PAChyderm first 2009 legislative rankings

March 20, 2009 by PAChyderm Coalition  
Filed under Special Reports

Legislative Actions as of 3/13/09

Last Updated 3/15/09

 

 

Grades can range from +100% (supports Republican principles) to -100% (opposes Republican principles)

 

Ratings will be updated on a weekly basis.

 

Please refer to our FAQs section located after the strike all bills. It responds to some of the questions we have been getting regarding the grades assigned.

 

Rank for legislators with the same Grade is determined by bill sponsorship and votes cast. For example, a legislator with 3 committee votes would get a better rank than one with 2 committee votes if they have the same Grade.

 

Legislators are assigned to a Group based on their latest rating.

Over 90 is a Reagan Republican.

Over 75 is a Pro-Freedom Republican.

Over 50 is a Republican.

Over 25 is a Big Government Republican.

Over 0 is a Bipartisan Republican.

Zero or less is a Republican In Name Only (RINO).

 

All grades shown are cumulative grades as of the date indicated.

 

Senators

 

Rank

Legislator

Leg Dist

Latest Grade

Group

1

Jack W. Harper

4

99.1

Reagan Republican

2

Thayer Verschoor

22

97.6

Reagan Republican

3

Russell Pearce

18

95.1

Reagan Republican

4

Ron Gould

3

82.8

Pro-Freedom Republican

5

Jonathan Paton

30

70.5

Republican

6

Sylvia Allen

5

69.9

Republican

7

John Huppenthal

20

69.1

Republican

8

Chuck Gray

19

61.0

Republican

9

Pamela Gorman

6

59.2

Republican

10

Linda Gray

10

58.8

Republican

11

Barbara Leff

11

57.5

Republican

12

Jim Waring

7

30.5

Big Government Republican

13

Robert “Bob” Burns

9

27.5

Big Government Republican

14

Steve Pierce

1

26.9

Big Government Republican

15

Jay Tibshraeny

21

22.0

Bipartisan Republican

16

Carolyn S. Allen

8

5.3

Bipartisan Republican

17

John Nelson

12

-11.2

RINO

18

Al Melvin

26

-56.6

RINO

 

 

Representatives

 

Rank

Legislator

Leg Dist

Latest Grade

Group

1

Judy M. Burges

4

100.0

Reagan Republican

2

Carl Seel

6

100.0

Reagan Republican

3

Sam Crump

6

99.1

Reagan Republican

4

Andy Biggs

22

97.6

Reagan Republican

5

Steve B. Montenegro

12

96.2

Reagan Republican

6

David Gowan

30

89.3

Pro-Freedom Republican

7

Frank Antenori

30

88.7

Pro-Freedom Republican

8

Laurin Hendrix

22

88.3

Pro-Freedom Republican

9

Ray Barnes

7

82.9

Pro-Freedom Republican

10

Debbie Lesko

9

82.2

Pro-Freedom Republican

11

John Kavanagh

8

82.0

Pro-Freedom Republican

12

David W. Stevens

25

81.0

Pro-Freedom Republican

13

Warde V. Nichols

21

80.7

Pro-Freedom Republican

14

Cecil P. Ash

18

78.4

Pro-Freedom Republican

15

Steven B. Yarbrough

21

78.0

Pro-Freedom Republican

16

Lucy Mason

1

76.6

Pro-Freedom Republican

17

Rick Murphy

9

75.8

Pro-Freedom Republican

18

Nancy K. Barto

7

73.6

Republican

19

Andrew M. Tobin

1

72.2

Republican

20

Tom Boone

4

69.1

Republican

21

Frank Pratt

23

68.3

Republican

22

Jim Weiers

10

67.1

Republican

23

John McComish

20

61.7

Republican

24

Doris Goodale

3

60.7

Republican

25

Doug Quelland

10

59.5

Republican

26

Nancy McLain

3

59.3

Republican

27

Kirk Adams

19

58.6

Republican

28

Jerry Weiers

12

58.4

Republican

29

Rich Crandall

19

54.5

Republican

30

Steve Court

18

54.5

Republican

31

Adam Driggs

11

52.9

Republican

32

Michele Reagan

8

52.1

Republican

33

Vic Williams

26

33.3

Big Government Republican

34

Russell L. Jones

24

13.3

Bipartisan Republican

35

Bill Konopnicki

5

-0.5

RINO

 

 

Average Grades for each Party in each Body of the Legislature

 

If people tell you, “Political parties don’t mean anything,” show them this table!

