16
2017 Letter from the Chairman .......................................... 2 ACU & ACUF Board Members .................................. 3 Selecting the Votes.................................................... 3 2017 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 MISSISSIPPI RATINGS of MISSISSIPPI ACUConservative Conservative.org @ACUFoundation #ACURatings

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Page 1: 2017acuratings.conservative.org/.../07/Mississippi_2017_web.pdfbill on March 2, 2017 by a vote of 42-8. 10. HB 464 Board of Cosmetology Extension. This bill extends the board of cosmetology

2017

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

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

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

2017 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 Conservative.org@ACUFoundation

#ACURatings

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2

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Mississippi State Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (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 their 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. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress.

The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in 2010. With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for “We the People.”

It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation’s founding fathers envisioned.

Sincerely,

Matt SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Mississippi State 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.

201 N. Union Street, Suite 370Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 347-9388

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman

Bob Beauprez Treasuer

Amy Frederick Secretary

Ed Yevoli At-Large

Jackie Arends

Larry Beasley

Kimberly Bellissimo

Steve Biegun

Morton C. Blackwell

John Bolton

Jose Cardenas

Ron Christie

Muriel Coleman

Becky Norton Dunlop

John Eddy

Luis Fortuno

Alan M. Gottlieb

Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

Michael R. Long

Ed McFadden

Carolyn D. Meadows

Priscilla O'Shaughnessy

Ron Robinson

Mike Rose

Ned Ryun

Peter Samuelson

Sabrina Schaeffer

Terry Schilling

Matt Smith

Thomas Winter

ACU BOARD MEMBERS

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chairman

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary

Jose Cardenas

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Colin Hanna

Niger Innes

Adam Laxalt

Willes K. Lee

Mary Matalin

Carolyn D. Meadows

Randy Neugebauer

Thomas Winter

ACUF BOARD MEMBERS

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4

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

2017 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

n/a

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

BOMGARCRISWELLEUBANKSFOSTERHOPKINS

SENATE

n/a

HOUSE

BROWN

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

n/a

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

n/a

<=

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI SENATE STATISTICS

48%OVERALL AVERAGE

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

57%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

34%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

DAWKINS, DEARING 47%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MISSISSIPPI SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

25

20

15

10

5

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE

SENATORS

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

HUDSON, PARKS 44%

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

1. SB 2469 Hate Crimes Expansion. This bill expands the definition of a “hate crime” to include law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. ACU believes this kind of legislation violates the “double jeopardy” clause of the U.S. Constitution and opposes attempts to determine people’s thoughts when they commit a crime and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on January 26, 2017 by a vote of 37-13.

2. SB 2110 Franchise Employee Regulations. This bill establishes that, when applying labor law, neither a person that holds a franchise nor that person’s employees are employees of the franchisor. ACU supports this common sense application of labor law in response to the National Labor Relations Board rule overturning decades of precedent in this area and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 1, 2017 by a vote of 42-9.

3. SB 2345 Right to Advertise. This bill removes a provision in state law that prohibits advertisements for alcoholic beverages in localities that are legally dry. ACU considers the right to advertise a First Amendment issue and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 2, 2017 by a vote of 39-12.

4. SB 2474 Corporate Subsidies. This bill extends the life of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation until the year 2022. The corporation provides bonds and tax credits to government favored companies that locate or expand in certain areas approved by the state. ACU opposes this interference in the free market which forces higher tax burdens on individuals and companies not favored by the government and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 8, 2017 by a vote of 51-0.

5. SB 2632 Taxpayer-Funded Lobbyists. This bill prohibits state agencies from hiring contract lobbyists to promote government programs. ACU opposes the use of taxpayer funds to promote government programs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 9, 2017 by a vote of 38-14.

