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 18, 2016

 

• SB 2858: This bill is referred to as the “Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2016.” The bill includes phased-in tax cuts to eliminate the 3% state income tax bracket, the self-employment tax, and the franchise tax. Unfortunately the final version of the bill pushes these tax cuts out two years in the future, but this is a step in the right direction that allows hardworking Mississippians to keep more of their money and encourage job creation in our state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 72-43.

 

• HB 1747: This bill allows local fire protection districts to increase taxes on those living within the districts. I voted No, the measure passed 113-3.

 

• SB 2922: This bill includes a number of specialty tax credits including historic tax credits and business tax credits. I support lowering the tax burden for all Mississippians, but this bill effectively allows the government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. I voted No, the measure passed 102-13.

 

• HB 1729: This is the bond bill for 2016, which allows the state to add $200 Million to the state’s debt by borrowing more money at taxpayer’s expense. The funds are used to fund a number of projects including museums, parks, and local projects. I voted No, the measure passed 110-8.

 

• HB 130: This bill requires that local city clerks be appointed rather than elected. This is already the case in most municipalities in the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 113-4.

 

• HB 844: This bill authorizes Mississippi State University to enter into a long-term lease for property to be used for housing and retail purposes on its campus. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 904: This bill allows UMMC to contract with the American Cancer Society to lease a portion of its property to be used for patient family housing. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1205: This bill ensures that emergency personnel are included in the Law Enforcement Officers’ Death Benefits Trust Fund. This provides benefits to those who are killed in the line of duty. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2629: This bill allows Jackson State University to enter into a long term lease for student housing on their campus. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• SB 2032: This bill allows funeral escort vehicles to use purple lights when leading a military funeral procession. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1223: This bill allows municipalities to establish areas where individuals can leave with a “go-cup” for alcoholic beverages, in certain circumstances. This relaxes regulations on localities. I voted Yes, the measure passed 88-28.

 

• SB 2493: This bill provides flexibility to parents facing a crisis to execute a power of attorney for voluntary guardianship over their children. This model has been implemented successfully in other states. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2699: This bill changes the law related to the removal of derelict vessels from wetlands. While I voted for the initial version of this bill, I have concerns that, as amended in conference, it allows government more authority to confiscate private property. I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• SB 2801: This bill allows for Hinds County to lease the former state crime lab building, which is no longer being used. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HCR 129: This resolution honors Mr. E.L. Boteler upon his passing. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-0.

 

• HCR 130: This resolution commends Morton, Mississippi upon 150 years of its history. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• HB 1776: This bill authorizes Tishimingo County to contract with other political subdivisions to house prisoners. This allows the county to help pay the bills at its facility as their local inmate population decreases. I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-0.

 

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 1648: Department of Transportation, I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

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

 

• HB 1665: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2869: Institutions of Higher Learning – University of Mississippi Medical Center, I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2873: Institutions of Higher Learning – Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2884: Department Employment Security, I voted No, the measure passed 118-3.

 

• SB 2887: Worker’s Compensation Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 115-4.

 

• HB 1657: Department of Marine Resources, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• SB 2889: Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• SB 2914: Department of Information Technology Services, I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 1634: District Attorneys, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1637: Capital Post-Conviction Counsel, I voted No, the measure passed 113-1.

 

• SB 2912: Governor’s Office, I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• HB 1652: Department of Human Services, I voted No, the measure passed 70-42.

 

• HB 1653: Department of Rehabilitation Services, I voted No, the measure passed 111-5.

 

• SB 2877: Department of Corrections, I voted No, the measure passed 105-15. The House considered a motion to recommit the bill for further work, I voted No on this motion, it failed 33-81.

 

• SB 2895: Board of Pharmacy,  I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• SB 2898: Gaming Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 111-9.

 

• SB 2911: Department of Finance and Administration, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1635: Supreme Court, I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2882: Judicial Performance Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• ­­­HB 1638: Office of the State Public Defender, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1645: Library Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 117-4.

 

• HB 1617: Board of Nursing, I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• HB 1650: Division of Medicaid, I voted No, the measure passed 110-4.