 

Average Grades

Party

Republican

Democrat

Body

House

70

-65

Senate

48

-87

 

      Print  
 
 

    Bills Used In Evaluation Minimize

 

Bills used in Evaluation

Summary of criteria used to weight bills:

1) Supports US Constitution
2) Supports Republican Party Platform
3) Supports individual / private sector empowerment over government empowerment
4) Supports national security (including illegal alien issues)
5) Reduces government spending
6) Reduces tax rates in general 
7) Will have a significant impact

 

 

 

Bill Number

Short Title

Weight

Sponsor Weight

Description

Category

Explanation

HB2010

license plate attachment and display

4

4

license plate attachment and display

Civil Rights

Avoid easy excuse for Police stops

HB2026

peace officers; firearms; school grounds

5

5

peace officers; firearms; school grounds

Public Safety

Improves public safety as schools.

HB2027

weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves.

2

2

Allows AZPOST certified members members of reserve or posse to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Govt Admin

They already have the training, so it avoids wasting time and money.

HB2068

schools; parental educational choice grants

10

10

schools; parental educational choice grants

K-12 Ed

Will reduce costs to state while improving education opportunities for K-12 school children.

HB2069

school choice scholarships; failing schools

9

9

school choice scholarships; failing schools

K-12 Ed

Allows students in failing schools to opt out of government schools to get a decent education instead of being pawns for school districts and teachers unions.

HB2073

state equalization property tax repeal..

10

10

Make tax cut permanent

Taxes

We need to keep taxes low and keep government spending down.

HB2106

prohibit photo radar; state highways

9

9

prohibit photo radar; state highways

Civil Rights

Having big brother watching is not conducive to freedom. Plus, there are constitutional issues related to equal treatment under the law (out of state and commercial vehicles are often not cited).

HB2120

school districts; bonds; purposes.

-8

-2

allows school districts to bond for the purchase of computers and furniture with amendment does not require life of purchased item to exceed term of bond

Govt Admin

allows financially reckless behavior by school boards. Amendment changed weight from -2 to -8.

HB2124

photo enforcement; allowable uses

1

1

photo enforcement; allowable uses

Civil Rights

Keep big brother at bay.

HB2168

photo enforcement; highways; DPS study

3

3

photo enforcement; highways; DPS study

Civil Rights

Limit photo radar.

HB2170

traffic tickets; complaints; photo enforcement

1

1

traffic tickets; complaints; photo enforcement

Civil Rights

Limit photo radar.

HB2171

firearms; restaurants

9

9

Allows patrons of restaurants serving primarily food rather than alcohol to carry concealed weapons, if they have a CCW permit, if they are not consuming alcohol. Restaurants may post a sign prohibiting firearms.

Gun Rights

Based on assumption that restaurant owner can post a sign prohibiting guns. It allows people to protect themselves from criminal activity while in restaurants.

HB2174

firearms; game refuges

4

4

firearms; game refuges

Gun Rights

Allows bow hunters and others without hunting firearms to protect themselves from animals and criminals.

HB2191

cellular telephones; use while driving

-9

-9

cellular telephones; use while driving

Civil Rights

Nanny state not welcome.

HB2213

license plate attachment and display..

4

4

license plate attachment and display..

Civil Rights

Easy excuse for traffic stop.

HB2235

game and fish commissioners; appointment

2

2

game and fish commissioners; appointment

Govt Admin

Having knowlegable people will be a net benefit for those impacted by these officials and for the state in general.

HB2237

AHCCCS; verification of eligibility

6

6

AHCCCS; verification of eligibility

Govt Admin

Help prevent welfare fraud.

HB2238

AHCCCS; DES; fraud reduction

7

7

AHCCCS; DES; fraud reduction

Govt Admin

Help discover state healthcare fraud.

HB2273

health services districts; voter approval

7

7

requires voter approval to establish public health districts

Taxes

requires voter approval for creating a new public health district (which has property tax authority)

HB2274

paycheck deductions; political purposes; limitation

9

9

Prevents payroll deductions for political purposes without explicit employee consent.

Civil Rights

Protects employees from having their money used for political purposes by default payroll deductions.

HB2286

tax credit; charitable organizations

3

3

tax credit; charitable organizations

Taxes

Reduces the complexity regarding the tax credit for charitable contributions to support social services.

HB2287

tax credits; withholding tax reduction

5

5

tax credits; withholding tax reduction

Taxes

Makes it easier to reduce state income tax withholding to take state tax credits into account.

HB2288

premium tax credit; STO contribution

9

9

premium tax credit; STO contribution. Makes program permanent.

K-12 Ed

This helps fund student tuition organization scholarships. Helping students to leave public schools and go to private schools also results, on average, in a net reduction in government money spent on education while giving parents of students more choices.

