RATINGS of MISSISSIPPIacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2019-06-25 · 2 AMERIC ONSERVA ATION’S 2018 Ratings of Mississippi Dear Fellow Conservative,

2018

Letter from the Chairman .......................................................2

ACU & ACUF Board Members ..............................................3

Selecting the Votes .......................................................................3

2018 Winners & Losers ................................................................4

MS Senate Statistics .....................................................................5

MS Senate Vote Descriptions .............................................. 6

MS Senate Scores .......................................................................... 8

MS House Statistics.................................................................... 10

MS House Vote Descriptions ................................................11

MS House Scores...........................................................................13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RATINGS of MISSISSIPPIRATINGS of MISSISSIPPI

ACUConservative @ACUFoundation | #ACURatings Conservative.org

2

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2018 Ratings of Mississippi

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2018 meeting of the Mississippi Legislature. Like our Ratings of Congress, which date back 47 years, our state ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy i.e., conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person, and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend Life, Liberty and Property).

Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. ACUF state ratings—launched in 2011 with ratings for five states—have become a nationally recognized resource for evaluating over 8,000 elected officials comprising each of America’s 99 state legislative chambers.

Each election cycle, citizens choose leaders whose vision for the state most closely matches their own, hoping that candidates’ promises will be kept. ACUF’s ratings measure whether those promises were fulfilled or forsaken. With nearly a decade of data on state legislators’ voting records and average scores for every legislative chamber, citizens in every state can assess how effectively their lawmakers have applied conservative philosophy to the role of government.

We at ACUF believe, as Ronald Reagan once said, that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We hope that by providing this unique tool, these ratings will empower Americans to exercise their right to protect our unique American democracy from tyranny.

Sincerely,

Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union Foundation

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

ACUConservative @ACUFoundation | #ACURatings Conservative.org

TO SEE MORE ACU RATINGS, PLEASE VISIT: acuratings.conservative.org

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SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Mississippi Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Mississippi’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow Vice Chairman

Carolyn D. Meadows 2nd Vice Chair

Bob Beauprez Treasurer

Ron Christie Secretary

Ed Yevoli At-Large

Dan Schneider Executive Director

ACUExecutive Committee

Jackie Arends

Larry Beasley

Kimberly Bellissimo

Morton C. Blackwell

Jamie Burke

José Cárdenas

Muriel Coleman

Sean Fieler

Alan M. Gottlieb

Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

Ed McFadden

Priscilla O’Shaughnessy

Ron Robinson

Mike Rose

Peter Samuelson

Sabrina Schaeffer

Terry Schilling

Matt Smith

Chris Turner

Bill Walton

Thomas Winter

Board Members

ACUFExecutive Committee

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chair

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary

Dan Schneider Executive Director

Board Members

José Cárdenas

Gordon Chang

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Niger Innis

Adam Laxalt

Willes K. Lee

Mary Matalin

Carolyn D. Meadows

Randy Neugebauer

Thomas Winter

The ACUF Legislative Ratings Team

Francis Finnegan

Larry Hart

Fred McGrath

Tyler Muench

Luke Schneider

4


2018 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

n/a

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

BOMGAR

CRISWELL

HOPKINS

SENATE

n/a

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

n/a

≤

SENATE

n/a

HOUSE

BROWN

FOSTER

HENLEY

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

5


MISSISSIPPI SENATE STATISTICS

45%OVERALL AVERAGE

KIRBY 20%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

44%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

46%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

BARNETT57%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MISSISSIPPI SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

2018 ACUF PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE

SENATORS

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

090-100%0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

6


1. SB 2465 Mandating Homeowner Insurance Discounts for Construction Enhancements. This bill forces homeowner insurance companies to provide discounts to individuals who build new homes that meet certain building standards, such as enhancements that better resist tornadoes or catastrophic windstorm events. ACU opposes government insurance mandates, including this one which will result in insurers making up the cost of these discounts by increasing costs for consumers and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of 49-3.

2. SB 2572 Imposing Burdensome Licensing Requirements on Construction Managers. This bill expands the licensing barriers placed on residential construction workers, including requiring “construction managers” to become licensed by the state. ACU opposes driving up construction costs and the proliferation of licensing requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 5, 2018 by a vote of 30-19.

