RATINGS of WASHINGTONacuratings.conservative.org/.../2016/01/Washington... · AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE...

RATINGS of WASHINGTON

20152015

ACUConservative @ACUConservative Conservative.org

Letter from the Chairman

ACU & ACUF Board Members

Selecting the Votes

2015 Winners & Losers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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WA Senate Vote Descriptions

WA Senate Scores

WA House Vote Descriptions

WA House Scores

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RATINGS of WASHINGTON

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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION’S 2015 Ratings of Washington

Dear Fellow Conservatives,

I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union Foundation’s ratings for the 2015 meeting of the Washington State Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, our State Ratings reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual's life. The Washington legislators with the strongest scores voted most consistently with the ideals articulated in the US Constitution: limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility, and a healthy culture.

The 2014 election completed a political transformation that began in 2010 and resulted in voters of almost half the states, 23 in all, entrusting Republicans with the governorships as well as control of both chambers in the respective state, the biggest sweep since the first half of the 20th Century.

By examining all our State Ratings (which cover a wide variety of issues) we can see which states have best used their Republican majorities to apply conservative principles, how others have struggled, and in yet other states, how conservatives have stood up against liberal majorities. I know that this guide will provide you with the most comprehensive evaluative tool to learn how your legislators measure up.

Sincerely,

Matt SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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Matt Schlapp Chairman

Thomas Winter First Vice Chairman

Carolyn Meadows Second Vice Chairman

Jameson Campaigne, Jr. Secretary

Larry Beasley

Bob Beauprez

Kimberly Bellissimo

Morton Blackwell

Ambassador John Bolton

Al Cardenas

Jose Cardenas

Ron Christie

Muriel Coleman

Kellyanne Conway

Tom DeLay

John Eddy

Luis Fortuno

Amy Frederick

Charlie Gerow

Alan Gottlieb

Van Hipp, Jr.

James Lacy

Michael Long

Grover Norquist

Becky Norton Dunlop

Ron Robinson

Ned Ryun

Fred Smith, Jr.

Matt Smith

Lewis Uhler

Ed Yevoli

ACU BOARD MEMBERS

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chairman

Van Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Tim Goeglein Secretary

Kimberly Bellissimo

Jose Cardenas

Amy Frederick

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Colin Hanna

Willes Lee

Carolyn Meadows

Thomas Winter

ACU FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS

SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Wash-ington State Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Washington’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

1331 H Street NW, Suite 500Washington, DC 20005(202) 347-9388

To contact ACU, please call 202-347-9388

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2015 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

DANSELERICKSENPADDENPEARSON

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

BUYSCHANDLERDeBOLTDENTKLIPPERTMcCABE

HOUSE

McCASLINORCUTTPARKERPIKESCHMICKSCOTT

HOUSE

SHEASHORTVAN WERVENVICK

SENATE

BilligFraserFrocktHabibJayapal

SENATE

KeiserKohl-WellesLiiasPedersenRolfes

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

BergquistFarrellGoodman

Ortiz-Self

Pollet

Reykdal

HOUSE

Ryu

Santos

Sells

Stanford

Walkinshaw

<

SENATE

BAUMGARTNERHONEYFORD

HOUSE

FAGANHARGROVEHOLY

HOUSE

HUNT, G.KRETZKRISTIANSEN

HOUSE

NEALEYTAYLORWILSON

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

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1. SB 5094 Hydropower. This bill increases the allowable use of hydropower as an alternative energy source under state law. ACU supports all forms of energy and opposes government picking winners and losers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 6, 2015 by a vote of 29-20.

2. SB 5735 Energy Subsidies. This bill revises the Energy Independence Act to ease restrictions on construction projects eligible for “carbon reduction incentives.” ACU opposes all efforts of government to favor one kind of job over another and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 9, 2015 by a vote of 26-23.

3. SB 5091 Nuclear Power. This bill allows nuclear power to be included in the use of “alternative energy sources” under state law. ACU supports all forms of energy and opposes government picking winners and losers and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 10, 2015 by a vote of 29-20.

4. SB 5321 Debt Settlement Services. This bill allows out of state debt settlement services to operate in Washington with a regular license and not be subject to harsh regulation under the state’s Debt Adjustment Act. ACU supports less regulation and supports more competition in the market place and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 10, 2015 by a vote of 27-22.

5. SB 5452 Welfare Eligibility. This bill would allow government child-care subsidy payments to continue for 12 months even if the recipient is no longer eligible because of an increase in income. ACU opposes this wasteful spending and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 10, 2015 by a vote of 39-10.

