RATINGS of GEORGIAacuratings.conservative.org/.../10/Georgia_2018_web-1.pdf2 AMERIC ONSERVA...

2018

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

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

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

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

GA Senate Statistics .....................................................................5

GA Senate Vote Descriptions ............................................... 6

GA Senate Scores .......................................................................... 8

GA House Statistics .................................................................... 10

GA House Vote Descriptions ................................................11

GA House Scores ...........................................................................13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RATINGS of GEORGIARATINGS of GEORGIA

ACUConservative @ACUFoundation | #ACURatings Conservative.org

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2018 Ratings of Georgia

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2018 meeting of the Georgia General Assembly. 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 Georgia General Assembly 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 Georgia’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

Steve Biegun

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

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2018 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

STRICKLAND

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

RUTLEDGE

SENATE

Anderson, T.

Henson

Jones, H.

Williams, N.

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

Bazemore

Beverly

Cannon

Dreyer

HOUSE

Nelson

Nguyen

Paris

Trammell

≤

SENATE

COWSERT

GINN

GOOCH

HARBIN

HEATH

HUFSTETLER

JONES, B.

LIGON

MARTIN

MILLER

WILLIAMS, M.

HOUSE

BARR

BROCKWAY

CALDWELL, M.

CANTRELL

CASAS

CAUBLE

CLARK, D.

CLARK, H.

COX

DEFFEN-BAUGH

DOLLAR

HOUSE

DUBNIK

EFSTRATION

EHRHART

HILTON

KIRBY

POWELL, J.

SMITH, L.

SPENCER

TANNER

TURNER

WILLIAMSON

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

5


GEORGIA SENATE STATISTICS

59%OVERALL AVERAGE

KIRKMCKOON67%

LOWEST REPUBLICANS

78%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

24%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

JACKSON46%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

GEORGIA SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

2018 ACUF PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE

SENATORS

28

24

20

16

12

8

4

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

6


1. SB 338 Increasing Transparency and Legislative Oversight of Agency Rulemaking. This bill is designed to increase transparency around the governmental regulatory and rule-making process by requiring that a notice be given to the public at least 60 days before any rule is adopted and that a public meeting on the proposed rule take place at least 30 days before adoption. Furthermore, the bill lowers the number of votes needed in the General Assembly to override an agency rule from two-thirds of members voting to a simple majority. ACU supports increasing government transparency and ensuring the accountability of government bureaucrats through the legislative branch and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 8, 2018 by a vote of 37-18.

2. SB 17 Permitting Restaurants to Serve Alcoholic Beverages at 11 a.m. on Sundays. This bill, known as the “Sunday Brunch Bill” permits restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages starting at 11:00 a.m. (versus 12:30 p.m.) on Sundays. Local governments are still able to ban sales and voters will have to approve this change of sale time via ballot referendum. ACU supports this expansion of individual liberty and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2018 by a vote of 37-18.

3. SB 375 Upholding Religious Freedom. This bill allows a child placement agency to make placements or decline to make placements based on the agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs and prevents the government from discriminating or taking action against the agency because of those beliefs. ACU supports the right to practice one’s religion without adverse consequences and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 23, 2018 by a vote of 35-19.

4. SB 74 Enforcing Parental Notification of Abortions. This bill makes it more difficult for a minor to obtain an abortion without parental consent by requiring an underage girl to present “clear and convincing evidence” to a judge that her parents should be exempted from the state law requiring notification of the abortion. The bill elevates the standard of evidence as current law does not spell out guidelines for judges deciding whether to grant a waiver. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 23, 2018 by a vote of 33-17.

5. SB 452 Requiring Local Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities. This bill requires local law enforcement to notify federal immigration officials if they learn a criminal suspect is in the country illegally. ACU supports efforts to help the federal government perform its constitutional role in enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 26, 2018 by a vote of 36-17.

6. HB 918 Reducing Tax Rates and Doubling the Standard Deduction. This bill provides a number of tax cuts by aligning the state’s tax code with the recently passed federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Some of the bill’s provisions include the doubling of the standard deduction, reducing the top income tax rate, and reducing the corporate income tax rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent. Reducing tax burdens increases economic growth, which increases family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports pro-growth tax relief and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 1, 2018 by a vote of 44-10.

7. HB 876 Allowing Wood Construction. This bill prohibits local governments from banning the use of wood as construction material as long as its use conforms to state building and fire codes. ACU supports the centuries-old tradition of utilizing wood as a construction material and supports the right of individuals to utilize the material in building projects and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 19, 2018 by a vote of 40-14.

