Blog

*Note: This page will be continuously updated as votes are taken and posted. By clicking on the bill number, you can view the full text of the bill, current status, and vote totals. Vote totals are preliminary and may differ from the final totals. To view the vote by party, copy and paste the names from the vote totals pdf here.

Monday March 6, 2017

 

• SB 2680: This bill expands the rights of children by clarifying that courts have the authority to appoint a relative as a guardian for abused or neglected children. The bill was also amended to ensure that individuals are victimized by domestic abuse are able to get a divorce. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2828: This bill expands access to EMS licenses by instituting a reciprocal licensing agreement. The state should seek to decrease the burden of these kinds of occupational licenses. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0. 

 

• SB 2275: This bill increases transparency in government by requiring annual reports from agencies to be published on the Transparency Mississippi site so they can be viewed by the public. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2354: This bill adds definitions back to the public purchasing law. These were mistakenly deleted last session. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2384: This bill expands transparency in public purchasing by requiring that purchases be advertised on the state’s procurement website. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-3.

 

• SB 2572: This bill simply repeals a number of commissions which are no longer meeting. The state should seek to reduce the number of laws like these on the books. I voted Yes, the measure passed 105-10.

 

• SB 2017: This bill extends a state regulation on individuals who perform home inspections. These licensing requirements serve to protect established players while driving up prices and limiting competition in the market. I voted No, the measure passed 116-3.

 

• SB 2423: This bill expands regulatory sanctions on private businesses in the state. I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• SB 2425: This bill deletes a repealer on a regulation that dictates how real estate brokers may place liens on commercial property. I voted No, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• SB 2911: This bill imposes new regulations on financial institutions operating in the state. The state should seek to decrease the regulatory burden on private businesses. I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• SB 2311: This bill increases the size of government by creating a new government-administrated trust fund that administers tax-deductible flexible spending accounts for disabled people. While tax-deductible accounts should be allowed, they shouldn’t be regulated and dictated by a newly created governmental board. I voted No, the measure passed 110-1.

 

• SB 2519: This bill removes the prohibition on city governments citing individuals for parking in restricted areas unless the restriction is indicated by signage. This bill would punish individuals who might not be aware of the restrictions. I voted No, the measure passed 102-15.

 

• SB 2263: This bill exempts some smaller cities to from the requirements to publish their annual budget to match the number required for cities to incorporate. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-3.

 

• SB 2372: This bill expands freedom by allowing for the issuance of new hospice licenses. The state should seek to decrease these restrictive licensing requirements. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• SB 2724: This bill expands the seat belt law to require that seat belts be worn by individuals in the back seat. While seat belts are to be recommended, it should be an individual decision, not a government mandate. I voted No, the measure passed 86-31.

 

• SB 2628: This bill expands accountability in our judicial system by allowing for recorded proceedings in more venues. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2350:This bill simplifies regulations on corporate filing for businesses. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2709:This board allows members of the Tort Claims Board to appoint designees to attend meetings at their discretion. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2402: This bill revises public contract laws regarding energy services to ensure that cost savings are prioritized and to assemble a list of approved providers with a record of cost efficiency. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2620: This bill makes some changes to the court martial statute to further the interests of justice within the military. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

Tuesday March 7, 2017

 

• HB 1322: The House voted to concur on this bill, which expands freedom for businesses by allowing breweries to sell their products on-site. I voted Yes, the motion passed 89-21.

 

• SB 2564: The House reconsidered this bill, which renames a building in honor of the late Congressman Alan Nunnelee. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2612: The House reconsidered this bill, which expands economic freedom by allowing more municipalities to establish districts that nullify alcohol regulations. I voted Yes, the measure passed 81-32.

 

• SB 2289: This bill extends the repeal date on the Department of Health. Many of the department’s functions are outside the proper role of government and could be better handled by the private sector and nonprofits. The state should discuss transferring these functions before reauthorizing the agency. I voted No, the measure passed 113-4.

 

• SB 2710: This bill prohibits sanctuary cities in Mississippi and directs local law enforcement entities to cooperate with federal immigration orders. The state should focus on increasing employment and jobs in the state, and this bill hinders those goals. The House first voted to adopt the strike-all amendment, I voted No, the amendment was adopted 74-40. I voted No on the final measure, which passed 76-41.

 

• SB 2514: This bill establishes a council of faith-based initiatives to identify ways they can better provide services that are currently provided by the state, and to identify regulations that are harmful to these groups. This bill has the potential to increase private cooperative work and decrease reliance on state functions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 86-28.

 

• SB 2273: This bill increases regulations on local schools and diminishes local control by requiring local school districts to teach cursive writing. This decision should be left up to local officials and parents. I voted No, the measure passed 107-10.

 

• SB 2398: This bill adds expands eligibility for experienced individuals to lead school districts as superintendents.  This expands local options in education. I voted Yes, the measure passed 64-55.

 

• SB 2431: This bill modifies procedures for change in failing school districts to encourage positive reform for the students in the district. I voted Yes, the measure passed 78-36.

 

• SB 2432: This bill eliminates a government program and reduces requirements on local districts. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-22.

 

• SB 2461: This bill increases efficiency in the government by requiring the consolidation of district schools in Perry County. The state should seek to decrease administrative costs in district schools. I voted Yes, the measure passed 84-25.

