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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, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to twenty states.
ACU first began rating members of Congress in 1971. 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, 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 is-sues 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. Eventu-ally we will bring our ratings to all fifty states -- scoring every legislature in every state, every year.
American Conservative Union • 1331 H St. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005 • (202) 347-9388 • conservative.org
Table of Contents
ACU Board Members
A Letter From The Chairman
How We Selected the Votes
Conservative All-Stars
MN House Vote Descriptions
House Scores
MN Senate Vote Descriptions
Senate Scores
2
3
4
4
6
8
13
15
2013
STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGSGUIDE
MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
22
Al Cardenas (Chairman)Thomas S. Winter (First Vice Chairman) Donald Devine (Second Vice Chairman) Becky Norton Dunlop (Treasurer)Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr. (Secretary)Joe BastJeffrey BellMorton C. Blackwell Ambassador John BoltonFloyd BrownMuriel ColemanDr. Larry Eastland Paul EricksonCarly FiorinaCharlie GerowAlan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr.
Asa HutchinsonDavid A. Keene Suhail A. KhanJames V. LacyMichael R. Long Honorable Serphin Maltese Carolyn D. Meadows Cleta Mitchell Joseph A. MorrisGrover G. NorquistRon RobinsonAllen RothMatt SchlappFred L. Smith, Jr.Lewis K. Uhler Kirby Wilbur
ACU Board Members
Carly Fiorina (Chairman)Van D. Hipp, Jr. (Treasurer)Carolyn D. Meadows (Secretary)Al CardenasAmy Noone FrederickTim Goeglein
Millie HallowColin A. HannaDavid KeeneRobert LuddyAmbassador Roger F. NoriegaThomas S. Winter
ACU Foundation Board Members
3
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 347-9388 Fax: (202) 347-9389www.conservative.org
November 21, 2013
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 Minnesota State 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. 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 2009. 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 CardenasChairman, the American Conservative Union
Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman
4
MINNESOTA
2013STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE
How We Selected the VotesThe 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 Legisla-tors in fifteen critical states, including Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to twenty states.
ACU first began rating members of Congress in 1971. 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 Minnesota State Legislature Defenders of LibertyACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the Minnesota State Legislature who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings and cast a vote for each adjudicated vote.
AlbrightM. AndersonP. AndersonS. AndersonBeardM. BensonDaudtDeanDettmer
DrazkowskiS. EricksonFabianFransonGreenGruenhagenHackbarthHertausHolberg
HoppeB. JohnsonLeidigerLohmerMyhraNewbergerNornesO’DriscollPeppin
PetersburgPughQuamRunbeckScottSwedzinskiWills
B. AndersonBensonBrownChamberlainFischbach
GazelkaHallHannHousleyIngebrigtsen
KiffmeyerLimmerNewmanNienowOrtman
OsmekPratt SenjemThompson
Minnesota House of Representatives:
Minnesota Senate:
5
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
ACU Conservatives
True Liberals of the North Star StateTrue Liberals of the North Star State are those members of the Minnesota State Legislature who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings.
BakkCarlsonChampionCohenDibbleDziedzicEaton
EkenGoodwinHawjHaydenA. JohnsonLoureyMarty
MetzenPappasReinertSaxhaugSchmitSheranSieben
SkoeTomassoniTorres RayWigerWiklund
Minnesota Senate:
BarrettCornishDavidsFitzSimmonsGarofaloGuntherHowe
KellyKiefferKielKreshaLoonMackMcDonald
McNamaraO’NeillSandersSchomackerTheisTorkelsonUglem
UrdahlWoodardZellersZerwas
Minnesota House of Representatives:
AnzelcAtkinsJ. BensonBernardyCarlson, Sr.DehnFalkFreiberg
HausmanHilstromHornsteinHortmanC. JohnsonS. JohnsonKahnLaine
LenczewskiLeschMarianiMelinMorganPaymarPersellRadinovich
SimonSimonsonSlocumSundinThissen
Minnesota House of Representatives:
ACU Conservatives are those members of the Minnesota State Legislature who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2013 State Legislative Ratings.
Dahms Miller
J. PedersonB. Petersen
RosenRuud
Weber
Minnesota Senate:
6
MINNESOTA
2013STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE
Minnesota House Vote Descriptions1. HF 5 Obamacare Insurance Exchange Implementation. This bill set up a state health insurance exchange that
ostensibly will be run by the state but under the Obamacare law will be under the control of the federal govern-ment. ACU opposes state participation in these insurance exchanges that will burden taxpayers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 14, 2013 by a vote of 72-61.