8. HB 410 Placing Price Controls on Condominium Fees. This bill limits the closing fees purchasers of condominiums can be charged by Homeowner Associations at the time of purchase. ACU opposes these price controls and supports the right of HOAs to set their own fees without government interference and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 23, 2018 by a vote of 45-5.

9. HB 696 Subsidizing High-Technology Data Centers. This bill exempts computer equipment used in “high-technology data centers” from the sales and use tax. ACU opposes subsidies for select government-favored companies, which place other companies at a competitive disadvantage and shift the tax burden to other taxpayers and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 23, 2018 by a vote of 42-5.

GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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10. HB 664 Increasing Tax Deductions for 529 Education Savings Accounts. This bill doubles the annual cap on contributions to 529 educational savings plans to $8,000 for joint tax filers and $4,000 for others. Under new federal tax law, these savings can now be used to pay for private school tuition at K-12 schools as well as college tuition. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate voted to advance the bill on March 27, 2018 by a vote of 34-18.

11. SB 339 Protecting Free Speech on Campus. This bill requires the University Board of Regents to develop and adopt a new policy that protects free expression on college campuses. The bill ensures that campuses are open to any speaker who is invited by students or faculty and abides by time, place and manner rules, as well as protects the rights of students to freely assemble. ACU supports the protection of First Amendment rights and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 35-17.

12. HB 787 Boosting Funding for Charter Schools. This bill requires that the funding for a charter school match the average state funding for all schools and assures that charter schools can receive services from regional educational service agencies. Currently, charter schools receive lower levels of funding compared to schools in the rest of the state. ACU supports strengthening school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 43-7.

13. HB 217 Raising the Tax Credit Cap on Donations to Student Scholarship Organizations. This bill helps expand school choice by raising the annual limit on tax credits for donations to student scholarship organizations from $58 million to between $65 million and $100 million. Educational attainment provides substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 34-20.

14. HB 978 Installing Automated Traffic Devices in School Zones. This bill allows automated red light and speed cameras to be installed in school zones. ACU opposes these devices that are used primarily to produce revenue and has serious concerns about the ability of these systems to invade privacy through their ability to track people’s movements and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 35-19.

8


GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.SB 338 SB 17

SB 375 SB 74

SB 452

HB 918

HB 876

HB 410

HB 696

HB 664

SB 339

HB 787 HB 217

HB 978

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

ALBERS R 56 + + + + + + - - - + + + + + 11 14 79% 75% 78%

ANDERSON, L. R 24 + - + + + + + - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 64% 68%

Anderson, T. D 43 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 14 7% 42% 24%

BEACH R 21 + + + + + + + - - + + + + - 11 14 79% 58% 69%

BLACK R 8 + - + + + + + - - + + + + + 11 14 79% 67% 77%

BRASS R 28 + - + + + + + - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 67% 69%

BURKE R 11 + + + + + + + - - + + + - - 10 14 71% 73% 71%

Butler D 55 - + - - - - - + - - - - - - 2 14 14% 42% 19%

COWSERT R 46 + - + + + + + - + + + + + + 12 14 86% 75% 79%

Davenport D 44 - + - - - + - - - X - - - - 2 13 15% 42% 15%

DUGAN R 30 + + + + + + + - - + + E + - 10 13 77% 58% 65%

GINN R 47 + + + + + + + - - + + + + + 12 14 86% 73% 77%

GOOCH R 51 + + + + + + + - - + E E + + 10 12 83% 92% 89%

HARBIN R 16 + - + + + + + - + + + X + + 11 13 85% 73% 79%

Harbison D 15 - + - - E + + - - - - + - + 5 13 38% 55% 34%

HARPER R 7 + - + + + + + - - + E + + + 10 13 77% 64% 76%

HEATH R 31 + - + E + + + - + + + + + + 11 13 85% 73% 85%

Henson D 41 - + - - - - - - - - - X - - 1 13 8% 45% 18%

HILL R 4 + - + + + + + - E + + + + - 10 13 77% 55% 75%

HUFSTETLER R 52 + + + + + + + - - + + + + + 12 14 86% 80% 76%

Jackson D 2 - + - - - + + + X - + + - - 6 13 46% 36% 27%

James D 35 - + - - - X + - - - - + - - 3 13 23% 50% 27%

JONES, B. R 25 + + + + + + + - - + X + + + 11 13 85% n/a 82%

Jones, E. D 10 - + - E - + + E E - + + - - 5 11 45% 42% 29%

Jones, H. D 22 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 14 7% 36% 24%

