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 April 11, 2016

 

• HCR 104: The House considered a resolution commending the service of Special Agent Lee Tartt who was killed in the line of duty. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0. 

 

Wednesday April 13, 2016

 

• The House considered a block of resolutions honoring the accomplishments of several Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measures passed 120-0. SCRs 659, 660, 661, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667.

 

• SB 2107: The House considered this bill which allows a locality to directly transfer taxpayer money to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 111-2.

 

• HB 1777: The House considered this bill which allows a locality to directly transfer taxpayer money to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 103-7.

 

• HB 1778: The House considered this bill which allows a locality to directly transfer taxpayer money to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 105-7.

 

• HB 1781: The House considered this bill which allows a locality to directly transfer taxpayer money to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 97-7.

 

• HB 1782: The House considered this bill which establishes election procedures for a local water district. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

Thursday April 14, 2016

 

• HB 1770: The House considered this bill which allows the county to lease a public building at a special rate to a local theatre group that uses the facility for productions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• HB 1689: The House considered this bill which allows contributions of taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 106-5.

 

• HB 1773: The House considered this bill which allows the county to acquire a credit card and sell surplus property. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-0.

 

• HB 1783: The House considered this bill which allows the county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 101-7.

 

• HB 1784: The House considered this bill which allows the county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 94-10.

 

• HB 1786: The House considered this bill which allows the county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 95-8.

 

• HB 1787: The House considered this bill which allows the county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 94-6.

 

• SB 2935: The House considered this bill which allows a municipality to expand its gas distribution line to include some citizens who are outside the city limits. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• SB 2941: The House considered this bill which allows the county to locate a jail at a location of its choosing within the county. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• SB 2942: The House considered this bill which allows the city to expand its gas distribution line to include some citizens who are outside the city limits. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

Friday April 15, 2016

 

• HB 1773: The House considered this bill which allows a regional utility authority in DeSoto County to use a credit card and sell surplus property owned by the organization. I voted Yes, the measure passed 111-0.

 

• HB 1784: The House considered this bill which allows a county to use taxpayer money to make transfers directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 94-10.

 

• HB 1786: The House considered this bill which allows a county to use taxpayer money to make transfers directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 95-8.

 

• HB 1787: The House considered this bill which allows a county to use taxpayer money to make transfers directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 94-6.

 

• The House considered this block of resolutions commending Mississippians for their accomplishments. HCRs: 95, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 128. I voted Yes, the resolutions passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2193: The House considered the conference report on this bill, which places new requirements on those seeking to work as insurance adjusters. These requirements make it more difficult for individuals to enter the workforce. I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• HB 2362: The House considered the conference report for this bill, which changes a number of state “special fund” agencies to “general fund” agencies. I initially voted against this measure in its original form as presented to the House as a very expansive bill. However, after changes were made to the bill in the Senate and in conference to make the bill more selective, I had discussions with my colleagues about the benefits of this legislation. While special funds have a place in state government, this bill would bring greater transparency to a number of budgetary items. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-18.

 

• SB 2945: The House considered this bill which allows a city to increase taxes on those within the city. I voted No, the measure failed 25-79.

 

• The House considered a block of resolutions commending the achievements of several Mississippians. I voted Yes, these measures passed 119-0. SCRs 668, 669, 670, 671, 672.

 

Saturday April 16, 2016

 

• HB 456: The House considered the conference report for this bill which extends provisions allowing the state to regulate how pharmacists run their businesses. I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1599: The House considered this amended bill from the Senate, which allows a county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• HB 1725: The House considered this amended bill from the Senate, which allows the City of Jackson to create special zones where they can levy new taxes on citizens and use those funds for new projects. I voted No, the measure passed 103-11.

 

• HB 1767: The House considered this bill which allows a locality to enter into a long term lease for one of its properties. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1788: The House considered this bill which allows two counties to contract with other political subdivisions to house prisoners in its jail. This can help them cover costs as their population is reduced. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1789: The House considered this bill which allows Stone County to contract with other political subdivisions to house prisoners in its jail. This can help them cover costs as their population is reduced. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2119: The House considered the conference report for this bill which reduces the regulatory requirements governing accountants. This bill helps make it easier for those without a job to become employed in our state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2238: The House considered the conference report for this bill which prevents Medicaid from reimbursing Planned Parenthood for abortions in the state. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 81-35.