2. HF 1054 Same Sex Marriage. This bill redefines marriage to allow same sex couples to marry in the state of Minnesota. ACU supports the definition of traditional marriage between one man and one woman and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 9, 2013 by a vote of 75-59.
3. SF 778 Forced Unionization. This bill forces independent home-based child care providers to hold union elec-tions potentially forcing thousands of small business owners to pay compulsory union dues or fair share fees. ACU supports the right of child care providers to work without joining a union or paying union dues and op-posed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 20, 2013 by a vote of 68-66.
4. Amendment to HF 677 Omnibus Tax Bill - Property Tax Relief. This amendment to the 2013 Omnibus tax bill would give property tax relief by increasing the Homestead Credit and pay for it by reducing the large increase in state aid to major cities provided in the bill. ACU supports this type of tax relief and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on April 24, 2013 by a vote of 65-67.
5. HF 677 Omnibus Tax Bill – Tax Increase. This bill raises taxes by over $2 billion, gives Minnesota the fourth highest top rate in the country, the sixth highest cigarette tax and expands sales taxes to many business to busi-ness services including the warehouse tax and tax on farm equipment. ACU opposes these tax increases to pay for more government spending and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 19, 2013 by a vote of 69-65.
6. HF 9 Expansion of Medical Assistance under Obamacare. This bill expands the Medical Assistance program as part of the Obamacare program, increasing the income threshold to qualify. ACU opposes this expansion that will impose a future burden in Minnesota taxpayers by the federal government for a program that is riddled with waste and abuse and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on February 11, 2013 by a vote of 71-56.
7. Amendment to HF 630 Omnibus K-12 Education Policy and Finance - Religious Liberty. This amendment to HF 630 would assure that a public school district would not discriminate against parents or students on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression. ACU supports this protection of religious liberty and sup-ported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on April 23, 2013 by a vote of 61-72.
8. HF 630 Omnibus K-12 Education Policy and Finance. This bill provides for permanent increases in state spending on education funded by increased taxes while reducing graduation requirements and providing few reforms to the system. ACU opposes increased spending and taxes to solve our education problems and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 18, 2013 by a vote of 78-56.
7
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
9. HF 976 Environment and Natural Resources. This bill increased permanent spending and included numer-ous fee increases as well as the establishment of new fees. The ACU opposes permanent spending increases and opposes government increasing revenue through the use of fees. The bill passed the House on May 18, 2013 by a vote of 71-60
10. SF 489 Omnibus Pensions Bill. This bill provides bailouts for the Duluth and St. Paul teachers’ pension funds and May 3, 2013. ACU opposes these bailouts that do nothing to solve the fundamental problems facing public employee pensions and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 18, 2013 by a vote of 78-53.
11. HF 729 Omnibus Jobs Bill. This bill is a state level “stimulus” bill that allows government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace, adds solar power mandates that drive up the cost of electricity, and provides a bailout for the St. Paul RiverCentre convention center. ACU opposes this type of government interference in the mar-ketplace and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on May 15, 2013 by a vote of 73-59.
12. HF 799 Electoral College. This bill would enter Minnesota in a compact with other states to cast Minnesota’s electoral votes for the winner of the national popular vote for president, regardless of the majority vote within Minnesota. ACU opposes this proposal that works against our federal system of government and deprives the people of Minnesota a say on the presidential election and so opposed this bill. The House defeated the bill on May 8, 2013 by a vote of 62-71.
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
8 8
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
677
HF 9
HF 6
30
(Rel
igio
us
Libe
rty
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29HF
799
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Repr
esen
tativ
e Na
me
Party
ABEL
ERR
++
++
++
+-
X-
+-
811
73%
ALBR
IGHT
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Alle
nD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
ANDE
RSON
, M.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
ANDE
RSON
, P.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
ANDE
RSON
, S.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Anze
lcD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Atki
nsD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
BARR
ETT
R+
++
++
++
-+
++
+11
1292
%
BEAR
DR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Bens
on, J
.D
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
BENS
ON, M
.R
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Bern
ardy
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Bly
D-
--
--
--
-X
-X
+1
1010
%
Bryn
aert
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Carls
on, S
r.D
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Clar
kD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
CORN
ISH
R+
++
++
++
++
-+
-10
1283
%
DAUD
TR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
DAVI
DSR
++
++
++
+-
+-
++
1012
83%
Davn
ieD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
DEAN
R+
++
X+
++
++
++
+11
1110
0%
Dehn
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
DETT
MER
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Dill
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Dorh
olt
D-
--
+-
--
--
--
-1
128%
DRAZ
KOW
SKI
RE
++
++
++
++
++
+11
1110
0%
Erha
rdt
D-
--
-+
--
--
--
-1
128%
Eric
kson
, R.
