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.

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

 

• HB 1333: The House voted to concur on the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which creates a study committee to consider transferring the regulation of honey producers from the Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1122: The House voted to concur on the Senate’s changes to this bill, which expands freedom by preempting local regulations on agricultural land. In instances where the state agency owns or regulates a portion of land, this bill clarifies that the state law preempts local regulations. The state should always seek to decrease regulatory burdens on consumers and businesses at every level of government. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2855: The House reconsidered this bill, which expands the scope of local governments. It allows governments to exceed budgets and increase spending for special benefit plans. I voted No, the measure passed 110-3.

 

• SB 2614: The House reconsidered this bill for an amendment. The bill defines conflicts of interest for individuals who serve on public hospital boards. This is intended to prevent corruption in these entities. Government should leave the private sector to manage healthcare to prevent these problems. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2418: This bill will expand the ability of trucks to carry heavy loads on state roads and limit the ticketing of working drivers. I voted Yes, the measure passed 77-31.

 

• SB 2668: This bill expands the scope of government regulations on banks. It places restrictions on how banks may grant access to safe deposit boxes after an individual dies. This is best decided by banks and individual institutions. I voted No, the measure passed 113-2.

 

• SB 2458: This bill renames several state highways to honor certain individuals. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• SB 2555: This bill allows the Department of Corrections to bill contractors for law enforcement activity within DOT work zones. This will allow the state to more accurately recoup the cost of work performed and provide a safer environment in work zones. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-2.

 

• SB 2930: This bill allows the convening of a group to examine Mississippi’s tourism industry and potential improvements. The members are to serve without compensation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2894: This bill allows a state university to sell tax-forfeited property controlled by the university. This will transfer state-owned property to productive private purposes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2277: This bill clarifies the law regarding salvage vehicles, but will have a number of unintended consequences. It will increase fees charged to individuals seeking titles. I voted No, the measure passed 95-15.

 

 

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

 

• HB 155: This bill renames a state building to honor Mr. William Lowe (Bill) Waller, Sr. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 937: This bill changes slightly the staggered terms for election commissioners. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HB 949: This bill repeals a study committee which is no longer intact. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-0.

 

• HB 1150: This bill designates a section of highway in honor of a recognized citizen of the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• HB 1208: This bill designates a section of highway in honor of recognized citizens of the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1047: This bill increases the maximum clothing allowance for Sheriff’s employees from $400 annually to $700. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1114: This bill makes it easier for municipal governments to violate property rights for properties which are declared menaced. I voted No, the measure passed 97-20.

 

• SB 2218: This bill expands the scope of state government. It allows public universities to borrow money for longer periods of time. The state should seek to reduce its indebtedness. I voted No, the measure passed 113-3.

 

• SB 2194: This bill increases the scope and intrusiveness of government by allowing universities to take tax refunds from individuals who owe past debts. The proper role for the state is to refund individuals their money and allow the universities to pursue collection like other businesses. I voted No, the measure passed 86-28.

 

• SB 2220: This bill reduces bureaucracy. It allows counties to transfer certain tax collections directly to colleges instead of first going through a clerk. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-2.

 

• SB 2929: This bill expands freedom by allowing the sale of certain financial products and exempting them from insurance regulations. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• SB 2919: This bill extends the scope of government. It reenacts a law which allows a state board to hire officers to enforce regulations on private businesses. I voted No, the measure passed 109-2.

 

• SB 2197: This bill updates the state’s “Good Samaritan” law to apply to alcohol. This law is intended to help reduce drug and alcohol overdoses by giving criminal immunity for drug or alcohol charges to anyone who reports an overdose. An amendment was offered to expand the state’s mental health diversion program. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2754: This bill broadens the scope of criminal law in the state by making it illegal to own or use a computer program that makes changes to point of sale systems. The state has laws on the books against fraud and tax evasion. This is an overly broad new criminal offense that could have unintended consequences. It could also result in increased incarceration costs for the state. I voted No, the measure passed 112-1.

 

• SB 2934: This bill revises the definition of “dog fighting” to include possessing materials that reference dog fighting. As amended by the House, it moves this offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. This allows the offense to be handled at the local level, which is more appropriate. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 2097: This bill reduces the tax burden on materials that are transported through ports in Mississippi to another destination. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden for everyone in the state across the board. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2292: This bill expands the state’s indebtedness by allowing the Capitol Complex Improvement District to issue short-term debt. The state should seek to operate within its means and use available tax dollars instead of borrowing at taxpayers’ expense. I voted No, the measure passed 111-7. 

 

• SB 2312: This bill expands sales tax exemptions. It exempts nonprofit events held on public property that don’t benefit specific individuals. I voted Yes, the measure passed 101-8.