Jordan D 6 - + - - - + + - - - - + + - 5 14 36% n/a 36%

GEORGIA SENATE SCORES

9


GEORGIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.SB 338 SB 17

SB 375 SB 74

SB 452

HB 918

HB 876

HB 410

HB 696

HB 664

SB 339

HB 787 HB 217

HB 978

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

KENNEDY R 18 + - + + + + + - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 67% 64%

KIRK R 13 + - E E + + + - - + + + + - 8 12 67% 73% 66%

KIRKPATRICK R 32 + + + + + + - - - + + + + - 10 14 71% n/a 71%

LIGON R 3 + - + + + + + - + + + + + + 12 14 86% 75% 84%

Lucas D 26 - + - - E - + + X - - E X + 4 10 40% 10% 27%

MARTIN R 9 + + + + + + - + - X + + + + 11 13 85% 67% 68%

McKOON R 29 + - + + + + + - - + + E E - 8 12 67% 82% 79%

MILLAR R 40 + + + + + + - - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 60% 68%

MILLER R 49 + + + + + + + - X X + + + - 10 12 83% 60% 70%

MULLIS R 53 + + + + + + + - - + + + + - 11 14 79% 75% 76%

Orrock D 36 - + - - - - + X - - - + - - 3 13 23% 42% 21%

Parent D 42 - + - - - - + - - - - + - - 3 14 21% 42% 29%

PAYNE R 54 + - + + + + + - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 75% 73%

Rhett D 33 - + - - - - - - - - - + - - 2 14 14% 36% 24%

Seay D 34 - + - - - + + - - - - + - - 4 14 29% 33% 28%

SHAFER R 48 + - + + + + + - - + + + + X 10 13 77% 60% 79%

Sims D 12 - + - E - + + - - - - + - - 4 13 31% 33% 24%

STONE R 23 + + + E + + + - - + + + + - 10 13 77% 64% 75%

STRICKLAND R 17 + + + + + + + E E + + + + - 11 12 92% 62% 68%

Tate D 38 - + - - - - - + - - - - - X 2 13 15% n/a 17%

THOMPSON, B. R 14 + - E E + + E E E + + + + + 8 9 n/a† 75% 71%

Thompson, C. D 5 X + - - - + - E E E - + - - 3 10 30% 36% 32%

TILLERY R 19 + - + + + + + - - + + + + - 10 14 71% 75% 73%

TIPPINS R 37 + - + + E E + E E + + - - + 7 10 70% 82% 85%

UNTERMAN R 45 + + + + + + - - - + E + + + 10 13 77% 82% 80%

WALKER R 20 + + + + + + + - - + + + + - 11 14 79% 67% 68%

WATSON R 1 + + + + + + + - - + + + + - 11 14 79% 64% 68%

WILKINSON R 50 + - + + + + + - - + + + - + 10 14 71% 73% 72%

WILLIAMS, M. R 27 + + + + + + E - + - + + + + 11 13 85% 100% 88%

Williams, N. D 39 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 14 7% n/a 7%

“+” 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


GEORGIA HOUSE STATISTICS

53%OVERALL AVERAGE

CHANDLER47%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

71%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

22%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

GLANTON 73%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

GEORGIA HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

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 757 Restricting Competition for Taxi Service. This bill reinforces the ability of municipalities to limit competition in the taxi industry by making it a violation of state law (in addition to any local ordinance) to operate a taxi without a medallion if the municipality requires one. Taxicab medallions are issued by municipalities in limited numbers, preventing additional taxi operators from entering the market. 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 supports a free market in the taxi service and ride sharing industries and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 13, 2018 by a vote of 150-15.

2. HB 789 Clarifying the Definition of Independent Contractor. This bill is meant to protect the “gig economy” (online platforms like Uber, Grubhub, or Handy which connect consumers to service providers) by clarifying that those who provide services through those platforms are classified as independent contractors and not employees. This classification eliminates burdensome and costly labor regulatory requirements. ACU supports the ability of contractors to negotiate their own arrangements for compensation and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 14, 2018 by a vote of 102-66.

3. HB 693 Preventing Property Confiscation Due to Overdue Trash Bills. This bill repeals a law that allows local governments to confiscate homes and property due to an overdue trash bill. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights is a leading authority on issues such as this which relate to government seizure of property. ACU supports trashing this draconian law, supports strengthening property rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 20, 2018 by a vote of 98-64.

4. HB 876 Allowing Wood Construction. This bill prohibits local governments from banning the use of wood as construction material as long as its use conforms to state building and fire codes. ACU supports the centuries-old tradition of utilizing wood as a construction material and supports the right of individuals to utilize the material in building projects and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 22, 2018 by a vote of 125-43.