6. SB 2941 Tax Extension. This bill extends the town of Byhalia’s hotel and motel tax until the year 2021, with the revenue being used to promote tourism. Furthermore, the bill allows the town to keep the revenue it unlawfully collected after the tax expired in July of 2016. ACU opposes this retroactive tax that enriches certain companies and industries at the expense of others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 15, 2017 by a vote of 48-3.

7. HB 1333 Air Service Subsidy. This bill expands upon an existing program that subsidizes airline flights to small towns with few passengers. Under the bill, flights that only run on a seasonal basis are now also eligible for grants. ACU opposes this interference in the marketplace which results in taxpayer funds being misallocated toward wasteful and economically infeasible projects and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 2, 2017 by a vote of 49-2.

8. HB 812 Civil Asset Forfeiture. This bill reforms the state's asset forfeiture laws by requiring authorities to obtain a seizure warrant within 72 hours of taking property. Furthermore, the bill requires that details, such as a description of the property, its value, and the seizing agency, all be posted on a website. ACU Foundation’s Center for Criminal Justice Reform and Center for 21st Century Property Rights both engage heavily on this issue. ACU believes that property should not be seized without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 2, 2017 by a vote of 51-0.

9. HB 1322 Craft Brewery Regulations. This bill permits small craft breweries to sell light wine and beer directly to customers. However, the bill establishes a number of restrictions, including limits on the price and amount that can be sold to a single customer. In addition, the light wine or beer must be produced on the premises and sales cannot total more than 1,500 barrels or 10 percent of a breweries annual production. ACU supports the right of brewery owners to sell their products as they see fit and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 2, 2017 by a vote of 42-8.

10. HB 464 Board of Cosmetology Extension. This bill extends the board of cosmetology to 2021 and now mandates that education requirements for licenses be met at a licensed school, rather than one that is just accredited. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 8, 2017 by a vote of 47-5.

MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

11. SB 2372 Hospice Moratorium. This bill extends a moratorium on new hospice facilities until 2022. While the bill does provide an exception for up to 5 new facilities, the facilities must be able to provide "unique or otherwise unavailable services" to patients under the age of 18, and the applicants must show “good cause” as to why they are needed. ACU opposes this government moratorium that drives up the cost of medical care and is primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 15, 2017 by a vote of 51-0

12. SB 2710 Sanctuary Cities. This bill prevents local governments and universities from enacting laws or policies that prohibit the enforcement of immigration laws or cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The bill also permits authorities to verify an individual's immigration status, and prevents local governments or agencies from giving legal status to someone in the country illegally. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 39-11.

13. HB 1503 Government Television Funding. This bill appropriates nearly $4 million in Fiscal Year 2018 to the state Educational Television Authority, which provides government television and radio programs. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to compete with the private sector within the broadcasting business and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 26, 2017 by a vote of 52-0.

14. HB 1106 Competitive Bidding. This bill strengthens the competitive bidding process for government purchases. Some of these changes include the ability for bids to be submitted electronically, a reduction in the amount of sole source bids, and the allowance of reverse auctions for some projects. ACU supports the strengthening of competitive bidding regulations, which reduce government costs and spending, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 45-7.

15. HB 1426 Reducing Asbestos Fraud. This bill helps reduce fraud in asbestos claims by preventing a plaintiff from being compensated for the exact same injury multiple times. The bill also increases transparency by providing defendants the right of discovery, as well as enhances the ability of courts to oversee asbestos cases. ACU supports this type of common sense tort reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 29-20.

16. HB 1425 Occupational Licensing Reform. This bill creates the Occupational Licensing Review Commission to review regulations proposed by the state’s occupational licensing boards. In addition, the policies a board drafts must promote competition and use the least restrictive regulation necessary to protect consumers’ public health and safety. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that raise consumer costs and are primarily designed to restrict competition, and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 36-13.

17. HB 1090 Medicaid Fraud. This bill makes a series of improvements to strengthen the state’s ability to detect fraud in Medicaid eligibility. Under the bill, a system would be established that identifies those who are ineligible for benefits such as non-Mississippi residents and the deceased. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients’ employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports efforts to reform a program rife with waste and fraud and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2017 by a vote of 30-17.