 

• HB 1639: Department of Insurance, I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2880: Department of Public Safety, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2885: Department of Revenue, I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2913: Department of Audit. I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2918: Debt service, I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• SB 2890: Department of Transportation – Office of State Aid Road Construction, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2883: Ethics Commission, I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2919: Mississippi Development Authority, I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• SB 2881: Veterans Affairs Board, I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2866: Institutions of Higher Learning – General support, I voted No, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• SB 2867: Institutions of Higher Learning – Subsidiary programs, I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• HB 1647: Department of Archives and History, I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• SB 2924: Additional appropriation for various state agencies for fiscal year 2016, I voted No, the measure passed 115-2.

 

• SB 2915: Personnel Board, I voted No, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• HB 1643: Department of Education, I voted No, the measure passed 119-2.

 

 

Tuesday April 19, 2016

 

• HB 199: The House considered the conference report for this bill which provides a one year extension to exempt the Department of Education from certain Personnel Board procedures. This allows the department to further reorganize. I voted Yes, the measure passed 76-37.

 

• HB 487: The House considered the conference report for this bill which extends the prohibition on transporting wild hogs in the state. These animals are a nuisance, but the bill includes exceptions for commercial purposes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• HB 711: The House considered the conference report for this bill which clarifies that courts of origin have authority to revisit excessive bonds. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HB 772: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows youth courts to authorize counsel to indigent parents. This bill ensures that those who are most vulnerable receive adequate representation in youth court proceedings. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• HB 14: The House considered the conference report for this bill which places restrictions on local control by preventing local school boards from raising superintendent salaries. This bill does not seem fair to high performing districts like Madison County, since it can be difficult for high-performing schools to consistently improve when students are already at the top tiers of performance. I voted No, the measure passed 79-36.

 

• HB 289: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows for fee increases on citizens of the state by authorizing the state Board of Health to charge more for services. I voted No, the measure passed 109-11.

 

• HB 298: The House considered the conference report for this bill which provides additional transparency and oversight to the state budget by requiring that expenditures from special funds be appropriated by the legislature. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-6.

 

• HB 878: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows for the state government to  spend more at taxpayers’ expense and eliminates the requirement for contributions to the rainy day fund. I voted No, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• HB 1498: The House considered the conference report for this bill which extends the Department of Corrections’ exemption from state personnel board procedures. This allows the department to further reorganize. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-26.

 

• HB 926: The House considered the conference report for this bill which administratively consolidates Holmes County and Durant School Districts in 2018. I support reducing bureaucracy in our state and directing more resources directly to the classroom. I voted Yes, the measure passed 77-43.

 

• HB 987: The House considered the conference report for this bill which administratively consolidates Leflore County and Greenwood School Districts in 2018. I support reducing bureaucracy in our state and directing more resources directly to the classroom. I voted Yes, the measure passed 75-43.

 

• HB 989: The House considered the conference report for this bill which creates the Mississippi Achievement School District to allow the state Department of Education more latitude to identify and target help to under-performing districts. I voted Yes, the measure passed 73-45.

 

• HB 1074: The House considered the conference report for this bill which creates a new special fund to expend taxpayer dollars on certain special improvement projects. I voted No, the measure passed 110-6.

 

• HB 1410: The House considered the conference report for this bill, which creates a task force to examine the laws governing asset forfeiture in this state. This task force will examine potential reforms to establish protections for private property owners while ensuring that criminals are deprived of their ill-gotten gains. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• SB 2070: The House considered the conference report for this bill which places regulations on how healthcare providers may direct new mothers to feed their children. It also establishes a grant program for grocery stores. I voted No, the measure passed 107-10.

 

• SB 2114: The House considered the conference report for this bill which helps municipalities modernize their ticketing system by filing more affidavits electronically. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• SB 2169: Increases penalties for possession of synthetic marijuana to impose higher fines and more prison time on those using synthetic marijuana. While use of these substances is inarguably dangerous, our state’s experience has shown that increasing fines and prison time does not help rehabilitate our young people who have made mistakes. I voted No, the measure passed 103-15.

 

• SB 2179: The House considered the conference report for this bill which establishes the Division of Child Protection Services, a new department created to comply with a court order concerning the Mississippi foster care system. One of the roles of our state is to protect the lives and liberty of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2237: The House considered the conference report for this bill which places restrictions on  identifying suppliers to the state who provide execution drugs. This bill limits transparency in state executions. I voted No, the measure passed 103-13.

