2017 UTAH LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEAR History of AFP-UT’s Legislative Scorecard.................2 Grading Methodology..........................................................2 CONCERNED What is Economic Freedom..............................................2 Champions of Prosperity....................................................3 CITIZEN Prosperity Elevated..............................................................3 , House of Representatives Scores: Summary.........4-5 Senate Scores: Summary....................................................6 Anti/Pro Economic Freedom Bills Explained........7-11 Evelyn Everton 2017 House & Senate Grades: Detailed..................12-17 Utah State Director Stories from the Field.....................................................5-17 Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Americans for Prosperity- Utah and our Prosperity Elevated Legislative Agenda. Our mission is to hold elected officials accountable and stand up to the business-as-usual political class. We’re committed, through our Legislative Scorecard to show you how your legislators vote in key policy areas. We’ve built an aggressive policy platform through our Prosperity Elevated initiative, which we’ll go into further detail within. Through the intense effort by our policy team to assemble this comprehensive analysis, you will be able to clearly see which lawmakers are being good stewards of your tax dollars, what reforms passed or failed during the 2017 legislative session, and how those outcomes affect you, your family, and your business. The 2017 Legislative Scorecard is a diligent effort by the Americans for Prosperity-Utah staff to share with you more about the policies we are fighting, but also an opportunity for us to share with you some of the personal stories that make up our team of staff and volunteers from across the state and that work tirelessly to continue to grow this movement for economic freedom. Serving as your Utah state director, I understand the unparalleled importance of citizen involvement in the legislative process. I welcome you to learn more about the legislative process and our growing chapter here in the Beehive State. Sincerely, Evelyn Everton 2 AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY UTAH’S LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD The Prosperity Elevated Legislative Scorecard includes more than 4790 total votes on 60 legislative issues. Each of Americans for Prosperity-Utah’s (AFP-UT) legislative priorities is included in this scorecard, as well any other issues we communicated support for or opposition to during the 2017 regular legislative session. Among the key policies we successfully advocated for were stopping an unconstitutional Internet sales tax, passing several occupational licensing reforms, repealing excessive vehicle inspections, phasing out solar tax credits, and stopping a $100-million-dollar property tax increase. SCORING METHODOLOGY AFP-UT awarded points based on how members voted throughout the entirety of the 2017 legislative session. One point was awarded for every vote and two points ECONOMIC FREEDOM were awarded for bills we informed legislators were high priority – this included committee votes. Each legislator Prosperity Elevated is based on the promoting the principles of economic freedom also received one point for sponsoring legislation the and outlining policies that make a state more economically free. At its simplest, organization supported and received a deduction of economic freedom is the freedom to choose how to produce, sell and use your own one point for every bill we opposed that was sponsored. resources, while respecting others’ rights to do the same. A more economically free Absences did not count against legislators as only the government has low taxes, a limited scope and size, lower government spending, votes they took counted. In total, this scorecard looks at limited regulations, it protects individual rights, and prefers free markets over 46 bills - 14 in opposition and 32 in support. cronyism. States with more economic freedom have higher economic growth, less debt, and lower unemployment rates than less economically free state. However, economic freedom is not only about the economy; it affects every aspect of GRADING SCALE our lives. Economic freedom leads to higher incomes, lower poverty, improved equality, and more happiness — it leads to greater opportunity and an improved A – 90% or Above quality of life. B – 80% - 89% C – 70% - 79% D – 60% - 69% F – 59% or below CHAMPIONS OF 3 PROSPERITY Certain legislators earn the title of Champion of Economic Freedom or Defender of Economic Freedom. These designation are the gold standard for legislators who have acted in the interests of economic freedom during this year’s legislative session. In order to receive these designations, legislators must have scored an A to earn the title of Defender of Economic Freedom, or an A+ to earn the highest recognition of Champion of Economic Freedom on the 2017 Prosperity Elevated Legislative Scorecard. CHAMPIONS OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM DEFENDERS OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM HD 41 DANIEL MCCAY HD 27 MICHAEL KENNEDY HD 57 BRIAN GREENE HD 61 KEITH GROVER HD 42 KIM COLEMAN HD 14 KARIANNE LISONBEE HD 67 MARC ROBERTS HD 47 KEN IVORY HD 6 CORY MALOY HD 2 JEFFERSON MOSS HD 52 JOHN KNOTWELL HD 64 NORMAN THURSTON HD 39 JAMES DUNNIGAN HD 9 JEREMY PETERSON HD 18 TIMOTHY HAWKES HD 56 KAY CHRISTOFFERSON PROSPERITY ELEVATED Utah has long been a place where free markets and limited government have flourished. We’re a compassionate and prosperous people who are proud of the work we’ve done to make our state a place where opportunity abounds. But over the past few years, government regulation and tax bills have slowly crept up and up, and it’s keeping us from meeting our full potential. It’s critical to all of us that Utah doesn’t fall behind. That’s why we created the Prosperity Elevated agenda. These critical reforms come in the five areas — education, taxes, energy, regulation, and health care — that will help ensure Utah stays in the lead. Reining in the growth of government requires lawmakers who are willing to take a courageous stand on the issues that are right — but not always popular. And sometimes, the only way to give them a dose of courage is to make sure they know the public supports them! HOUSE SCORES : SUMMARY 4 LEGISLATOR GRADE LEGISLATOR GRADE Daniel McCay A+ Brad Wilson B Brian Greene A+ Bradley Daw B Kim Coleman A+ Tim Quinn B Marc Roberts A+ Val Peterson B Michael Kennedy A Steve Eliason B Keith Grover A Michael Schultz B Karianne Lisonbee A R. Curt Webb B Ken Ivory A Stewart Barlow B Cory Maloy A Kelly Miles B Jefferson Moss A Gregory Hughes B John Knotwell A Dixon Pitcher B Norman Thurston A Gage Froerer B James Dunnigan A Dean Sanpei B Jeremy Peterson A Craig Hall B Timothy Hawkes A Robert Spendlove B Kay Christofferson A Paul Ray B Susan Pulsipher B Mike Winder B Justin Fawson B Eric Hutchings B Adam Gardiner B Val Potter B Jon Stanard B Keven Stratton B Mike McKell B Francis Gibson B HOUSE SCORES : SUMMARY 5 LEGISLATOR GRADE LEGISLATOR GRADE Scott Sandall B Scott Chew D Walt Brooks B Marie Poulson D Christine Watkins B Sandra Hollins D Derrin Owens B Karen Kwan D Lowry Snow B Carol Moss D Logan Wilde B Elizabeth Weight D Michael Noel B Patrice Arent D Raymond Ward B Rebecca Chavez-Houck F Stephen Handy C Brian King F Merrill Nelson C Joel Briscoe F Edward Redd C Angela Romero F Bradley Last C Lynn Hemmingway F LaVar Christensen C Carl Albrecht C Lee Perry C Rebecca Edwards C “I VOLUNTEER Bruce Cutler C WITH AFP BECAUSE Douglas Sagers C it has become very apparent that our elected officials listen to them. AFP holds them accountable and I enjoy being a part of a great Susan Duckworth C limited government organization that can truly Mark Wheatley D make a difference at the local and state level.” Kevin Greene John Westwood D AFP activist SENATE SCORES : SUMMARY 6 LEGISLATOR GRADE LEGISLATOR GRADE Deidre Henderson C Ann Millner F Lincoln Fillmore C Jerry Stevenson F Margaret Dayton C Kevin Van Tassell F Howard Stephenson C Ralph Okerlund F Curtis Bramble C Jani Iwamoto F Todd Weiler C Karen Mayne F Dan Hemmert D Jim Dabakis F Wayne Harper D Gene Davis F Evan Vickers D David Hinkins D “I LOVE WHAT AFP Lyle Hillyard D STANDS FOR and how it provides a way for me; a simple, Don Ipson D single person, to directly help implement governmental change. It proves that true Jake Anderegg D grassroots efforts, when organized well, make a difference. I feel our elected officials and Brian Shiozawa D their proposed legislation, needs to be “kept in check” and AFP has done a tremendous job at ensuring that happens. Being a volunteer Peter Knudson D has helped me refine my own political beliefs and has given me a group that I can turn to for Luz Escamilla D answers.” Wayne Niederhauser D Carolina Herrin AFP activist Gregg Buxton D Daniel Thatcher F Allen Christensen F Stuart Adams F ANTI/PRO-ECONOMIC FREEDOM BILLS 7 COMPOUNDING PHARMACY AMENDMENTS (HB 189) EDUCATION AFP Position: SUPPORT This bill allows a compounding pharmacist to prepare prescription drugs INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION DISCLOSURE in a dosage that is regularly and commonly available from a manufacturer in quantities and strengths prescribed by practitioners. This gives health REQUIREMENTS (HB 100) care consumers more choices when it comes to medication and creates AFP Position: SUPPORT competition in the marketplace. Passed the House—no vote in the Senate. This bill creates more transparency for students attending government-run Sponsor: Ward universities. It requires schools to disclose information to potential students about job placement, degree costs, and earnings data for graduates. This NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT (SB 48) bill helps students make wiser economic decisions and shines more light AFP Position: SUPPORT on taxpayer-funded universities. Signed by the Governor. We’re facing a nursing shortage with an aging population—a multi-state Sponsor: Coleman license lowers barriers to entry and makes the cost of a license a better investment since the license has portability.