Washington Conservative Union's Legislative Ratings

Senate Vote Descriptions (2004)

Promotes Strong Families

1. Increase accountability of local library boards. SB 5150 provides for recall of library board trustees to assure that boards are responsive to their communities. The bill passed the Senate 25-23 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is in favor of respecting community standards of decency.

Promotes Responsible, Taxpayer Friendly Fiscal Policies

2. Adopt a Responsible Budget. SB 6187 proposed a $69 million supplemental budget, meeting necessary expenses while adding to the state’s budget reserve. It passed 28-21. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of prudent budgeting.

3. Adopt a Responsible Budget. HB 2459, the House-passed supplemental budget, appropriated $225 million for the current biennium. Many legislators wanted to spend even more. It passed the Senate 34-15. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of prudent budgeting.

4. Impose job-work requirements for welfare. SB 6559 would require capable welfare recipients to seek employment. It passed the Senate 29-18, but failed in the House. A “yes” vote supports taxpayer friendly policies.

Maintains a Responsible Criminal Justice System

5. Defend society against terrorist crimes. A proposed amendment to SB 6187 would have prevented the establishment of a database regarding eco-terrorism. The amendment failed 23-26. A vote against the amendment is a vote for responsible protection of Washington’s citizens.

Fosters a Sound Educational System for Washington’s Youth

6. Advance education choice. HB 2295 establishes a charter school system in Washington to provide alternatives for parents. The bill passed the House 51-46 and the Senate 27-22. A “yes” vote supports a sound educational system.

7. Support job creation. SB 5697 provides that the state’s automatic minimum wage increases will only occur when the state suffers high unemployment. The bill passed the Senate 27-22 but died in the House. A “yes” vote supports sound economic policies.

8. Reform medical malpractice law. SB 5728, the omnibus tort reform, includes ceilings on noneconomic damages. It passed the Senate 27-22 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of sound economic policies.

9. Reduce unsound regulations. An amendment to HB 2460 reduced the mandatory contents of health insurance policies for small employers. It was adopted 25-23. In a revised form it became law. A vote in favor of the amendment is a vote against excessive government interference in the marketplace.

10. Limit regulatory authority. SB 5053 prohibits agencies from adopting regulations that exceed federal standards without specific legislative authority. The bill passed the Senate 26-23 but died in the House. A “yes” vote supports limited government.

Recognizes Constitutional Protections

11. Respect rights of religious organizations. SB 6516 expanded the right of religious organizations to hold church and church camp property as tax exempt. It passed the Senate 40-9 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a vote to respect constitutional rights.

12. Standardize fees on property use. SB 6587 restricted the power of local governments to impose onerous “impact” fees on property owners seeking to develop their land. It passed the Senate 30-19 but died in the House. A “yes” vote supports private property rights.

13. Respect freedom of contract. SB 6519 would have overridden an overreaching Seattle city ordinance restricting the right of property owners to use billing services to collect utility costs. The bill passed 40-8 but died in the House. A “yes” vote is a vote in favor of freedom of contract.