3. SB 2588 Permitting Individuals to Leave Bars and Restaurants with Alcohol. This bill makes it easier for “wet” cities and counties to authorize “go cups” (which enable one to exit a bar or restaurant with an open container of alcohol) by permitting local governments to establish leisure and recreation districts without legislative approval. ACU supports expanding individual liberties and reducing unneeded bureaucracy and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 5, 2018 by a vote of 42-9.

4. SB 2685 Nullifying “Non-Compete Clauses” in Physician Contracts. This bill declares that any non-compete clause of a contract between an employer and physician is void and unenforceable if it places restrictions on a physician’s ability to practice medicine in a specific geographic area or treat the patients of the physician’s employer. ACU supports the right of employers and physicians to freely contract, opposes this government interference in the marketplace, and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of 23-27.

5. SB 2278 Permitting Out-of-State Wine to be Shipped Directly to Retailers. This bill permits out-of-state wineries to ship their wine directly to retailers without first sending the shipment through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. The retailer would remain accountable to collect all state taxes and fees. ACU supports this regulatory reform that reduces consumer costs and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on February 7, 2018 by a vote of 35-15.

6. HB 1476 Restricting Competition by Increasing Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements. This bill triples the amount of experience required to obtain a real estate brokers license from one year to three years. In addition to the experience requirement, previous law already requires an individual to complete 120 hours of coursework in real estate, pass an examination, and undergo a background investigation. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundations’ Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this additional regulatory burden which is primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 49-2, but the bill was later vetoed by the governor.

7. HB 1122 Preventing Local Governments from Imposing Additional Restrictions on Agricultural Operations. This bill prohibits local governments from imposing their own regulations or restrictions on agricultural operations, forestry activities, or traditional farming practices. These practices are already regulated at the state level. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to protect the property of all Americans from government overreach. ACU supports strengthening property right protections and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 45-6.

MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

7


8. HB 1510 Prohibiting Abortions after 15 Weeks. This bill prohibits a doctor from performing an abortion that is later than 15 weeks after conception, except in cases of a physical medical emergency or severe fetal abnormality that would prevent life outside of the womb. At 15 weeks, unborn babies are fully formed and have beating hearts, functional brains, and motor skills in their arms, legs, hands and fingers. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 6, 2018 by a vote of 35-14.

9. HB 192 Permitting the Transportation of Unopened Alcoholic Beverages through Dry Counties. This bill permits individuals to transport legally purchased, unopened, alcoholic beverages through a dry county via state or federal highway. ACU supports eliminating needless regulatory burdens and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 6, 2018 by a vote of 42-8.

10. HB 1569 Providing Funding for the Board of Cosmetology. This bill provides nearly $250,000 in funding to the state Board of Cosmetology which, according to the Institute for Justice, is the seventh most burdensome and restrictive cosmetology licensing regime in the country. For example, aspiring barbers must complete 1,500 hours of classroom instruction and pass multiple exams before they can begin to earn a living. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 13, 2018 by a vote of 52-0.

11. HB 1593 Providing over $12 Million to Fund Government-Run Television. This bill appropriates $12 million in funding for 121 full-time positions within the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television. This entity broadcasts numerous programs relating to cooking, farming, leisure, and entertainment. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to produce this type of programing, nor compete with private industry, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 36-16.

12. SB 2983 Providing $75k to Fund the Egg Marketing Board. This bill appropriates $75,000 to the Egg Marketing Board, whose mission is to educate the public on how delicious eggs are, and to promote other egg-related initiatives, including Easter egg paintings. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to help consumers decide whether their eggs should be scrambled or sunny-side up and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 50-2.

13. HB 1595 Providing $2.5 Million to Fund the Mississippi Arts Commission. This bill appropriates nearly $2.5 million in funds to the Mississippi Arts Commission. The commission promotes the importance of art in the state and provides cash grants up to $5,000 to aspiring artists. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to be involved in the arts and opposes redistribution programs, such as the awarding of cash grants, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 52-0.

14. SB 2473 Enforcing Contracts between a Landlords and a Tenant. This bill prevents judges from rewriting contracts after the fact. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the right of a landlord to evict a tenant for failure to pay the complete rent, including all late fees. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to ensure just compensation for all property owners. ACU supports strengthening contracting rights and easing the ability of landlords to collect rent that is rightfully owed to them and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 27, 2018 by a vote of 52-0.

