Washington Conservative Union's Legislative Ratings

Senate Vote Descriptions (2005)

Promotes Strong Families

1. Oppose human cloning research. After the House deleted a prohibition on use of state funds for research on human cloning, SB 5581 returned to the Senate for final passage, passed the Senate 25-24 and became law. A “no” vote supports respect for life.

2. Reject homosexuality as a protected class. HB 1515 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 was defeated in the Senate 24-25. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

3. Permit state monopoly sales of liquor on Sundays. HB 1379 requires certain liquor stores to be open on Sunday. It passed the Senate 31-17 and became law. A “no” vote is a family-friendly vote.

Promotes Responsible, Taxpayer Friendly Fiscal Policies

4. Respect voter-approved limitations on tax and spending. SB 6078 eliminates requirement for a two-thirds vote to raise taxes adopted by the voters in prior initiative 601. Passed Senate 25-21 and became law. A “no” vote respects taxpayer- mandated limitations on taxes.

5. 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. SJR 8202 would permit property tax levies by a majority vote. The measure failed in the Senate 25-23. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

6. Oppose death taxes. SB 6096 reestablishes in Washington State the estate tax repealed by voter initiative in the 1980s. The measure passed the Senate 25-21 and became law. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

7. Oppose increase to gas tax. SB 6103 increases Washington’s gas tax fifteen cents over the next 11 years. The bill passed the Senate 26-22 and became law. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

Maintains a Responsible Criminal Justice System

8. Avoid trivial regulations. HB 1615 makes it a crime to drive a car in which stereo equipment (but not other equipment) is not tied down. It passed the Senate 30-18 and became law. A “no” vote is a vote against petty criminalization by an overactive state.

Fosters a Sound Educational System for Washington’s Youth

9. Preserve sound testing for accountability. HB 1068 eliminates norm-based testing. The bill passed Senate 27-22 and became law. A “no” vote is a vote for preserving educational standards.

10. Avoid excessive requirements on public contracts. SB 5097 increases the cost of construction on public works projects by mandating use of “apprentices” beyond what would be required for the job. The bill passed Senate 27-19 and became law. A “no” vote is a vote in favor of reasonable regulation of business.

11. Avoid unreasonable taxation of business. HB 2255 rescinds a careful balance in calculating unemployment taxes between seasonal and full year workers and makes Washington a less competitive place for employers. It Passed the Senate 25-22 and became law. A “no” vote is a vote for job creation.

12. Oppose costly and questionable emission standards. HB 1397 adopts California emission standards for cars, increasing the cost of cars and hurting Washington consumers. It passed the Senate 29-19 and became law. A “no” vote is a vote to avoid costly regulations.

13. Avoid excessive “entitlements.” SB 5069 would have established a new tax on workers to fund a state-provided five week “family leave” for new children or sickness in the family. It passed the Senate 27-20 but died in the House. A “no” vote is a vote to keep Washington’s business climate healthy.

Recognizes Constitutional Protections

14. Reject “impact fees” that burden property rights. One of the ways governments restrict a property owner’s use of his property is to charge heavy “impact fees” for the right to develop. Under SB 5164, even the Department of Highways would have that power. The bill passed the Senate, 27-21 but died in the House. A “no” vote respects property rights.

15. Require election law integrity. An amendment to SB 5499 would have required that an applicant for voter registration show proof of citizenship. The amendment failed 22-25. A vote “yes” is a vote in favor of honest elections.

WASHINGTON STATE SENATE

Promotes Strong Families

1. SB 5336. Oppose special recognition to “domestic partners.” SB 5336 grants to gay, but not heterosexual, unmarried couples certain privileges associated with marriage. Passed Senate 28-19 and became law. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

2. SB 5297.   Retain “abstinence only” sex-education option.   SB 5297 bans “abstinence only” sex-education by requiring that every sex ed program that includes abstinence must also include contraception, regardless of local school board preference. Passed Senate 30-19 and became law. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

Promotes Responsible, Taxpayer Friendly Fiscal Policies

3. HB 1128. Oppose fiscal irresponsibility . HB 1128 increases spending to a record $33.25 billion. It passed the Senate 30-17 and became law. A “no” vote supports prudent fiscal policies.

4. SJR 8206. Impose limits on growth of state budget . SJR 8206 requires placement of 1% of state revenues each year in a “rainy day” fund which can be used only if 60% of each house approves or the Governor declares an emergency. Passed Senate 45-3 and will appear on the fall ballot. A “yes” vote supports prudent fiscal restraint.

5. HJR 4204. 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 permit property tax levies by a majority vote. Passed Senate 33-16 and will appear on fall ballot. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

6. SB 5093. Single-payor health care for children. Described as “Hillary Care for children,” SB 5093 creates a new entitlement program for children under 19 whose families earn less than two-and-a-half times the poverty level. Passed Senate 38-9 and became law. A “no” vote opposes a new costly entitlement program.

Maintains a Responsible Criminal Justice System

7. HB 1128. Require tougher conditions on early release. A proposed amendment to HB 1128 would have required that any prisoner released on early release who reoffends will have his early release vacated and will return to serve out his original sentence. Defeated in the Senate 18-29. A “yes” vote supports responsible sentencing and law and order.

Fosters a sound educational system for Washington's youth

8. SB 5269. Retain qualification standards for teachers. SB 5269 permits tribal members to teach tribal culture, history and language in public schools without passing normal certification standards. Passed Senate 32-15 and became law. A “no” vote opposes special interest history standards.

