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 4, 2016

• SB 2053: This bill extends sales tax exemptions for medical devices and products sold to schools. I support lowering the tax burden on all Mississippians. I voted Yes, the bill passed 101-13.

 

• SB 2857:  This bill authorizes the state to borrow more money, at taxpayers’ expense, to spend on improving junior college buildings, workforce development programs, loans to municipalities, equipment for building projects, and a multitude of other items. The state should prioritize spending to focus on immediate needs and reduce our indebtedness. I voted No, the bill passed 111-8. 

 

• SB 2922: This bill expands the state’s historic tax credit program which allows individuals who restore historic properties to reduce their tax burden for those purposes. I support this measure and have voted for it previously. However this bill also included language extending the state’s controversial tourism tax credit program which effectively allows the state to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. I voted No, the bill passed 107-7.

 

Tuesday April 5, 2016

 

• HB 1138: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s technical changes to this bill, which expands the market by allowing our electric power associations to compete with other providers. I voted Yes, the motion passed 118-0.

 

• HB 866: The House moved to concur with Senate’s amendments to this bill which strengthens our election laws by heightening penalties for election fraud. I voted Yes, the motion passed 120-1.

 

• HB 519: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which prevents dismemberment abortions in the state. I voted Yes, the motion passed 85-32.

 

• HB 114: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which renames a state building and a beach. I voted Yes, the motion passed 119-0.

 

• HB 578: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which encourages individuals to report suspicious activity related to terrorism. I voted Yes, the motion passed 92-28.

 

• HB 786: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which helps protect our churches from acts of violence. I voted Yes, the motion passed 85-35.

 

• HB 1240: The House moved to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which makes a number of amendments to the statute concerning the termination of parental rights. While the Senate’s amendments improved this bill, I’m concerned that this bill could make it easier for good parents to lose their children. I voted No, the motion passed 112-8.

 

• SB 2858: The House voted to approve committee amendments to the Taxpayer Pay Raise Act of 2016. The original Senate version of this bill provided broad income tax cuts for all Mississippians. The House amended this bill to limit the tax cut to the lowest state income tax bracket of 3%. As it currently stands, this bill would allow Mississippians to keep $134 Million more of their own money. I voted Yes, the bill passed 76-42. I spoke in favor of an amendment that was offered to restore the original expansive tax cuts from the original bill. The House tabled the amendment on a voice vote. 

[video width="426" height="240" mp4="https://joelbomgar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Joel-Speaking-for-Tax-Cuts.mp4"][/video]

 

Wednesday April 6, 2016

 

• HB 34: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which states that financial advisors retained by the state Department of Education must be independent contractors. This measure will help provide cost savings within the department. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-2.

 

• HB 207: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which clarifies the process for reimbursement for teachers seeking National Board certification. The bill makes it easier for teachers to receive reimbursement. I voted Yes, the motion passed 120-0.

 

• HB 991: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which establishes a study committee to make recommendations concerning the potential administrative consolidation of a school district. I voted Yes, the motion passed 100-16.

 

• HB 37: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which makes it easier for children with dyslexia to receive scholarship funds. This bill expands parental choice in education. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• HB 33: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which expands educational opportunities for special needs children in the state. This bill expands parental choice in education. I voted Yes, the motion passed 102-10.

 

 

• HB 393: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which requires all taxing authorities to present a report of the revenue they collect to the State Auditor. This bill further promotes transparency in government. I voted Yes, the motion passed 120-1.

 

• HB 1560: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which states that inventory lists provided to taxing authorities are presumed to be accurate. I voted Yes, the motion passed 112-5.

 

• HB 499: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill which extends authority of the state’s Public Service Commission to place regulations on utility providers in the state. I voted No, the bill passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1582: This bill amends the definition of blighted property to allows Harrison County to clean up blighted property, while protecting the interests of property owners. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114-0.

 

• HB 1592: This bill authorizes a municipality to transfer taxpayer money directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 105-11.

 

• HB 1605: This bill authorizes Adams County to borrow money at taxpayers’ expense to bail out obligations incurred by a hospital. I voted No, the bill passed 114-5.

