Cover art and photography courtesy of GAE Member Wendy Morgan, arts teacher at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, Fort Oglethorpe,

Georgia Association of Educators 2019-2020 Legislative Report Card 1

With more than 25,000 members, the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) is the oldest professional organization for public school employees in the state, with a history dating back to the 1870s.

GAE policy positions are driven by the mission statement and principles of the organization and our members.

This report card summarizes the voting record of state senators and representatives on key issues during the 155th Session of the Georgia General Assembly, 2019-2020.

GAE sponsors the Georgia Spelling Bee contest and Read Across America, the annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, 2021.

Cover photo courtesy of GAE member Wendy Morgan, Catoosa County 2

Georgia state Senate

Votes scored

SB 386 - Legislation to vastly expand the state’s existing program to provide wealthy parents with taxpayer-paid subsidies for private school tuition for their children. A ✔vote is a vote with GAE; GAE opposed . An ✖ vote is a vote for private school vouchers and against public education and against GAE’s position. The bill passed the 33-22 on March 10, 2020. The measure was never taken up in the Georgia state House.

DNV means the Senator did not vote and was not excused from voting. E means a Senator had an excused absence.

SB 173 - The voucher bill from 2019 to spend more public funds to pay for private school education. A ✔ vote is a vote with GAE; GAE opposed the bill. An ✖ vote is a vote against public education and against GAE’s position. The bill was defeated in Senate, 25-28, three Senators were excused (E) from the vote.

SB 367 is the governor’s 2020 bill to reduce the number of high-stakes, high-stress standardized tests that students take. A ✔ vote is a vote with GAE, and GAE supported the bill. SB 367 passed the Senate, 45-0.

HB 86 requires local school systems to adopt an appeals process for negative TKES reviews. GAE supported the Senate-amended bill, and it passed 49-0. Though the bill is not a complete fix to issues related to Teacher Effectiveness Keys System evaluation, it does require local districts to promulgate rules pertaining to an appeals process. A ✔ vote is a vote with GAE, and GAE did support the bill.

2020 2019 2020 2020 SB 386 SB 173 SB 367 HB 86 3/10/20 3/5/19 6/25/20 6/25/20 Senator City Albers, John R 56 Roswell ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Anderson, Lee R 24 Grovetown ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Anderson, Tonya D 43 Lithonia ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Beach, Brandon R 21 Alpharetta ✔ E ✔ ✔ Black, Ellis R 8 Valdosta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Brass, Matt R 28 Newnan ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Burke, Dean R 11 Bainbridge ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔

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Butler, Gloria D 55 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Cowsert, Bill R 46 Athens ✖ ✖ DNV ✔ Davenport, Gail D 44 Jonesboro ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Dolezal, Greg R 27 Cumming ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Dugan, Mike R 30 Carrollton ✖ E ✔ E Ginn, Frank R 47 Danielsville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Gooch, Steve R 51 Dahlonega ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Harbin, Marty R 16 Tyrone ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Harbison, Ed D 15 Columbus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Harper, Tyler R 7 Ocilla ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Harrell, Sally D 40 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Heath, Bill R 31 Bremen ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Henson, Steve D 41 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hill, Jack - died April 6 / R 4 Reidsville ✖ ✔ - - Hufstetler, Chuck R 52 Rome ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Jackson, Lester D 2 Savannah ✔ ✔ E ✔ James, Donzella D 35 Atlanta ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Jones, Burt R 25 Jackson ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Jones, Emanuel D 10 Decatur ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Jones, Harold D 22 Augusta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Jordan, Jennifer D 6 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ DNV Karinshak, Zahra D 48 Duluth ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Kennedy, John F. R 18 Macon ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Kirk, Greg / Summers, R 13 Americus / - ✔/- -/✔ -/✔ Carden – Sen. Kirk died Cordele on December 22, 2019 Kirkpatrick, Kay R 32 Marietta ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Ligon, William R 3 Brunswick ✖ ✖ DNV ✔ Lucas, David D 26 Macon ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Martin, P. K. R 9 Lawrenceville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Miller, Butch R 49 Gainesville ✖ E DNV ✔ Mullis, Jeff R 53 Chickamauga ✖ E ✔ ✔ Orrock, Nan D 36 Atlanta ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Parent, Elena D 42 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Payne, Chuck R 54 Dalton ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Rahman, Sheikh D 5 Lawrenceville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rhett, Michael 'Doc' D 33 Marietta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Robertson, Randy R 29 Cataula ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔

