2017 American Conservative Union Oklahoma Legislators Index

Dear Fellow Conservative, 

  The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend life, liberty and property). Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently their elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. 

  We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress. The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in 2010. With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for “We the People.” 

  It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation’s founding fathers envisioned. 

Sincerely,
Matt Schlapp 
Chairman American Conservative Union

SELECTING THE VOTES
  ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Oklahoma State Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”:

1. fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 
2. social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and
3. government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. 

  This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Oklahoma’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property

“+” Member voted with ACU’s position 
“-” Member voted against ACU’s position 
“X” Member was absent for vote 
“E” Member was excused for vote 
† Legislator did not vote on enough of the selected bills and as a result the 2017 percentage was not rated. 2/3rds of the selected bills must be voted on to receive a score.

Senate Scored Bills 1. SB 508 Expanding the Sale of Homemade Food. This bill grants individuals the right to sell homemade food products at farmers markets and other off-site locations. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports “food freedom” and the right for individuals to freely sell food products and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 9, 2017 by a vote of 34-8.  2. SB 806 Expanding Child Care Center Regulations. This bill implements a number of regulations governing how child care centers in the state operate. The bill establishes nutrition standards, physical activity requirements, and places limitations on screen time and video games. ACU opposes this infringement on parental rights and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 29-14.  3. SB 506 Subsidizing Select Food Establishments. This bill provides loans and grants to grocery stores and food establishments in certain areas of the state considered “underserved”. Under the bill, the funds can be used for a wide range of purposes including start-up costs and energy efficiency measures. ACU opposes the use of taxpayer funds for measures that distort the free market and place other businesses at a competitive disadvantage and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 22, 2017 by a vote of 31-11.  4. HB 1993 Extending the Cosmetology Licensing Board. This bill extends the sunset date of the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering until the year 2021. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the extension of a board, whose actions restrict competition, resulting in higher consumer costs and reduced economic mobility and entrepreneurship, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 30, 2017 by a vote of 31-12.  5. HB 1577 Enhancing Government Accountability. This bill requires the State Department of Education to include on its website an itemized list of all vacant or unused properties that it owns or directly controls. ACU supports the right of taxpayers to view how their funds are being utilized and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 10, 2017 by a vote of 36-6.  6. HB 1553 Requiring Legislative Oversight of Agency Rule Making. This bill requires the legislature to approve, through a joint resolution, any new or increased fee that a governmental agency imposes. ACU supports legislative oversight of governmental agency actions and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2017 by a vote of 44-0 but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  7. HB 1894 Establishing End-of-Life Protections. This bill establishes a clear hierarchy of individuals who are designated to make healthcare and end-of-life decisions for patients incapable of making such decisions for themselves. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on end of life issues such as this. ACU supports family decision making and efforts to protect vulnerable patients from being denied life-preserving care and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 24, 2017 by a vote of 33-9.  8. HB 1868 Providing Overtime to Government Employees. This bill requires the state to provide overtime pay instead of “comp time” to all state employees earning under $30,000 a year. ACU opposes this implementation of overtime, which leads to potential government waste and increased taxpayer costs, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 29-15.  9. HB 1999 Requiring Reauthorization of Agency Regulations. This bill requires that all rules enacted by state agencies sunset every four years. Furthermore, the bill establishes a joint review committee to recommend their reauthorization or rejection. ACU supports efforts to eliminate burdensome and unneeded regulations and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 29-15.  10. HB 2128 Holding Trespassers Liable for Damages. This bill holds an individual who is arrested or convicted of trespassing liable for any personal or real property damages they caused. In addition, any entity that compensates an individual for trespassing is also held liable for damages. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU supports efforts to safeguard property and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 36-4 11. HB 2131 Establishing Tourism Development Tax Incentives. This bill provides a tax credit of up to 25 percent to companies that create or expand tourism attractions in the state. The tax credits are based upon the project costs and are capped at $15 million a year. ACU opposes the practice of distorting the free market by providing tax credits to government favored companies and industries and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 35-8.  12. HB 1270 Increasing the Integrity of Government Assistance. This bill requires the state to verify the eligibility of applicants for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and requires applicants to complete an identity authentication process. In addition, state agencies are directed to review on a quarterly basis information including employment status, residency status, death records, and other changes that may affect their continued enrollment. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients’ employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports efforts to reduce fraud and increase the accountability of public assistance programs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 39-5.  