6. SB 5826 Government Retirement Savings Program. This bill creates a government-run small business retirement program that creates a “voluntary marketplace” to connect small businesses to retirement programs approved by the government. ACU opposes government programs that compete with the free market and creates mandates that programs have to follow to be included and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on March 11, 2015 by a vote of 29-20.

7. HB 1853 Energy Subsidies. This bill gives “financial incentives” from the government to utilities that build electric vehicle charging stations. ACU opposes all efforts of the government to pick one particular type of fuel or vehicle over another and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 15, 2015 by a vote of 33-16.

8. HB 2266 Class Size Initiative. This bill delays until 2019 a voter initiative that mandated reduction in school class sizes, but did not include a funding source. ACU supported this fiscally sound approach to a multi-billion program that would have led to higher taxes and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 1, 2015 by a vote of 27-17.

9. SB 5987 Gas Tax. This bill increases the gas tax to the second highest gas tax in the nation, and increases vehicle weight fees while using the funds for light rail and bike trails, whose users do not pay the tax. ACU opposes legislation that uses tax increases to pay for non-highway projects and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 1, 2015 by a vote of 37-7.

WASHINGTON SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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WASHINGTON SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District SB 5094 SB 5735 SB 5091 SB 5321 SB 5452 SB 5826 HB 1853 HB 2266 SB 5987ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

ANGEL R 26 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% n/a 67%

BAILEY R 10 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 92% 85%

BAUMGARTNER R 6 + + + + + + + + - 8 9 89% 91% 90%

BECKER R 2 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 85% 81%

BENTON R 17 + + + + - - - + + 6 9 67% 92% 79%

Billig D 3 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

BRAUN R 20 + + + + - - + X X 5 7 71% 85% 78%

BROWN R 8 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 100% 89%

Chase D 32 + + - - + - - - - 3 9 33% 0% 17%

Cleveland D 49 - - + - - - - - - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Conway D 29 + - - - - - + - - 2 9 22% 0% 11%

DAMMEIER R 25 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 69% 74%

DANSEL R 7 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% n/a 100%

Darneille D 27 + - - - - - - + - 2 9 22% 0% 11%

ERICKSEN R 42 + + + + + + + X X 7 7 100% 92% 96%

FAIN R 47 + + + + - - - - - 4 9 44% 69% 57%

Fraser D 22 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 8% 4%

WASHINGTON SENATE SCORESWASHINGTON SENATE STATISTICS

44%OVERALL AVERAGE

SHELDON

HIGHEST DEMOCRATHILL, LITZOW 22%

LOWEST REPUBLICANS

71%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

16%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

78%

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WASHINGTON SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District SB 5094 SB 5735 SB 5091 SB 5321 SB 5452 SB 5826 HB 1853 HB 2266 SB 5987ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

Frockt D 46 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Habib D 48 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Hargrove D 24 + + - - - - - + + 4 9 44% 23% 34%

Hasegawa D 11 - - - - + - + - - 2 9 22% 0% 11%

Hatfield D 19 + + + - - - - + - 4 9 44% 25% 35%

HEWITT R 16 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% 100% 83%

HILL R 45 - - - + - - - + - 2 9 22% 69% 46%

Hobbs D 44 - - + + - - - + - 3 9 33% 18% 26%

HONEYFORD R 15 + + + + + + + + - 8 9 89% 100% 94%

Jayapal D 37 - - - - - - - X X 0 7 0% n/a 0%

Keiser D 33 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

KING R 14 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% 85% 76%

Kohl-Welles D 36 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Liias D 21 - - - - - - - X X 0 7 0% n/a 0%

LITZOW R 41 - - - + - - - + - 2 9 22% 69% 46%

McAuliffe D 1 - - + - - - - - - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

McCoy D 38 - - + - - - - - - 1 9 11% n/a 11%

MILOSCIA R 30 + - + + - - - + - 4 9 44% n/a 44%

Mullet D 5 - - + - - - - + - 2 9 22% 15% 19%

Nelson D 34 - - - - + - - - - 1 9 11% 8% 10%

O'BAN R 28 + + - + - + + + - 6 9 67% 86% 76%

PADDEN R 4 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 92% 96%

PARLETTE R 12 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% n/a 67%

PEARSON R 39 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 92% 96%

Pedersen D 43 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% n/a 0%

Ranker D 40 - - - - - - - - + 1 9 11% 0% 6%

RIVERS R 18 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 92% 85%

ROACH R 31 + + + + + + - - + 7 9 78% 92% 85%

Rolfes D 23 - - - - - - - X X 0 7 0% 0% 0%

SCHOESLER R 9 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% 77% 72%

Sheldon D 35 + + + + - + + + - 7 9 78% 100% 89%

WARNICK R 13 + + + + - + - + - 6 9 67% 79% 73%

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1. HB 1355 Minimum Wage. This bill increases the minimum wage to $12 an hour over four years. ACU opposes these artificial wages that cost jobs among those who need them most, such as students and entry level job seekers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 3, 2015 by a vote of 51-46.