HB2298

schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes

-9

-9

schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes. Establishes special classes of victims.

Civil Rights

There should be no special protected classes. All bullies should be neutralized regardless of the types of people they bully.

HB2299

smoking in vehicle with minors

-9

-9

smoking in vehicle with minors

Civil Rights

No nanny state needed.

HB2313

process servers; criminal liability

-4

-4

process servers; criminal liability. Exempts private process servers from some trespass laws and makes an assault against them automatically aggravated assault. Gives them access to personal information.

Civil Rights

This provides a special class to be protected, and there is insufficient oversight on who will benefit from these protections. There are also privacy issues.

HB2342

photo enforcement; urban speed limits

3

3

photo enforcement; urban speed limits

Public Safety

Makes more reasonable rules regarding setting speed limits to photo enforce.

HB2357

public education; students’ religious liberties

10

10

public education; students’ religious liberties. Allows students to express religious beliefs in public schools with the same freedom any student can express any views on campus.

Civil Rights

Religious freedom for public school students. In the name of “separation of church and state,” some teachers forbid students from privately praying, reading bibles, or wearing religious objects while in school. This is designed to prevent that.

HB2386

firearms; prohibition; postsecondary institutions

-9

-9

firearms; prohibition; postsecondary institutions

Gun Rights

This would reduce rather than help safety on campuses. It also infringes on 2nd amendment rights.

HB2400

partial-birth abortions; definition

10

10

partial-birth abortions; definition

Pro-Life

Helps eliminate partial birth abortions.

HB2418

concealed weapons; federal firearms licensee

2

2

concealed weapons; federal firearms licensee

Govt Admin

People with this level of vetting do not need to go through an additional course that would teach them nothing new.

HB2420

misconduct involving weapons; vehicles

3

3

Creates an exception for weapons carried inside a vehicle in a closed purse belonging to a CCW holder.

Gun Rights

This keeps someone from getting in trouble because of someone else’s purse left in a car he is driving.

HB2426

enhanced driver licenses; prohibition

10

10

enhanced driver licenses; prohibition

Civil Rights

We oppose what is essentially a national ID card. It violates states rights and threatens individual privacy.

HB2439

concealed weapons permit; safety course

4

4

Someone with previous firearms and firearms safety training would have to take only the portion of the CCW class concerningArizona laws.

Govt Admin

It makes sense to avoid the cost and trouble of training people who are already trained.

HB2449

mandatory fingerprinting; central state repository

-3

-3

mandatory fingerprinting; central state repository. Even those not convicted would be included.

Civil Rights

It would be too easy for this database to be misused against citizens.

HB2486

health insurance; purchase outside state

7

7

Allows purchasing health insurance from an out of state insurer.

Econ Freedom

More competition will give Arizonaconsumers more choices and lower prices.

HB2492

text messaging while driving; prohibition

-8

-8

text messaging while driving; prohibition

Civil Rights

Nanny state not welcome.

HB2494

photo enforcement; speed violations

3

3

photo enforcement; speed violations

Civil Rights

There are equal protection issues because some people are excluded from photo enforcement (out of state and commercial drivers).

HB2507

enhanced driver licenses; border travel

-10

-10

enhanced driver licenses; border travel

Civil Rights

We oppose what is essentially a national ID card.

HB2508

central state repository; crime information

-7

-7

central state repository; crime information

Civil Rights

Applies to those arrested rather than just those convicted.

HB2541

budgets; posting on websites

5

5

Puts all state and local government expenditures on a database accessible on the Internet.

Govt Admin

Greater transparency in government spending will, we hope, lead to more prudent spending – and less of it.

HB2551

criminal damage; classification

-4

-4

Lowers threshholds for property damage to become a more serious crime.

Public Safety

The existing laws are sufficient. This is overkill when we already have overworked courts. If violence is involved, the crime will automatically become more serious.

HB2566

nuclear security guards; weapons; ranges

5

5

Gives guards at nuclear reactors some rights regarding firearms that police officers have.

Public Safety

Ensuring that our nuclear reactors are guarded as effectively as possible is critical to our safety.

HB2590

cellular telephones; minors; driving use

-4

-4

Makes it illegal for minors to drive while using celluar phones.

Civil Rights

Nanny state not welcome.

HB2604

schools; ADM audits; repayment

-6

-6

allows school districts to take 5 years to repay overpayments due to errors they made reporting student enrollment

Govt Admin

reduced incentives for school districts to report enrollment accurately which potentially encourages fraud

HB2607

schools; disruption; interference; concealed firearms

8

8

Prohibits public schools from forbidding a CCW permit holder from carrying a concealed weapon on campus. Applies to K-12 and college campuses.

