Washington Conservative Union's Legislative Ratings

•  Promotes Strong Families

The family is the basic unit of society. Policies that respect stronger families benefit us all.

•  Promotes Responsible, Tax-payer Friendly Fiscal Policies

Taxes to support necessary functions of government should be based on sound economic principles; taxpayer dollars should be spent prudently to promote the core functions of government.

•  Maintains a Responsible Criminal Justice System

The first duty of government is to provide for the security of its citizens and their property in a manner that is consistent with personal liberty

•  Fosters a sound educational system for Washington's youth.

Today's students must have the opportunity to attain the skills and knowledge that will equip them to lead lives of productive citizenship; competition, parental choice and school accountability all aid in achieving this goal.

•  Assures Limited Government/deregulation/privatization

Every increase in the size of government must be tested against this question: does the expected benefit justify the economic cost and the resulting reduction in human freedom.

•  Recognizes Constitutional Protections

The state and federal constitutions are the foundation for our liberty and our system of government and they should be the standards by which every legislative bill and government action is first judged.

Senate Vote Descriptions (2003)

Principle: Preserve Strong Families

1. Protect Library Users from Pornography. SB 5242 would have required that Internet-access terminals in the children's area of a library must filters to exclude access to sexually explicit sites. The bill passed the senate, 36-13 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a pro-family vote.

2. Encourage Faith-Based Solutions. HB 1464 requires the state to include faith-based social service organizations in delivering services to Washington's families. The bill passed the Senate, 40-8. A yes vote is a pro-family vote.

3. Reject Homosexuality as a Protected Class. HB 1809 would have expanded the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission to hear and adjudicate complaints about discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation.” The bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. A motion to discharge the committee and bring the bill directly to the floor failed, 25-23. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

Principle: Tax-payer Friendly Fiscal Policies

4. Reduce Unnecessary Spending. SB 5403 caused spending reductions proposed by Governor Locke to begin in July 2003 to commence earlier, thus reducing unneeded spending. The bill passed the Senate in its initial form 29-20. A “yes” vote is a pro-taxpayer vote.

5. Require Accountable Government. SB 5538 would have made the board of Sound Transit elective, thus establishing direct accountability to the taxpayer. It passed the Senate 40-9 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a pro-taxpayer vote.

6. Balance the Budget Without New Taxes. In times of economic hardship, SB 5404 appropriated funds for 2003-05 without raising new taxes. It passed the Senate 28-20. A “yes” vote is a pro-taxpayer vote.

7. Increase Local Sales Taxes. SB 5659 authorized counties to increase sales and property taxes subject to voter approval. It passed the Senate 37-9. A “no” vote is a tax-payer friendly vote.

Principle: Maintain a Responsible Criminal Justice System

8. Protect Public Right to Travel. HB 5953 makes it a crime to disrupt traffic in demonstrations, thus preserving a balance between freedom of expression in appropriate places and the rights of citizens to go about their business on public highways. The bill passed the Senate 27-22. A “yes” vote supports a responsible criminal justice system.

9. Strengthen Washington Against terrorism. HB 1210 increases the penalties on crimes relating to terrorism. It passed the Senate 37-12. A “yes” vote supports a sound criminal justice system

Principle: Foster a Sound Education System for Washington's Youth

10. Advance Education Choice. SB 5012 would establish a charter school system in Washington to provide additional alternatives for parents. In an effort to delay or defeat the bill, a proposed amendment would have required that the bill go to a vote at the next election. The amendment was defeated 18-30. The full bill passed the Senate but died in the House. A vote against the amendment supports a sound educational system.

Principle: Assure Limited Government, Deregulation and Privatization.

11. Eliminate Burdensome Regulations. SB 5161 repealed bureaucratic “ergonomic” rules. The bill passed the Senate 30-19. A “yes” vote is a vote for limited government.

12. Protect Jobs and Markets. Washington's minimum wage increases annually regardless of economic conditions. Under SB 5697, increases would occur only when the state's unemployment rate is less than the national average. Thus limiting government interference with economic markets that inhibits job creation. The bill passed the Senate 25-24 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is for limited government and free economic markets.