5. HB 664 Increasing Tax Deductions for 529 Education Savings Accounts. This bill doubles the annual cap on contributions to 529 educational savings plans to $8,000 for joint tax filers and $4,000 for others. Under new federal tax law, these savings can now be used to pay for private school tuition at K-12 schools as well as college tuition. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 23, 2018 by a vote of 111-51.

6. HB 81 Authorizing Debt Collections via Tax Refunds. This bills expands the ability of hospitals to collect medical debt by allowing them to petition a court to claim any tax refund money to which a debtor is entitled. ACU supports the right of individuals and organizations to collect the debt they are owed and supports this effort to help reduce unnecessary litigation and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 94-71.

7. HB 410 Placing Price Controls on Condominium Fees. This bill limits the closing fees purchasers of condominiums can be charged by Homeowner Associations at the time of purchase. ACU opposes these price controls and supports the right of HOAs to set their own fees without government interference and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 153-18.

8. HB 696 Subsidizing High-Technology Data Centers. This bill exempts computer equipment used in “high-technology data centers” from the sales and use tax. ACU opposes subsidies for select government-favored companies, which places other companies at a competitive disadvantage and shifts the tax burden to other taxpayers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 120-48.

9. HB 877 Reducing Taxes on “Modified Risk” Tobacco Products. This bill reduces taxes by between 25 and 50 percent on tobacco products that federal government agencies classify as “modified risk” products (those with lower health risks). Although currently no products have received this label, ACU supports this effort to help reduce tobacco tax burdens (currently $1.38 or more per a pack in the state) and supported this bill. The House defeated the bill on February 28, 2018 by a vote of 59-109.

GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

12


10. HB 918 Reducing Tax Rates and Doubling the Standard Deduction. This bill provides a number of tax cuts by aligning the state’s tax code with the recently passed federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Some of the bill’s provisions include the doubling of the standard deduction, reducing the top income tax rate, and reducing the corporate income tax rate from 6 percent to 5.75 percent. Reducing tax burdens increases economic growth, which increases family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports pro-growth tax relief and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 1, 2018 by a vote of 135-24.

11. HB 482 Establishing a Limited School Voucher Program. This bill sets up a limited school voucher program that allows parents to use their allotment of education funds as they see fit, including private school tuition. The program initially is capped at 0.25 percent of total student enrollment with slight increases each year. Educational attainment provides substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The House defeated the bill on March 1, 2018 by a vote of 60-102.

12. SB 17 Permitting Restaurants to Serve Alcoholic Beverages at 11 a.m. on Sundays. This bill, known as the “Sunday Brunch Bill” permits restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages starting at 11:00 a.m. (versus 12:30 p.m.) on Sundays. Local governments are still able to ban sales and voters will have to approve this change of sale time via ballot referendum. ACU supports this expansion of individual liberty and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 12, 2018 by a vote of 97-64.

13. HR 1470 Supporting Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel. This resolution supports the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem and supports the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Israel’s capital. ACU supports this long-overdue recognition of the fact that Jerusalem is the home of the Israeli parliament and the seat of government and supported this resolution. The House passed the resolution on March 19, 2018 by a vote of 117-43.

14. SB 339 Protecting Free Speech on Campus. This bill requires the University Board of Regents to develop and adopt a new policy that protects free expression on college campuses. The bill ensures that campuses are open to any speaker who is invited by students or faculty and abides by time, place and manner rules, as well as protects the rights for students to freely assemble. ACU supports the protection of First Amendment rights and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 27, 2018 by a vote of 110-57.

15. SB 338 Increasing Transparency and Legislative Oversight of Agency Rulemaking. This bill is designed to increase transparency around the government regulatory and rule making process by requiring that a notice be given to the public at least 60 days before any rule is adopted and that a public meeting on the proposed rule take place at least 30 days before adoption. Furthermore, the bill lowers the number of votes needed in the General Assembly to override an agency rule from two-thirds of members voting to a simple majority. ACU supports increasing government transparency and ensuring the accountability of government bureaucrats through the legislative branch and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 150-16.

16. HB 787 Boosting Funding for Charter Schools. This bill requires that the funding for a charter school match the average state funding for all schools and assures that charter schools can receive services from regional educational service agencies. Currently, charter schools receive lower levels of funding compared to schools in the rest of the state. ACU supports strengthening school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 111-56.

17. HB 217 Raising the Tax Credit Cap on Donations to Student Scholarship Organizations. This bill helps expand school choice by raising the annual limit on tax credits for donations to student scholarship organizations from $58 million to between $65 million and $100 million. Educational attainment provides substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 29, 2018 by a vote of 99-54.

