MISSOURI 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

Transcription

1 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE MISSOURI The American Conservative Union is taking our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the third year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in fifteen critical states, including Colorado, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding 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 MO House Vote Descriptions... 6 House Scores... 8 MO Senate Vote Descriptions...14 Senate Scores...16 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 January 9, 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 Missouri General Assembly. 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 Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman our nation. Last year we brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, rating members in fifteen legislatures. I am pleased to report that this year we will score 20 states. This is part of the ACU plan to bring our ratings to all 50 states -- scoring every legislature in every state, every cycle. 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 How We Selected the 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE MISSOURI The American Conservative Union is taking our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the third year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in fifteen critical states, including Colorado, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding 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. 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. Conservatives of the Missouri General Assembly Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the Missouri General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Missouri Senate: Brown Nieves Schmitt Missouri House of Representatives: Bahr Burlison Cierpiot Cookson Cornejo Cox Elmer Gatschenberger Haahr Hicks C. Jones T. Jones Keeney Koenig Parkinson Rhoads Richardson Ross Spencer 4

5 ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the Missouri General Assembly who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Missouri Senate: Emery Kraus Lager Lamping Libla Parson Pearce Romine Sater Schaefer Silvey Missouri House of Representatives: Allen Fitzpatrick Anderson Flanigan Austin Franklin Bernskoetter Frederick Berry Funderbunk Brattin Gosen Brown Grisamore K. Conway Guernsey Crawford Haefner Cross Hinson Curtman Hoskins Davis Houghton Diehl Hurst Dohrman Johnson Dugger Justus Engler Kelley Kolkmeyer Korman Lair Lant Leara Lichtenegger Love Lynch Miller Moon Morris Muntzel Neth Pike Pogue Rehder Reiboldt Remole Riddle Rowland Scharnhorst Schatz Shull Shumake Sommer Stream Swan Wieland Wilson True Liberals of the Show-Me State True Liberals of the Show-Me State are those members of the Missouri General Assembly who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings. Missouri Senate: None Missouri House of Representatives: Burns Dunn Hummel LaFaver McCann Beatty McDonald Meredith Mims Montecillo Morgan Nichols Otto Peters Pierson Swearingen Walton Gray Webber 5

6 Missouri House Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE MISSOURI 1. HB 253 Tax Cut. This bill makes broad reforms to the state s tax code and includes a modest reduction in the state income tax. ACU supports both tax reform and relief and supported this bill. After the Governor s veto, ACU supported the attempt to override the veto, but the override attempt failed on September 11, 2013 by a vote of 94-67, as a two-thirds vote was required. 2. SB 29 Employee Rights. This bill requires the written consent of employees before labor unions can withhold fees from public employee paychecks. The employee must also authorize the amount of the fees used for political contributions. ACU supports strengthening employee rights and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on May 13, 2013 by a vote of 85-69, but it was vetoed by the Governor. 3. SB 126 Conscience Protections. This bill preserves the right of Missouri licensed pharmacies to not carry or maintain an inventory of any specific drug or device. ACU supports conscience protections and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on May 7, 2013 by a vote of SJR 16 Tax Increase. This resolution proposes a referendum to raise the state sales and use tax by one percent for ten years to pay for transportation programs. ACU opposes tax increases for increased spending and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 14, 2013 by a vote of HB 436 Second Amendment Rights. This bill would nullify federal laws that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House voted to override the Governor s veto of the bill on September 11, 2013 by a vote of HB 278 Freedom of Speech. This bill prohibits local governments from banning or restricting the practice, mention, celebration or discussion of any federal holiday. ACU supports strengthening free speech rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 17, 2013 by a vote of HB 400 Abortion Drugs. This bill sets requirements for the administration of the abortion-inducing drugs, including RU-486. It must occur in the presence of a physician with a follow-up by the same physician. ACU supports restrictions on abortion and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on May 13, 2013 by a vote of HB 631 Education Reform. This bill reforms the teacher tenure law to require four years of consecutive ratings of effective or highly effective and requires a loss of tenure after an ineffective rating. The bill also replaces the last in, first out rule of layoffs with performance-based decisions. ACU has long supported these reforms and supported this bill. The bill was defeated in the House on April 10, 2013 by a vote of HJR 17 Spending Caps. This proposed constitutional amendment limits the amount appropriations can be increased from year to year and shifts to a formula based by inflation and population growth. ACU supports fiscal responsibility and a limit on the growth of government and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on May 15, 2013 by a vote of