 

• SB 2463: This bill increases efficiency in the government by requiring the consolidation of district schools in Chickasaw County. The state should seek to decrease administrative costs in district schools. I voted Yes, the measure passed 62-43.

 

 

Wednesday March 8, 2017

 

 

• The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to HB 263. This bill increases regulations on public schools by setting forth the policies they are required to adopt regarding bullying, including providing counseling services to bullying victims and prohibiting disciplinary actions against students who act in self-defense. I voted yes, the measure passed 110-5.

 

• The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to HB 488. This bill makes changes to a compact that allows licensed nurses in Mississippi to seek reciprocity with licensing requirements in other states. Although licensing requirements act as barrier to entry in these professions, this measure expands the ability of currently licensed nurses to practice their profession.   I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0. 

 

• The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to HB 1125. This bill allows the state to contract out to a nonprofit corporation the operation of a state-owned facility. The state should not operate or own facilities like these that are better handled by the private sector. While this bill still allows for state ownership of the facility, it outsources many of the responsibilities of operating the center. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• The House considered SB 2509. The House first considered an amendment that makes these provisions contingent on universities flying either the state flag or the bicentennial banner. The House considered whether to table this amendment, and I voted No. The motion to table failed 64-51. The House then voted to table an amendment that would punish schools for not flying the state flag. I voted to table, and the motion failed 55-58. The House voted on this amendment to punish schools for a local decision about a flag, I voted No, and the amendment passed 57-56. The House finally voted on the underlying bill, with the amendment that punishes schools for not flying a flag. The House then considered the committee amendment to the bill, I voted Yes, the amendment passed 71-47. The bill has a repealer which would prevent it from becoming law in its current form. I voted No, the measure passed 75-42.

 

• SB 3033: This bill authorizes $45 Million in new debt at taxpayers’ expense to send taxpayer dollars to private companies. The state should seek to reduce its indebtedness and return money to the taxpayers. I voted No, the measure passed 106-10.

 

• SB 2752: This bill continues the unconstitutional practice of set bail schedules, which will likely lead to further lawsuits against jurisdictions in the state. It also codifies the unconstitutional practice of allowing someone other than a judge to set bail based on one of these schedules. Bail should be used to ensure appearance and allow release when community safety is not at risk. This bill undermines this legislative intent of bail. I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 2194: This bill adds several new substances to the list of controlled substances, further extending state regulations on the availability of medicines and pharmaceuticals. I voted No, the measure passed 115-2.

 

• SB 2685: This bill makes some technical corrections to the DUI statute, clarifying the prosecutor’s duty to collect information, and adding several members to a task force. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2345: This bill expands freedom by eliminating a regulation that prevents alcohol advertisements from originating in a dry county. I voted Yes, the measure passed 86-29.

 

• SB 2842: This bill creates mental health courts which are a helpful diversion from the criminal justice system for individuals with mental health issues. Incarceration is currently the only tool used by the state in many situations, and it is often unhelpful. This will help decrease the strain on our criminal justice system and direct needy individuals to treatment instead of incarceration. Like drug courts, it can also help save the state money. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2617: This bill allows Delta State to lease its golf course to another entity. Public entities should seek to decrease their footprint in ways such as this. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• SB 2664: This bill adds a new provision to the reciprocal license procedures for nonresidents seeking a commercial fishing license in the state. It requires that these individuals meet all requirements for a license in their home state before they seek a license here. The state should seek to decrease licensing requirement on everyone to encourage economic activity in the state. I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2683: This bill expands freedom by allowing fisherman to shrimp for an extra month. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2013: This bill allows county boards in counties with higher populations to send more tax dollars to support local fire departments. This is a local government function and the bill provides local governments more discretion in funding these departments. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• SB 2836: This bill increases the minimum cost for items that require a requisition filing from $1,000 to $1,500. I voted No, the measure passed 112-3.

 

Thursday March 9, 2017

 

• HB 457: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill. This bill extends licensing requirements and bureaucratic regulations on assisted living facilities operating in the state. The government should not place regulations on the operation of these private enterprises, and this bill extends existing regulations. I voted No, the motion passed 112-2.

 

• HB 465: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill. This bill extends the regulatory authority of the board of funeral service. The state should not regulate the operation of private enterprise. Extending this regulation protects established businesses, makes it more difficult to entrepreneurs to operate, drives up the cost of service, and wastes taxpayer dollars on an illegitimate function of government. I voted No, the motion passed 113-1.

 

• HB 537: This bill expands the definition of teaching experience to include teaching at post-secondary institutions. Currently, only K-12 is counted as experience. This helps level the playing field for those entering the teaching profession.  I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-1. 

 

• HCRs 80, 81: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 115-0.

 

• SCRs 616, 617, 619, 620, 622, 625, 627: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2939: This bill provides local governments more freedom in deciding how to collect taxes from larger projects in their area by using fee-in-lieu arrangements. It was amended on the floor to authorize the state to borrow tens of millions of dollars at taxpayers’ expense for special local projects around the state. It also directs internet sales tax collections collected directly by the Department of Revenue, without legislative authority, directly to MDOT. I voted No, the measure passed 109-7.
  

 

• SB 3021: This bill clarifies exemptions to ad valorem taxes to ensure that vessels awaiting transfer to the buyers are not subject to that tax. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-5.

 

 

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