 

• SB 2725: The House considered the conference report for this bill which places new regulations on those seeking to work as real estate brokers in the state. We should reduce barriers to entry for those who are currently unemployed. I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

Sunday April 17, 2016

 

• HB 41: The House considered the conference report for this bill which creates the interstate medical licensure compact. While lack of reciprocity is a problem in the medical community, I have concerns that this bill does nothing to ensure true reciprocity as license requirements still must be maintained in each state. It also creates a commission to assist with multistate licensing although private companies already perform this service. I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 364: The House considered the conference report for this bill which clarifies that products sold to school under federal programs are exempt from state sales tax. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1203: The House considered the conference report for this bill which updates the law to allow the local authorities more control over the board of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1529: The House considered the conference report for this bill which sets an upward limit on the amount that can be set as an appeal bond for those who are seeking an appeal in a lawsuit. This bill will help prevent frivolous lawsuits from putting a small company out of business or potentially preventing them from exercising their right to an appeal. I voted Yes, the measure passed 103-13.

 

• HB 1581: The House considered this bill which extends the authority of a city to impose an additional tax on its citizens. I voted No, the measure passed 100-10.

 

• HB 1592: The House considered this bill which allows a county to transfer taxpayer money directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 109-7.

 

• HB 1687: The House considered the conference report for this bill which ensures that satellite locations of the Mississippi Children’s Museum receives the same treatment as the main location. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1723: The House considered this bill as amended by the Senate, which allows a city to impose an additional tax on its citizens. I voted No, the measure passed 86-18.

 

• HB 1745: The House considered the conference report for this bill which effectively eliminates the “debt ceiling” imposed on a regional gas district in North Mississippi. I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 1754: The House considered this bill as amended by the Senate, which allows a county to contribute taxpayer money directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 100-12.

 

• HB 1768: The House considered this bill which allows a local commission to transfer its powers to the city. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-2.

 

• SB 2183: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows local supervisors more discretion to dispose of unclaimed bodies when the coroner is not available. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2349: The House considered the conference report for this bill which opens up the regulation on small loans to allow issuers to bill borrowers for insurance incurred on collateral or employment.

 

• SB 2409: The House considered the conference report for this bill which reduces the current regulatory environment for those providing loans in the state. This measure provides lenders more latitude to make credit available to those in need. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-21.

 

Each of the following votes were conference reports on appropriations bills to fund various state agencies for Fiscal Year 2017. One repeated concern that I hear from constituents is that our government is too big. While I appreciate the efforts of our leadership to craft these appropriations using a limited budget, our government is too large. For these reasons, I voted against most state government spending bills, with the exception of our constitutionally mandated responsibilities like the Governor’s office, legislature, court system, and payments on the debt. Below I’ve listed each appropriation bill along with the agency receiving tax dollars, and the vote totals.

 

• HB 1616: Board of Barber Examiners, I voted No, the measure passed 116-4.

 

• HB 1618: Board of Nursing Home Administrators, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1619: Real Estate Commission and Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• HB 1620: Athletic Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• HB 1621: Board of Medical Licensure, I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• HB 1622: Auctioneers Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 116-3.

 

• HB 1623: Board of Psychology, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1624: Board of Cosmetology, I voted No, the measure passed 113-6.

 

• HB 1625: Physical Therapy Board, I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• HB 1626: Board of Optometry, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1627: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 1628: Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, I voted No, the measure passed 116-3.

 

• HB 1629: Coast Coliseum Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 116-3.

 

• HB 1630: Public Employees’ Retirement System, I voted No, the measure passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1631: Oil and Gas Board, I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• HB 1632: Veterans’ Home Purchase Board, I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• HB 1633: Attorney General, I voted No, the measure passed 90-28.

 

• HB 1636: Legislative expenses, I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• HB 1640: Fire Academy, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 1641: Public Service Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1642: Public Utilities Staff, I voted No, the measure passed 114-3.

 

• HB 1646: Arts Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 114-6.

 

• HB 1651: Department of Health, I voted No, the measure passed 77-39.

 

• HB 1654: Forestry Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 100-14.

 

• HB 1655: Soil and Water Conservation Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 1656: Board of Registration for Foresters, I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 1658: Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District, I voted No, the measure passed 105-10.

 

• HB 1659: Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, I voted No, the measure passed 112-7.

 

• HB 1660: Pearl River Basin Development District, I voted No, the measure passed 115-3.

 

• HB 1661: Pat Harrison Waterway District, I voted No, the measure passed 86-30.

 

• HB 1662: State Port Authority, I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 1663: Yellow Creek State Inland Port Authority, I voted No, the measure passed 115-3.

 

• HB 1664: Department of Environmental Quality, I voted No, the measure passed 116-4.

 

• HB 1666: Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 119-2.

 

• HB 1667: Department of Finance and Administration Bureau of Building, I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.