D-
--
+-
--
--
--
-1
128%
ERIC
KSON
, S.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 H
OU
SE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
9
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
677
HF 9
HF 6
30
(Rel
igio
us
Libe
rty
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29HF
799
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Repr
esen
tativ
e Na
me
Party
FABI
ANR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Falk
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Faus
tD
--
+-
--
--
+-
--
212
17%
Fisc
her
D-
--
+-
--
--
--
-1
128%
FITZ
SIM
MON
SR
+-
++
++
++
++
+-
1012
83%
FRAN
SON
R+
++
++
X+
++
++
+11
1110
0%
Frei
berg
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Fritz
D-
+-
--
--
--
--
-1
128%
GARO
FALO
R+
-+
++
++
++
++
-10
1283
%
GREE
NR
++
++
++
++
++
X+
1111
100%
GRUE
NHAG
ENR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
GUNT
HER
R+
++
++
++
++
--
+10
1283
%
HACK
BART
HR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Halv
erso
nD
+-
--
+-
--
--
--
212
17%
HAM
ILTO
NR
++
+-
++
++
+-
+-
912
75%
Hans
enD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Haus
man
D-
--
--
--
--
--
X0
110%
HERT
AUS
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Hils
trom
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
HOLB
ERG
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
HOPP
ER
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Horn
stei
nD
--
--
--
--
-X
--
011
0%
Hortm
anD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
HOW
ER
++
++
++
++
++
+-
1112
92%
Hunt
ley
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Isaa
cson
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
JOHN
SON,
B.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
John
son,
C.
D-
--
--
X-
--
--
-0
110%
John
son,
S.
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Kahn
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 H
OU
SE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
10
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
677
HF 9
HF 6
30
(Rel
igio
us
Libe
rty
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29HF
799
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Repr
esen
tativ
e Na
me
Party
KELL
YR
++
++
++
++
++
+-
1112
92%
KIEF
FER
R+
-+
++
++
++
++
+11
1292
%
KIEL
R+
++
++
-+
++
++
+11
1292
%
KRES
HAR
++
++
++
++
++
+-
1112
92%
Lain
eD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
LEID
IGER
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Lenc
zews
kiD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Lesc
hD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Lieb
ling
D-
-+
--
--
--
--
+2
1217
%
Lien
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Lilli
eD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Loef
fler
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
LOHM
ERR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
LOON
R+
-+
++
++
++
++
+11
1292
%
MAC
KR
++
+X
++
++
++
+-
1011
91%
Mah
oney
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Mar
iani
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Mar
quar
tD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Mas
inD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
MCD
ONAL
DR
++
++
++
++
XX
+-
910
90%
McN
amar
D-
-+
--
--
--
--
-1
128%
MCN
AMAR
AR
++
++
++
++
+-
+-
1012
83%
Mel
inD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Met
saD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Mor
anD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Mor
gan
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Mul
lery
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
Mur
phy,
E.D
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
Mur
phy,
M.
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
MYH
RAR
++
++
++
++
+X
++
1111
100%
Nels
onD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 H
OU
SE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
11
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
677
HF 9
HF 6
30
(Rel
igio
us
Libe
rty
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29HF
799
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Repr
esen
tativ
e Na
me
Party
NEW
BERG
ERR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Newt
onD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
NORN
ESR
++
++
+X
++
++
++
1111
100%
Norto
nD
--
+-
--
--
--
--
112
8%
O'DR
ISCO
LLR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
O'NE
ILL
R+
++
++
++
++
++
-11
1292
%
Paym
arD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Pelo
wski
, Jr.
