 | 2009 Texas Conservative Report | |
Since 1985, rating Senators and Representatives serving in the Texas Legislature.
Note that constituents who communicate with their legislators about their voting records have increased influence.
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Voting Record for Rep. Smith, Wayne (R-128)
Score: 71%
(100% Social , 65% Economic , 75% Other)
The score is calculated based on all 66 votes in our list.
Our score also reflects an Absent or Present vote as an incorrect vote since it is our legislator's job to vote.
| RV # | Bill # | Description | Rep. Smith's Vote | Conservative Vote |
| 55 | HB 394 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Table Amendment 5 by Burnam This amendment would have dedicated a set amount or funds to a specific industry rather than to small businesses in general. Amendment Tabled by: 83y 65n |
Y | Y 14% D right 97% R right |
| 56 | HB 394 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 7 by England This amendment limits the number of businesses that are eligible for the grant and allows the government to determine how the businesses compensate their executives. Amendment Adopted by: 103y 37n |
N | N 1% D right 48% R right |
| 64 | HB 873 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill will use taxpayer money to subsidize the media. Passed the House by: 139y 6n |
Y | N 0% D right 8% R right |
| 81 | HB 1038 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill will help ensure more accurate property appraisals by taking into account foreclosures in the area. Passed to Engrossment by: 144y 0n |
Y | Y 95% D right 99% R right |
| 87 | HJR 29 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Passage to Engrossment This constitutional amendment would have taken power from the governor specifically given to him in the state's constitution. Passed to Engrossment by: 131y 16n |
Y | N 0% D right 21% R right |
| 89 | HB 824 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Social) Passage to Engrossment This bill would have expanded the reach of hate crimes to include juveniles. Passed to Engrossment by: 88y 57n |
N | N 0% D right 76% R right |
| 178 | SB 1 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 113 by Heflin This amendment kills all voucher bills in the legislature this session by prohibiting the necessary funding denying parents school choice. Amendment Adopted by: 122y 23n |
N | N 0% D right 31% R right |
| 181 | SB 1 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 148 by Y. Davis This amendment will require the state to create a program--and thus more bureaucracy--to deal with housing in the state which is not the purpose of government. Amendment Adopted by: 78y 63n |
Y | N 0% D right 84% R right |
| 182 | SB 1 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 157 by Alvarado This amendment will protect taxpayers from having to pay for Texas Department of Transportation lobbyists. Amendment Adopted by: 142y 4n |
Y | Y 99% D right 92% R right |
| 185 | SB 1 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 213 by Paxton This amendment will potentially lay the groundwork for passage of a constitutional amendment to reduce the rate of state spending growth next session. Amendment Adopted by: 84y 59n |
Y | Y 14% D right 99% R right |
| 188 | SB 1 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 224 by Y. Davis This amendment would have interfered with the free market by denying businesses the freedom to make decisions that benefit their business. Adoption Failed by: 19y 122n |
N | N 66% D right 97% R right |
| 194 | HB 681 | Regulation Increases Category (Other) Passage to Engrossment This bill would have increased the regulations that are required of retailers. Passed by: 99y 45n |
N | N 0% D right 60% R right |
| 216 | HB 482 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill would have created a new grant using taxpayer money to intrude into an area that is not in the scope of the purpose of government. Passed the House by: 84y 60n |
N | N 0% D right 80% R right |
| 223 | HB 1205 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill will return money that is overpaid by the taxpayer more quickly and with less red tape. Passed to Engrossment by: 149y 0n |
Y | Y 100% D right 100% R right |
| 228 | HB 232 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill would have created a new grant of taxpayer dollars to fund a program that is not in the scope of the purpose of government. Passed the House by: 120y 25n |
N | N 0% D right 33% R right |
| 260 | HB 1462 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Passage to Engrossment This bill will subsidize some state employees' volunteer activities with taxpayer dollars. Passed to Engrossment by: 85y 56n |
N | N 0% D right 75% R right |
| 332 | HJR 77 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This constitutional amendment would have removed constitutionally granted authority from the elected State Board of Education (SBOE) and given the power to a newly created board of appointed and unaccountable individuals. This is just another of many bills this session that attempted to strip the SBOE of power. Passed the House by: 104y 40n |