7 10. SB 28 Unemployment Benefits. This bill tightens the standard for losing unemployment benefits due to misconduct. It changes the definition from wanton or willful disregard of the employer s interest to knowing disregard and knowing disregard of standards. ACU supports labor law reform and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on February 14, 2013 by a vote of SB 350 Tax Credit. This bill eliminates the renter s portion of the senior citizens tax credit that was originally meant as help to keep seniors in their homes. ACU supports this fiscally sound reform and supported this bill. The bill passed the House on May 9, 2013 by a vote of

8 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District ALLEN R % ANDERS D % ANDERSON R % AUSTIN R % BAHR R % BARNES R % BERNSKOETTER R X % BERRY R % BLACK D % BRATTIN R % BROWN R % BURLISON R % BURNS D % BUTLER D % CARPENTER D % CIERPIOT R X % COLONA D X % CONWAY, K. R % CONWAY, P. D % COOKSON R % CORNEJO R 64 + X % COX R % CRAWFORD R % CROSS R % CURTIS D % CURTMAN R X % DAVIS R % DIEHL R % DOHRMAN R % DUGGER R % DUNN D % ELLINGER 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 8

9 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District ELLINGTON D % ELMER R % ENGLER R % ENGLISH D X - - X % ENGLUND D % ENTLICHER R % FITZPATRICK R % PITZWATER R % FLANIGAN R 163% % FOWLER R % FRAKER R % FRAME D % FRANKLIN R % FREDERICK R % FUNDERBUNK R X % GANNON R X X % GARDNER D % GATSCHENBERGER R X % GOSEN R % GRISAMORE R X X % GUERNSEY R X % HAAHR R % HAEFNER R % HAMPTON R % HANSEN R % HARRIS D % HICKS R X % HIGDON R X X % HINSON R % HODGES D X % HOSKINS R % HOUGH 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 9

10 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District HOUGHTON R % HUBBARD D X % HUMMEL D % HURST R % JOHNSON R % JONES, C. R X % JONES, T. R % JUSTUS R % KEENEY R % KELLEY R % KELLY D 45 - X X X X % KIRKTON D % KOENIG R X % KOLKMEYER R % KORMAN R 42 + X % KRATKY D % LAFAVER D X % LAIR R % LANT R % LAUER R % LEARA R X % LICHTENEGGER R X % LOVE R % LYNCH R % MARSHAL R % MAY D % MAYFIELD D X % MCCAHERTY R % MCCANN BEATTY D % MCDONALD D X % MCGAUGH 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 10

11 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District MCKENNA D % MCMANUS D X X % MCNEIL D % MEREDITH D % MESSENGER R % MILLER R % MIMS D % MITTEN D % MOLENDORP R X % MONTECILLO D % MOON R X + X % MORGAN D % MORRIS R % MUNTZEL R % NEELY R % NETH R X % NEWMAN D 87 X X % NICHOLS D % NORR D % OTTO D X % PACE D X % PARKINSON R X % PETERS D X - X % PFAUTSCH R 33 - X % PHILLIPS R X % PIERSON D % PIKE R % POGUE R % REDMON R X - + X + X % REHDER R % REIBOLDT R % REMOLE 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 11