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District SB 2469 SB 2110 SB 2345 SB 2474 SB 2632 SB 2941 HB 1333 HB 812 HB 1322 SB 464 SB 2372 SB 2710 HB 1503 HB 1106 HB 1426 HB 1425 HB 1090ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Barnett D 34 + + + - - - - + + - - + - - - - - 7 17 41% 52% 47%

Blackmon D 21 + - - - - - - + + - - + - - - - - 4 17 24% 13% 18%

BLACKWELL R 19 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 83% 71%

Blount D 29 - + + - + - - + + - - - - + - - - 6 17 35% 45% 33%

BRANNING R 18 - X - - + X - + - - X + - + + X + 6 13 46% 83% 64%

BROWNING R 3 - + - - + - - + - - - + - + + + + 8 17 47% 78% 60%

Bryan D 7 - + + - + - - + + - - - - + - + - 7 17 41% 38% 33%

BURTON R 31 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 78% 77%

Butler D 36 + + + - - - - + + - - - - + - - - 6 17 35% 27% 25%

CARMICHAEL R 33 - + + - + - - + - - - + - + + + + 9 17 53% 77% 71%

CAUGHMAN R 35 - + - - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 9 17 53% 82% 67%

CHASSANIOL R 14 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 77% 79%

CLARKE R 22 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 83% 79%

Dawkins D 48 + + + - - - - + + - - + - + - + - 8 17 47% 32% 27%

Dearing D 37 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + - - 8 17 47% 57% 52%

DeBAR R 43 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 73% 72%

DOTY R 39 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 78% 77%

FILLINGANE R 41 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 83% 83%

Frazier D 27 + - - - - - - + X - - - - - - - - 2 16 13% 20% 12%

GOLLOTT R 50 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + X + + 9 16 56% 78% 79%

HARKINS R 20 - + + X + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 16 63% 83% 79%

HILL R 40 - + + - + + + + + + - + - + - + + 12 17 71% 74% 82%

HOPSON R 23 - + X - + - - + + - - + - + + X + 8 15 53% 81% 74%

Horhn D 26 + - + - - - - + + - - + - + - + - 7 17 41% 17% 26%

HUDSON R 45 - + - - + - - + - - - X - + + + + 7 16 44% 75% 72%

JACKSON, G. R 15 - + - - + - - + - - - + - + + + + 8 17 47% 74% 73%

Jackson, R. D 11 + - + - - - - + + - - - - + X + - 6 16 38% 23% 26%

Jackson, S. D 32 + + + - - - - + + - - X - + - - - 6 16 38% 48% 43%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

MISSISSIPPI SENATE SCORES

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District SB 2469 SB 2110 SB 2345 SB 2474 SB 2632 SB 2941 HB 1333 HB 812 HB 1322 SB 464 SB 2372 SB 2710 HB 1503 HB 1106 HB 1426 HB 1425 HB 1090ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Jolly D 8 - + - - + - - + + - - - - + - + - 6 17 35% 59% 42%

Jordan D 24 + - + - - - - + + - - - - + X + - 6 16 38% 27% 30%

KIRBY R 30 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 79% 73%

MASSEY R 1 - + + - + - X X X + - + - + + + + 9 14 64% 82% 74%

McDANIEL R 42 - + + - + + + + + + - + - + - + + 12 17 71% 82% 88%

McMAHAN R 6 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 78% 69%

MICHEL R 25 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% n/a 59%

MORAN R 46 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 75% 72%

Norwood D 28 + - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - 2 17 12% 17% 7%

PARKER R 19 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + X + 9 16 56% 83% 80%