8


MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

SB 2465

SB 2572

SB 2588

SB 2685

SB 2278

HB

1476

HB

1122

HB

1510

HB

192

HB

1569

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Barnett D 34 - + + + + - + - + - + - - + 8 14 57% 41% 50%

Blackmon D 21 - + + + - - - - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 24% 26%

BLACKWELL R 19 - - + + X - + + + - - - - + 6 13 46% 59% 63%

Blount D 29 - - + - + - + - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 35% 35%

BRANNING R 18 - X - X - - + + - - - - - + 3 12 25% 46% 51%

BROWNING R 3 - - + + - - + + - - - - - + 5 14 36% 47% 56%

Bryan D 7 - - + + + - + - + - - - - + 6 14 43% 41% 35%

BURTON R 31 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 71%

Butler D 36 - + + + + - + - + - - - - + 7 14 50% 35% 30%

CARMICHAEL R 33 - - - - - - + + + - - - - + 4 14 29% 53% 62%

CARTER R 49 - X + + + - + + + - - - - + 7 13 54% n/a 54%

CAUGHMAN R 35 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 53% 59%

CHASSANIOL R 14 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 72%

CLARKE R 22 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 71%

Dawkins D 48 - + + + - - - - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 47% 30%

Dearing D 37 - - + + + - + + + - + - - + 8 14 57% 47% 54%

DEBAR R 43 - + + + + - + + + - - - - + 8 14 57% 59% 69%

DOTY R 39 - - + + + - + + + - - - - + 7 14 50% 59% 72%

FILLINGANE R 41 - - + + + - + + + - - - - + 7 14 50% 59% 76%

Frazier D 27 - + - + - - - X - - + - - + 4 13 31% 13% 16%

GOLLOTT R 50 - + + - + - + + + - - - - + 7 14 50% 56% 73%

HARKINS R 20 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 63% 72%

HILL R 40 - + + + + + + + + - - + - + 10 14 71% 71% 80%

HOPSON R 23 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 53% 68%

Horhn D 26 - - + - + - + - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 41% 30%

HUDSON R 45 - - - + - - + + - - - - - + 4 14 29% 44% 63%

JACKSON, G. R 15 + + - - - - + + - - - - - + 5 14 36% 47% 66%

Jackson, R. D 11 - - + + - - + - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 38% 30%

MISSISSIPPI SENATE SCORES

9


MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

SB 2465

SB 2572

SB 2588

SB 2685

SB 2278

HB

1476

HB

1122

HB

1510

HB

192

HB

1569

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Jackson, S. D 32 - + + - X - + X + - + - - + 6 12 50% 38% 44%

Jolly D 8 - + - + - - + + + - + - - + 7 14 50% 35% 43%

Jordan D 24 - - + + + - + - + - + - - + 7 14 50% 38% 34%

KIRBY R 30 - - + - - X X X X - - - - + 2 10 20% 59% 63%

MASSEY R 1 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 64% 67%

MCDANIEL R 42 + X X + + - + + + - - - - + 7 12 58% 71% 82%

MCMAHAN R 6 - - + + + - + + X - - - - + 6 13 46% 59% 61%

MICHEL R 25 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 51%

MORAN R 46 - - + - - - + + + - - - - + 5 14 36% 59% 65%

Norwood D 28 - + - + - - + - - - + - - + 5 14 36% 12% 13%

PARKER R 2 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% n/a 43%

PARKS R 4 - + - - - - + + - - - - - + 4 14 29% 44% 62%

POLK R 44 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 72%

SEYMOUR R 47 - + + + + - + + + - - - - + 8 14 57% 47% 61%

Simmons, D. T. D 12 - + + + + - + - + - + - - + 8 14 57% 35% 31%

Simmons, W. D 13 - - + - + - + - + - + - - + 6 14 43% 41% 39%

TOLLISON R 9 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 72%

Turner-Ford D 16 - + + + + - - - + - + - - + 7 14 50% 29% 26%

WATSON R 51 + + + + + + + + + - - + - + 11 14 79% 65% 84%

WHALEY R 10 - - + X + - + + + - - - - + 6 13 46% n/a 46%

WIGGINS R 52 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 75%

Wilemon D 5 - + - + - - - + - - - - - + 4 14 29% 41% 51%

Witherspoon D 38 - + + + + - - - + - + - - + 7 14 50% 24% 33%

YOUNGER R 17 - - + - + - + + + - - - - + 6 14 43% 59% 62%

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position“-” Member voted against ACU’s position“X” Member was absent for vote“E” Member was excused for vote