Gun Rights

People who are already certified to carry concealed weapons will only ADD to the safety of campuses if they carry concealed weapons.

HB2616

living wills; health care directives

5

5

Keep life support is default with no directive

Pro-Life

Making keeping a feeding tube in patients the default makes sense. Anyone who objects can execute a living will or give someone a power of attorney.

HB2628

parents’ rights; education; health; discipline

10

10

Ensures parental rights over children are respected.

Children

So who else should have these rights? Parents are generally the best people to have making decisions on behalf of their children. That should be presumed unless there is solid evidence to the contrary.

HCR2008

eminent domain; slum clearance; repeal

-10

-10

eminent domain; slum clearance; repeal

Civil Rights

This is a way to undo voter protections against unreasonable seizure of their property. It is a way to allow private developers to get governments to force people to sell them property on terms unfavorable to the property owner.

HCR2019

justices and judges; senate confirmation.

7

7

justices and judges; senate confirmation.

Govt Admin

This would be a big improvement over the current method of having an unelected committee appoint judges.

HCR2020

state appropriation limit; reduction.

7

7

state appropriation limit; reduction.

Taxes

Lower spending limited by reasonable growth criteria will result in lower taxes and streamlined government.

HCR2024

sovereignty; tenth amendment.

7

7

sovereignty; tenth amendment.Send message to Federal government in support of state sovereignty.

Civil Rights

Important 10th amendment issue. Even though it has no legislative effect, it puts the state on record as insisting on having its sovereignty respected.

HCR2028

voter-protected funding; temporary deficit suspension

6

6

Allows referendum dedicated funds to be used in cases of a budget deficit without increasing taxes.

Taxes

Adds needed budget flexibility required to reduce pressure for tax increases when there are budget deficits. Allows the money available to be used more effectively.

HCR2031

state budget; continuation

6

6

Continues the same state budget into the next year if one is not passed in time. Automatic reductions will be in effect when there are revenue shortfalls.

Govt Admin

Provides a reasonable rule to handle cases where there is a budget deadlock. Ideally, this should never happen if the legislature and governor can work together effectively. When they can’t, it can help reduce the pressure to increase spending to get a budget agreement.

HCR2032

constitutional gift clause; purpose

5

5

Further restricts governments in the state from providing benefits to specific private organizations.

Econ Freedom

It keeps all private enterprises on an equal footing with respect to government policies. Governments whould not pick economic winners and losers. That’s the job of consumers.

HCR2033

initiative and referendum reform

-5

-5

 

Govt Admin

We don’t need these laws changed. These changes will not help the public.

SB1004

unlawful false compartment; motor vehicles

-8

-8

unlawful false compartment; motor vehicles. Makes it illegal to have a firearm in any compartment that a police officer regards as hidden.

Civil Rights

It is too broad and can be too easily used against innocent citizens.

SB1075

license plates; obscuring name; warning

-1

-1

license plates; obscuring name; warning

Civil Rights

Still permits traffic stops based on this law.

SB1076

license plate attachment and display.

4

4

license plate attachment and display.

Civil Rights

It provides too easy an excuse for a traffic stop.

SB1107

state equalization property tax repeal

10

10

state equalization property tax repeal

Taxes

We don’t need to have this tax come back.

SB1113

handguns; restaurants; posting

8

8

handguns; restaurants; posting

Gun Rights

Restaurant patrons with a CCW should be able to carry a concealed weapon in a restaurant if the restaurant has no objections.

SB1142

public expenditure transparency database

5

5

public expenditure transparency database

Govt Admin

Companion bill to HB2541.

SB1143

enhanced driver licenses; border travel.

-10

-10

enhanced driver licenses; border travel.

Civil Rights

We oppose what is essentially a national ID card.

SB1206

dissolution of marriage

6

6

dissolution of marriage. Allows marital misconduct to be taken into consideration during a divorce proceeding.

Children

Allowing judges to make decisions regarding property and child custody based on the behavior of a couple in a marriage protects the rights of a victimized spouse and will help ensure children are better cared for.

SB1212

central state repository; hate crimes

-8

-8

central state repository; hate crimes

Civil Rights

All crimes should be handled similarly. There should not be special classes of victims.

SB1242

weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves

2

2

weapons; peace officers; posse; reserves

Govt Admin

Companion bill HB2027

SB1243

justification; defensive display of firearm

9

9

justification; defensive display of firearm

Gun Rights

A person who feels threatened should not be prosecuted for displaying a firearm in self defense.