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Seay, Valencia D 34 Riverdale ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Sims, Freddie Powell D 12 Dawson ✔ ✔ ✔ DNV Stone, Jesse R 23 Waynesboro ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Strickland, Brian R 17 McDonough ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Tate, Horacena D 38 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Thompson, Bruce R 14 White ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Tillery, Blake R 19 Vidalia ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Tippins, Lindsey R 37 Marietta DNV ✔ ✔ ✔ Unterman, Renee R 45 Buford ✖ ✖ E E Walker III, Larry R 20 Perry ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Watson, Ben R 1 Savannah ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Wilkinson, John R 50 Toccoa ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Williams, Nikema D 39 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

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Anti-hate crimes bill - Senate HB 426 - Legislation to establish a new crime for felonies intentionally motivated by hatred of another’s race, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, national origin, mental disability, or physical disability. GAE supported this bill. A ✔ is a vote with GAE’s position.

Senator HB 426 6/23/20

Albers, John ✔ Anderson, Lee ✔ Anderson, Tonya ✔ Beach, Brandon ✔ Black, Ellis ✔ Brass, Matt ✔ Burke, Dean ✔ Butler, Gloria ✔ Cowsert, Bill ✔ Davenport, Gail ✔ Dolezal, Greg ✖ Dugan, Mike ✔ Ginn, Frank ✖ Gooch, Steve ✖ Harbin, Marty ✔ Harbison, Ed ✔ Harper, Tyler ✖ Harrell, Sally ✔ Heath, Bill ✖ Henson, Steve ✔ District 13 vacant at time - of vote Hufstetler, Chuck ✔ Jackson, Lester ✔ James, Donzella ✔ Jones, Burt ✖ Jones, Emanuel ✔

Jones, Harold ✔ Jordan, Jennifer ✔ Karinshak, Zahra ✔ 6

Kennedy, John F. ✔ Summers, Carden ✔ Kirkpatrick, Kay ✔ Ligon, William ✔ Lucas, David ✔ Martin, P. K. ✔ Miller, Butch ✔ Mullis, Jeff ✔ Orrock, Nan ✔ Parent, Elena ✔ Payne, Chuck ✔ Rahman, Sheikh ✔ Rhett, Michael 'Doc' ✔ Robertson, Randy ✔ Seay, Valencia ✔ Sims, Freddie Powell ✔ Stone, Jesse ✔ Strickland, Brian ✔ Tate, Horacena ✔ Thompson, Bruce ✔ Tillery, Blake E Tippins, Lindsey DNV Unterman, Renee ✔ Walker III, Larry ✔ Watson, Ben ✔ Wilkinson, John ✔ Williams, Nikema ✔

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2020 GAE Red Apple Award for Legislative Excellence in Supporting Public Education

GAE’s 2020 Red Apple Award for outstanding service in the Georgia General Assembly in support of public education in Georgia is given to The Hon. Steve Henson. Henson is retiring from the Senate after 26 years of service representing DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. For the past ten years, he has been chosen by his party to be the Senate Democratic Leader. He has been a faithful and powerful advocate for public education, teachers and educational staff. Unfortunately for GAE, Sen. Henson is retiring from the Georgia General Assembly, and he will be missed by all who cherish our public schools.

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Georgia House of Representatives HB 426 - Anti-hate crimes legislation filed and passed by the state House of Representatives in March of 2019. The first vote indicated is on that bill at that time. The second vote was on the Senate-amended bill that finally passed over a year later on June 23, 2020. A ✔vote is a vote for the bill and with GAE.

SB 367 is the governor’s 2020 bill to reduce the number of high-stakes, high-stress standardized tests students take. A ✔ vote is a vote with GAE, and GAE supported the bill. SB 367 passed the House, 151-0.

HB 86 require systems to adopt appeals processes for teachers for negative TKES reviews. GAE supported the Senate-amended bill, and it passed the House 163-0. Though the bill is not a complete fix to issues related to Teacher Effectiveness Keys System evaluation, it does require local districts to promulgate an appeals process. A ✔ vote is a vote with GAE, and GAE did support the bill.