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

10


MISSISSIPPI HOUSE STATISTICS

55%OVERALL AVERAGE

BELL, D.42%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

61%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

46%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

HORAN65%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

090-100%

2018 ACUF PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE REPS

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

11


1. HB 192 Permitting the Transportation of Unopened Alcoholic Beverages through Dry Counties. This bill permits individuals to transport legally purchased, unopened, alcoholic beverages through a dry county via state or federal highway. ACU supports eliminating needless regulatory burdens and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of 91-19.

2. HB 815 Permitting Insurance Policies to Deduct for Depreciation. This bill permits insurance companies to offer policies in the state that deduct for depreciation – such as age, wear, and obsolescence. ACU supports reducing regulatory barriers that expand consumer choice and increase the affordability of insurance and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 31, 2018 by a vote of 111-3.

3. HB 1241 Prohibiting Local Governments from Regulating Private Employment. This bill prevents local governments from imposing their own labor regulations relating to issues such as employee benefits, sick leave, schedules, and minimum wage rates. However, the bill does contain a provision regarding “equal pay” that may subject businesses to frivolous litigation. While ACU has concerns about the equal pay provision, taken as a whole, the bill helps protect businesses against costly local ordinances and expand employment, and ACU supported the bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of 108-8.

4. HB 1476 Restricting Competition by Increasing Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements. This bill triples the amount of experience required to obtain a real estate brokers license from one year to three years. In addition to the experience requirement, previous law already requires an individual to complete 120 hours of real estate coursework, pass an examination, and undergo a background investigation. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundations’ Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this additional regulatory burden which is primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 6, 2018 by a vote of 81-34, but the bill was later vetoed by the governor.

5. HB 1500 Prohibiting Local Governments from Banning Plastic Bags. This bill prohibits counties and cities from regulating the use of plastic bags, including taxing or banning them. ACU supports this protection against government overreach and believes individuals should be able to carry their goods in any container of their choosing and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2018 by a vote of 110-2.

6. HB 1198 Mandating that Heath Insurance Policies Provide Infertility Treatment Coverage. This bill mandates that any health insurance policy that provides pregnancy related benefits must also provide coverage for infertility treatment, including all procedures and diagnostic tests. ACU opposes government insurance mandates, especially those that drive up the cost of insurance for everyone, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2018 by a vote of 82-27.

7. HB 1083 Protecting Second Amendment Rights from Unlawful Local Government Restrictions. This bill helps hold local governments accountable for unlawfully restricting Second Amendment rights by creating a process in which holders of enhanced carry permits can challenge local policies and ordinances that violate state law. The bill is in response to a number of municipal “gun-free” zones that have been established, which are in direct violation of a previous bill (HB 506) that was signed into law. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2018 by a vote of 80-29.

8. HB 355 Increasing Government Efficiency by Removing MDOT from the State Personnel Board. This bill is designed to increase government efficiency by removing the Mississippi Department of Transportation and Child Protective Services from under the regulations of the State Personnel Board. By making this change, these agencies will have greater flexibility to make hiring and firing decisions. ACU supports efforts to increase efficiency and provide government agencies with greater flexibility to improve their workforce and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 8, 2018 by a vote of 66-48.

9. HB 1569 Providing Funding for the Board of Cosmetology. This bill provides nearly $250,000 in funding to the state Board of Cosmetology which, according to the Institute for Justice, is the seventh most burdensome and restrictive cosmetology licensing regime in the country. For example, aspiring barbers must complete 1,500 hours of classroom instruction and pass multiple exams before they can begin to earn a living. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 13, 2018 by a vote of 107-6.

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

12


10. HB 1556 Authorizing $35 Million in Borrowing for a State-Owned Liquor Warehouse. This bill authorizes the state to borrow $35 million in order to build a larger state-owned liquor warehouse. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a $1 tax per case of liquor to help pay off the debt. ACU supports a freer market in the liquor industry, opposes this unneeded government involvement which drives up consumer costs and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 14, 2018 by a vote of 73-38.