N | N 0% D right 53% R right |
| 353 | HB 3025 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Final Passage This bill would have protected the constitutionally-guaranteed religious freedom and free speech of the property owner. Passed the House by: 148y 0n |
Y | Y 100% D right 99% R right |
| 382 | HB 2037 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage Without the passage of this bill, the constitutional amendment that would remove power from the elected State Board of Education and give the power to a newly created board of appointed individuals would not have been able to take effect. Passed the House by: 104y 42n |
N | N 0% D right 56% R right |
| 428 | HB 1423 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This bill will allow more charter schools to be started in Texas each year. Passed the House by: 130y 1n |
A | Y 94% D right 94% R right |
| 537 | HB 4765 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill helps small businesses by reducing their tax burden during the next two years. Passed to Engrossment by: 141y 0n |
Y | Y 99% D right 97% R right |
| 538 | HJR 62 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Passage to Engrossment This constitutional amendment would have invested more power in a single individual. One role of the Railroad Commission is to decide contested cases, and investing all the power in one person would eliminate the other perspectives that are necessary to make the best possible decision. Passed to Engrossment by: 91y 47n |
Y | N 8% D right 56% R right |
| 540 | HB 3226 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill makes vouchers available using taxpayer money but there is no oversight mechanism as we saw with Katrina evacuees. Passed to Engrossment by: 94y 45n |
Y | N 1% D right 60% R right |
| 546 | HB 2692 | Regulation Increases Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill would have harmed the free market's ability to set the sale price for property. Passed the House by: 73y 68n |
N | N 0% D right 93% R right |
| 556 | HB 2685 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Final Passage This bill will ensure that property owners are fully aware of their rights during the eminent domain process. Passed the House by: 144y 0n |
Y | Y 96% D right 100% R right |
| 563 | HB 3097 | Pro Life Category (Social) Table Amendment 8 by Farrar This amendment would have taken the emphasis off the protection of the life of the unborn. Amendment Tabled by: 76y 67n |
Y | Y 8% D right 97% R right |
| 564 | HB 3097 | Pro Life Category (Social) Table Amendment 9 by Pickett This amendment would have sent all of the additional revenue to a state agency instead of to facilities that provide abortion alternatives. Amendment Tabled by: 75y 65n |
Y | Y 8% D right 96% R right |
| 566 | HB 710 | Education Category (Other) Passage to Engrossment This bill would have placed a burden on the State Board of Education that is not placed on any other elected body in Texas and is another example of the attempt to undermine the SBOE. Passed to Engrossment by: 74y 68n |
N | N 1% D right 93% R right |
| 574 | SB 1371 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill allows new organizations to do work under this program without meeting the previously determined criteria and would expand the number of areas considered to be colonias, thus expanding government and increasing taxpayer funding. Passed the House by: 96y 48n |
Y | N 0% D right 64% R right |
| 600 | HB 4091 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This bill would have created an unfunded mandate for school districts. Passed the House by: 81y 46n |
N | N 0% D right 61% R right |
| 601 | HB 4154 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill forces government to create a program that should be handled by private organizations. Passed the House by: 90y 44n |
Y | N 0% D right 59% R right |
| 605 | HB 4328 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Final Passage This bill creates a government council to perform a duty that is either already being performed by other state agencies or private organizations. Passed the House by: 123y 21n |
Y | N 0% D right 28% R right |
| 613 | HB 3097 | Pro Life Category (Social) Table Amendment 2 by Burnam This amendment would have created a pro-abortion license plate and an account that would have supported the abortion rights movement. A vote to table the amendment (YEA vote) is a vote to prevent this amendment from becoming part of the bill. Amendment Tabled by: 86y 48n |
Y | Y 18% D right 99% R right |
| 644 | HB 136 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This bill will force Texas Education Agency to create another program to increase public awareness of the pre-kindergarten campaign, expanding government and using more taxpayer dollars. Passed the House by: 78y 63n |
N | N 0% D right 84% R right |
| 649 | HB 1935 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill will create a new grant program that would cost the state approximately $3.4 million of our taxpayer dollars a year for the next five years, also increasing bureaucracy. Passed the House by: 92y 51n |