2. HB 1356 Sick Leave. This bill mandates paid sick leave for employees. ACU opposes these mandates that keep salaries low and interferes with the free market and opposed this bill. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2015 by a vote of 51-46.

3. HB 1295 Education Mandates. This bill requires certain schools to provide breakfast, as well as lunch, to every student and provide time after school starts for students to eat. ACU believes these decisions are best made at the local level and opposes mandates that take funds and time away from education and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 4, 2015 by a vote of 65-33.

4. HB 1863 Labor Law. This bill requires community and technical colleges to give automatic raises, known as “step increases,” through collective bargaining and allows them to exceed the compensation limits imposed by the legislature. ACU opposes fiscally irresponsible measures that drive up the cost of education and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 6, 2015 by a vote of 64-34.

5. SB 5826 Government Retirement Savings Program. This bill creates a government run small business retirement program that creates a “voluntary marketplace” to connect small businesses to retirement programs approved by the government. ACU opposes government programs that compete with the free market and creates mandates that programs have to follow to be included and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 10, 2015 by a vote of 57-40.

6. HB 1853 Energy Subsidies. This bill gives “financial incentives” from the government to utilities that build electric vehicle charging stations. ACU opposes all efforts of the government to pick one particular type of fuel or vehicle over another and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2015 by a vote of 67-31.

7. HB 1100 Energy Efficiency Mandates. This bill requires manufacturers of battery chargers to meet minimum energy efficiency standards based on standards proposed or adopted in California and Oregon. ACU opposes most mandates as they drive up the cost of products for the consumer and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 28, 2015 by a vote of 57-40.

8. HB 2266 Class Size Initiative. This bill delays until 2019 a voter initiative that mandated reduction in school class sizes, but did not include a funding source. ACU supported this fiscally sound approach to a multi-billion program that would have led to higher taxes and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on June 29, 2015 by a vote of 72-26.

9. SB 5987 Gas Tax. This bill increases the gas tax and vehicle weight fees to the second highest gas tax in the nation, while using the funds for light rail and bike trails, whose users do not pay the tax. ACU opposes legislation that uses tax increases to pay for non-highway projects and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on June 30, 2015 by a vote of 54-44.

WASHINGTON HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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WASHINGTON HOUSE SCORESWASHINGTON HOUSE STATISTICS

WASHINGTON HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party District HB 1355 HB 1356 HB 1295 HB 1863 SB 5826 HB 1853 HB 1100 HB 2266 SB 5987ACU

VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

Appleton D 23 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% n/a 11%

Bergquist D 11 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Blake D 19 - - - - - - - + + 2 9 22% 0% 11%

BUYS R 42 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 93% 97%

CALDIER R 26 + + - + + - + - + 6 9 67% n/a 67%

Carlyle D 36 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 7% 9%

CHANDLER R 15 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 71% 86%

Chopp D 43 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Clibborn D 41 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Cody D 34 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

CONDOTTA R 12 + + + + + - + - + 7 9 78% 85% 81%

DeBOLT R 20 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 92% 96%

DENT R 13 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% n/a 100%

Dunshee D 44 - - - - - - - + + 2 9 22% 0% 11%

DYE† R 9 X X X X X X + + + 3 3 n/a n/a n/a

FAGAN R 9 + + - + + + X X X 5 6 83% 71% 77%

Farrell D 46 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

44%OVERALL AVERAGE

VAN DER WEGE 33%HIGHEST DEMOCRATKOCHMAR,

STOKESBARY 22%

LOWEST REPUBLICANS

80%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

10%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

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VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

Fey D 27 - - - - - - X + - 1 8 13% 0% 6%

Fitzgibbon D 34 - - - - - - - + + 2 9 22% 7% 15%

Goodman D 45 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Gregerson D 33 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Gregory D 30 - - - - - - - - + 1 9 11% n/a 11%