11. SB 2465 Mandating Homeowner Insurance Discounts for Construction Enhancements. This bill forces homeowner insurance companies to provide discounts to individuals who build new homes that meet certain building standards, such as enhancements that better resist tornadoes or catastrophic windstorm events. ACU opposes government insurance mandates, including this one which will result in insurers making up the cost of these discounts by increasing costs for consumers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 21, 2018 by a vote of 108-7.

12. SB 2588 Permitting Individuals to Leave Bars and Restaurants with Alcohol. This bill makes it easier for “wet” cities and counties to authorize “go cups” (which enable one to exit a bar or restaurant with an open container of alcohol) by permitting local governments to establish leisure and recreation districts without legislative approval. ACU supports expanding individual liberties and reducing unneeded bureaucracy and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 88-29.

13. HB 1122 Preventing Local Governments from Imposing Additional Restrictions on Agricultural Operations. This bill prohibits local governments from imposing their own regulations or restrictions on agricultural operations, forestry activities, or traditional farming practices. These practices are already regulated at the state level. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to protect the property of all Americans from government overreach. ACU supports strengthening property right protections and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 6, 2018 by a vote of 117-0.

14. SB 2572 Imposing Burdensome Licensing Requirements on Construction Managers. This bill expands the licensing barriers placed on residential construction workers, including requiring “construction managers” to become licensed by the state. ACU opposes driving up construction costs and the proliferation of licensing requirements which are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House defeated the bill on March 7, 2018 by a vote of 20-94.

15. HB 1510 Prohibiting Abortions after 15 Weeks. This bill prohibits a doctor from performing an abortion that is later than 15 weeks after conception, except in cases of a physical medical emergency or severe fetal abnormality that would prevent life outside of the womb. At 15 weeks, unborn babies are fully formed and have beating hearts, functional brains, and motor skills in their arms, legs, hands and fingers. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2018 by a vote of 75-34.

16. HB 1593 Providing over $12 Million to Fund Government-Run Television. This bill appropriates $12 million in funding for 121 full-time positions within the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television. This entity broadcasts numerous programs relating to cooking, farming, leisure, and entertainment. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to produce this type of programing, nor compete with private industry, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 89-25.

17. SB 2983 Providing $75k to Fund the Egg Marketing Board. This bill appropriates $75,000 to the Egg Marketing Board, whose mission is to educate the public on how delicious eggs are, and to promote other egg-related initiatives, including Easter egg paintings. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to help consumers decide whether their eggs should be scrambled or sunny-side up and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 113-5.

18. HB 1595 Providing $2.5 Million to Fund the Mississippi Arts Commission. This bill appropriates nearly $2.5 million in funds to the Mississippi Arts Commission. The commission promotes the importance of art in the state and provides cash grants up to $5,000 to aspiring artists. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to be involved in the arts and opposes redistribution programs, such as the awarding of cash grants, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 25, 2018 by a vote of 114-3.

19. SB 2473 Enforcing Contracts between a Landlords and a Tenant. This bill prevents judges from rewriting contracts after the fact. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the right of a landlord to evict a tenant for failure to pay the complete rent, including all late fees. ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading voice on this issue and works to ensure just compensation for all property owners. ACU supports strengthening contracting rights and easing the ability of landlords to collect rent that is rightfully owed to them and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, 2018 by a vote of 104-10.

13


MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.