 

• SB 2479: 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 $60 Million. This will reduce the size of government by allowing businesses to negotiate lower tax rates. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 2998: This bill reduces the tax burden on individuals in the state. It exempts rotary-wing aircraft from sales taxes if they’re exported from the state within 48 hours. The state should seek to reduce the tax burden on all individuals in the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 3031: This bill clarifies that buildings on the property of a public university are not subject to taxation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• SB 3047: 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 113-4. 

 

• The House considered a block of several Appropriations bills. These all have reverse repealers, which means they cannot become current law. This vote allows the bills to move forward for negotiation. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measures passed 108-0.

 

• SB 2944: This appropriation bill has a reverse repealer, which means it cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes, the measure passed 108-1.

 

• SB 2841: This bill aims to help promote employment among those who have had an interaction with the criminal justice system. This bill will increase employment opportunities and provide significant cost savings to the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2570: This bill expands freedom and protects property rights. It prevents local governments from imposing taxes and regulations on how private businesses and their customers use cups and bags. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-0.

 

• SB 2044: This bill gives the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the authority to appoint special judges to county and youth courts. This will help relieve backlogs in many county courts. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• SB 2663: This bill expands the scope of state government. It makes it more difficult for individuals convicted of drug offenses to regain their license to drive. The new drug testing program authorized in this bill could require individuals to remain completely drug-free to get their license back, although opioid addiction must be treated often times by prescription drugs. This is an overly broad solution to a problem which will have the unintended consequence of making it more difficult for these individuals to recover. I voted No, the measure passed 113-2.

 

• SB 2138: This bill simply provides civil immunity to individuals working on behalf of a state judicial committee. This immunity already exists for other judicial commissions, this bill just extends that immunity to special committees created by the state courts. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-3.

 

• SB 2508: This bill updates an antiquated statute that defines personal property. The state’s primary goal should be to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2805: This bill vastly expands the scope of government and places more regulations on private businesses. This bill would make network marketing companies illegal in the state. It’s being supported by certain businesses who would benefit if their competitor’s businesses were outlawed. This is outside the proper scope of government. I voted No, the measure passed 106-10.

 

• SB 2473: This bill expands property rights in the state by giving landlords more authority to determine how to lease their property. The state should seek to decrease these regulations and allow the free market to govern these transactions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 101-7.

 

• SB 2572: This bill expands the scope of government by reenacting and expanding an occupational licensing requirement on those who do construction work. These types of licenses make it more difficult for individuals to earn a living. I voted No, the measure failed 22-91.

 

• SB 2310: This bill increases regulatory reporting requirements on private charities. Currently, humane societies which contract with local governments to care for stray animals are exempt from registering with the state as a charity. This bill would limit that exemption to groups that receive more than half of their funding from local government, and require other groups to report. I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.

 

 

Thursday, March 8, 2018

 

• SBs 2977, 2969, 2970: The House considered these three spending bills in a block vote. I voted No, the measures passed 112-1.

 

• The House considered a block of spending bills that fund various occupational licensing boards. These bills spend additional taxpayer dollars to fund these regulatory boards which make it more difficult for individuals to find work and deter new businesses in the state. I voted No, the measures passed 114-1. 

 

• SB 2971: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund an occupational licensing board for funeral directors. This board places regulations on a private business that prevent new business investments in the state. I voted No, the measure passed 101-1.

 

• The House considered a block of spending bills with reverse repealers. This means they cannot become law in their current form. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measures passed 113-0.

 

• SB 2962: The House considered this spending bill, which spends additional taxpayer dollars to fund the state department of employment security. The state should seek to decrease spending tax dollars in this area and allow these functions to be handled by the private sector. I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• The House considered another block of spending bills with reverse repealers. This means they cannot become law in their current form. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measures passed 110-0.

 

• SB 2990: This spending bill has a reverse repealer, which means it cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measure passed 103-0.

 

• SB 2958: This spending bill has a reverse repealer, which means it cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• SB 2996: This spending bill has a reverse repealer, which means it cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes to allow the process to proceed, the measure passed 108-0.

 

• SB 2976: This spending bill has a reverse repealer, which means it cannot become law in its current form. An amendment was offered to add a government lottery monopoly to this bill to grow the size of government. I voted No, the measure passed 88-26.

 

• SB 3035: This bill spends additional taxpayer dollars to cover cost overruns from the previous year. The state should seek to decrease its spending and return more money back to the taxpayers who earned it. I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 3046: The House considered this bill, grows the size of government and borrows millions of more dollars at taxpayer’s expense, adding to the state’s debt in an effort to provide funding for more road construction. It also imposes new taxes on electric vehicles. While some of the diversions might help redirect existing funding, this shouldn’t be done at the expense of placing more burdens on the taxpayers. I voted No, the measure passed 103-6.

 

• HB 1510: This bill protects life by prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks into a pregnancy. The government’s primary role should be to protect the life, liberty, and property of its citizens. I voted Yes, the measure passed 75-34.

 

 

 

Sign up below to receive emailed updates straight to your inbox!