GRIFFEY R 35 + + - + + + + - + 7 9 78% n/a 78%

HALER R 8 + + + - + - + + + 7 9 78% 79% 78%

Hansen D 23 - - - - - - - + + 2 9 22% 0% 11%

HARGROVE R 47 + + + + + + + - + 8 9 89% 100% 94%

HARMSWORTH R 44 + + + + + - + - + 7 9 78% n/a 78%

HARRIS R 17 + + + + - + + - + 7 9 78% 86% 82%

HAWKINS R 12 + + + - + - + - + 6 9 67% 79% 73%

HAYES R 10 + + + + + + - - + 7 9 78% 86% 82%

HOLY R 6 + + + - + + + + + 8 9 89% 100% 94%

Hudgins D 11 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

HUNT, G. R 2 + + - + + + + + + 8 9 89% 89% 89%

Hunt, S. D 22 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Hunter D 48 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 7% 9%

Hurst D 31 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 23% 17%

Jinkins D 27 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

JOHNSON R 14 + + - + + - + + - 6 9 67% 71% 69%

Kagi D 32 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Kilduff D 28 - - - - - - - + + 2 9 22% n/a 22%

Kirby D 29 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

KLIPPERT R 8 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 93% 96%

KOCHMAR R 30 + + - - - - - - - 2 9 22% 50% 36%

KRETZ R 7 + + + + + + - + + 8 9 89% 79% 84%

KRISTIANSEN R 39 X X + + + + - + + 6 7 86% 93% 89%

Lytton D 40 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

MacEWEN R 35 + + - - + - + + + 6 9 67% 93% 80%

MAGENDANZ R 5 + + - + - - + + + 6 9 67% 71% 69%

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VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

MANWELLER R 13 + + - - - - - + + 4 9 44% 86% 65%

McBride D 48 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% n/a 11%

McCABE R 14 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% n/a 100%

McCASLIN R 4 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% n/a 100%

Moeller D 49 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Morris D 40 - - - - + - - + - 2 9 22% 0% 11%

Moscoso D 1 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

MURI R 28 + + - - + - + + - 5 9 56% 78% 67%

NEALEY R 16 + + + + + + + + - 8 9 89% 77% 83%

ORCUTT R 20 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 100% 100%

Ormsby D 3 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Ortiz-Self D 21 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Orwall D 33 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

PARKER R 6 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 93% 96%

Peterson D 21 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% n/a 11%

Pettigrew D 37 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

PIKE R 18 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 93% 96%

Pollet D 46 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Reykdal D 22 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Riccelli D 3 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Robinson D 38 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

RODNE R 5 + + + + + - + + - 7 9 78% 92% 85%

Ryu D 32 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Santos D 37 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Sawyer D 29 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

SCHMICK R 9 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 79% 89%

SCOTT R 39 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 100% 100%

Sells D 38 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

Senn D 41 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

SHEA R 4 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 100% 100%

SHORT R 7 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 79% 89%

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VotesVotes Cast

2015 %

2014 %

LIFETIME AVG

SMITH R 10 + + + + X - - + + 6 8 75% 64% 70%

Springer D 45 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

STAMBAUGH R 25 + + - - + + + - - 5 9 56% n/a 56%

Stanford D 1 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

STOKESBARY R 31 + + - - - - - - - 2 9 22% n/a 22%

Sullivan D 47 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Takko D 19 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Tarleton D 36 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

TAYLOR R 15 + + + + + + + - + 8 9 89% 100% 94%

Tharinger D 24 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

Van De Wege D 24 - - - - - + - + + 3 9 33% 0% 17%

VAN WERVEN R 42 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% n/a 100%

VICK R 18 + + + + + + + + + 9 9 100% 100% 100%

Walkinshaw D 43 - - - - - - - - - 0 9 0% 0% 0%

WALSH R 16 + + - - - - + + - 4 9 44% 71% 58%

WILCOX R 2 + + - - - - + + - 4 9 44% 50% 47%

WILSON R 17 + + + + + + + - + 8 9 89% n/a 89%

Wylie D 49 - - - - - - - + - 1 9 11% 0% 6%

YOUNG R 26 + + + - + + + - + 7 9 78% 78% 78%

ZEIGER R 25 + + + - + - + + - 6 9 67% 64% 65% †Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2015 percentage and the lifetime average was not rated.

RATINGS of WASHINGTONacuratings.conservative.org/.../2016/01/Washington... · AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE...

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