HB 426 HB 426 SB 367 HB 86 3/7/19 6/23/20 6/24/20 6/26/20 Alexander, Kim D 66 Hiram ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Allen, Erick D 40 Smyrna ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Anulewicz, Teri D 42 Smyrna ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Ballinger, Mandi R 23 Canton ✖ E E E Barr, Tim R 103 Lawrenceville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Barton, Matt R 5 Calhoun ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Bazemore, Debra D 63 Riverdale ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Beasley-Teague, D 65 Red Oak ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sharon Belton, Dave R 112 Buckhead E ✔ ✔ ✔ Bennett, Karen D 94 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ E ✔ Bentley, Patty D 139 Butler E E E E Benton, Tommy R 31 Jefferson ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Beverly, James D 143 Macon ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Blackmon, Shaw R 146 Bonaire DNV ✔ ✔ ✔ Boddie, William D 62 East Point ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Bonner, Josh R 72 Peachtree City ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Bruce, Roger D 61 Atlanta E ✔ E ✔ Buckner, Debbie D 137 Junction City ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Burchett, James R 176 Waycross ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

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Burnough. Rhonda D 77 Riverdale ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Burns, Jon R 159 Newington ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Caldwell, Michael R 20 Woodstock ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Powell, Jay / R 171 Camilla ✔/- -/✔ -/✔ -/✔ Campbell, Joe Cannon, Park D 58 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Cantrell, Wes R 22 Woodstock ✖ ✖ DNV ✔ Carpenter, Kasey R 4 Dalton ✔ ✔ ✔ E Carson, John R 46 Marietta ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Carter, Doreen D 92 Lithonia ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Cheokas, Mike R 138 Americus ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Clark, David R 98 Buford ✔ ✔ E ✔ Clark, Jasmine D 108 Lilburn ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Clark, Heath R 147 Warner Robins ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Collins, J. R 68 Villa Rica ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Cooke, Kevin R 18 Carrollton ✖ E ✔ ✔ Cooper, Sharon R 43 Marietta E ✔ ✔ E Corbett, John R 174 Lake Park ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Davis, Viola D 87 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dempsey, Katie R 13 Rome E ✔ ✔ ✔ Dickerson, Pam D 113 Conyers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dickey, Robert R 140 Musella ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dollar, Matt R 45 Marietta E ✔ ✔ ✔ Douglas, Demetrius D 78 Stockbridge ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Drenner, Karla D 85 Avondale ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Estates Dreyer, David D 59 Atlanta ✔ ✔ E ✔ Dubnik, Matt R 29 Gainesville ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dukes, Winfred D 154 Albany ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Dunahoo, Jr., Emory R 30 Gillsville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Efstration, Chuck R 104 Dacula ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Ehrhart, Ginny R 36 Marietta ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ England, Terry R 116 Auburn ✖ E E ✔ Erwin, Chris R 28 Atlanta DNV ✔ ✔ ✔ Evans, Becky D 83 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Fleming, Barry R 121 Harlem E ✔ ✔ DNV Frazier, Gloria D 126 Hephzibah ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Frye, Spencer D 118 Athens ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Gaines, Houston R 117 Athens ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ 10

Gambill, Matthew R 15 Cartersville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Gardner, Pat D 57 Atlanta ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Gilliard, Carl D 162 Garden City ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Gilligan, Sheri R 24 Cumming ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Glanton, Mike D 75 Jonesboro ✔ E E E Gordon, Craig D 163 Savannah ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Gravley, Micah R 67 Douglasville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Greene, Gerald R 151 Cuthbert ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Gullett, Joseph R 19 Dallas ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Gurtler, Matt R 8 Tiger ✖ ✖ E ✔ Harrell, Brett R 106 Snellville E ✔ ✔ ✔ Hatchett, Matt R 150 Dublin E ✔ ✔ ✔ Hawkins, Lee R 27 Gainesville ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Henson, Michele D 86 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Hill, Dewayne R 3 Ringgold ✖ ✖ ✔ E Hitchens, Bill R 161 Rincon DNV ✔ DNV ✔ Hogan, Don R 179 St. Simon's ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Holcomb, Scott D 81 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Holland, Betsy D 54 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Holly, El-Mahdi D 111 Stockbridge ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Holmes, Susan R 129 Monticello ✖ E ✔ E Hopson, CaMia D 153 Albany ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Houston, Penny R 170 Nashville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Howard, Wayne D 124 Augusta ✔ E E E Hugley, Carolyn D 136 Columbus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Hutchinson, Shelly D 107 Snellville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Jackson, Derrick D 64 Tyrone ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Jackson, Mack D 128 Sandersville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Jasperse, Rick R 11 Jasper ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Jones, Todd R 25 Cumming ✖ ✖ ✔ DNV Jones, Jan R 47 Milton ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Jones, Sheila D 53 Atlanta ✔ E E ✔ Jones, Vernon D 91 Lithonia ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Jones, Jeff R 167 Brunswick ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Kausche, Angelika D 50 Johns Creek ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Kelley, Trey R 16 Cedartown ✔ ✔ ✔ E Kendrick, Dar’shun D 93 Lithonia ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Kennard, Gregg D 102 Lawrenceville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

