CLIFTON R % CONAWAY, JR. D % CONNORS D % COUGHLIN D % COUTINHO D 29 - X + - X - X % CRYAN D 20 - X % DANCER R X % DEANGELO D % DECROCE R % DIEGNAN, JR. D % DIMAIO R % EGAN D X % EUSTACE 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; P voted present; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 8

9 NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES Cast ACU % ACU A 3775 A 1329 A 4171 A 3878 A 3668 A 4172 A 4233 A 998 A 2974 A 3553 A 3679 A 4182 A 3206 Assemblyman Name Party District FUENTES D % GIBLIN D X X % GOVE R % GREEN D % GREENWALD D % GUSCIORA D % HANDLIN R % JASEY D % JIMENEZ D % JOHNSON D % KEAN, S. R % LAMPITT D X X % MAINOR D % MCGUCKIN R % MCHOSE R % MCKEON D % MILAM* D 1 - X - X X X X X + X X + X 2 4 N/A MORIARITY D % MOSQUERA D % MUNOZ R % O DONNELL D X - - X - X % O SCANLON, JR. R X % OLIVER D % PETERSON R % PRIETO D % QUIJANO D X - - X - X % RAMOS, JR. D % RIBLE R X % RILEY D X - - X % RUDDER R X - + X + X % RUMANA 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; P voted present; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 9

10 NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES Cast ACU % ACU A 3775 A 1329 A 4171 A 3878 A 3668 A 4172 A 4233 A 998 A 2974 A 3553 A 3679 A 4182 A 3206 Assemblyman Name Party District RUMPF R 9 X X X % RUSSO R % SCHAER D X % SCHEPISI R X + - X % SCHROEDER R % SIMON R % SINGLETON D % SPACE R 24 X + X X + + X % SPENCER D X X % STENDER D X % SUMTER D % TUCKER D 28 - X - X X - X % VAINIERI HUTTLE D % WAGNER D % WATSON COLEMAN D % WEBBER R % WILSON D % WIMBERLY D X % WISNIEWSKI D % WOLFE 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; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 10

11 New Jersey Senate Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY 1. S 2245 Tax Credit Increase. This bill includes a 50 percent increase in the Neighborhood Revitalization State Tax Credit program with no offsetting budget cuts. ACU opposes budget-busting bills that are passed outside the normal budget process and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on December 20, S 2723 Second Amendment Rights. This bill creates a defacto gun registry by linking all firearm permits and law enforcement records regarding gun ownership into a digital card designed and maintained by the New Jersey State Police, as well as a host of other state agencies, even though the technology to do this does not currently exist. ACU opposes diminishing Second Amendment rights and opposed the bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 30, 2013 by a vote of 23-17, but was vetoed by the Governor. 3. S 2425 Project Labor Agreements. This bill revises the definition of public works projects to permit more project labor agreements. ACU opposes these agreements that serve to shut out non-union contractors and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on January 14, 2013 by a vote of 23-13, but was vetoed by the Governor. 4. S 2364 Early Voting Mandate. This bill would require local governments to set up early voting programs in addition to absentee ballots at their own expense. ACU opposes this type of unfunded mandate without local approval and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on March 18, 2013 by a vote of 24-16, but was vetoed by the Governor. 5. S 1191 Local Control of Education. This bill would allow five counties to take over both food purchasing and all subcontracting for local school districts. ACU supports local control of education and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 27, 2013 by a vote of 25-10, but was vetoed by the Governor. 6. S 968 Privatization. This bill would add requirements to make it more difficult to privatize government services. ACU supports privatization efforts and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 13, 2013 by a vote of 21-12, but was vetoed by the Governor. 7. S 2644 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would implement the Obamacare Medicaid expansion program. ACU opposes this expansion of a government program rife with waste, fraud and abuse and that would burden on New Jersey taxpayers for many years to come. The Senate passed the bill on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 26-12, but was vetoed by the Governor. 8. S 2825 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides $7.4 million in supplemental funding for family planning services, including organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortion procedures. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 25-14, but was vetoed by the Governor. 11

12 9. S 2467 State Investments. This bill would prohibit the state from investing its pension and annuity funds in companies that manufacture so-called assault weapons for civilian use. ACU opposes this type of attack on legitimate gun manufacturers and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 30, 2013 by a vote of 23-17, but was vetoed by the Governor. 10. S 2673 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to conduct a public awareness campaign about Obamacare s health insurance exchanges. ACU opposes using taxpayer funds to promote Obamacare and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 27, 2013 by a vote of 23-15, but was vetoed by the Governor. 11. S 2824 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would utilize a provision of Obamacare that allows the expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services for families with incomes at 200 percent of the poverty level. ACU opposes these programs that go around the regular budget process and allow taxpayer payments to organizations that provide abortion procedures and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 31-6, but was vetoed by the Governor. 12. S 2188 Labor Law. This bill would require employers to notify the Department of Labor when relocating a call center outside the United States and would make them ineligible for some state grant programs. ACU opposes this type of punitive regulation and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on December 20, 2012 by a vote of 22-11, but was vetoed by the Governor. 12

13 NEW JERSEY 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU S 2188 S 2824 S 2673 S 2467 S 2825 S 2644 S 968 S 1191 S 2364 S 2425 S 2723 S 2245 Senator Name Party District ADDIEGO R 8 X + X X % ALLEN R X + + X - X X % BATEMAN R % BEACH D X % BECK R % BUCCO, A.R. R X X X % BUONO D 18 X % CARDINALE R X X % CODEY D % CONNORS R X X % CUNNINGHAM D % DOHERTY R X % GILL D % GORDON D % GREENSTEIN D % HOLZAPFEL R 10 X X X X X % KEAN, JR., T. R % KYRILLOS, JR. R 13 X X X % LESNIAK D % MADDEN, JR. D % NORCROSS D % OROHO R % O TOOLE R % PENNACCHIO R 26 X % POU D X % RICE D X X % RUIZ D % SACCO D % SARLO D X X % SCUTARI D % SINGER R % SMITH 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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 13

14 NEW JERSEY 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU S 2188 S 2824 S 2673 S 2467 S 2825 S 2644 S 968 S 1191 S 2364 S 2425 S 2723 S 2245 Senator Name Party District STACK D X X % SWEENEY D % THOMPSON R X % TURNER D % VAN DREW D X % VITALE D X % WEINBERG D % WHELAN 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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session 14

15 2013

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