18. HB 978 Installing Automated Traffic Devices in School Zones. This bill allows automated red light and speed cameras to be installed in school zones. ACU opposes these devices that are used primarily for revenue rather than traffic safety and can be used to track people’s movements and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 30, 2018 by a vote of 136-21.

13


GEORGIA HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party Dist.HB 757

HB 789

HB 693

HB 876

HB 664

HB 81

HB 410

HB 696

HB 877

HB 918

HB 482 SB 17

HR 1470

SB 339

SB 338

HB 787

HB 217

HB 978

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Alexander D 66 - - - - - - + - - + - - - - - - - - 2 18 11% 21% 15%

Anulewicz D 42 - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - + - 3 18 17% n/a 17%

BALLINGER R 23 - + + + + + - E X + X + E + + + X - 10 13 77% 70% 72%

BARR R 103 - E + + + + - + + + + X + + + + + + 14 16 88% 92% 89%

BATTLES R 15 - + + + + + - - - + - - + + + + + X 11 17 65% 67% 65%

Bazemore D 63 - - - - - - - - - X - - E - - - - - 0 16 0% 8% 4%

Beasley-Teague D 65 E E X - - - - + - - - - X - + - - - 2 14 14% 10% 11%

BELTON R 112 - - + + E + - - - E X - + + + + + - 8 15 53% 62% 59%

Bennett D 94 - - - + - - - - - + X X - - + - - - 3 16 19% 8% 9%

Bentley D 139 - - - + X - + - + X - + - E + - X - 5 14 36% 21% 32%

BENTON R 31 - + X + + + - + - + - - + + + - - - 9 17 53% 58% 60%

BESKIN R 54 - + + - + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 11 18 61% 54% 50%

Beverly D 143 - - - - - - - - - X - - - - + - - - 1 17 6% 14% 14%

BLACKMON R 146 - + + + + - - X - + - E + + + + X - 9 15 60% 75% 68%

Boddie D 62 - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + - - - 2 18 11% 21% 16%

BONNER R 72 - + + + + - - + - + + + + + + + + + 14 18 78% 71% 75%

BROCKWAY R 102 - + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + 15 18 83% 67% 86%

Bruce D 61 - - - - - - - - - + - - X - + - - - 2 17 12% 23% 13%

Buckner D 137 - E + + - X - - - + - - - - + - - - 4 16 25% 21% 17%

Burnough D 77 - - - + - - - + - + - - - - + - - - 4 18 22% 21% 22%

BURNS R 159 - + + + + + - - + + - - + + X + + - 11 17 65% 67% 68%

CALDWELL, J. R 131 - + - + + + - + - + + - + + + + + - 12 18 67% 71% 65%

CALDWELL, M. R 20 + - + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + 15 18 83% 71% 84%

Cannon D 58 - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - 1 18 6% 14% 10%

CANTRELL R 22 + X + + + + - + X + + - + + + + + + 14 16 88% 64% 77%

GEORGIA HOUSE SCORES

14



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

CARPENTER R 4 - + + + + - - - + + + + + + + + + - 13 18 72% n/a 72%

CARSON R 46 - + E + + + - - - E + - + + + + + - 10 16 63% 64% 70%

Carter D 92 - - - + + - + - - - - - - - + - - - 4 18 22% 15% 15%

CASAS R 107 + + + + + - - E + E + - + + + + + + 13 16 81% n/a 80%

CAUBLE R 111 + + + + + + - - + + + + + X + + + + 15 17 88% n/a 88%

CHANDLER R 105 - + X + + - - - - + - - + + X X + - 7 15 47% 77% 67%

CLARK, D. R 98 - + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + X 14 17 82% 64% 70%

CLARK, H. R 147 - + + + + + - - + + + + + + X + X + 13 16 81% 71% 78%

COLEMAN R 97 - + + + + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 12 18 67% 58% 65%

COLLINS R 68 - + + + + + - - + E - - + + + + + - 11 17 65% 64% 64%

COOKE R 18 - - + + E + - + + E + - + + + + + + 12 16 75% 64% 84%

COOMER R 14 - + + + + + - - + + + X + + X + + - 12 16 75% 77% 73%

COOPER R 43 - + X + + + E X - E - + + + + + + - 10 14 71% 58% 70%

CORBETT R 174 - + - + + + - - + + - - + + + + X X 10 16 63% 50% 49%

COX R 108 - + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + X 14 17 82% 69% 76%

DEFFENBAUGH R 1 - + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + X 14 17 82% 64% 67%