 

• SB 2314: The House considered the conference report for this bill which requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide data to the State Public Defender to ensure that individuals are represented in trials in our state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• SB 2388: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows the state Department of Education more latitude and control in implementing the “third grade reading gate” program. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• SB 2418: The House considered the conference report for this bill which adds domestic violence as a grounds for divorce in this state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 102-15. Due to some concerns about language in the bill that could have allowed no-fault divorce in the state, this bill was held on a motion to reconsider and ultimately died in conference.

 

• SB 2495: The House considered the conference report for this bill which required administrative consolidation in Carroll and Montgomery County school districts. I support reducing bureaucracy in our state and directing more resources directly to the classroom. I voted Yes, the measure passed 78-38.

 

• SB 2500: The House considered the conference report for this bill which requires consolidation of school districts with the Lumberton Public School District. I support reducing bureaucracy in our state and directing more resources directly to the classroom. I voted Yes, the measure passed.

 

• SB 2501: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows Coahoma Agriculture High School to establish an early college high school. I voted Yes, the measure passed 82-36.

 

• SB 2541: The House considered the conference report for this bill, which legalizes participation in fantasy sports competitions. I voted against the amended House version of this bill because it authorized a lottery which would help grow the size of government. The bill was amended in conference to create a study committee and legalize participation in fantasy sports. I voted Yes, the measure passed 93-24. The House considered a motion to recommit the bill with instructions to add the lottery back. I voted No, the motion failed 35-79.

 

• SB 2571: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows for the state’s Department of Finance and Administration to comply with federal reporting requirements for the Affordable Care Act. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-5.

 

• SB 2675: The House considered the conference report for this bill which allows for the creation of new specialty car tags for certain organizations. The organizations pay the costs for production of these tags. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2732: The House considered the conference report for this bill which amends the law criminalizing fondling of a child with an object. This bill closes a potential loophole in the law and helps protect children. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-2.

 

• SB 2755: The House considered the House version of this bill which creates new commissions to regulate underground digging. I voted No, the measure passed 116-5.

 

• SB 2777: The House considered the House version of this bill which creates committee to study the flow of DUI information within our criminal justice system. The members serve without compensation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• SB 2778: The House considered the conference report for this bill, referred to as the DUI Transparency Act. There are some good parts to this bill, but I have concerns that it creates an incentive for commercial drivers to refuse to take a breathalyzer test. The bill appears to create harsher punishments for those who cooperate with law enforcement than for those who do not cooperate. I voted No, the measure passed 87-29.

 

• SB 2055: This bill allows the Department of Revenue to more easily dispose of alcohol that they have seized. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-1.

 

• The House considered a block of resolutions commending the service and accomplishments of several Mississippians. I voted Yes, the motions passed 120-0. SCR: 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683.

 

• SB 2048: The House considered this bill which allows a city to increase taxes on its citizens. One of the primary roles of the legislature is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens. This includes protecting citizens from tax increases. I voted No, the measure passed 90-14.

 

• SB 2953: The House considered this bill which allows a county to borrow up to $1 Million at taxpayers’ expense to give to a museum.  One of the primary roles of the legislature is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens. This includes protecting citizens from tax increases. I voted No, the measure passed 108-3.

 

• SB 2958: The House considered this bill which allows Alcorn County to contract with other political subdivisions to house prisoners in their jail. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2961: The House considered this bill which allows Claiborne County to rent a theater at special rate to local theatre group. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2964: The House considered this bill which allows the City of Houston to increase taxes on its citizens.  One of the primary roles of the legislature is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens. This includes protecting citizens from tax increases.  I voted No, the measure passed 96-11.

 

• SB 2951: The House considered this bill which allows a county to levy assessments on its citizens. One of the primary roles of the legislature is to protect the lives, liberty, and property of its citizens. This includes protecting citizens from tax increases.  I voted No, the measure passed 95-10.

 

• SB 2967: The House considered this bill which allows the City of Marion to expand their sewer system. I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-0.

 

Wednesday April 20, 2016

 

• The House considered a block of resolutions commending and honoring the service of several Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measures passed 120-0. SCRs 685, 686, 687, 688, 689.