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.

Monday March 20, 2017

 

• HB 1367: This bill strengthens maximum penalties for witness intimidation from 2 years to 10 years. The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this bill, which makes killing a witness capital murder. I voted Yes, the measure passed 91-19. 

 

Tuesday March 21, 2017

• HB 891: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which would allow local areas more autonomy in determining where highway signs may be placed. The measure passed. 

• HB 51: The House considered this bill which deals with municipal signage regarding parking restrictions. The Senate amended this bill to remove provisions that would allow cities to restrict parking without posting notice. I voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments, the measure passed 110-5.

 

• HB 1754: This bill expands freedom by allowing individuals to use golf carts on city streets. I voted Yes, the measure passed 110-5.

• HB 1771: This bill expands freedom by allowing individuals to use golf carts on city streets. I voted Yes, the measure passed 107-5.

 

 

Wednesday March 22, 2017

 

• 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. The House voted to concur on the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which removed the option for a referendum on the tax. I voted No, the measure passed 97-8.

 

• HCRs 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0.

 

• SCRs 636, 639, 640, 641, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 650, 651, 652: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 119-0.

 

• SCR 637: The House considered this ceremonial resolution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2949: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No on the bill, and the measure failed 4-103.

 

• SB 2927:This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure failed 7-99.

 

• HB 1464: 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 97-13.

 

• HB 1756: This bill allows the city of Vicksburg, in their own discretion, to increase the benefits paid out under their local retirement fund by $100/month. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-1.

 

• HB 1766: This bill expands local freedom by allowing the placement of specialty street signs. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 3041: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 95-12.

 

Thursday March 23, 2017

 

• HCRs 100, 101: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 118-0.

 

Friday March 24, 2017

 

• HB 1782: This bill allows Panola County to allow a local Boys and Girls Club to use a county building and put it into productive use. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 3040: This bill allows a local government to transfer taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.

 

• SB 3042: This bill allows a local government to transfer taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 3045: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 99-8.

 

• SB 3058: This bill allows a local government to transfer taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 113-2.

 

• SB 3059: This bill extends a local tax and governmental agency. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 109-4.

 

• SB 3063: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 103-6.

 

• SB 3065: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted Yes, the measure passed 106-6.

 

• HB 612: This is a suffrage restoration bill. It restores voting rights to an individual who completed his sentence for larceny. When an individual has paid their debt to society and is a valuable member of the community, this is an important step to reintegrate them into society. I voted Yes, the measure passed 106-5.

 

• HB 742: This is a suffrage restoration bill. It restores voting rights to an individual who completed his sentence for bribery. When an individual has paid their debt to society and is a valuable member of the community, this is an important step to reintegrate them into society. I voted Yes, the measure passed 105-7.

 

• HB 1475: This bill restores suffrage to an individual who has completed his sentence for robbery. When an individual has paid their debt to society and is a valuable member of the community, this is an important step to reintegrate them into society. I voted Yes, the measure passed 104-5.

 

• HB 1750: This is a suffrage restoration bill. It restores voting rights to an individual who completed his sentence for larceny. When an individual has paid their debt to society and is a valuable member of the community, this is an important step to reintegrate them into society. I voted Yes, the measure passed 105-4.

 

Saturday March 25, 2017

 

 

• HB 1762: This bill allows local counties to operate more efficiency to enter into an agreement concerning the housing of inmates from Attala County in Leake County’s facilities. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1784: This bill allows a local county to contribute taxpayer dollars to private entities. They legislature should protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 106-2.