DEMPSEY R 13 - + + + + + X - + + - + + + + + + - 13 17 76% 71% 73%

Dickerson D 113 - - - + - - - - X + - + - - + - - - 4 17 24% 14% 15%

DICKEY R 140 - + - + + + - + - + - + + + + + + X 12 17 71% 64% 69%

DOLLAR R 45 - + + E + + + - + E + + + + + + + - 13 16 81% 67% 78%

Douglas D 78 - - - - - - - - + + - - - - + - - - 3 18 17% 14% 17%

Drenner D 85 + - - + - - - + - E - E - + + - - E 5 15 33% n/a 16%

Dreyer D 59 - - - - - - - - - - - + X - - - - - 1 17 6% 14% 10%

DUBNIK R 29 - + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + X 14 17 82% 77% 80%

Dukes D 154 - - - E - - - - - + E + - - + - - - 3 16 19% 17% 15%

DUNAHOO R 30 X - + + + + - + + E + - + + E + E - 10 14 71% 73% 79%

Ealum D 153 - X + + X X - X - + - - + X + - X - 5 12 42% 60% 46%

EFSTRATION R 104 E E + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + - 14 16 88% 69% 72%

15



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

EHRHART R 36 X + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + - 14 17 82% 77% 76%

ENGLAND R 116 E + + + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 12 17 71% 64% 67%

EPPS R 144 - + + + + + - - - + - - + + + + + - 11 18 61% 57% 65%

FLEMING R 121 - + - X + + - - + + + - E + + + + - 10 16 63% 58% 63%

Frazier D 126 - - - - - - + - - + - - E - + - - - 3 17 18% 15% 27%

Frye D 118 - - - + - - - - + - - + - - - - - - 3 18 17% 31% 23%

Gardner D 57 - - - - - - - - - + - + - - + X - - 3 17 18% 14% 27%

GASAWAY R 28 - + + + + + - - - + - - X + + + + + 11 17 65% 67% 68%

Gilliard D 162 E + - + + - - - - + - - + - + - - - 6 17 35% 21% 28%

GILLIGAN R 24 + + + - + - + + - + + - + + + + + - 13 18 72% 69% 70%

Glanton D 75 E E - + + + + - + + + E + - + + + - 11 15 73% 50% 46%

GOLICK R 40 E + + - + - - X - + E + + + + + X - 9 14 64% 79% 75%

Gonzalez D 117 - - X + - - - - - + - + - - + - - - 4 17 24% n/a 24%

Gordon D 163 - - E - - - - - - + - E - - + - - - 2 16 13% 23% 21%

GRAVLEY R 67 X + + + + - - - + + + - + + + + + - 12 17 71% 71% 77%

GREENE R 151 - + + + X + - - - + X - + + + + + - 10 16 63% 64% 55%

GURTLER R 8 + - + + + - + + - + + + + - + + + + 14 18 78% 79% 78%

HANSON R 80 - + + - + + - + - + + + + E + + + - 12 17 71% 54% 62%

HARDEN R 148 - + + + + + - - - + - - + + + + + - 11 18 61% 71% 68%

HARRELL R 106 - + + + + + - - + + - + + + + + + - 13 18 72% 69% 76%

HATCHETT R 150 - + X + + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 11 17 65% 62% 68%

HAWKINS R 27 - + + + + + - - - + + + + + + + + - 13 18 72% 71% 65%

Henson D 86 + - - - - - - - - - - + - E + - - - 3 17 18% 8% 13%

HILL R 3 - + + + + - - - + + - + + + + + + - 12 18 67% 64% 65%

HILTON R 95 - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + 16 18 89% 57% 73%

HITCHENS R 161 - + + + + + - - - + - - X + + + + - 10 17 59% 71% 63%

HOGAN R 179 - + + + + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 12 18 67% 64% 65%