PARKS R 4 - + - - + - - + - - - + - + + + X 7 16 44% 84% 71%

POLK R 44 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 87% 80%

SEYMOUR R 47 - + - - + - - + + - - + - + - + + 8 17 47% 78% 63%

Simmons, D. D 12 + - + - - - - + + + - + - - - - - 6 17 35% 26% 25%

Simmons, W. D 13 + + + - - - - + + - - + - - - + - 7 17 41% 48% 38%

Stone D 2 - + + - + - - + + - - - - + - - - 6 17 35% 43% 33%

TINDELL R 49 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 77% 79%

TOLLISON R 9 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 77% 79%

Turner-Ford D 16 + - + - - - - + + - - - - + - - - 5 17 29% 13% 20%

WATSON R 51 - + + - + + - + + + - + - + - + + 11 17 65% 78% 86%

WIGGINS R 52 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 83% 83%

Wilemon D 5 - + - - + - - + - - - + - + + - + 7 17 41% 70% 56%

Witherspoon D 38 + - + - - - - + + - - - - - - - - 4 17 24% 26% 25%

YOUNGER R 17 - + + - + - - + + - - + - + + + + 10 17 59% 74% 68%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

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10

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE STATISTICS

52%OVERALL AVERAGE

BARKER33%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

68%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

28%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

COCKERHAM56%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATEREPS

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

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

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

1. HB 555 Oversight of Attorney General. This bill requires the Attorney General to get the approval of the Outside Counsel Oversight Committee before filing any lawsuit concerning claims over $250,000. The bill is in response to the costly billing practices of outside law firms, such as a securities fraud case that resulted in $5.4 million in legal fees. ACU supports efforts that increase oversight and protect taxpayers from outrageous legal expenses and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on January 25, 2017 by a vote of 63-56.

2. HB 812 Civil Asset Forfeiture. This bill reforms the state's asset forfeiture laws by requiring authorities to obtain a seizure warrant within 72 hours of taking property. Furthermore, the bill requires that details, such as a description of the property, its value, and the seizing agency, all be posted on a website. ACU Foundation’s Center for Criminal Justice Reform and Center for 21st Century Property Rights both engage heavily on this issue. ACU believes that property should not be seized without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on February 1, 2017 by a vote of 118-3.

3. HB 1333 Air Service Subsidy. This bill expands upon an existing program that subsidizes airline flights to small towns with few passengers. Under the bill, flights that only run on a seasonal basis are now also eligible for grants. ACU opposes this interference in the marketplace which results in taxpayer funds being misallocated toward wasteful and economically infeasible projects and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 1, 2017 by a vote of 113-7.

4. HB 974 Government Employment Regulatory Reform. This bill provides state agencies with more flexibility in the hiring process by providing a three year exemption from personnel board requirements. This change will make it easier to fire unproductive workers, and allows personnel to more easily be reassigned in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency. In addition, government agencies will now have to track and submit salary increases. ACU supports efforts to streamline government, reduce costs, and increase transparency and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 2, 2017 by a vote of 62-58.

5. HB 1224 High-Performing School Regulations. This bill eases bureaucratic regulations on high performing “A” and “B” rated schools and gives these schools the ability to implement innovative education programs and provide incentives to their teachers. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports efforts to improve education by reducing unnecessary regulations and rewarding school excellence and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 6, 2017 by a vote of 79-41.

6. HB 1227 Teacher Evaluation Reform. This bill eliminates the statewide teacher evaluation system. Instead, local school districts will be able to adopt their own system which they will then submit for approval to the state Board of Education. ACU supports the strengthening of local and parental control over schools and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2017 by a vote of 95-25.

7. HB 481 Medical Malpractice Reform. This bill places a limit on the amount of medical and healthcare expenses that are admissible in court. The amount is limited to what was actually paid, or any other amounts that will be required to be paid by the injured party. ACU supports medical malpractice reform as a way to help reduce healthcare costs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2017 by a vote of 63-56.