 

• HCRs 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SCRs 642, 649, 666: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

 

Sunday March 26, 2017

• The House considered conference reports on appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. The overall amount spent was less than last year, but only slightly. The state still took over $6 Billion of money away from the taxpayers and spent it on hundreds of different government programs, including entitlements and regulatory agencies that are outside the proper role of government and have a negative impact on our state’s economy. For these reasons, I voted against all appropriations except for those that fund the three basic branches of government – Executive, Judicial, and Legislative, and payments on our current debt. Our state should get back to the basics and return more money back to the taxpayers, who rightfully earned it. Here’s a listing of each of the appropriation bills, along with the vote totals:

 

• HB 1476: Athletic Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.
• HB 1477: Auctioneer’s Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.
• HB 1478: Board of Barber Examiners – I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.
• HB 1479: Board of Cosmetology – I voted No, the measure passed 110-5.
• HB 1480: Board of Engineers – I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.
• HB 1481: Board of Medical Licensure – I voted No, the measure passed 115-2.
• HB 1482: Board of Nursing Home Administrators – I voted No, the measure passed 113-4.
• HB 1483: Board of Nursing – I voted No, the measure passed 113-2.
• HB 1485: Board of Optometry – I voted No, the measure passed 115-1.
• HB 1486: Physical Therapy Board – I voted No, the measure passed 115-3.
• HB 1487: Board of Psychology – I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.
• HB 1489: Real Estate Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 115-1.
• HB 1490: Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Therapists – I voted No, the measure passed 113-2.
• HB 1491: Veterans’ Home Purchase Board – I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.
• SB 2987: Board of Architecture – I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.
• SB 2997: Department of Banking and Consumer Finance – I voted No, the measure passed 109-4.
• SB 2979: Board of Chiropractic Examiners – I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.
• SB 2980: Board of Dental Examiners – I voted No, the measure passed 115-2.
• SB 2972: Department of Employment Security – I voted No, the measure passed 112-3.
• SB 2981: Funeral Services Board – I voted No, the measure passed 107-2.
• SB 2988: Board of Geologists – I voted No, the measure passed 110-4.
• SB 2982: Board of Massage Therapy – I voted No, the measure passed 109-4.
• SB 2989: Motor Vehicle Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 101-8.
• SB 2983: Board of Pharmacy – I voted No, the measure passed 103-4.
• SB 2984: Board of Examiners for Counselors  – I voted No, the measure passed 108-1.
• SB 2990: Board of Public Accountancy  – I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.
• SB 2991: Board of Contractors – I voted No, the measure passed 108-2.
• SB 2985: Board of Veterinary Examiners – I voted No, the measure passed 111-1.
• HB 1507: State Port Authority – I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.
• HB 1508: Yellow Creek Port Authority – I voted No, the measure passed 111-1. 
• HB 1517: Board of Foresters – I voted No, the measure passed 115-1. 
• HB 1519: Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District – I voted No, the measure passed 113-2. 
• HB 1520: Pearl River Valley Water Supply District – I voted No, the measure passed 110-1. 
• HB 1522: Pat Harrison Waterway District – I voted No, the measure passed 110-7. 

 

• HB 638: The House considered the conference report for this bill. This bill adds two new methods of execution if the current injection drugs are not available for death penalty cases. There are serious questions about the use of the death penalty in cases where guilt is not 100% certain, and the methods of execution used. I voted No, the measure passed 78-43.

 

• HB 1149: The House considered the conference report for this bill. This bill expands the authority of local governments to impose new fees on trash collection. I voted No, the measure passed 84-35.

 

• HB 572: The House considered the conference report for this bill. This bill allows the Department of Finance and Administration to sell state-owned property, which will further decrease the size of the state government. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-3.

 

• SB 3016: This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 108-4.

 

• HB 1786: This bill allows a local government to contribute taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 110-7.

 

• SB 2829: This bill creates a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 104-7.

 

• SB 2948: This bill creates a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 101-7.

 

• SB 3061: This bill allows a local government to contribute taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 110-9.

 

• SB 3062: This bill allows a local government to contribute taxpayer dollars to a private entity. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 107-9.

 

• SB 3068:This bill extends a local tax. The proper role of the legislature is to protect property at all levels of government. I voted No, the measure passed 102-7.