HB

192

HB

815

HB

1241

HB

1476

HB

1500

HB

1198

HB

1083

HB

355

HB

1569

HB

1556

SB 2465

SB 2588

HB

1122

SB 2572

HB

1510

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

AGUIRRE R 17 + + + - + - + + - + - + + + + + - - + 13 19 68% 75% 75%

Anderson D 110 + + + + + - - - - + - + + + - - - - + 10 19 53% 26% 30%

ARNOLD R 3 - + + - + - + + - + - - + + + - - - + 10 19 53% 60% 71%

Bailey D 49 + + + - X + - - - - - + + + - - - - - 7 18 39% 25% 25%

Bain D 2 - + + - + - + + - X - - + + + - - - + 9 18 50% 37% 51%

BAKER R 74 + + + - + - + + - - - + + - + + - - X 10 18 56% 78% 78%

Banks D 67 + + + + + - - - - - - + + + - - - - + 9 19 47% 20% 24%

Baria D 122 + + + - + - - - - - - + + + X - - - + 8 18 44% 37% 34%

BARNETT R 86 + + + - + - + - - - - + + + + + - - + 11 19 58% 75% 71%

BARTON R 109 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 70% 78%

BECKETT R 23 X + + - + - + + - - - - + + + - - - + 9 18 50% 60% 70%

Bell, C. D 65 + X + + + - - - - - - + + + - X - - + 8 17 47% 20% 28%

BELL, D. R 21 - + + - + - + - - + - - + - + - - - + 8 19 42% 55% 63%

BENNETT R 120 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 70% 78%

Blackmon D 57 + + + + - - - - - - - + + - - - - - + 7 19 37% 25% 25%

BOMGAR R 58 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 19 19 100% 90% 94%

BOUNDS R 44 X + + - + - + + - - - - + + + - - - + 9 18 50% 65% 72%

BOYD R 19 - + + - + - + + - + - - + - + X - - + 9 18 50% 63% 73%

BROWN R 20 X + + + + X + + - + + - + + X X X X + 11 13 85% 83% 87%

Burnett D 9 + + + - X - + - - - - + + + - - - - + 8 18 44% 35% 32%

BUSBY R 111 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + + - - + 12 19 63% 78% 83%

BYRD R 104 - + + - + - + + - + - - + + + - - - + 10 19 53% 60% 76%

Calhoun D 68 + + + + + + - - - - - + + + X - - - + 10 18 56% 30% 32%

CARPENTER R 1 + + + - + + + + - - - + + + + - - - + 12 19 63% 70% 80%

CHISM R 37 - + + - + + + + - + - - + - + - - - + 10 19 53% 65% 75%

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE SCORES

14



Party Dist.

HB

192

HB

815

HB

1241

HB

1476

HB

1500

HB

1198

HB

1083

HB

355

HB

1569

HB

1556

SB 2465

SB 2588

HB

1122

SB 2572

HB

1510

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Clark D 47 + + + + + - + - - - - + + + - - - - - 9 19 47% 26% 21%

Clarke D 69 + + + + + - - - - - - - + + - - - - + 8 19 42% 32% 24%

Cockerham D 96 + + + + + - X + - - - + + - - - - - + 9 18 50% 56% 56%

CORLEY R 106 X + + - + + + + - - - X + + + - - - + 10 17 59% 65% 62%

CRAWFORD R 121 + + + - + - + + - + - + + + + - - - + 12 19 63% 68% 78%

CRISWELL R 6 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 19 19 100% 95% 97%

CURRIE R 92 + + + - + X + - - + - + + + + + - - + 12 18 67% 78% 81%

DELANO R 117 + + + - + - + + - - - + + - + - - - + 10 19 53% 68% 78%

DENNY R 64 + + + - + - + + - + - - + - + - - - + 10 19 53% 58% 71%

Denton D 55 + + - - X + - - - - - + + + - - - - X 6 17 35% 30% 33%

Dixon D 63 + + + - + - - + - - X + + + - - - - + 9 18 50% 44% 58%

Dortch D 66 + + - + + - - - - + - + + + - - - - - 8 19 42% 20% 25%

EUBANKS R 25 + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + - - - + 14 19 74% 95% 85%

EURE R 116 + + + - X - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 10 18 56% 70% 78%

Evans, B. D 91 - X - + X X X - - + - - X + + - - - X 4 13 31% 18% 29%

Evans, M. D 45 + + + - + - + - - - - + + + + - - - + 10 19 53% 47% 56%

Faulkner D 5 + + + + + - - - X - - + + + - - - - + 9 18 50% 20% 36%

FORD R 54 + + + - + - + + - - - + + X + + - - + 11 18 61% n/a 61%

FOSTER R 28 + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + 16 19 84% 95% 92%

Gibbs, D. D 72 + + - - + - - - - X - + + + - - - - + 7 18 39% 13% 26%

Gibbs, K. D 36 + + + + + - + - - - - + + + - - - - + 10 19 53% 30% 40%

GIPSON R 77 - + + X + - + + - + - - + + + - - - + 10 18 56% 60% 75%

GUICE R 114 + + + + + + + X - - + + + + + - - - + 13 18 72% 75% 83%

GUNN R 56 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + + - - + 12 19 63% 70% 80%

HALE R 24 - + + - + + + + - + - + + - + + - - + 12 19 63% 70% 70%

HANEY R 118 + + + - X + + + - + - + + - + - - - + 11 18 61% 67% 75%

HENLEY R 40 + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + 17 19 89% 74% 82%

15



Party Dist.

