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*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, February 13, 2018

• The House moved to adopt these Appropriation bills in a block. These bills spend additional taxpayer money to fund state agencies, including occupational licensing boards. These boards usually operate outside the proper role of government, placing restrictions on work that make it more difficult for individuals to earn a living. I voted No, the measures passed 114-1. They are listed individually below.
  • HB 1567: Athletic Commission
  • HB 1568: Board of Barber Examiners
  • HB 1570: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
  • HB 1571: Board of Nursing Home Administrators
  • HB 1573: Board of Optometry
  • HB 1574: Physical Therapy Board
  • HB 1575: Board of Psychology
  • HB 1576: Real Estate Commission and Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board
  • HB 1577: Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
  • HB 1578: Veterans’ Home Purchase Board
  • HB 1579: Auctioneers Commission
  • HB 1580: Board of Medical Licensure
  • HB 1581: Public Employees’ Retirement System
  • HB 1611: State Port Authority
  • HB 1612: Pat Harrison Waterway District
  • HB 1614: Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District
  • HB 1615: Yellow Creek State Inland Port Authority

 

• HB 1569: This bill spends additional taxpayer money to fund an occupational licensing board. These boards usually operate outside the proper role of government, placing restrictions on work that make it more difficult for individuals to earn a living. I voted No, the measure passed 107-6.

 

• HB 1572: This bill spends additional taxpayer money to fund an occupational licensing board. These boards usually operate outside the proper role of government, placing restrictions on work that make it more difficult for individuals to earn a living. I voted No, the measure passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1613: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund a state agency. The state should seek to decrease spending on items outside the core functions of government and return money to the taxpayers who rightfully earned it. I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.

 

• HB 1582: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 103-2.

 

• HB 1583: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-1.

 

• HB 1584: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• HB 1585: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 102-7.

 

• HB 1586: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-0.

 

• HB 1587: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-1.

 

• HB 1588: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-0.

 

• HB 1589: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• HB 1590: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-0.

 

• HB 1591: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HB 1592:  This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. An amendment was offered to spend more money on administration at a particular school district. I voted No, the amendment failed 44-68. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-2.

 

• HB 1593: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund public television. The state should seek to decrease spending on items outside the core functions of government and return money to the taxpayers who rightfully earned it. I voted No, the measure passed 89-26. 

 

• HB 1594: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1595: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1596: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1597: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HB 1603: This bill spends additional taxpayer money to fund an occupational licensing board. These boards usually operate outside the proper role of government, placing restrictions on work that make it more difficult for individuals to earn a living. I voted No, the bill passed 116-1.

 

• HB 1604: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 106-6.

 

• HB 1605: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• HB 1606: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HB 1607: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1608: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-3.

 

• HB 1609: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1610: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• HB 1616: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund a state agency. The state should seek to decrease spending on items outside the core functions of government and return money to the taxpayers who rightfully earned it. I voted No, the measure passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1617: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund a state agency. The state should seek to decrease spending on items outside the core functions of government and return money to the taxpayers who rightfully earned it. I voted No, the measure passed 113-3.

 

 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

 

• HB 1599: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• HB 1600: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 108-0.

 

• HB 1601: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 107-0.

 

• HB 1602: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-0.

 

• HB 1598: This is an Appropriation bill with a placeholder number. The bill cannot become law in its current form. The Appropriations committee will continue to work on the bill and determine the final appropriation later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 105-0.

 

• HB 171: This bill reduces the intrusiveness of government by reducing the fee that alcohol producers must pay for a license. The state should seek to reduce teh monetary burden of fees imposed on citizens whenever possible. I voted Yes, the measure passed 84-30.

 

• HB 321: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. The state should prioritize existing tax dollars for infrastructure projects and reduce the debt. I voted No, the measure passed 110-6.

 

• HB 1543: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. The state should prioritize existing tax dollars for infrastructure projects and reduce the debt. I voted No, the measure passed 110-7. The bill was reconsidered and amended. I voted No on the measure, it passed 109-6.

 

• HB 1554: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt for a museum. While museums are nice and important, asking taxpayers for more money to fund them isn’t a primary function of government. I voted No, the measure passed 81-29.

 

• HB 1556: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt, to improve the state-owned alcohol distribution center. The state should move away from serving as the sole alcohol distributor, this is not a primary function of government. It certainly should not borrow more money at taxpayer’s expense to improve these facilities. I voted No, the measure passed 75-36.

 

• HB 1557: This bill expands a tax credit program to incentivize business investment. The state should seek to reduce the aggregate tax burden for all individuals across the board to spur business development. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-3.

 

• HB 1558: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. I voted No, the measure passed 105-8.

 

• HB 1559: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. The state should prioritize existing tax dollars for infrastructure projects and reduce the debt. I voted No, the measure passed 113-5.

 

• HB 1564: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. The state should prioritize existing tax dollars for infrastructure projects and reduce the debt. I voted No, the measure passed 110-5.

 

• HB 732: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. I voted No, the measure passed 113-5.

 

• HB 1488: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt to give tax dollars directly to private corporations. I voted No, the measure passed 108-6.

 

• HB 1497: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt. I voted No, the measure passed 115-3.

 

• HB 1499: This bill makes changes to a law which allows cities to set up special tax arrangements for large companies locating in their area. It reduces the qualifying project amount from $100 Million to $20 Million. This will reduce the size of government by allowing businesses to negotiate lower tax rates. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1566: This bill reduces the size of government. It creates a tax credit to reduce the tax burden on citizens who spend money to adopt a child. The state should always seek to decrease the aggregate tax burden for all individuals. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HB 1217: This bill lowers the population threshold for special districts, which will allow more cities to set up tax exemptions for businesses. This will decrease the size of government and expand local control of taxation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1550: This bill reduces the size of government. It creates a tax deduction to reduce the tax burden on citizens who recently graduated from a university. The state should always seek to decrease the aggregate tax burden for all individuals and create an environment favorable to job growth for new graduates. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

 

 

 

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