 

• SB 3021: The House considered the conference report for this bill. This bill clarifies exemptions to ad valorem taxes to ensure that vessels awaiting transfer to the buyers are not subject to that tax. I voted Yes, the measure passed 104-5.

 

 

Monday March 27, 2017

• The House considered conference reports on appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. The overall amount spent was less than last year, but only slightly. The state still took over $6 Billion of money away from the taxpayers and spent it on hundreds of different government programs, including entitlements and regulatory agencies that are outside the proper role of government and have a negative impact on our state’s economy. For these reasons, I voted against all appropriations except for those that fund the three basic branches of government – Executive, Judicial, and Legislative, and payments on our current debt. Our state should get back to the basics and return more money back to the taxpayers, who rightfully earned it. Here’s a listing of each of the appropriation bills, along with the vote totals:
• HB 1484: Oil and Gas Board – I voted No, the measure passed 103-1.
• HB 1488: Public Employees’ Retirement System – I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.
• SB 2967: Military Department – I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.
• SB 2969: Veterans Affairs Board – I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.
• SB 2975: Workers’ Compensation Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 108-2.
• HB 1512: Department of Human Services – I voted No, the measure passed 75-30. A motion was made to recommit the bill for further conference to increase spending. I voted No, the motion failed 46-74.
• SB 2976: Department of Mental Health – I voted No, the measure passed 65-43. A motion was made to recommit the bill for further conference to increase spending. I voted No, the motion failed 46-65.
• HB 1514: Department of Rehabilitation Services  – I voted No, the measure passed 64-45. A motion was made to recommit the bill to increase spending. I voted No, the motion failed 46-64.
• HB 1513: Child Protective Services – I voted No, the measure passed 101-8.
• HB 1493: District Attorneys – I voted No, the measure passed 109-4.
• HB 1495: Legislature – I voted Yes, the measure passed 104-4.
• HB 1496: Capital Post-Conviction Counsel – I voted No, the measure passed 105-3.
• SB 2999:Governor’s Office – I voted Yes, the measure passed 105-1.
• SB 2974: Tax Appeals Board – I voted No, the measure passed 107-6. 
• SB 3005: Debt Service – I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-2.
• HB 1501: Public Utilities Staff – I voted No, the measure passed 101-5.
• SB 2965: Department of Corrections – I voted No, the measure passed 107-3.
• HB 1503: Educational Television – I voted No, the measure passed 87-20.
• HB 1505:  Arts Commission  – I voted No, the measure passed 96-10.
• HB 1504: Library Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 103-4.
• SB 2963: Community Colleges Board – I voted No, the measure passed 104-1.
• SB 2964: Community Colleges – I voted No, the measure passed 102-5.
• SB 2955: IHL Subsidiary Programs – I voted No, the measure passed 103-2.
• SB 2956: IHL Financial Aid – I voted No, the measure passed 96-5.
• SB 2962: MSU College of Veterinary Medicine – I voted No, the measure passed 103-1.
• SB 2961: MSU Forestry Centers – I voted No, the measure passed 101-1.
• SB 2960: MSU Extension Service – I voted No, the measure passed 102-2.
• SB 2959: MSU Experiment Station – I voted No, the measure passed 101-2.
• SB 2958: Alcorn State Agriculture – I voted No, the measure passed 100-3.
• SB 2966: Emergency Management Agency – I voted No, the measure passed 107-4.
• SB 3002: State Personnel Board – I voted No, the measure passed 100-4.
• SB 2998: Department of Finance and Administration – I voted No, the measure passed 106-3.
• HB 1515: Forestry Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 95-9.
• HB 1516: Soil and Water Conservation Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 106-2.
• SB 2992: Department of Agriculture – I voted No, the measure passed 106-1.
• SB 2993: Egg Marketing Board – I voted No, the measure passed 105-2.
• SB 2994: Board of Animal Health – I voted No, the measure passed 111-1.
• SB 2995: Fair and Coliseum Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 104-3.
• SB 2996: Livestock shows – I voted No, the measure passed 103-2.
• HB 1518: Department of Marine Resources – I voted No, the measure passed 106-1.