 

• HB 1690: This bill authorizes a municipality to transfer taxpayer money directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 104-13.

 

• HB 1608: This bill authorizes Harrison County to institute a civil service commission for their Sheriff’s office. This is a function of the local government. I voted Yes, the bill passed 120-0.

 

• HB 1507: This bill authorizes the City of Brandon the to increase taxes on citizens within the municipality. The Legislature’s role is to protect the citizens of this state and their property. I voted No, the bill passed 94-18.

 

• HB 1591: This bill authorizes a municipality to clean up a cemetery that is currently unowned. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HB 1600: This bill authorizes a local court to extend assessments on courts cases to fund maintenance to their facility. I voted No, the bill passed 107-9.

 

• HB 1703: This bill allows a county more flexibility in where they can locate their jail within the county. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1704: This bill allows a county to compensate a contractor for services performed during storm cleanup. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114-1.

 

• HB 1723: This bill allows the city of Carthage to impose a new tax on citizens. The Legislature’s role is to protect the citizens of this state and their property. I voted No, the bill passed 98-14.

 

• HB 1726: This bill allows the city of Brandon to extend a tax imposed on its citizens. The Legislature’s role is to protect the citizens of this state and their property.  I voted No, the bill passed 92-13.

 

• HB 1734: This bill allows a county to transfer taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 108-6.

 

• HB 1735: This bill allows a county to contribute taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 102-11.

 

• HB 1744: This bill allows Coahoma County to locate a jail at a location of their choosing within the county. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-1.

 

• HB 1750: This bill allows the City of West Point to extend a tax on its citizens. The Legislature’s role is to protect the citizens of this state and their property. I voted No, the bill passed 99-14.

 

• HB 1580: This bill allows the City of Florence to extend a tax on its citizens. The Legislature’s role is to protect the citizens of this state and their property. I voted No, the bill passed 96-13.

 

• HB 1753: This bill allows Marshall County to contribute taxpayer funds directly to a childcare facility. I voted No, the measure passed 107-9.

 

• HB 1754: This bill allows Benton County to contribute taxpayer funds directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 99-15.

 

• HB 1581: This bill allows the City of Fulton to extend a tax on its citizens. I voted No, the bill passed 98-16.

 

• HB 1587: This bill allows the City of Batesville to extend a tax on its citizens. I voted No, the bill passed 102-11.

 

Thursday April 7, 2016

 

• HB 462: The House considered a motion to concur on the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which extends regulations on pharmacies in the state. I voted No, the motion passed 112-5.

 

• HB 1375: The House considered a motion to concur on the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which requires the Department of Mental Health to make arrangements for supportive services after individuals are discharged from an alcohol or drug treatment program. I voted Yes, the motion passed 120-0.

 

• HCR 115: The House considered a resolution commending the Ralph Morgan Rodeo. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• The House considered a block of two resolutions commending the achievements of Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measures passed 120-0. HCRs 114, 112.

 

• The House considered a block of two resolutions commending the achievements of Mississippians. I voted Yes, the measures passed 120-0. SCRs 644, 648, 649, 651, 652, 654, 655, 656.

 

• HB 1758: The House considered this bill which allows counties to contribute taxpayer money directly to a private entity. I voted No, the measure passed 110-5.

 

• HB 1760: The House considered this bill which allows Lee County to create a Youth Court referee to help handle the youth court case load there. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-0.

 

• HB 1761: The House considered a bill which allows the City of Flowood to enter into a long term lease for a conference center guaranteeing government occupancy of a private facility. I voted No, the bill passed  107-3.

 

• SB 2050: The House considered a bill which allows the Town of Walnut to expand their natural gas system to include residents outside the city limits. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2828: The House considered a bill which authorizes the City of Jackson to transfer $40,000 of taxpayer money annually directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 110-4.

 

• SB 2830: The House considered a bill which allows Warren County to transfer $69,000 of taxpayer money directly to private entities. I voted No, the bill passed 102-4.

 

• SB 2831: The House considered a bill which allows Kemper County to transfer $5,000 of taxpayer money annually directly to a private entity. I voted No, the bill passed 103-2.