Y | N 0% D right 68% R right |
| 651 | HJR 112 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This constitutional amendment would increase the tax burden. Passed to Engrossment by: 90y 48n |
Y | N 0% D right 64% R right |
| 652 | HB 3477 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill was the enabling legislation that allowed for a constitutional amendment to allow counties to impose aan additional property tax of $0.05 per $100 valuation. Passed to Engrossment by: 95y 42n |
Y | N 0% D right 56% R right |
| 653 | HB 2291 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment This bill will make the tax rate adoption process more transparent. Passed to Engrossment by: 141y 0n |
Y | Y 100% D right 89% R right |
| 656 | HB 130 | Education Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment The expansion of the pre-kindergarten programs would have ultimately cost the taxpayers more money because of the increased costs associated with longer days. Passed to Engrossment by: 109y 32n |
N | N 0% D right 44% R right |
| 662 | HB 300 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Motion to Table Amendment 35 by Laubenberg This amendment would have saved taxpayers money by requiring the state to select the best value. Amendment Tabled by: 117y 21n |
Y | N 5% D right 24% R right |
| 692 | HB 2360 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill will place an additional burden on businesses to provide information that the federal government already provides. Passed the House by: 85y 52n |
N | N 0% D right 70% R right |
| 725 | SB 61 | Regulation Increases Category (Other) Final Passage This bill increases regulations on parents by requiring them to purchase an additional piece of equipment for their vehicle. Passed the House by: 99y 44n |
N | N 7% D right 52% R right |
| 738 | HJR 14 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Final Passage This constitutional amendment protects property owners from having their land taken through eminent domain unless the government can prove that it is necessary and for the public good. Passed by: 144y 0n |
Y | Y 97% D right 99% R right |
| 752 | HB 2654 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill increases the taxes on individuals who are given a vehicle as a gift and deters them from seeking the exemption by making the process more difficult. Passed the House by: 137y 12n |
Y | N 0% D right 16% R right |
| 789 | HB 1801 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill reduces the tax burden on parents as they prepare to send their children back to school each year. Passed the House by: 143y 0n |
Y | Y 96% D right 97% R right |
| 863 | HB 2962 | Health Care Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 5 by Naishtat This would have allowed the exclusion of the value of a vehicle in determining eligibility for a citizen to receive taxpayer funded benefits of CHIP. Amendment Adopted by: 75y 69n |
N | N 1% D right 93% R right |
| 864 | HB 2962 | Health Care Category (Economic) Passage to Engrossment The Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission recently stated that increasing the eligibility for the CHIP program from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level would have increased the maximum income level for parents to be legible to enroll their children in this program to $66,150 per year. This would have added approximately 155,000 new children and cost the state an additional $127.6 million. The addition of parents of these children to this program would have raised the cost of the program even higher. Passed to Engrossment by: 80y 63n |
N | N 0% D right 86% R right |
| 886 | HB 498 | Death Penalty Category (Other) Final Passage The state already has a system of checks and balances in place that allow for appeals after conviction. Passed the House by: 87y 51n |
N | N 0% D right 69% R right |
| 889 | HB 2511 | Election Reform Category (Other) Final Passage This bill would have limited free speech of Texans, silencing organizations such as Heritage Alliance which provide action alerts and voter guides. Passed the House by: 71y 63n |
N | N 0% D right 86% R right |
| 897 | HB 464 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill will allow lawmakers to know the true long-term cost of a new law before it is passed. Passed the House by: 139y 0n |
Y | Y 91% D right 97% R right |
| 898 | HB 489 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill would have given the property owner a very short time to clean graffiti off their property and punish the property owner for a crime committed by someone else. Passed the House by: 92y 48n |
N | N 1% D right 64% R right |
| 903 | HB 1937 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill will increase property taxes and also give the government the right to place a lien on an individual's property until the debt is paid. Passed the House by: 87y 51n |
Y | N 0% D right 69% R right |