8. HB 843 Landlord Property Rights. This bill clarifies and simplifies the laws covering the eviction of tenants for non-payment of rent. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights engages heavily on this issue. ACU supports strengthening property rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 9, 2017 by a vote of 95-24.

9. SB 2474 Corporate Subsidies. This bill extends the life of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation until the year 2022. The corporation provides bonds and tax credits to government favored companies that locate or expand in certain areas approved by the state. ACU opposes this interference in the free market which forces higher tax burdens on individuals and companies not favored by the government and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 1, 2017 by a vote of 107-7.

10. SB 2372 Hospice Moratorium. This bill extends a moratorium on new hospice facilities until 2022. While the bill does provide an exception for up to 5 new facilities, the facilities must be able to provide "unique or otherwise unavailable services" to patients under the age of 18, and the applicants must show “good cause” as to why they are needed. ACU opposes this government moratorium that drives up the cost of medical care and is primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 6, 2017 by a vote of 116-2.

11. SB 2710 Sanctuary Cities. This bill prevents local governments and universities from enacting laws or policies that prohibit the enforcement of immigration laws or cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The bill also permits authorities to verify an individual's immigration status, and prevents local governments or agencies from giving legal status to someone in the country illegally. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of 89-21.

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

12. HB 1322 Craft Brewery Regulations. This bill permits small craft breweries to sell light wine and beer directly to customers. However, the bill establishes a number of restrictions, including limits on the price and amount that can be sold to a single customer. In addition, the light wine or beer must be produced on the premises and sales cannot total more than 1,500 barrels or 10 percent of a breweries annual production. ACU supports the right of brewery owners to sell their products as they see fit and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 7, 2017 by a vote of 89-21.

13. SB 2345 Right to Advertise. This bill removes a provision in state law that prohibits advertisements for alcoholic beverages in localities that are legally dry. ACU considers the right to advertise a First Amendment issue and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 8, 2017 by a vote of 87-29.

14. SB 2941 Tax Extension. This bill extends the town of Byhalia’s hotel and motel tax until the year 2021, with the revenue being used to promote tourism. Furthermore, the bill allows the town to keep the revenue it unlawfully collected after the tax expired in July of 2016. ACU opposes this retroactive tax that enriches certain companies and industries at the expense of others and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 14, 2017 by a vote of 100-11.

15. HB 464 Board of Cosmetology Extension. This bill extends the board of cosmetology to 2021 and now mandates that education requirements for licenses be met at a licensed school, rather than one that is just accredited. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 15, 2017 by a vote of 107-13.

16. HB 1503 Government Television Funding. This bill appropriates nearly $4 million in Fiscal Year 2018 to the state Educational Television Authority, which provides government television and radio programs. ACU does not believe it is the proper role of government to compete with the private sector within the broadcasting business and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, 2016 by a vote of 87-20.

17. HB 1090 Medicaid Fraud. This bill makes a series of improvements to strengthen the state’s ability to detect fraud in Medicaid eligibility. Under the bill, a system would be established that identifies those who are ineligible for benefits such as non-Mississippi residents and the deceased. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients’ employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports efforts to reform a program rife with waste and fraud and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 67-48.

18. HB 1106 Competitive Bidding. This bill strengthens the competitive bidding process for government purchases. Some of these changes include the ability for bids to be submitted electronically, a reduction in the amount of sole source bids, and the allowance of reverse auctions for some projects. ACU supports the strengthening of competitive bidding regulations, which reduce government costs and spending, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 117-1.

19. HB 1426 Reducing Asbestos Fraud. This bill helps reduce fraud in asbestos claims by preventing a plaintiff from being compensated for the exact same injury multiple times. The bill also increases transparency by providing defendants the right of discovery, as well as enhances the ability of courts to oversee asbestos cases. ACU supports this type of common sense tort reform and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 71-44.