Assures Limited Government/deregulation/privatization

9. SB 5659. Avoid excessive entitlements. SB 5659 establishes a new state-provided five-week “family leave” for workers with new children or sickness in the family. Prior versions taxed all workers to fund this entitlement. As adopted, the funding source was deferred to a future legislature. Passed Senate 26-21 and became law. A “no” vote supports a healthy business climate and individual responsibility.

10. HB 1898. Avoid excessive requirements on public contracts. HB 1898 increases the cost of construction on public works products by mandating use of “apprentices” beyond what would be required for the job. The bill passed the Senate 34-14 and became law . A “no” vote supports reasonable regulation of business.

11. HB 1460. Oppose additional mandates on health care insurance. HB 1828 will increase the cost of health insurance by mandating inclusion of mental health coverage on the same basis as medical and surgical coverage. The measure passed the Senate 41-3 and became law. A “no” vote avoids excessive government interference in the free market.

12. SB 6001. Oppose draconian environmental regulations. SB 6001 requires that Washington reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 level by 2020 and 50% below that level by 2050. Passed Senate 37-10 and became law. A “no” vote opposes imposing destructive regulations upon our economy.

Recognizes Constitutional Protections

13. SB 5561. Oppose reducing protections for honest elections . SB 5561 would permit individuals to register on election day. Passed Senate 28-19, but died in the House. A “no” vote is a vote against an erosion of standards of integrity in elections.

14. HB 2079. Oppose forced political contributions. HB 2079 reverses a voter-approved initiative and permits unions to use mandatory fees from non-members for political purposes without permission. Passed Senate 29-20 and became law. A “no” vote preserves public employees freedom of political association.

15. SB 6011. Protect property rights. Under the pretext of creating an aquatic reserve, SB 6011 would prohibit use of land on Maury Island for a gravel pit without compensation to the landowner. Passed the Senate 26-22 but died in House Rules. A “no” vote is a vote in favor of property rights.


SENATE TABULATION 2007

+Voted in favor of WCU Legislative Principles
- Voted Against WCU Legislative Principles
X Excused from voting
Bold face indicates Republican Senators

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Promotes Strong Families

1. SB 5336. Oppose special recognition to “domestic partners.” SB 5336 grants to gay, but not heterosexual, unmarried couples certain privileges associated with marriage. Passed House 63-35.and became law. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

2. SB 5297.   Retain “abstinence only” sex-education option.   SB 5297 banned “abstinence only” sex-education by requiring that every sex ed program that includes abstinence must also include contraception, regardless of local school board preference. Passed House 63-34 and became law. A “no” vote is a pro-family vote.

Promotes Responsible, Taxpayer Friendly Fiscal Policies

3. HB 1128. Restrain increase in state spending . HB 1128 increases spending to a record $33.25 billion. It passed House 60-30 and became law. A “no” vote supports prudent fiscal policies.

4. SJR 8206. Impose limits on growth of state budget . SJR 8206 requires placement of 1% of state revenues each year in a “rainy day” fund which can be used only if 60% of each house approves or the Governor declares an emergency. Passed House 74-23 and will appear on the fall ballot. A “yes” vote supports prudent fiscal restraint.

5. HJR 4204. 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 permit property tax levies by a majority vote. Passed House 73-25 and will appear on fall ballot. A “no” vote is a taxpayer friendly vote.

6. SB 5093. Single-payor health care for children. Described as “Hillary Care for children,” SB 5093 will create a new entitlement program for children under 19 whose families earn less than two-and-a-half times the poverty level. Passed House 68-28 and became law. A “no” vote opposes a new costly entitlement program.

8. HB 1307. Support school district control . HB 1307 deprives public schools of supervisory authority over contents of school publications, in the name of unrestricted free speech for student newspapers.” Passed House 58-37 but died in the Senate. A “no” vote is a vote for responsible administration of school activities.

Assures Limited Government/deregulation/privatization

9. SB 5659. Avoid excessive entitlements. SB 5659 establishes a new state-provided five-week “family leave” for workers with new children or sickness in the family. Prior versions taxed all workers to fund this entitlement. As adopted, the funding source was deferred to a future legislature. Passed House 57-41 and became law. A “no” vote supports a healthy business climate and individual responsibility.

10. HB 1898. Avoid excessive requirements on public contracts. HB 1898 increases the cost of construction on public works products by mandating use of “apprentices” beyond what would be required for the job. Passed House 69-25 and became law . A “no” vote supports reasonable regulation of business.

11. HB 1460. Oppose additional mandates on health care insurance. HB 1828 will increase the cost of health insurance by mandating inclusion of mental health coverage on the same basis as medical and surgical coverage. The measure passed the House 75-22 and became law. A “no” vote avoids excessive government interference in the free market.

12. SB 6001. Oppose draconian environmental regulations. SB 6001 requires that Washington reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 level by 2020 and 50% below that level by 2050. Passed House 84-14 and became law. A “no” vote opposes imposing destructive regulations upon our economy.

Recognizes Constitutional Protections

13. HB 2079. Oppose forced political contributions. HB 2079 reverses a voter-approved initiative and permits unions to use mandatory fees from non-members for political purposes without permission. Passed the House 55-42 and became law. A “no” vote preserves public employees freedom of political association.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE TABULATION 2007

*Cumulative percentages include votes as House members.