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House Floor Votes 2/20/17 – 2/24/17

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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.

 

Monday February 20, 2017

 

  • HCRs 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 117-0.

 

  • SCRs 589, 590, 591, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0.

 

 

Tuesday February 21, 2017

 

  • HB 1591: This bill authorizes the state to borrow over $14 million at taxpayer’s expense to direct to the railroad improvement fund. The state should seek to decrease debt and limit borrowing at the expense of the taxpayers. I voted No, the measure passed 106-11.

 

  • HB 1594: This bill exempts public university buildings from taxation when they are leased to private companies for operation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-1.

 

  • HB 1596: This bill extends the authority of MDA to issue $50 Million in new tax credits to small businesses. This extends the state’s ability to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden for all individuals in the state, and reductions should be applied as evenly as possible. I voted No, the measure passed 111-8.

 

  • HB 1668: This bill authorizes the state to borrow over $3 Million to construct new buildings at MS Delta Community College. The state should seek to decrease debt and limit borrowing at the expense of the taxpayers. I voted No, the measure passed 109-8.

 

  • HB 1619: This bill increases the adoption tax credit from $2,500 to $5,000. This reduces the state tax burden on couples adopting a child. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on all Mississippians, as equally as possible. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

  • HB 1601: This bill allows first-time homebuyers to deduct costs of purchasing their home from state income tax. This reduces the state tax burden on young people saving to purchase a first home. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on all Mississippians, as equally as possible. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

  • HB 1585: This bill allows local flood districts to impose assessments for projects only on an area that would benefit from a project, as opposed to the entire district. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-4.

 

  • HB 1702: This bill decreases the tax burden on Mississippians by allowing individuals to deduct contributions to public schools from their state income taxes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

  • HB 1732: This bill authorizes the state to borrow $50 Million at taxpayers’ expense to fund road improvements. The state should seek to prioritize existing revenue to fund maintenance instead of borrowing more money at taxpayers’ expense to fund ongoing expenses. I voted No, the measure passed 113-6.

 

  • HB 1731: This bill authorizes the state to borrow $28 Million at taxpayers’ expense to fund corporate welfare projects managed by MDA. The state should seek to decrease its debt, instead of borrowing on the backs of taxpayers to fund corporate welfare projects. I voted No, the measure passed 102-15.

 

  • HB 1586: This bill clarifies that products passing through the state aren’t subject to ad valorem taxes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-1.

 

  • HB 1615: This bill expands tax credits to individuals who make certain charitable contributions in the state. The state should seek to lower the tax burden for all citizens of the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

  • HB 1616: This bill expands tax credits for employers who provide wellness programs to employees. The state should seek to lower the tax burden for all citizens of the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-6.

 

  • HB 1692: This bill clarifies provisions related to sales tax exemptions for sales to railroad companies to ensure it also does not apply to LLCs owned by railroads. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-2.

 

  • HB 1698: This bill expands eligibility for distinctive license plates for disable veterans at 50% disabled status. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

  • HB 1730: This bill authorizes the state to borrow money at taxpayers’ expense to fund special projects around the state. The state should seek to decrease its indebtedness. I voted No, the measure passed 110-8.

 

  • HB 1734: This bill authorizes the state to borrow additional money at taxpayers’ expense for projects around the state. The state should seek to decrease its debt burden. An amendment was offered to prevent funds going to institutions that don’t fly the state flag. I voted No on the amendment, it failed 50-65. I voted No, the measure passed 104-12. 

 

 

Wednesday February 22, 2017

 

  • HB 1611: This bill allows the state to provide tax credits instead of payment to IT companies that provide services to universities. This effectively just allows the state to negotiate another form of payment for services. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-3.

 

  • HB 1598: This bill establishes tax credits for deer processing businesses who participate in donating food to the homeless. The state should seek to reduce the tax burden for all individuals in the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

  • HB 1583: This bill decreases the tax burden on individuals by expanding the homestead exemption for those over 65 or disabled. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden for all Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-2.

 

  • HB 1686: This bill exempts admission to public events on public property from sales tax. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden on all individuals in the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-2.

 

  • HB 1714: This bill clarifies sales tax exclusions to ensure that some products not intended for direct retail sale are not subject to sales tax. The state should seek to decrease the tax burden for all Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-2.

 

  • HB 761: This bill allows a county government to transfer taxpayer funds to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 116-5.

 

  • HB 762: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 97-18.

 

 

  • HB 1460: This bill allows a city to extend water and gas services to serve residents outside the city. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-2.

 

  • HB 1530: This bill allows the county board of supervisors of Lowndes County to make contributions to municipalities to fund playgrounds and recreational programs. I voted No, the measure passed 114-3.

 

  • HB 1531: This bill authorizes the Lowndes County Board to send taxpayer dollars to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 97-16.

 

  • HB 1717: This bill extends a local tax in the town of Sardis. The proper role of government is to protect taxpayers at all levels. I voted No, the measure passed 95-16.

 

  • SB 2349: This bill authorizes the local government of Forrest County to send taxpayer dollars to private entities. I voted No, the measure passed 101-13.

 

Thursday February 23, 2017

 

  • HB 976: The House voted to concur on this bill, which simply designates March 29th as Vietnam Veteran’s Day. I voted Yes, the motion passed 121-0.

 

  • HCRs 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions as a block vote. I voted Yes, the measures passed 122-0.

 

 

  • SB 2298: This bill adds a number of new regulations on how insurance companies are allowed to operate in the state. The state should seek to decrease the regulatory burden on businesses, and this only compounds the problem. I voted No, the measure passed 116-1. 

 

  • SB 2479: This bill extends a law that increases the size of government by allowing the Department of Public Safety to implement a system of insurance verification. These regulations infringe upon individual liberty, and the verification system adds to costly state bureaucracy. I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

  • SB 2888: This bill furthers the interests of justice by eliminating a route for lawsuits after the payment of an insurance payment. I voted Yes, the measure passed 60-52.

 

  • SB 2647: This bill makes changes to the membership of the Board of Animal Health. These types of boards are outside the proper role of government. This bill reduces the number of required meetings of the board. I voted Yes, the measure passed.

 

  • SB 2138: This bill adds the Senate Medicaid Chairman as a member of the Medicaid advisory committee, ensuring that an elected official accountable to the voters is part of the membership. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-4.

 

Friday February 24, 2017

 

  • SB 2669: This bill decreases regulations on billboards by eliminating a height requirement that is currently enforced by MDOT. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

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