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

 

Monday, February 19, 2018

 

• HCRs 42, 58, 59, 60, 57: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 115-0. 

 

• SCRs 535, 538, 562, 568, 569, 570, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 580, 581, 582, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 114-0. 

 

 

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

 

• HB 1549: This bill expands freedom by allowing automobile manufacturers to get license plates for their cars that are leased to employees as part of an employee benefit plan. I voted Yes, the measure passed 68-45.

 

• HB 1645: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayers’ 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 101-15.

 

• HB 1359: This bill decreases the tax burden on individuals. It states that disaster assistance funds provided to farmers shall not be counted as income for tax purposes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1530: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayers’ 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 109-7.

 

• HB 1631: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayers’ 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 failed 57-55.

 

• HB 1649: This bill grows the size of government. It borrows more money at taxpayers’ 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 115-4.

 

• HB 1650: 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 109-7.

 

• HB 1651: 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 109-7.

 

• HB 1633: 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 79-25.

 

• HB 1471: This bill extends the size of government by extending a local tax on citizens and increasing the tax. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 86-19.

 

• HB 1472:  This bill extends the size of government by extending a local tax on citizens. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 92-21.

 

• HB 1539: This bill expands freedom by allowing a city to authorize the use of golf carts on their streets. I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-3.

 

• HB 1551: This bill expands the scope of government by allowing a local government to send taxpayer dollars directly to a private entity. The state should seek to protect private property and reduce the use of taxpayer dollars at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 111-3.

 

• HB 1552: This bill extends the size of government by extending a local tax on citizens. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 105-9.

 

• HB 1565: This bill expands the scope of government by allowing a local government to send taxpayer dollars directly to a private entity. The state should seek to protect private property and reduce the use of taxpayer dollars at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 107-7.

 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

 

• HB 1564: The House reconsidered this bill for an amendment. 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. The amendment adds another city to this bill. I voted No, the measure passed 111-4.

 

• HB 1471: The House reconsidered this bill for an amendment which decreased the amount of the tax. I voted in favor of the amendment, and it passed on a voice vote. This bill extends the size of government by extending a local tax on citizens. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 97-17.

 

• SB 2457: This bill decreases the regulatory burden on private businesses by changing a report filing requirement from quarterly to annual. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2918: This bill extends limited liability for agritourism operators in the state. While it also reenacts a registration requirement and fee, this is completely optional and only needed to receive liability protections. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-4.

 

• SB 2924: This bill expands the role and intrusiveness of government by granting new powers to the Department of Agriculture to inspect privately owned farms, in conjunction with the federal Food and Drug Administration. It also gives the commissioner an open-ended authority to write new regulations restricting the operation of private businesses. I voted No, the measure passed 114-3.

 

• SB 2936: This bill extends a provision which allows agricultural student groups like 4-H can use public agricultural facilities at no cost. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2311: This bill reduces the scope of government. It reduces the regulatory requirements on how insurers may communicate with policyholders. I voted Yes, the measure passed 97-17.

 

• SB 2465: This bill places a new mandate on insurance companies by requiring them to issue discounts to certain policyholders. Government insurance mandates drive up costs of coverage. Individuals and insurance companies should be able to negotiate the terms of policies themselves. I voted No, the measure passed. 

 

• SB 2466: This bill extends a section of law which mandates that the state pays health insurance costs for state and school employees. This extends the law without any discussion of changes to how much the state contributes to these plans. I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2467: The bill extends the size of government by reenacting a law that places regulations on how individuals may insure their homes. I voted No, the measure passed 98-20.

 

• SCR 593: The House considered this ceremonial resolution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0. 

 

• SB 2893: This bill allows the state to donate bayou property to the National Park Service. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2296: This bill places additional regulations on how private insurers may provide benefits to individuals. This expands the role of government and will result in driving up the cost of coverage for consumers. I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

 

• HB 1631: The House reconsidered this bill, which failed previously. 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 67-37.

 

• HCRs 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0.

 

• SCRs 594, 595, 596, 597: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2836: This bill extends restrictions on how the state may operate the Division of Medicaid. It makes a number of changes giving the Governor more latitude to cut the costs associated with the program, which are skyrocketing. This will allow the executive branch to reduce the size of this government program. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2912: This bill reenacts a law which allows the state’s Medicaid program to charge taxes to medical providers in the state. I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2047: This bill updates the definition of consent for a minor to participate in clinical medical research to match federal standards. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2193: This bill expands the scope of government by allowing a public education board to administer private scholarships. The state should allow private entities to administer their own scholarship programs instead of using taxpayer dollars to do this. I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2898: This bill allows a state university to transfer unused property to a community college. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2043: This bill expands freedom by allowing county veterans affairs officers to hold other positions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• SB 2644: This bill changes the qualifications for an individual to serve on the Veterans Affairs Board. Currently, one must be honorably discharged. This bill just changes that reference to exclude anyone who was dishonorably discharged. This should expand the number of veterans who could serve on the board. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2787: This bill allows the state to more quickly dispose of tax forfeited land by removing the 30 day waiting requirement for the application. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2895: This bill allows the University Medical Center to remove and reinter remains in a recently discovered cemetery on their campus. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-3.

 

• SB 2579: This bill clarifies that students who are in youth detention centers are only to receive school services while the school is in session. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2763: This bill updates references to the state’s virtual public school program to clarify that the state Department of Education will handle applicants and approve coursework. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2170: This bill allows a school district to consolidate and reduce administrative expenses. The consolidation has already been approved, this bill simply approves the final consolidation agreement. I voted Yes, the measure passed 103-4.

 

• HB 1623: This bill allows a city to compensate a private individual for medical costs incurred when he assisted a police officer. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HB 1652: This bill allows a government-owned golf course to expand into retail sales. This is outside the proper scope of government. I voted No, the measure passed 112-1.

 

• SB 2621: This bill changes the law that requires vehicles to stop at railroad crossings. Currently, they’re technically only required to stop for a train. This extends that requirement to cover any on-track equipment that is passing by. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2629: This bill clarifies the definition of autocycles. It updates this to an accurate definition of these vehicles for use on state roads. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

Friday, February 23, 2018

 

• SB 2779: This bill authorizes a state department to charge other agencies for technology services. This will allow the department to more accurately provide services to agencies with the most need. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2674: This bill allows local governments to charge fees for those participating in reverse auctions for local services, to help cover the costs of the auctions. This system of bidding can help save taxpayers money. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HB 1563: This bill extends the size of government by increasing a local tax on the citizens of Grenada. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 95-9.

 

 

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