| 905 | HB 662 | Regulation Increases Category (Other) Final Passage This bill would have targeted one activity by increasing regulation to prevent some drivers from engaging in an activity without eliminating all other possible distractions. Passed the House by: 94y 45n |
N | N 0% D right 61% R right |
| 934 | HB 492 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Social) Accept the Senates Amendments The house concurred with the senate's amendments, which removed the bad amendment from the previous version of the bill that we opposed, making this bill acceptable. Senate's Amendments Accepted by: 139y 2n |
Y | Y 91% D right 97% R right |
| 968 | SB 395 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Final Passage This bill creates a new state council to assess the health of children under the age of 6 in Texas compared to other children in the United States. Passed the House by: 81y 61n |
N | N 0% D right 84% R right |
| 970 | SB 532 | Health Care Category (Other) Adopt Amendment 5 by Orr This amendment would allow advanced practice nurses and physicians assistants more flexibility in where they work Adoption Failed by: 35y 100n |
N | Y 7% D right 40% R right |
| 1052 | SB 1569 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt Amendment 13 by Strama This amendment would have weakened the original amendment that required those applying for unemployment benefits be drug tested as a part of the application process. Amendment Adopted by: 74y 67n |
N | N 1% D right 89% R right |
| 1091 | HB 2374 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Concur in the Senates Amendments By not concurring with the Senate's amendments, the House could have worked to remove this provision during the conference committee but they did not. As a result, taxpayer dollars will now be used to pay for plumbing fixtures such as toilets and sinks in homes without them. Motion Failed by: 64y 64n |
N | N 1% D right 85% R right |
| 1205 | SB 175 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This bill will give public colleges and universities more flexibility in determining who will be admitted to their schools. Passed the House by: 123y 20n |
Y | Y 72% D right 95% R right |
| 1289 | SB 2182 | Education Category (Other) Final Passage This bill increases the cost of earning a college degree. Passed the House by: 80n 64y |
N | N 0% D right 88% R right |
| 1346 | SB 2169 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Final Passage This bill would have required local governments to work with other levels of government to create growth plans and would have taken away some autonomy of the local government in regards to their growth. Passed the House by: 99y 48n |
N | N 0% D right 66% R right |
| 1373 | HB 300 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Motion by Pickett to Instruct Conferees regarding HB 300 The conferees would have been instructed to act in accordance with the house's position to oppose the local option gas tax when debating the conference committee version of the bill. Motion Adopted by: 84y 59n |
Y | Y 45% D right 69% R right |
| 1544 | HCR 50 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Other) Adoption This resolution does not create a new law but reasserts the belief in the sovereignty of state government and calls on the federal government to restrain itself. Adopted by: 99y 36n |
Y | Y 36% D right 99% R right |
| 1524 | HB 4294 | Education Category (Other) Concur in Senate Amendments This bill will allow funds that are supposed to be spent on textbooks to be used on technology and strips the duly elected State Board of Education of their constitutionally-provided authority by denying their right and responsibility to approve content. Motion prevailed by: 118Y 24N |
Y | N 0% D right 32% R right |
| 1654 | HB 3983 | Budget and Taxes Category (Economic) Adopt the conference committee report This bill would have based property taxes on an individual's income rather than on the value of his home. Motion prevailed by: 125Y 21N |
Y | N 0% D right 28% R right |
| 1708 | HB 2888 | Miscellaneous and Other Category (Economic) Adopt the conference committee report This bill would have created a taxpayer-funded program that would file the tax returns for low-income individuals, well outside the prescribed scope of government's role. Motion prevailed by: 83Y 60N |
Y | N 0% D right 81% R right |
Category Scores:
Budget and Taxes: 59% (10 right of 17 votes)
Death Penalty: 100% (1 right of 1 votes)
Education: 80% (8 right of 10 votes)
Election Reform: 100% (1 right of 1 votes)
Health Care: 67% (2 right of 3 votes)
Miscellaneous and Other: 67% (18 right of 27 votes)
Pro Life: 100% (3 right of 3 votes)
Regulation Increases: 100% (4 right of 4 votes)
* Heritage Alliance does not penalize for not voting in cases of the speaker (who customarily does not vote except in ties), being ineligible to vote, or for someone who is voting in the other chamber. In rare cases, exceptions are made for extended excused absences. However, in these cases, Heritage Alliance usually does not have enough votes to be able to accurately assess their voting record.
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