HB

192

HB

815

HB

1241

HB

1476

HB

1500

HB

1198

HB

1083

HB

355

HB

1569

HB

1556

SB 2465

SB 2588

HB

1122

SB 2572

HB

1510

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Hines D 50 + + + + + X - - - - - + + + - - - - X 8 17 47% 21% 26%

Holland D 16 + + + - + - - - + - - + + - - - - - + 8 19 42% 32% 29%

Holloway D 76 + + X - + - X - - - - + + + X - - - + 7 16 44% 20% 27%

HOOD R 35 - + + - + X + + - - - - + + + - - - + 9 18 50% 68% 74%

HOPKINS R 7 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 19 19 100% 95% 96%

Horan D 34 + + + - + - + X - - - + + + X + + - + 11 17 65% 42% 42%

HORNE R 81 - - + + + - + - - + - - + + + - - - + 9 19 47% 60% 72%

HUDDLESTON, M. R 15 - + X X + - X + - - - - + + + - - - + 7 16 44% 55% 68%

Huddleston, R. D 30 + + + + + - - - - - - + X X X X X X X 6 12 n/a† 21% 20%

Hudson D 29 + + + - + + - - - + - + + + - - - - - 9 19 47% 25% 36%

Hughes D 12 + X + - + - + X X + - + + + X - - - + 9 15 60% 45% 50%

Jackson D 11 + + + + + - - - - - - + + + - - - - + 9 19 47% 31% 38%

JOHNSON, C. R 87 + + + - + - + + - + - - + - + + - - + 11 19 58% 76% 74%

Johnson, R. D 94 + + + - + X X - - - - + + + - - - - + 8 17 47% 18% 32%

Karriem D 41 + + + - + - - - - - - + + + - X - - - 7 18 39% 20% 28%

KINKADE R 52 + + + - + - + + - + - - + + + + - - + 12 19 63% 75% 76%

LADNER R 93 + + + - + - + + - X - X + + + - - - + 10 17 59% 61% 76%

LAMAR R 8 + + + - + - X + - - - + + X + - - - X 8 16 50% 63% 74%

MANGOLD R 53 - + + - + - + + - - - - + + + + - - + 10 19 53% 60% 66%

MASSENGILL R 13 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 63% 68%

MCGEE R 102 + + + - + - + + - - - + + - X - - - + 9 18 50% n/a 50%

MCLEOD R 107 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 74% 78%

MCNEAL R 105 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 61% 67%

METTETAL R 10 - + + - + + + + - + - + + - + - - - + 11 19 58% 63% 76%

Mickens D 42 + + + - + - X - - - - + + + - - - - + 8 18 44% 37% 41%

Middleton D 85 + + + + + X - - - - - + + + - - - - + 9 18 50% 20% 26%

Miles D 75 + X + + + - + - X - - - + + + X - - + 9 16 56% 42% 48%

16



Party Dist.

HB

192

HB

815

HB

1241

HB

1476

HB

1500

HB

1198

HB

1083

HB

355

HB

1569

HB

1556

SB 2465

SB 2588

HB

1122

SB 2572

HB

1510

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

MIMS R 97 + + + - + - + + - + - - + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 74% 77%

MORGAN R 100 X + + - + + + + - + - - + - + - - - + 10 18 56% 60% 72%

Myers D 98 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 0 n/a† n/a 15%

OLIVER R 46 - + + - + + + + - - - - + + + + - - + 11 19 58% 63% 67%

Paden D 26 + + + + + - - - - - - + + + - - - - + 9 19 47% 21% 29%

PATTERSON R 115 + + + - + - + + X X - + + - + - - - + 10 17 59% 60% 73%

Perkins D 32 + + - + + + - - - - - + + + - - - - - 8 19 42% 16% 20%

PIGOTT R 99 - + + - + + + + - X - - + + + - - - + 10 18 56% 60% 73%

POWELL R 59 + + + X + - + + X - - + + + + + - - + 12 17 71% 70% 80%

READ R 112 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 70% 79%

Reynolds D 33 + + + - + - + - - + - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 35% 49%