13. HB 2311 Requiring Government Agency Auditing. This bill requires that the top 20 state agencies receiving the most in appropriations undergo an independent comprehensive performance audit. ACU supports measures that increase government transparency and are intended to reduce government waste and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 26, 2017 by a vote of 41-4.  14. HB 1913 Expanding Small Loan Lending. This bill makes it legal for small loan moneylenders to issue loans of up to $1,500 and charge interest rates of up to 17 percent per month. ACU supports the right of individuals to freely lend to one another and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on April 27, 2017 by a vote of 28-16 but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  15. SB 40 Expanding Self-Defense Laws. This bill permits an individual lawfully carrying a firearm to point their weapon at a perpetrator in an act of self-defense or to deescalate a life-or-death situation. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 8, 2017 by a vote of 34-8.  16. SB 170 Reversing Tax Cuts. This bill repeals a measure passed in 2014 that provided a mechanism to reduce the top marginal tax rate. Currently, the tax rate is 5 percent and was set to drop to 4.85 percent. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tactic which reduces economic growth, and instead supports measures that shrink the size of government in order to address the state’s budget shortfall, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed this bill on May 8, 2017 by a vote of 32-9.  17. SB 445 Expanding School Choice. This bill increases the tax deduction that can be claimed by private donors giving to non-profits that provide student scholarships. Educational attainment yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 9, 2017 by a vote of 38-4.  18. SB 426 Raising Fees on Tire Sales. This bill establishes a new mandatory used tire recycling fee on all motor vehicles titled in the state and adds trailer and semitrailer tires to the list of tires that are assessed a recycling fee. In addition, the bill permits revenue that is collected to be used for “other environmental programs” and for projects intended to “increase market demand” for products made from used tires. ACU opposes unnecessary fee hikes and the usage of such funds for unrelated causes and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 9, 2017 by a vote of 37-5.  19. SB 697 Restricting New Regulations. This bill states that an agency rule or regulation can only be created to implement the laws or policies set forth by the legislative branch of government. In addition, the bill requires that every three years all rules are evaluated and a specific reference is made to the law granting that authority. ACU supports the restraint of the regulatory state, and the restoration of lawmaking authority to the legislative branch, and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 32-14, but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  20. SB 397 Permitting Concealed Carry on Public Transit. This bill permits the carrying of a concealed firearm on a public transit bus by an individual lawfully able to carry. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 11, 2017 by a vote of 39-1. 21. SB 211 Expanding Sunday Alcohol Sales. This bill permits a county to ask its voters whether Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted. If approved, sales would be allowed between the hours of noon and midnight. ACU supports this measure to empower voters to make a determination on the sale of alcohol and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 17, 2017 by a vote of 26-14.  22. HB 2351 Special Interest Manufacturing Tax Breaks. This bill extends certain tax breaks to select manufacturing companies. ACU opposes the practice of awarding special tax breaks to select companies and industries, which raises the tax burden on companies not favored by the government, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 19, 2017 by a vote of 31-11.  23. SB 867 Expanding Energy Production. This bill expands the ability of individuals to utilize horizontal drilling methods in order to recover underground oil and natural gas. ACU supports regulatory reforms that reduce costs and expand energy production and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 20, 2017 by a vote of 26-19.  24. SB 845 Establishing New Cigarette Fees. This bill implements a $1.50 per a pack cigarette fee, with revenue going towards a newly created Health Care Enhancement Fund. This “fee” is in addition to the state’s current $1.03 per a pack cigarette tax. ACU opposes this revenue-raising tactic that disproportionately harms a select portion of the population, including low-income earners and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 24, 2017 by a vote of 28-18 but the act was later ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court.  25. HB 1720 Mandating Property Insurance Discounts. This bill forces all property insurance companies to provide homeowners with a rate reduction or discount if their property meets certain building standards. The bill also directs insurers to submit their discount rates and rating plans to the state’s insurance commissioner. ACU opposes these government mandates which distort the free marketplace and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 24, 2017 by a vote of 32-12.  26. SB 848 Spending Cut Prevention. This bill prevents the Department of Human Services from making any budgetary cuts to numerous programs and services within the agency. ACU opposes mandates which interfere with the ability of agencies to reduce spending, especially at a time when the state is facing a significant budgetary shortfall, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 24, 2017 by a vote of 42-3.  27. HB 1491 Reducing Child Care Facility Licensing Regulations. This bill reduces the licensing burdens of the state’s child care facilities licensing act. Under the bill, facilities in rural counties with programs that provide less than 21 hours of weekly care are exempt from the act, and the child enrollment age of summer youth camps is reduced. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes burdensome licensing standards that restrict competition and increase consumer costs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 26, 2017 by a vote of 25-18.  28. HB 1019x (Special Session) Governmental Agency Spending Cuts. This bill cuts funding for 50 government agencies by an average of 2.5 percent. The $60 million in total cuts are to help make up for the state’s budget shortfall. ACU supports this fiscally responsible measure as opposed to increasing taxes and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on November 17, 2017 by a vote of 29-14, but the provisions were vetoed by the Governor.