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Kirby, Tom R 114 Loganville ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Knight, David R 130 Griffin ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ LaHood, John R 175 Valdosta ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Lariccia, Dominic R 169 Douglas ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Lopez Romero, D 99 Norcross ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Brenda Lott, Jodi R 122 Evans ✖ DNV ✔ ✔ Lumsden, Eddie R 12 Rome ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Marin, Pedro D 96 Duluth ✔ E E E Martin, Chuck R 49 Alpharetta E ✔ ✔ ✔ Mathiak, Karen R 73 Griffin ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Mathis, Danny R 144 Cochran ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ McCall, Tom R 33 Elberton ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ McClain, Dewey D 100 Lawrenceville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ McLaurin, Josh D 51 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ McLeod, Donna D 105 Lawrenceville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Meeks, Steven R 178 Screven ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Metze, Marie D 55 Atlanta DNV ✔ ✔ ✔ Mitchell, Billy D 88 Stone Mountain ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Momtahan, Martin R 17 Dallas ✖ ✖ ✔ DNV Moore, Colton R 1 Trenton ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Moore, Beth D 95 Peachtree ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Corners Morris, Marc R 26 Cumming ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Morris, Greg R 156 Vidalia ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Nelson, Sheila D 125 Augusta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Newton, Mark R 123 Augusta ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nguyen, Bee D 89 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Nix, Randy R 69 LaGrange ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Oliver, Mary Margaret D 82 Decatur ✔ ✔ E ✔ Paris, Miriam D 142 Macon ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Park, Samuel D 101 Lawrenceville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Parrish, Butch R 158 Swainsboro ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Parsons, Don R 44 Marietta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Petrea, Jesse R 166 Savannah ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Pirkle, Clay R 155 Ashburn ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Powell, Alan R 32 Hartwell ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Prince, Brian D 127 Augusta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Pruett, Jimmy R 149 Eastman ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ 12

Pullin, Ken R 131 Zebulon ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Ralston, David R 7 Blue Ridge DNV* DNV* DNV* DNV* Reeves, Bert R 34 Marietta ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rhodes, Trey R 120 Greensboro ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rich, Bonnie R 97 Suwanne ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Ridley, Jason R 6 Chatsworth ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Robichaux, Mary D 48 Roswell ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Rogers, Terry R 10 Clarkesville E DMV ✔ ✔ Rutledge, Dale R 109 McDonough ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sainz, Steven R 180 Woodbine ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Schofield, Kim D 60 Atlanta ✔ ✔ E ✔ Scoggins, Mitchell R 14 Cartersville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Scott, Sandra D 76 Rex ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Setzler, Ed R 35 Acworth DNV ✖ ✔ ✔ Shannon, Renitta D 84 Decatur ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Sharper, Dexter D 177 Valdosta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Silcox, Deborah R 52 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Smith, Michael D 41 Marietta ✔ E DNV ✔ Smith, Lynn R 70 Newnan DNV ✔ ✔ ✔ Smith, Vance R 133 Pine Mountain ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Smith, Richard R 134 Columbus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Smyre, Calvin D 135 Columbus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Stephens, Ron R 164 Savannah ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Stephens, Mickey D 165 Savannah E E E E Stephenson, Pam D 90 Decatur ✔ E E E Stovall, Valencia D 74 Ellenwood ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Stover, David / R 71 Palmetto / ✖/- -/✖ -/✔ -/✔ Singleton, Philip Sharpsburg Tankersley, Jan R 160 Brooklet ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Tanner, Kevin R 9 Dawsonville ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Tarvin, Steve R 2 Chickamauga ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Taylor, Darlene R 173 Thomasville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Thomas, Erica D 39 Austell ✔ ✔ DNV ✔ Thomas, Able Mable D 56 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Trammell, Bob D 132 Luthersville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Turner, Scot R 21 Holly Springs ✖ ✖ ✔ E Washburn, Dale R 141 Macon ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Watson, Sam R 172 Moultrie ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ Welch, Andy R 110 McDonough ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 13

Werkheiser, Bill R 157 Glennville ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Wiedower, Marcus R 119 Watkinsville ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Wilensky, Mike D 79 Dunwoody ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Wilkerson, David D 38 Powder Springs ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Williams, Mary D 37 Marietta ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Frances Williams, Rick R 145 Milledgeville ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Williams, Noel R 148 Cordele ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Williams, Al D 168 Midway ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Williamson, Bruce R 115 Monroe ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ Wilson, Matthew D 80 Atlanta ✔ ✔ ✔ Rynders, Ed / Yearta, R 152 Sylvester ✖/- -/✖ -/✔ -/✔ Bill

* - Traditionally, the Speaker of the House does not vote on floor legislation.

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