16



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

Holcomb D 81 - - - - - - - - - + - + X - + - - X 3 16 19% 14% 24%

HOLMES R 129 - + + + E + - X - + - + + + + + + X 11 15 73% n/a 78%

HOUSTON R 170 - + X + + X - + - + - - + + + + + - 10 16 63% 64% 69%

Howard D 124 - + - + - - E - E - E E - - + - - - 3 14 21% n/a 19%

Hugley D 136 - - - - - + - - - - - + - - + - - - 3 18 17% 15% 12%

Jackson, D. D 64 - - - + - - + - - - - + - - - - - X 3 17 18% 14% 16%

Jackson, M. D 128 - - - + + + + - - + - - + - + - - - 7 18 39% 31% 27%

JASPERSE R 11 X + X + + + - - + + - + + + X + E - 10 14 71% 75% 76%

JONES, JAN R 47 - + + + + + - - + + + + + X X + X - 11 15 73% 71% 78%

JONES, JEFF R 167 - + + + + + - + - X + - + + + + + - 12 17 71% 57% 57%

Jones, S. D 53 - - - - - - X + - + + E - - + + X - 5 15 33% 20% 22%

JONES, T. R 25 - E + X + X - + - + + + + + + + + - 11 15 73% 62% 67%

Jones, V. D 91 - - - + + - X - - + - + + + + - - - 7 17 41% 64% 52%

KELLEY R 16 + + + + + + - - + + - - + + + E + - 12 17 71% 73% 78%

Kendrick D 93 - - E - + + - - - - - + + - + - - - 5 17 29% 21% 18%

KIRBY R 114 - + + E + + - + + + + + + + X + + + 14 16 88% 73% 80%

KNIGHT R 130 - + + + + + - - + + + E X + + X X - 10 14 71% 77% 75%

LAHOOD R 175 X X - + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 10 16 63% n/a 63%

LARICCIA R 169 - + - + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 11 18 61% 50% 51%

Lopez D 99 - - E - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - 2 17 12% 21% 17%

LOTT R 122 X + + + + + - - + + - + + + + + E - 12 16 75% 71% 69%

LUMSDEN R 12 - + + + + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 12 18 67% 71% 69%

Marin D 96 - - - + - E - - E X E + - - + - - - 3 14 21% 15% 15%

MARTIN R 49 - + + - E - - - X + + + + + + X + - 9 15 60% 90% 80%

MATHIAK R 73 - + + + + - - + - + + + + + + + + - 13 18 72% 64% 68%

MAXWELL R 17 - - + E + + - - - E - + + + + + + - 9 16 56% 64% 71%

McCALL R 33 - + E + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 11 17 65% 57% 65%

17



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

McClain D 100 - - - - + - X - + - - E - X - - - - 2 15 13% 15% 12%

McGowan D 138 - - - + - - - + - + - - + + + + - - 7 18 39% 36% 37%

MEADOWS R 5 - + E + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 11 17 65% 71% 70%

Metze D 55 - - - - E + - - - + - - - - + - - - 3 17 18% 14% 13%

Mitchell D 88 - - - + - + - - - + - + X - + - - - 5 17 29% 21% 24%

MORRIS, G. R 156 - + E + + + - - - + - - + + + + + - 10 17 59% n/a 71%

MORRIS, M. R 26 - + + + E + - - - + + X + + + + + - 11 16 69% n/a 69%

Mosby D 83 - - - - - - - + - - - + X - + - - + 4 17 24% 14% 16%

Nelson D 125 - - - - - - - - E E E - - - + - X - 1 14 7% 14% 11%

NEWTON R 123 - + + + + + - - - + + - + + X + X - 10 16 63% 71% 67%

Nguyen D 89 - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - 1 18 6% n/a 6%

NIMMER R 178 - + - + E + - + + + - - + + + + + - 11 17 65% 36% 61%

NIX R 69 - + + + + + - + - + + - + + - + + - 12 18 67% 64% 69%

Oliver D 82 - - - X - - + - - + - + + - + - - - 5 17 29% 14% 21%

Paris D 142 - E - + - - - - - - - - - - - - X - 1 16 6% 25% 16%

Park D 101 - - - + - - - - - + - + X E E E E E 3 12 25% 14% 20%

PARRISH R 158 - + + E + + - - - + - + + + + + + - 11 17 65% 64% 67%

PARSONS R 44 - + + + E + - - - + + + + E + + + - 11 16 69% 69% 67%

PEAKE R 141 - + + E E + - - - + + + + + + + X - 10 15 67% 77% 71%

PETREA R 166 - X + + + X - - - + + + + + + + + - 11 16 69% 64% 63%

PEZOLD R 133 + - + + + - + E - + + X + - + + + X 11 15 73% 93% 76%

PIRKLE R 155 - + - + + X - + + + + - + + + + + X 12 16 75% 57% 71%

POWELL, A. R 32 - + + + + + - - + + - + + + + + + - 13 18 72% 69% 72%

POWELL, J. R 171 X + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + X X 13 15 87% 71% 72%

PRICE R 48 - + + - + + - + - + + + + + + + X - 12 17 71% 58% 63%

Prince D 127 - - + - - - - - + + - + - - + - - - 5 18 28% 14% 21%

PRUETT R 149 - + + + + + - - - + - - E + + + + - 10 17 59% n/a 74%

18



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

RAFFENSPERGER R 50 - + + + + + - + - + + - + + + + + - 13 18 72% 62% 68%

RAKESTRAW R 19 - + + + + - - - - + + + + + + + + - 12 18 67% 71% 72%

RALSTON R 7 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 0 0 n/a† n/a n/a