12 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District RHOADS R % RICHARDSON R % RIDDLE R % RIZZO D % ROORDA D X X % ROSS R % ROWDEN R % ROWLAND R % RUNIONS D % SCHARNHORST R X % SCHATZ R % SCHIEBER R % SCHIEFFER D 41% % SCHUPP D 88 - X % SHULL R X % SHUMAKE R X % SMITH, C. D X % SMITH, J. R 120 X X X X X + X X X X X 1 1 N/A SOLON R % SOMMER R % SPENCER R % STREAM R X % SWAN R % SWEARINGEN D % THOMSON R % TORPEY R % WALKER R % WALTON GRAY D 75 - X - X - X X - X % WEBB D % WEBBER D % WHITE 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 12

13 MISSOURI 2013 HOUSE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HJR 17 HB 631 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 126 SB 29 HB 253 Representative Name Party District WIELAND R % WILSON R % WOOD R X % WRIGHT D % ZERR 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 13

14 Missouri Senate Vote Descriptions 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE MISSOURI 1. SB 29 Employee Rights. This bill requires the written consent of employees before labor unions can withhold fees from public employee paychecks. The employee must also authorize the amount of the fees used for political contributions. ACU supports strengthening employee rights and supported this bill. The Senate overrode the Governor s veto on September 11, 2013 by a vote of SB 126 Conscience Protections. This bill preserves the right of Missouri licensed pharmacies to not carry or maintain an inventory of any specific drug or device. ACU supports conscience protections and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 4, 2013 by a vote of SB 297 Utility Surcharge. This bill expands the ability of water corporations to add surcharges for favored projects from St. Louis County to the rest of the state and adds to the types of projects for which surcharges can be imposed. It also allows the utilities to avoid passing along depreciation savings to customers. ACU opposes these anti-ratepayer measures and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on April 16, 2013 by a vote of SJR 16 Tax Increase. This resolution proposes a referendum to raise the state sales and use tax by one percent for ten years to pay for transportation programs. ACU opposes tax increases for increased spending and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on March 14, 2013 by a vote of HB 436 Second Amendment Rights. This bill would nullify federal laws that infringe on the right to keep and bear arms. ACU supports strengthening Second Amendment rights and supported this bill. The Senate failed to override the Governor s veto on September 11, 2013 by a vote of 22-12, as a two-thirds vote was necessary. 6. HB 278 Freedom of Speech. This bill prohibits local governments from banning or restricting the practice, mention, celebration or discussion of any federal holiday. ACU supports strengthening free speech rights and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 17, 2013 by a vote of HB 400 Abortion Drugs. This bill sets requirements for the administration of the abortion-inducing drugs, including RU-486. It must occur in the presence of a physician with a follow-up by the same physician. ACU supports restrictions on abortion and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 7, 2013 by a vote of SB 28 Unemployment Benefits. This bill tightens the standard for losing unemployment benefits due to misconduct. It changes the definition from wanton or willful disregard of the employer s interest to knowing disregard and knowing disregard of standards. ACU supports labor law reform and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on February 14, 2013 by a vote of

15 9. SB 350 Tax Credit. This bill eliminates the renter s portion of the senior citizens tax credit that was originally meant as help to keep seniors in their homes. ACU supports this fiscally sound reform and supported this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 2, 2013 by a vote of

16 MISSOURI 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 297 SB 126 SB 29 Senator Name Party District BROWN R % CHAPPELLE-NADAL D X % CUNNINGHAM R % CURLS D X % DEMPSEY R % DIXON R E % EMERY R % HOLSMAN D E % JUSTUS D X % KEAVENY D X % KEHOE R % KRAUS R % LAGER R % LAMPING R % LEVOTA D % LIBLA R % MCKENNA D 22 - E % MUNZLINGER R % NASHEED D % NIEVES R X % PARSON R % PEARCE R % RICHARD R % ROMINE R 3 X % RUPP R X X % SATER R % SCHAAF R % SCHAEFER R % SCHMITT R % SIFTON D % SILVEY R % WALLINGFORD 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 16 16

17 MISSOURI 2013 SENATE VOTES Cast ACU % ACU SB 350 SB 28 HB 400 HB 278 HB 436 SJR 16 SB 297 SB 126 SB 29 Senator Name Party District WALSH D X % WASSON 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 17

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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