20. HB 1425 Occupational Licensing Reform. This bill creates the Occupational Licensing Review Commission to review regulations proposed by the state’s occupational licensing boards. In addition, the policies a board drafts must promote competition and use the least restrictive regulation necessary to protect consumers’ public health and safety. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that raise consumer costs and are primarily designed to restrict competition, and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 28, 2017 by a vote of 78-39.

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13

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party DistrictHB 555

HB 812

HB 1333

HB 974

HB 1224

HB 1227

HB 481

HB 843

SB 2474

SB 2372

SB 2710

HB 1322

SB 2345

SB 2941

HB 464

HB 1503

HB 1090

HB 1106

HB 1426

HB 1425

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

AGUIRRE R 17 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 15 20 75% 81% 78%

Anderson D 110 - + - - - X - + - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 19 26% 17% 23%

ARNOLD R 3 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 84% 76%

Bailey D 49 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% 19% 21%

Bain D 2 - + - - + + - + - - + - - - + - X + - - 7 19 37% 58% 52%

BAKER R 74 + + - + + + + + X - + + + X - - + + + + 14 18 78% 85% 84%

Banks D 67 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 17% 18%

Baria D 122 - + - - + - - - X - - + + + + - - + - - 7 19 37% 27% 32%

BARKER R 102 - + - - - - X + - - X + + - - - - + + - 6 18 33% 72% 70%

BARNETT R 86 + + - + - + + + - - + + + - + + + + + + 15 20 75% 81% 78%

BARTON R 109 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 81% 83%

BECKETT R 23 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 83% 76%

Bell, C. D 65 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 16% 18%

BELL, D. R 21 - + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 11 20 55% 76% 69%

BENNETT R 120 + + - + + + - + - - + + + - - + + + + + 14 20 70% 81% 84%

Blackmon D 57 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% 23% 22%

BOMGAR R 58 + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + 18 20 90% 92% 91%

BOUNDS R 44 + + - + + + + + - + + - - - - - + + + + 13 20 65% 81% 78%

BOYD R 19 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - X + + + + 12 19 63% 85% 79%

BROWN R 20 + + - + + + + + X - + + - + + X + + + + 15 18 83% 92% 88%

Burnett D 9 - + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - + - + 7 20 35% 38% 29%

BUSBY R 111 + + - + + + + + - X + X + - - + + + + + 14 18 78% 85% 88%

BYRD R 104 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 85% 82%

Calhoun D 68 - + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - + - - 6 20 30% 31% 26%

CARPENTER R 1 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 84%

CHISM R 37 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - + + + + + 13 20 65% 85% 81%

Clark D 47 - + - - + - - - - - - + + - - X - + - - 5 19 26% 13% 14%

Clarke D 69 - + - - - - - + - - X + + - - - - + - + 6 19 32% 23% 20%

Cockerham D 96 X + - + + + X + - - - + + - - - - + + + 10 18 56% 67% 57%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE SCORES

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14

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party DistrictHB 555

HB 812

HB 1333

HB 974

HB 1224

HB 1227

HB 481

HB 843

SB 2474

SB 2372

SB 2710

HB 1322

SB 2345

SB 2941

HB 464

HB 1503

HB 1090

HB 1106

HB 1426

HB 1425

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

CORLEY R 106 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + - 13 20 65% n/a 65%

CRAWFORD R 121 + + - - + + + + - - + + + - - X + + + + 13 19 68% 85% 82%

CRISWELL R 6 + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 20 95% 96% 96%

CURRIE R 92 + + - X + + + + X - + + + - - + + + + + 14 18 78% 79% 85%

DELANO R 117 + + - + + + + + - - + + X - - - + + + + 13 19 68% 79% 85%

DENNY R 64 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - X + + + 11 19 58% 77% 75%

Denton D 55 - + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - + - - 6 20 30% 23% 32%