REEVES R 34 E + + + + + - - - + + + + + + E + - 12 16 75% n/a 60%

RHODES R 120 - + - + + + - - + + - - + + X + X - 9 16 56% 64% 56%

RIDLEY R 6 - + + + + - - - + + - + + + X + + - 11 17 65% 71% 68%

ROGERS R 10 - + + + + + E - + + E - + + + + + - 12 16 75% 71% 75%

RUTLEDGE R 109 + + + + E + - + + + + + + + + + + + 16 17 94% 64% 78%

RYNDERS R 152 - + + + + + - + E + - - + + + + + X 12 16 75% 58% 75%

Schofield D 60 - - - - - - + - - - - + - - + - - - 3 18 17% n/a 17%

Scott D 76 - - - - - - - - - + - + - - - - - - 2 18 11% 8% 15%

SETZLER R 35 - + + - + + - + - + + + + + + + + + 14 18 78% 83% 81%

Shannon D 84 - - + - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + 3 18 17% 14% 15%

Sharper D 177 - - - + - - - - - + - + - - - + - - 4 18 22% 14% 16%

SHAW R 176 - + X + + + - - + + - + + + + + X - 11 16 69% 54% 67%

SILCOX R 52 - + + - + + - - - + X + + + + X + - 10 16 63% 69% 66%

SMITH, L. R 70 - + + + + X - + X + X + + + + + + - 12 15 80% 55% 72%

Smith, M. D 41 - - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - 2 18 11% 23% 21%

SMITH, R. R 134 - + + + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 12 18 67% 77% 69%

Smyre D 135 - - - + - + - - + + - + - E + - X X 6 15 40% 15% 20%

SPENCER R 180 + + + + + + - - + + - + + + + X + X 13 16 81% 85% 80%

Stephens, M. D 165 - - - + - - - - - + - + - - + - - - 4 18 22% 23% 21%

STEPHENS, R. R 164 - + + X + + - - - + - + + + + + X - 10 16 63% 69% 68%

Stephenson D 90 - - - + X - - - - - - X - - + - - X 2 15 13% 14% 16%

Stovall D 74 - + - + + - - + + + + + - - + + + - 11 18 61% 54% 41%

STOVER R 71 + - + + + - - + - + + + + + + + + + 14 18 78% 69% 85%

TANKERSLEY R 160 - + + + + E - + E + E - + + + + + - 11 15 73% 64% 69%

19



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ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2018 %

2017 %

LIFETIME AVG

TANNER R 9 - + + + + X X X + E E X + + + + + - 10 12 83% 57% 76%

TARVIN R 2 + - + + + X - + + + - + + + + + + - 13 17 76% 69% 81%

TAYLOR, D. R 173 - + + + E + - - - + X + + + + + X - 10 15 67% 57% 70%

TAYLOR, T. R 79 - + + - + + - - + E + + + + + + + - 12 17 71% 54% 65%

TEASLEY R 37 - + + + + + - E - + + - + + + + + + 13 17 76% 64% 84%

Thomas, E. D 39 - - - - X X + - - + - + - - X X - - 3 14 21% 21% 22%

Thomas, M. D 56 - - - X - - - - - + - + X - + - + - 4 16 25% 23% 17%

Trammell D 132 - - - - - - - - - - - - X - + - - - 1 17 6% 21% 14%

TURNER R 21 + - + + + E - + + + + + + + + + + + 15 17 88% 71% 84%

Wallace D 119 - - - - - - - - - + - + - - + - - - 3 18 17% n/a 17%

WATSON R 172 - + + + + + - - + + - - + + + + + - 12 18 67% 69% 68%

WELCH R 110 - + - + + + - + + + + X + E + X X - 10 14 71% 64% 76%

WERKHEISER R 157 - + + + E - - + - E + - + X + + + - 9 15 60% 62% 59%

Wilkerson D 38 - - + - - - - - - - - + X - - - - X 2 16 13% 23% 14%

WILLARD R 51 - + X - + - - - - E E + + + + X + X 7 13 54% 50% 57%

Williams, A. D 168 - - - + - + + - + + - - X - + + - - 7 17 41% 14% 25%

Williams, E. D 87 - - - - - E - E E - E + - - + - - + 3 14 21% 20% 16%

WILLIAMS, R. R 145 - + + + + + - + - + - X + + + + + - 12 17 71% 71% 71%

WILLIAMSON R 115 - + + + + + - + + + + E + + + + + X 14 16 88% 64% 80%

“+” 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.

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