• HB 1521: Pearl River Basin Development District – I voted No, the measure passed 103-3.
• SB 2977: Tenn-Tom Waterway Authority – I voted No, the measure passed 104-1.
• HB 1523: Department of Environmental Quality – I voted No, the measure passed 106-3.
• HB 1524: Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 104-2.
• HB 1511: Department of Health – I voted No, the measure passed 78-26. A motion was made to recommit the bill for additional spending. I voted No, the motion failed 47-69.
• HB 1510: Medicaid – I voted No, the measure passed 77-34. A motion was made to recommit the bill for increased spending. I voted No, the motion failed 42-75.
• HB 1509: Department of Transportation – I voted No, the measure passed -. A motion was made to recommit the bill to remove certain pet projects that were inserted, I voted Yes, the motion passed 120-1.
• SB 2978: State Aid Road Construction – A motion was made to recommit the bill for increased spending, I voted No, the motion passed 120-1.
• HB 1494: Courts – I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-2.
• HB 1497: State Public Defender – I voted No, the measure passed 105-2.
• HB 1498: Department of Insurance – I voted No, the measure passed 108-1.
• HB 1499: Fire Academy – I voted No, the measure passed 107-1.
• SB 3000: Department of Audit – I voted No, the measure passed 104-1
• SB 3003: Secretary of State – I voted No, the measure passed 106-2.
• SB 2970: Judicial Performance Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 107-1.
• SB 2971: Ethics Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 107-1.
• HB 1506: Department of Archives and History – I voted No, the measure passed 108-2.
• SB 2986: Gaming Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 97-9.
• SB 3006: Mississippi Development Authority – I voted No, the measure passed 101-4.
• HB 1526: Department of Finance and Administration – Buildings – I voted No, the measure passed 104-1.
• SB 3004: Treasurer’s Office –  I voted No, the measure passed 103-2.
• SB 2968: Department of Public Safety –  I voted No, the measure passed 109-1.
• HB 1500: Public Service Commission – I voted No, the measure passed 96-6.
• SB 2973: Department of Revenue – I voted No, the measure passed 100-1.
• SB 3001: Department of Information Technology Services – I voted No, the measure passed 93-8. 
• HB 1522: Pat Harrison Waterway District – I voted No, the measure passed 104-1.
• SB 2954: Institutions of Higher Learning  – I voted No, the measure passed 95-4.
• HB 1497: State Public Defender – We reconsidered this conference report which corrected an error. I voted No, the measure passed 88-2.
• SB 2957: UMMC – I voted No, the measure passed 98-1.
• HB 1525: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks – I voted No, the measure passed 94-6.
• SB 3000: Department of Audit – The House reconsidered this conference report to increase the number of employees hired with federal funds. I voted No, the measure passed 99-1.
• HB 1502: Department of Education – I voted No, the measure passed 80-27. A motion was made to recommit the bill and then the House voted to table this motion. I voted Yes, the motion passed 77-42.
• SB 3015: Deficit Appropriation – I voted No, the measure passed 102-3.

 

• HCRs 109, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 115-0.

 

• SCRs 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 668: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 121-0. 

 

• HB 1785: This bill allows a municipal utility service to provide services to those outside city limits. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• HB 1755: This bill extends a local tax and government entity. The role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels. I voted No, the measure passed 108-5.

 

• SB 3027: This bill extends a local tax. The role of the legislature is to protect the property of citizens at all levels. I voted No, the measure passed 102-7.

 

• SB 2612: This bill expands economic freedom by allowing more municipalities to establish districts that nullify alcohol regulations. I voted Yes, the measure passed 84-28.

 

• HCR 116: The House considered this resolution to suspend the rules and reconsider an appropriation bill that was earlier held on a point of order. The resolution would avoid the House having to enter a special session to reconsider the bill. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-3.

 

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