Dixon D 63 X + - - - + - + - - X + + - - - - + + + 8 18 44% 67% 60%

Dortch D 66 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 13% 16%

Ellis D 38 - + - - - + - - - - - X X - - - - + - - 3 18 17% 24% 18%

EUBANKS R 25 + + + + + + + + X - + + + + + + + + + + 18 19 95% 88% 91%

EURE R 116 + + - + + + - + - - + + + + - - + + + + 14 20 70% 81% 84%

Evans, B. D 91 - - + - - - - + X - - + - - - X - X - - 3 17 18% 39% 29%

Evans, M. D 45 - + - - - + - + - + + + + - - + - + - X 9 19 47% 62% 57%

Faulkner D 5 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 42% 32%

FORMBY R 108 + + - + + + + + - - + - + - + - + + + + 14 20 70% 83% 84%

FOSTER R 28 + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 20 95% 96% 96%

Gibbs, D. D 72 - + - - - - - - - - - + X - - X - X - X 2 16 13% n/a 13%

Gibbs, K. D 36 - + - - - - - + - - - + + - - - - + - + 6 20 30% 35% 35%

GIPSON R 77 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 84% 80%

GUICE R 114 + + - + + + + + - - + + + + - - + + + + 15 20 75% 85% 86%

GUNN R 56 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 84%

HALE R 24 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 77% 73%

HANEY R 118 + X - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + X + + 12 18 67% 73% 78%

HENLEY R 40 + + - - + + + + + - + + + X + - + + - + 14 19 74% 83% 78%

Hines D 50 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - X - + - - 4 19 21% 23% 20%

Holland D 16 - + - - + - - + - X - + + - - - - + - - 6 19 32% 24% 25%

Holloway D 76 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 33% 23%

HOOD R 35 + + - + + + + + - - + + - X - - + + + + 13 19 68% 84% 80%

HOPKINS R 7 + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + 19 20 95% 92% 94%

Horan D 34 - + - - - + - + - - + + + - + X - + - - 8 19 42% 45% 36%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

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15

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party DistrictHB 555

HB 812

HB 1333

HB 974

HB 1224

HB 1227

HB 481

HB 843

SB 2474

SB 2372

SB 2710

HB 1322

SB 2345

SB 2941

HB 464

HB 1503

HB 1090

HB 1106

HB 1426

HB 1425

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

HORNE R 81 - + + - + + - + + - + - - + - + + + + - 12 20 60% 85% 78%

HUDDLESTON, M. R 15 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + - 11 20 55% 81% 74%

Huddleston, R. D 30 - + - - - - - + - - - X + - - - - + - - 4 19 21% 16% 20%

Hudson D 29 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% n/a 25%

Hughes D 12 - + - - + + - + - - + + + - - - - + - + 9 20 45% 46% 46%

Jackson D 11 - + - - X + - X - - - + + - - X - + - X 5 16 31% 38% 35%

JOHNSON, C. R 87 + + - + + + X + X - + + + - - + X + + + 13 17 76% 88% 82%

Johnson, R. D 94 - + - - - - - - - - - X + - - X - + X - 3 17 18% 32% 28%

Karriem D 41 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 24% 22%

KINKADE R 52 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - + + + + + 15 20 75% 85% 79%

LADNER R 93 + - - + + + + + - - + X + - - - + + X + 11 18 61% 81% 80%

LAMAR R 8 - + - + + + - + - - + + + - - X + + + + 12 19 63% 76% 80%

MANGOLD R 53 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 85% 72%

MASSENGILL R 13 - + - - + + + + - - + + + - - + X + + + 12 19 63% 65% 70%

MCLEOD R 107 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - + X + + + 14 19 74% 85% 83%

MCNEAL R 105 + + - X - + + + - - + + + - - - + + X + 11 18 61% 83% 72%

METTETAL R 10 + + - + + + + + - - + X - - - - + + + + 12 19 63% 85% 80%

Mickens D 42 - + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - + X + 7 19 37% 42% 40%