ROBERSON R 43 + + + - + - X + - - X + + + + - - - + 10 17 59% 65% 71%

ROGERS, M. R 14 + + + - + - + - - - - X + + + - - - + 9 18 50% 50% 60%

ROGERS, R. R 61 + + + - + - + + - + X + + + + - - - + 12 18 67% 70% 72%

RUSHING R 78 + - + + + X + - - X - + + + + - - - + 10 17 59% 56% 73%

SANFORD R 90 + + + - + - + + - + - + + - + + - - + 12 19 63% 59% 67%

SCOGGIN R 89 + + + - + - + + - - - + + X + - - - + 10 18 56% 75% 65%

Scott D 80 X X X X X X X X X X X + + + - - - - + 4 8 n/a† 28% 17%

SHANKS R 60 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X - - - + 1 4 n/a† n/a n/a

SHIRLEY R 84 - + + - + - + - - + - - + + + - - - + 9 19 47% 60% 67%

SMITH R 39 + + + - + + + + - - - + + - + - - - + 11 19 58% 65% 77%

SNOWDEN R 83 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 72% 80%

STAPLES R 88 + + + - + - + + - - X + + + + - - - + 11 18 61% 58% 73%

STEVERSON R 4 X + + - + - + X - - - + + + + - - - + 9 17 53% 60% 61%

Straughter D 51 + + - + + + - - - - - + + + - - - - + 9 19 47% 20% 22%

Sullivan D 22 - + + - + - + - - + - - + + + - - X + 9 18 50% 30% 43%

17



Party Dist.

HB

192

HB

815

HB

1241

HB

1476

HB

1500

HB

1198

HB

1083

HB

355

HB

1569

HB

1556

SB 2465

SB 2588

HB

1122

SB 2572

HB

1510

HB

1593

SB 2983

HB

1595

SB 2473 ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Sykes D 70 + + + - - - - - X - - + + + - - - - - 6 18 33% 20% 27%

Taylor D 38 - + + + + + - - - - - + + + - - - - - 8 19 42% n/a 42%

Thomas D 31 + + X X X X X X - - - + + + - - - - + 6 13 46% 30% 29%

TOUCHSTONE R 101 + + + - + - + + - + - - + - + + - - + 11 19 58% 60% 66%

TULLOS R 79 + + + - + - + - - - - + X X X + - - + 8 16 50% 61% 64%

TURNER R 18 X + + - + + + + - + - - + + + + - - + 12 18 67% 63% 76%

Walker D 27 + + + + + - X - - - - + + + - - - - - 8 18 44% 25% 33%

Watson D 103 + + - + + - - - - - - + + + X - - - + 8 18 44% 25% 24%

WEATHERSBY R 62 X X + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 9 17 53% 70% 76%

WHITE R 48 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + - - - + 11 19 58% 70% 78%

WILKES R 108 X - + - + X + + - X - + + + + + - - + 10 16 63% n/a 63%

Williams-Barnes D 119 + + - - + - - - - - - + + X - - - - + 6 18 33% 18% 18%

WILLIS R 95 + + + - + - + + - - - + + + + X X X X 10 15 67% 70% 76%

WILSON R 73 + + + - + - + + - + - + + - + - - - + 11 19 58% 70% 71%

Wooten D 71 + + + + + + - - - X - - + + - - - - - 8 18 44% 25% 25%

Young D 82 + + + + + + - - - - - + + + - + - - + 11 19 58% 32% 33%

ZUBER R 113 + + + - + - + + - - + + + + + - - - + 12 19 63% 65% 78%

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position“-” Member voted against ACU’s position“X” Member was absent for vote“E” Member was excused for vote

† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2018 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

Documents

RATINGS of MISSISSIPPIacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/... · 2019-06-25 · 2 AMERIC ONSERVA ATION’S 2018 Ratings of Mississippi Dear Fellow Conservative,