SB1270

firearms possession; concealed weapons permit

10

10

firearms possession; concealed weapons permit. Eliminates penalty for carry a concealed weapon without carry the CCW permit. Increases penalties for using a firearm to commit a crime.

Gun Rights

It makes sense to punish criminals rather than innocent citizens.

SB1291

state photo enforcement system

-7

-7

state photo enforcement system

Civil Rights

Photo radar is too “big brother” and has equal protection constitutional issues.

SB1324

corporate income tax rate

8

8

Lowers Corporate income tax over several years

Taxes

Will improve job creation.

SB1329

central state repository; crime information.

-7

-7

central state repository; crime information.

Civil Rights

Applies to those arrested rather than just those convicted.

SB1347

photo enforcement; DPS; signage

3

3

photo enforcement; DPS; signage

Public Safety

This helps prevent police from setting up speed traps.

SB1348

misleading public officials; violation

-5

-5

misleading public officials; violation

Civil Rights

This threatens free speech of private citizens and goes too far to establishe public officials as a class with special privileges compared to private citizens.

SB1355

photo radar; prohibition on highways

9

9

photo radar; prohibition on highways

Civil Rights

Will get rid of big brother cameras. There are also equal protection issues with photo radar.

SB1364

speeding citations; photo enforcement systems

3

3

speeding citations; photo enforcement systems

Civil Rights

Limit photo radar.

SB1391

photo radar; minimum speed

3

3

photo radar; minimum speed

Public Safety

Set reasonable speed limits for enforcement.

SB1410

schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes.

-9

-9

schools; harassment; bullying; protected classes.

Civil Rights

There should be no special protected classes. All bullies should be neutralized regardless of the types of people they bully.

SB1411

seat belt violations

-8

-8

seat belt violations

Civil Rights

Excuse for traffic stop. Nanny state not welcome.

SB1434

publicity pamphlet; judicial performance; comment

3

3

publicity pamphlet; judicial performance; comment

Govt Admin

This will make it easier to get out information about judges before retention elections.

SB1439

passengers; pickup truck beds; prohibition

-9

-9

passengers; pickup truck beds; prohibition

Civil Rights

Nanny state rules infringe on personal freedom even if done for “the children” or any other valued group.

SB1440

minors in vehicle; smoking prohibited

-9

-9

minors in vehicle; smoking prohibited

Civil Rights

Nanny state rules infringe on personal freedom even if done for “the children” or any other valued group.

SB1443

cellular telephone use; texting; driving

-8

-8

cellular telephone use; texting; driving

Civil Rights

Nanny state not welcome.

SB1460

photo enforcement; rights of drivers

3

3

photo enforcement; rights of drivers

Civil Rights

Limits photo radar.

SB1466

council on efficient government

-2

-2

council on efficient government

Govt Admin

It will create another layer of bureaucracy and may be in conflict with existing state laws. There is an small quorum which could allow a minority to move things through the council.

SCR1006

state appropriation limit; reduction

7

7

state appropriation limit; reduction

Taxes

Companion to HCR2028

SCR1009

voter-protection; temporary budgetary suspension

6

6

voter-protection; temporary budgetary suspension

Taxes

Companion to HCR2028

SCR1011

taxpayer bill of rights

10

10

taxpayer bill of rights

Taxes

Limiting government to the growth of the private citizens growth in wealth makes sense.

SCR1012

spending accountability and transparency act

4

4

spending accountability and transparency act

Govt Admin

Referendum verson of SB1142.

SCR1026

secret ballot; fundamental right

10

10

secret ballot; fundamental right. Allows secret ballots in all public elections and elections for labor union representation.

Govt Admin

This will help protect workers from being pressured to support unions.

SCR1033

photo radar; prohibition on highways.

9

9

photo radar; prohibition on highways.

Civil Rights

Companion to SB1355.

SCR1034

constitutional convention; rescinding of call

2

2

constitutional convention; rescinding of call

Civil Rights

Rescind previous call for a constitutional convention. If one is called, our entire USconstitution could be rewritten and our liberties would be at greater risk.

SCR1039

speeding citations; photo enforcement systems

2

2

speeding citations; photo enforcement systems

Civil Rights

Limit photo radar.

 

 

Strike Everything Bills used in Evaluation

 

Bill number

Short_Title

Now_Title

Weight

Description

Category

HB2051

technical correction; cease; desist order

2008-2009; appropriations; budget revisions

-9

Appropriations with pork barrel spending

Govt Admin

SB1184

technical correction; boating rules

2008-2009; appropriations; budget revisions

-9

Appropriations with pork barrel spending

Govt Admin

 

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