Blog

15 January

House Floor Votes 2018 – Week 3

bomgar   |   Uncategorized

*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. You can view upcoming votes, along with my explanation, on my House Calendar page here.

 

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

 

  • HCR 1, 2, 3, 4, 15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24: The House considered each of these ceremonial resolutions in a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0. 

 

 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

 

  • HB 957: This bill updates the formula that determines how the state funds public schools. While it does require that the legislature spend $107 million more than it currently spends on public schools, it does not raise taxes. It reduces the administrative burden on districts by giving them more freedom to spend state tax dollars as they see fit, and it provides weights that call for more funding for students with special needs and those in poverty. It also includes a provision requested by superintendents that funds schools based on membership instead of attendance, which is more workable for districts. These changes are an improvement over the current formula which is restrictive for schools and has only been funded twice over the last two decades. I voted Yes, the measure passed 67-52.

 

  • An amendment was offered that did not appear to substantively alter the content of the bill. I voted No, the amendment failed 46-73. Another amendment was offered to circumvent the committee’s recommendations and inflate the “per student cost.” I voted No, the amendment failed 45-74. Another amendment was offered that would have a similar impact. I voted no, the amendment failed 45-72. An amendment was offered to require certain funds be directed to home economics programs. I voted No, the amendment failed 46-70. Another amendment was offered to inflate the per-student cost. I voted No, the amendment failed 47-67. An amendment was offered to repeal the bill in two years. I voted No, the amendment failed 47-70. An amendment was offered to require the legislature to review the bill at a later date. I voted No, the amendment failed 45-73. An amendment was offered to eliminate compensation for a task force that will review the bill later. I voted No, the amendment failed 47-69. An amendment was offered to change the way that funds follow students to charter schools. I voted No, the amendment failed 43-69. An amendment was offered to change the way that the per-student funding is calculated, instead of using Census data. I voted No, the amendment failed 47-71. An amendment was offered to inflate the funding required for rural areas. I voted No, the amendment failed 46-72. An amendment was offered to inflate the per student funding required by the bill. I voted No, the amendment failed 47-73. An amendment was offered to eliminate the 27% rule, which districts currently rely on to determine funding. I voted No, the amendment failed 43-73. An amendment was offered to repeal the bill in two years. I voted No, the amendment failed 43-73. A motion was made to recommit the bill to committee. I voted No, the motion failed 46-70. An amendment was offered to change the way rural funding is provided in the bill. I voted No, the amendment failed 52-65. An amendment was offered to eliminate state tests and require the ACT as an exit exam. While I don’t disagree with the motive behind this amendment, this was not the appropriate bill to make that change. I voted No, the amendment failed 46-65. Another motion was made to recommit the bill to committee. I voted No, the motion failed 46-72.

 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

 

  • HCR 27, 34, 36, 37: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 120-0. 

 

  • SCR 508, 534: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0. 

 

  • HCR 39: The House considered this ceremonial resolution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

 

 

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