13. Avoid Costly Regulations on Housing. HB 1430 seeks to avoid regulatory increases in the cost of housing by requiring state agencies to prepare “housing impact statements” before certain actions. The bill passed the Senate 33-16 but was vetoed by the Governor. A “yes” vote is a vote for limited government.

Principle: Recognize Constitutional Protections

14. Support Property Rights. Growth management restrictions, which prevent the use of private farmland for sports fields, would be reduced under SB 5661, which passed the Senate 30-17 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of property rights.

15. Encourage Quality Judicial Appointments. Washington's Senators were urged to end the filibuster of Court of Appeals nominee Miguel Estrada, under SJM 8020. The resolution passed the Senate 26-22. A “yes” vote favors constitutionally minded judicial appointments.

House Vote Descriptions (2003)

Principle: Preserve Strong Families

1. Encourage abstinence-focused education. HB 1178 dealt with sex education in schools. The rated amendment would have permitted schools to choose courses that emphasized abstinence only. The amendment failed 42-54. A “yes” vote is a family friendly vote.

2. Reject Homosexuality as a Protected Class. HB 1809 would have expanded the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Commission to hear and adjudicate complaints about discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation.” The bill passed the House 59-39 and died in the Senate. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

Principle: Taxpayer Friendly Fiscal Policies

3. Preserve Levy Limitations. The state constitution protects property owners by requiring that special property tax levies may be imposed only by a 60% majority of the voters. HJR 4204 would amend the constitution to permit property tax levies by a majority vote. The measure passed the House 73-25 but died in the Senate. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

4. Balance the Budget Without New Taxes. In acting on SB 5404 the House budget alternative proposed tax and spending increases of $360 million. An amendment to adopt a no-new taxes budget failed 46-52. A “no” vote is a pro-taxpayer vote.

5. Preserve low car tabs. In two statewide initiatives, voters rejected car tabs in excess of $30. HB 1796 would have increased car tabs to pay for low-income driver education. The bill passed the House 54-41 but failed in the Senate. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

6. Increase Local Sales Taxes. SB 5659 authorized counties to increase sales and property taxes subject to voter approval. It passed the House 56-42 on April 18, 2003. A “”no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

Principle: Maintain a Responsible Criminal Justice System

7. Strengthen Washington Against terrorism. HB 1210 increases the penalties on crimes relating to terrorism. It passed the House 77-20. A “yes” vote supports a sound criminal justice system

Principle: Foster a Sound Education System for Washington's Youth

No rated votes.

Principle: Assure Limited Government, Deregulation and Privatization.

8. Avoid Trivial Regulations. HB 1615 would have made it a crime to drive a car in which stereo equipment (but not other equipment) was not tied down. It passed the House 73-23 but died in the Senate. A “no” vote is a vote against petty criminalization by an overactive state.

9. Avoid Government Mandates on Hiring. HB 1065 would have increased the cost of public works by imposing quotas upon contractors requiring the use of state-approved apprentices. The bill passed the House 52-45 but failed in the Senate. A “no” vote is a vote against excessive government regulations.

10. Eliminate Burdensome Regulations. SB 5161 repealed bureaucratic “ergonomic” rules. Supporters in the House sought to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Their motion failed 44-51. A “yes” vote is a vote for limited government.

Principle: Recognize Constitutional Protections

11. Respect religious liberties. Requirements for reporting of child abuse by clergy raise serious questions about interference with the confidentiality of pastoral counseling. The rated amendment would have preserved the protection for communications that are “privileged” under existing Washington law. The amendment failed 40-57. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of constitutional protections.

12. Respect Rights of Non-Tribal Citizens. HB 1936 establishes a study to determine the best mechanism to extend general police officer power to tribal officers, thus extending the reach of tribal organizations over non-tribal citizens. The bill passed 57–41 but died in the Senate. A “no” vote is a vote in favor of protecting constitutional liberties.