2001 TCR - Rankings of Senators

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2001 Conservative Ranking of State Senators

These ratings are based on 49 votes taken on economic, social, governmental and education issues.

Higher scores indicate a more conservative rating.

How State Senators Voted on Selected Issues

SUBJECT IDENTIFICATION of SENATE RECORD VOTES in columns 1-12
(For more explanation, see below)

The 2001 conservative rating is based on 49 roll call votes.

Summary of Senate Votes Selected

Free Enterprise and Taxes

1. SB 1 Appropriations 28 Y; 1 N
Vote on Motion to SROB¹ to consider on 3rd reading
Motion prevailed. Conservative vote: Nay
This bill is the state budget. It increases the size of state government by 16% over the next two years. This rate of growth is almost double what could be accounted for by inflation and population increase. Conservative Principle²: L5 Avoid increasing the size of government or adding an additional program. Also T1 and T2.

2. SB 464 Prevailing Wage 20 Y; 9 N
Vote on motion to SROB³ to consider on 3rd reading.
Motion failed. Conservative vote: Nay
Bill would eliminate most local prevailing wage rates, which determine the wages paid to different categories of workers employed in the construction of public buildings. Prevailing wages are now determined by local surveys. This bill would require construction wages for public buildings to be at least equal to the average for all Texas regardless of local wage rates. Conservative Principle²: F2 Encourage employees and employers to decide between themselves equitable wages and working environment.

3. HB 2382 Contraception Insurance Mandate 27 Y; 2 N
Vote on motion to SROB¹ to consider on 2nd reading
Motion prevailed. Conservative vote: Nay
Bill mandates health insurance policies in Texas to include prescription contraceptive drugs and devices. These mandates drive up the cost of health insurance by providing for benefits that should be optional and will not be used by large segments of the population. Conservative Principle²: F3 Allow the employer to design, produce and price his goods and services and provide employment. Also T4, V1.

Traditional Values

4. SB 488 Defense Of Marriage Act 22 Y; 8 N
Vote on motion to SROB¹ to consider on 2nd reading
Motion prevailed. Conservative vote: Aye
Bill prohibits the recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions legitimized in other states. It also prohibits the state from giving effect to a public act, record, or judicial proceeding that recognizes or validates a marriage or civil union between persons of the same sex. Conservative Principle²: V4 Support traditional Judeo/Christian moral values. Also V3, V5.

5. SB 269 Injury to Pregnant Women 25 Y; 5 N
Vote on 3rd reading
Vote prevailed. Conservative vote: Aye
Bill creates a felony criminal offense for causing bodily injury to a pregnant woman,increases the penalty if the injury causes the woman to suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth, and expands intoxication assault to include an injury to a pregnant woman that results in a miscarriage or stillbirth. Injured pregnant woman may also sue for monetary damages. Conservative Principle²: V6 Provide Equal Protection of the Law for all. Also V4, L1.

6. HB 587 Evidence of Hate Crimes 13 Y; 16 N
Vote on motion to adopt Sibley Amendment 4
Motion failed. Conservative Vote: Aye
Amendment would have eliminated the use of some evidence to prove a hate crime, such as the possession of certain literature. For example: possession of Mein Kampf or a Bible with certain passages highlighted could be used as evidence to prove a hate crime. Conservative Principle²: L1 Protect the liberty of the lawabiding citizen in his peaceful private pursuits.

Education

7. HB 6 Charter School Regulation 13 Y; 17 N
Vote on motion to adopt Barrientos Amendment 2
Motion failed. Conservative Vote: Nay
Amendment requires Charter School to have two consecutive years with an "acceptable" rating to have term renewed by State Board of Education. Many public schools don't meet this standard. This Amendment would harm Charter Schools designed to help problem, low-income students, which is where they are often most needed. Conservative Principle²: L5 Avoid increasing the size of government or adding an additional program. Also L6.

8. SB 924 University Staff Quotas 24 Y; 5 N
Vote on 3rd reading
Vote prevailed Conservative Vote: Nay
Bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to implement a strategy that will ensure that public institutions of higher learning employ faculty and staff who reflect the population of Texas. This is in effect a hiring quota. Conservative Principle²: V6 Provide equal protection of the law to all American citizens. Also V5, T6.

9. HB 1761 Mandatory School Leave 16 Y; 9 N
Vote on motion to SROB³ to consider 3rd reading
Motion failed. Conservative vote: Nay
Bill gives employee 10 hours unpaid leave time each year to meet with child's educators. Only 24 hours notice must be provided employer. Conservative Principle²: F2 Encourage employees and employers to decide between themselves equitable wages and working environment. Also L8.

Limited Government

10. SB 819 Gun Shows 7 Y; 21 N
Vote on motion to adopt West Amendment 1
Motion failed. Conservative vote: Nay
Amendment would allow cities and counties to require criminal background checks at gun shows. These localized background checks would be arbitrary and intrusive. Conservative Principle²: L1 Protect the liberty of lawabiding citizen in his peaceful private pursuits. Also L2.

11. HB 2 Incumbent Campaign Protection 21 Y; 1 N
Vote on 3rd reading
Vote prevailed. Conservative Vote: Nay
Bill, promoted as campaign finance reform, would have made it harder for challengers to raise and loan themselves campaign funds. It also would have chilled grass roots activity by placing new reporting requirements on issue advocacy by grass roots groups or public-spirited individuals. Conservative Principle²: L2 Protect the liberty of the lawabiding citizen in his peaceful private pursuits. Also V6.

12 HB 546 Judicial Sensitivity Training 30 Y; 0 N
Vote on Motion to SROB³ to consider on 3rd reading.
Motion prevailed. Conservative Vote: Nay
Bill requires all Judges to attend at least 3 hours of sensitivity training about race and culture in every term they are elected. Any Judges who need such training should be voted out in the next election. Conservative Principle²: L5 Avoid increasing the size of government or adding an additional program.

¹Suspend the Regular Order of Business (2/3 vote required)
²Conservative votes support the principles listed here
³Suspend three day rule (4/5 vote require)

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