D-
-+
--
--
--
--
+2
1217
%
PEPP
INR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Pers
ell
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
PETE
RSBU
RGR
++
++
++
E+
++
++
1111
100%
Popp
eD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
PUGH
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
QUAM
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Radi
novi
chD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Rose
ntha
lD
--
--
+-
--
--
--
112
8%
RUNB
ECK
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
SAND
ERS
R+
++
++
++
++
++
-11
1292
%
Savi
ckD
--
-+
--
--
--
-+
212
17%
Sawa
tzky
D-
+-
--
-+
--
--
-2
1217
%
Scho
enD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
SCHO
MAC
KER
R+
++
++
++
++
++
-11
1292
%
SCOT
TR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Selc
erD
--
--
+-
--
--
--
112
8%
Sim
onD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Sim
onso
nD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Sloc
umD
--
--
-X
--
--
--
011
0%
Sund
inD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
SWED
ZINS
KIR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
THEI
SR
++
++
+X
++
++
+-
1011
91%
This
sen
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 H
OU
SE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
12
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
677
HF 9
HF 6
30
(Rel
igio
us
Libe
rty
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29HF
799
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Repr
esen
tativ
e Na
me
Party
TORK
ELSO
NR
++
++
++
++
++
+-
1112
92%
UGLE
MR
++
++
++
+-
++
+-
1012
83%
URDA
HLR
++
++
++
+-
++
++
1112
92%
Wag
eniu
sD
--
--
-X
--
--
-+
111
9%
War
d, Jo
Ann
D-
--
+-
--
--
--
-1
128%
War
d, Jo
hnD
--
-+
--
--
--
--
112
8%
WIL
LSR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Win
kler
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
WOO
DARD
R+
++
++
++
++
++
-11
1292
%
Yaru
sso
D-
--
+-
--
--
--
+2
1217
%
ZELL
ERS
R+
++
++
X+
++
++
-10
1191
%
ZERW
ASR
++
++
++
++
++
+-
1112
92%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 H
OU
SE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
13
MINNESOTA
2013STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE
Minnesota Senate Vote Descriptions1. HF 5 Obamacare Insurance Exchange Implementation. This bill set up a state health insurance exchange
that ostensibly will be run by the state but under the Obamacare law will be under the control of the federal government. ACU opposes state participation in these insurance exchanges that will burden taxpayers and op-posed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 18, 2013 by a vote of 39-28.
2. HF 1054 Same Sex Marriage. This bill redefines marriage to allow same sex couples to marry in the state of Minnesota. ACU supports the definition of traditional marriage between one man and one woman and op-posed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 13, 2013 by a vote of 37-30.
3. SF 778 Forced Unionization. This bill forces independent home-based child care providers to hold union elections potentially forcing thousands of small business owners to pay compulsory union dues or fair share fees. ACU supports the right of child care providers to work without joining a union or paying union dues and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 15, 2013 by a vote of 35-32.
4. Amendment to HF 677 Omnibus Tax Bill - Property Tax Relief. This amendment to the 2013 Omnibus tax bill would give property tax relief by increasing the Homestead Credit and pay for it by reducing the large increase in state aid to major cities provided in the bill. ACU supports this type of tax relief and supported this amendment. The amendment failed in the Senate on April 29, 2013 by a vote of 28-39.
5. HF 9 Expansion of Medical Assistance under Obamacare. This bill expands the Medical Assistance pro-gram as part of the Obamacare program, increasing the income threshold to qualify. ACU opposes this expan-sion that will impose a future burden in Minnesota taxpayers by the federal government for a program that is riddled with waste and abuse and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on February 14, 2013 by a vote of 45-22.
6. Amendment to HF 630 Omnibus K-12 Education Policy and Finance - Education Standards. This amendment to the Omnibus K-12 education policy and finance bill would retain minimum score standards on statewide exams for high school graduation eliminated in the bill. ACU supports these standards and sup-ported this amendment. The Senate defeated the amendment on April 25, 2013 by a vote of 31-34.
7. HF 630 Omnibus K-12 Education Policy and Finance. This bill provides for permanent increases in state spending on education funded by increased taxes while reducing graduation requirements and providing few reforms to the system. ACU opposes increased spending and taxes to solve our education problems and op-posed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 19, 2013 by a vote of 41-26.
8. HF 976 Environment and Natural Resources. This bill increased permanent spending and included numer-ous fee increases as well as the establishment of new fees. The ACU opposes permanent spending increases and opposes government increasing revenue through the use of fees. The bill passed the Senate on May 18, 2013 by a vote of 42-23.
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
14 14
9. SF 489 Omnibus Pensions Bill. This bill provides bailouts for the Duluth and St. Paul teachers’ pension funds. ACU opposes these bailouts that do nothing to solve the fundamental problems facing public employee pensions and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 17, 2013 by a vote of 38-27.
10. HF 729 Omnibus Jobs Bill. This bill is a state level “stimulus” bill that allows government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace, adds solar power mandates that drive up the cost of electricity, and provides a bailout for the St. Paul RiverCentre convention center. ACU opposes this type of government interference in the marketplace and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 16, 2013 by a vote of 40-27.
11. SF 339 Second Amendment Rights. This resolution urges the President and Congress to respect and not violate the Second Amendment constitutional right to bear arms. ACU strongly supports Second Amendment rights and supported this resolution. The Senate defeated a motion to allow a floor vote on the resolution on February 21, 2013 by a vote of 26-38. ACU supported the motion.