House Scored Bills 1. HB 1553 Requiring Legislative Oversight of Agency Rule Making. This bill requires the legislature to approve, through a joint resolution, any new or increased fee that a governmental agency imposes. ACU supports legislative oversight of governmental agency actions and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on February 9, 2017 by a vote of 76-19 but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  2. HB 1913 Expanding Small Loan Lending. This bill makes it legal for small loan moneylenders to issue loans of up to $1,500 and charge interest rates of up to 17 percent per month. ACU supports the right of individuals to freely lend to one another and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 13, 2017 by a vote of 59-31 but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  3. HB 1549 Banning Genetic Abnormality Abortion. This bill prohibits the performance of an abortion on a viable or potentially viable unborn child solely due to the diagnosis of a genetic abnormality. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 67-16.  4. HB 2131 Establishing Tourism Development Tax Incentives. This bill provides a tax credit of up to 25 percent to companies that create or expand tourism attractions in the state. The tax credits are based upon the project costs and are capped at $15 million a year. ACU opposes the practice of distorting the free market by providing tax credits to government favored companies and industries and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 84-5.  5. HB 1999 Requiring Reauthorization of Agency Regulations. This bill requires that all rules enacted by state agencies sunset every four years. Furthermore, the bill establishes a joint review committee to recommend their reauthorization or rejection. ACU supports efforts to eliminate burdensome and unneeded regulations and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 67-27.  6. HB 1894 Establishing End-of-Life Protections. This bill establishes a clear hierarchy of individuals who are designated to make healthcare and end-of-life decisions for patients incapable of making such decisions for themselves. ACU Foundation’s Center for Human Dignity engages heavily on end of life issues such as this. ACU supports family decision making and efforts to protect vulnerable patients from being denied life-preserving care and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 72-18.  7. HB 1270 Increasing the Integrity of Government Assistance. This bill requires the state to verify the eligibility of applicants for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and requires applicants to complete an identity authentication process. In addition, state agencies are directed to review on a quarterly basis information including employment status, residency status, death records, and other changes that may affect their continued enrollment. An overreliance on welfare diminishes recipients’ employment prospects, keeping families out of the workforce and unable to prosper, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports efforts to reduce fraud and increase the accountability of public assistance programs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 22, 2017 by a vote of 63-25.  8. SB 806 Expanding Child Care Center Regulations. This bill implements a number of regulations governing how child care centers in the state operate. The bill establishes nutrition standards, physical activity requirements, and places limitations on screen time and video games. ACU opposes this infringement on parental rights and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 5, 2017 by a vote of 58-32.  9. SB 508 Expanding the Sale of Homemade Food. This bill grants individuals the right to sell homemade food products at farmers markets and other off-site locations. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports “food freedom” and the right for individuals to freely sell food products and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 17, 2017 by a vote of 65-24.  10. SB 426 Raising Fees on Tire Sales. This bill establishes a new mandatory used tire recycling fee on all motor vehicles titled in the state and adds trailer and semitrailer tires to the list of tires that are assessed a recycling fee. In addition, the bill permits revenue that is collected to be used for “other environmental programs” and for projects intended to “increase market demand” for products made from used tires. ACU opposes unnecessary fee hikes and the usage of such funds for unrelated causes and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 18, 2017 by a vote of 67-25.  11. SB 506 Subsidizing Select Food Establishments. This bill provides loans and grants to grocery stores and food establishments in certain areas of the state considered “underserved”. Under the bill, the funds can be used for a wide range of purposes including start-up costs and energy efficiency measures. ACU opposes the use of taxpayer funds for measures that distort the free market and place other businesses at a competitive disadvantage and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 18, 2017 by a vote of 71-7.  12. SB 170 Reversing Tax Cuts. This bill repeals a measure passed in 2014 that provided a mechanism to reduce the top marginal tax rate. Currently, the tax rate is 5 percent and was set to drop to 4.85 percent. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tactic which reduces economic growth, and instead supports measures that shrink the size of government in order to address the state’s budget shortfall, and opposed this bill. The House passed this bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 75-12.  13. SB 697 Restricting New Regulations. This bill states that an agency rule or regulation can only be created to implement the laws or policies set forth by the legislative branch of government. In addition, the bill requires that every three years all rules are evaluated and a specific reference is made to the law granting that authority. ACU supports the restraint of the regulatory state, and the restoration of lawmaking authority to the legislative branch, and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 57-35, but the bill was later vetoed by the Governor.  14. SB 397 Permitting Concealed Carry on Public Transit. This bill permits the carrying of a concealed firearm on a public transit bus by an individual lawfully able to carry. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 79-9.  