Middleton D 85 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 19% 20%

Miles D 75 - + - - + + - + - - + + - X - - - + - + 8 19 42% 48% 47%

MIMS R 97 + + - + + + + + - X + + + - - - + + + + 14 19 74% 76% 81%

MONSOUR R 54 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 81% 84%

MOORE R 60 + + X + + + + + - - X X X X X - + + + + 11 14 79% 84% 86%

MORGAN R 100 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 79% 76%

Myers D 98 - - - - - - - X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 7 n/a† 19% 15%

OLIVER R 46 + + - + + + + + - - + X - - - - + + + + 12 19 63% 80% 72%

Paden D 26 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - X - + - - 4 19 21% 20% 21%

PATTERSON R 115 - + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + - + + 12 20 60% 85% 76%

Perkins D 32 - + - - - - - X - - - + - - - - - + - - 3 19 16% 15% 14%

PIGOTT R 99 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 77% 78%

POWELL R 59 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 83%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

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16

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Mississippi

MISSISSIPPI HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party DistrictHB 555

HB 812

HB 1333

HB 974

HB 1224

HB 1227

HB 481

HB 843

SB 2474

SB 2372

SB 2710

HB 1322

SB 2345

SB 2941

HB 464

HB 1503

HB 1090

HB 1106

HB 1426

HB 1425

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

READ R 112 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 84%

Reynolds D 33 - + - - - + - + - - - + + - - - - + - + 7 20 35% 58% 47%

ROBERSON R 43 + + - - + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 13 20 65% 88% 77%

ROGERS, M. R 14 - + - - + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 10 20 50% 73% 63%

ROGERS, R. R 61 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 73% 73%

RUSHING R 78 + + - + X + + + - - + X - X - - - + X + 9 16 56% 81% 76%

SANFORD R 90 X + - - + + - + - - + + - X - + X + + + 10 17 59% 79% 69%

SCOGGIN R 89 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - + + + + + 15 20 75% n/a 75%

Scott D 80 - + - - + + - - - - - X + - - X - + - - 5 18 28% 13% 17%

SHIRLEY R 84 - + - - + + + + + - + - - + - + + + + - 12 20 60% 83% 72%

SMITH R 39 + + - + + + - + - - + + + - - - + + + + 13 20 65% 85% 81%

SNOWDEN R 83 + + - + + + + + - - + X + X - - + + + + 13 18 72% 85% 85%

STAPLES R 88 - + - - + + - + - - + + + X - + + + + - 11 19 58% 69% 76%

STEVERSON R 4 - + - - + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 72% 63%

Straughter D 51 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 20% 16%

Sullivan D 22 - + - - + + - + - - - - - - + - - + - - 6 20 30% 46% 41%

Sykes D 70 - + - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 20 20% 27% 23%

Thomas D 31 - + - - - - - + - - - + + - - - - + - + 6 20 30% 27% 25%

TOUCHSTONE R 101 + + - + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 20 60% 81% 70%

TULLOS R 79 + + - - + + - + - - + + + X - - + + X + 11 18 61% 80% 71%

TURNER R 18 + + X + + + + + - - + - - - - - + + + + 12 19 63% 84% 78%

Walker D 27 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% 31% 28%

Watson D 103 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% 17% 19%

WEATHERSBY R 62 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 81% 82%

WHITE R 48 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 82%

Williams-Barnes D 119 - + - - - - - - - - - + X - - X - + - X 3 17 18% 24% 15%

WILLIS R 95 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 84% 79%

WILSON R 73 + + - + + + + + - - + + + - - - + + + + 14 20 70% 85% 77%

Wooten D 1 - + - - - + - - - - - + + - - - - + - - 5 20 25% 19% 20%

Young D 82 - + - + - X - + - - - + + - - - - + - - 6 19 32% 35% 27%

ZUBER R 113 + + - + + + - + - - + + + - - - + + + + 13 20 65% 81% 82%

“+” 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 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.