12. SF 1589 Legislative Pay Raise. The Senate version of the State Government Finance Bill included a 35 percent pay raise for legislators that would then be automatically increased annually by indexing the salary to inflation. ACU opposed this pay increase at a time of massive tax increases to pay for a budget shortfall and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on April 16, 2013 by a vote of 34-32 but the pay increase was removed from the final version of the bill.
15
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGSM
INN
ESO
TA 2
013
SEN
ATE
VO
TES
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
9
HF 6
30
(Edu
catio
n St
anda
rds
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29SF
339
SF 1
589
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Sena
tor N
ame
Party
ANDE
RSON
, B.
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Bakk
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
BENS
ONR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Bono
ffD
--
+-
-+
--
--
--
212
17%
BROW
NR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Carls
onD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
CHAM
BERL
AIN
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Cham
pion
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Clau
sen
D-
-+
--
--
--
--
+2
1217
%
Cohe
nD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Dahl
eD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
DAHM
SR
++
++
-+
++
++
++
1112
92%
Dibb
leD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Dzie
dzic
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Eato
nD
--
--
-X
--
--
--
011
0%
Eken
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
FISC
HBAC
HR
++
++
++
++
++
X+
1111
100%
Fran
zen
D-
-+
--
--
--
--
-1
128%
GAZE
LKA
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Good
win
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
HALL
R+
++
++
++
E+
++
+11
1110
0%
HANN
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Hawj
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Hayd
enD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Hoffm
anD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
HOUS
LEY
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
INGE
BRIG
TSEN
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Jens
enD
--
--
--
--
--
-+
112
8%
John
son,
A.
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Kent
D-
--
--
--
--
--
+1
128%
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
16
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
9
HF 6
30
(Edu
catio
n St
anda
rds
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29SF
339
SF 1
589
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Sena
tor N
ame
Party
KIFF
MEY
ERR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Koen
enD
-+
--
-X
--
--
--
111
9%
Latz
D-
--
--
+-
--
--
-1
128%
LIM
MER
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Lour
eyD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Mar
tyD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Met
zen
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
MIL
LER
R+
++
+-
++
-+
++
X9
1182
%
NELS
ONR
++
++
-+
--
++
++
912
75%
NEW
MAN
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
NIEN
OWR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
ORTM
ANR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
OSM
EKR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Papp
asD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
PEDE
RSON
, J.
R+
++
+-
+-
++
++
+10
1283
%
PETE
RSEN
, B.
R+
-+
++
++
+X
++
+10
1191
%
PRAT
TR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Rein
ert
D-
--
--
--
--
-X
-0
110%
Rest
D-
--
--
++
X-
--
-2
1118
%
ROSE
NR
++
++
-+
++
++
X+
1011
91%
RUUD
R+
++
++
++
-+
++
+11
1292
%
Saxh
aug
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Scal
zeD
--
+-
--
--
--
--
112
8%
Schm
itD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
SENJ
EMR
++
++
++
++
++
++
1212
100%
Sher
anD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Sieb
enD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Skoe
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
Spar
ksD
-+
--
--
--
X-
--
111
9%
Stum
pfD
-+
--
--
--
--
--
112
8%
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 SE
NA
TE V
OTE
S
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
17
MINNESOTA 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS
HF 5
HF 1
054
SF 7
78
HF 6
77
(Pro
perty
Ta
x Rel
ief
Amdt
.)HF
9
HF 6
30
(Edu
catio
n St
anda
rds
Amdt
.)HF
630
HF 9
76SF
489
HF 7
29SF
339
SF 1
589
ACU
Vote
sVo
tes C
ast
ACU
%
Sena
tor N
ame
Party
THOM
PSON
R+
++
++
++
++
++
+12
1210
0%
Tom
asso
niD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Torr
es R
ayD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
WEB
ERR
++
++
-+
++
++
++
1112
92%
WES
TROM
R+
++
++
+-
-+
-+
+9
1275
%
Wig
erD
--
--
--
--
--
--
012
0%
Wik
lund
D-
--
--
--
--
--
-0
120%
+ in
favo
r of t
he A
CU p
ositi
on; -
in op
posit
ion to
the A
CU p
ositi
on; (
+) a
nnou
ncem
ent i
n fa
vor o
f the
ACU
pos
ition
; (-)
ann
ounc
emen
t in
oppo
sition
to th
e ACU
pos
ition
; X d
id no
t vot
e; I
Ineli
gible
to vo
te; E
Exc
used
abs
ence
; P vo
ted
pres
ent
MIN
NES
OTA
201
3 SE
NA
TE V
OTE
S
2013
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 www.conservative.org.
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