15. SB 445 Expanding School Choice. This bill increases the tax deduction that can be claimed by private donors giving to non-profits that provide student scholarships. Educational attainment yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of school choice and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 64-23.  16. SB 40 Expanding Self-Defense Laws. This bill permits an individual lawfully carrying a firearm to point their weapon at a perpetrator in an act of self-defense or to deescalate a life-or-death situation. ACU supports the founders’ belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 82-8.  17. HB 2128 Holding Trespassers Liable for Damages. This bill holds an individual who is arrested or convicted of trespassing liable for any personal or real property damages they caused. In addition, any entity that compensates an individual for trespassing is also held liable for damages. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU supports efforts to safeguard property and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 3, 2017 by a vote of 68-23.  18. HB 1577 Enhancing Government Accountability. This bill requires the State Department of Education to include on its website an itemized list of all vacant or unused properties that it owns or directly controls. ACU supports the right of taxpayers to view how their funds are being utilized and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 3, 2017 by a vote of 48-45.  19. HB 1993 Extending the Cosmetology Licensing Board. This bill extends the sunset date of the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering until the year 2021. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the extension of a board, whose actions restrict competition, resulting in higher consumer costs and reduced economic mobility and entrepreneurship, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 87-1.  20. HB 2351 Special Interest Manufacturing Tax Breaks. This bill extends certain tax breaks to select manufacturing companies. ACU opposes the practice of awarding special tax breaks to select companies and industries, which raises the tax burden on companies not favored by the government, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 11, 2017 by a vote of 60-31.  21. HB 2311 Requiring Government Agency Auditing. This bill requires that the top 20 state agencies receiving the most in appropriations undergo an independent comprehensive performance audit. ACU supports measures that increase government transparency and are intended to reduce government waste and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 17, 2017 by a vote of 68-23.  22. SB 211 Expanding Sunday Alcohol Sales. This bill permits a county to ask its voters whether Sunday alcohol sales should be permitted. If approved, sales would be allowed between the hours of noon and midnight. ACU supports this measure to empower voters to make a determination on the sale of alcohol and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 22, 2017 by a vote of 67-29.  23. HB 2403 Increasing Income Taxes. This bill caps the state tax deductions at $17,000 thereby hiking taxes on thousands of earners by limiting the amount of deductions a taxpayer may itemize on their return (excluding charitable deductions). Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this tactic to bypass the state’s constitutional protections against tax hikes, and take an additional $100 million a year out of the private sector, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 22, 2017 by a vote of 56-40. 24. SB 867 Expanding Energy Production. This bill expands the ability of individuals to utilize horizontal drilling methods in order to recover underground oil and natural gas. ACU supports regulatory reforms that reduce costs and expand energy production and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 24, 2017 by a vote of 51-46.  25. HB 1720 Mandating Property Insurance Discounts. This bill forces all property insurance companies to provide homeowners with a rate reduction or discount if their property meets certain building standards. The bill also directs insurers to submit their discount rates and rating plans to the state’s insurance commissioner. ACU opposes these government mandates which distort the free marketplace and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 23, 2017 by a vote of 93-0.  26. HB 1491 Reducing Child Care Facility Licensing Regulations. This bill reduces the licensing burdens of the state’s child care facilities licensing act. Under the bill, facilities in rural counties with programs that provide less than 21 hours of weekly care are exempt from the act, and the child enrollment age of summer youth camps is reduced. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes burdensome licensing standards that restrict competition and increase consumer costs and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on May 25, 2017 by a vote of 84-11.  27. HB 1868 Providing Overtime to Government Employees. This bill requires the state to provide overtime pay instead of “comp time” to all state employees earning under $30,000 a year. ACU opposes this implementation of overtime, which leads to potential government waste and increased taxpayer costs, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 25, 2017 by a vote of 69-23.  28. SB 845 Establishing New Cigarette Fees. This bill implements a $1.50 per a pack cigarette fee, with revenue going towards a newly created Health Care Enhancement Fund. This “fee” is in addition to the state’s current $1.03 per a pack cigarette tax. ACU opposes this revenue-raising tactic that disproportionately harms a select portion of the population, including low-income earners and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 26, 2017 by a vote of 51-43 but the act was later ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court.  29. HB 1054x (Special Session) $450 Million Tax Hike. This bill dramatically hikes taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, motor fuels, and energy production in order to generate $450 million annually. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this unnecessary tax hike which is designed to eliminate spending cuts and opposed this bill. The House failed to pass the bill on November 8, 2017 by a vote of 71-27 (76 votes were required).  30. HB 1019x (Special Session) Governmental Agency Spending Cuts. This bill cuts funding for 50 government agencies by an average of 2.5 percent. The $60 million in total cuts are to help make up for the state’s budget shortfall. ACU supports this fiscally responsible measure as opposed to increasing taxes and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on November 15, 2017 by a vote of 56-38, but the provisions were vetoed by the Governor.