2017
Letter from the Chairman .......................................... 2
ACU & ACUF Board Members .................................. 3
Selecting the Votes .................................................... 3
2017 Winners & Losers .............................................. 4
CA Senate Statistics................................................... 5
CA Senate Vote Descriptions .................................... 6
CA Senate Scores ...................................................... 9
CA Assembly Statistics ............................................ 11
CA Assembly Vote Descriptions .............................. 12
CA Assembly Scores ................................................ 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RATINGS of CALIFORNIARATINGS of CALIFORNIA
ACUConservative Conservative.org@ACUFoundation
#ACURatings
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
Dear Fellow Conservative,
The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the California 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 SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
SELECTING THE VOTES
ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the California 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 California’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.
201 N. Union Street, Suite 370Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 347-9388
Matt Schlapp Chairman
Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman
Bob Beauprez Treasuer
Amy Frederick Secretary
Ed Yevoli At-Large
Jackie Arends
Larry Beasley
Kimberly Bellissimo
Steve Biegun
Morton C. Blackwell
John Bolton
Jose Cardenas
Ron Christie
Muriel Coleman
Becky Norton Dunlop
John Eddy
Luis Fortuno
Alan M. Gottlieb
Van D. Hipp, Jr.
Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser
Michael R. Long
Ed McFadden
Carolyn D. Meadows
Priscilla O'Shaughnessy
Ron Robinson
Mike Rose
Ned Ryun
Peter Samuelson
Sabrina Schaeffer
Terry Schilling
Matt Smith
Thomas Winter
ACU BOARD MEMBERS
Matt Schlapp Chairman
Millie Hallow Vice Chairman
Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer
Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary
Jose Cardenas
Jonathan Garthwaite
Charlie Gerow
Colin Hanna
Niger Innes
Adam Laxalt
Willes K. Lee
Mary Matalin
Carolyn D. Meadows
Randy Neugebauer
Thomas Winter
ACUF BOARD MEMBERS
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
2017 WINNERS & LOSERS
SENATE
ANDERSONBATESFULLERGAINESMOORLACHMORRELLNIELSENSTONE
90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE
ASSEMBLY
ALLENBROUGHCHOIFONGHARPERMELENDEZ
SENATE
BERRYHILLNGUYEN
ASSEMBLY
BIGELOW
CHEN
DAHLE
GALLAGHER
KILEY
ASSEMBLY
MAYES
OBERNOLTE
PATTERSON
VOEPEL
WALDRON
80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT
SENATE
AllenAtkinsBeallBradfordde LeónDoddGalgianiHernandezHertzbergHillHuesoJacksonLara
SENATE
LeyvaMcGuireMendozaMitchellMonningNewmanPanPortantinoSkinnerSternWieckowskiWiener
10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT
ASSEMBLY
Aguiar-CurryBermanBloomBocanegraBontaBurkeCaballeroCalderonChauChiuChuDalyEggmanFriedman
ASSEMBLY
Garcia, C.Garcia, E.GipsonGloriaGonzalez FletcherHoldenJones-SawyerKalraLimónLowMcCartyMedinaMullinMuratsuchi
ASSEMBLY
NazarianO'DonnellQuirkRendonReyesRidley-ThomasRodriguezRubioSantiagoStoneThurmondTingWeberWood
<=
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA SENATE STATISTICS
CALIFORNIA SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS
RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS
30
25
20
15
10
5
090-100%
2017 ACU PERCENTAGE
# OF STATE
SENATORS
0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%
89%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE
7%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE
33%OVERALL AVERAGE
CANNELLA74%
LOWEST REPUBLICAN
GLAZER22%
HIGHEST DEMOCRAT
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
1. SB 562 Completing the Government Takeover of our Health Care System. This bill would implement a single-payer health care system in which the government replaces private insurance companies and pays doctors and hospitals directly. ACU opposes this socialized medicine scheme that places the patient at the mercy of government bureaucrats and has produced long waits for needed treatment in countries that have this system and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 1, 2017 by a vote of 23-14.
2. AB 398 Extending the Cap and Trade Program. This bill extends the state’s “cap and trade” program that allows companies to trade “pollution credits.” Under the bill, the number of pollution credits are decreased over time, forcing increases in the price of energy. ACU opposes this scheme that was even rejected by a Democrat-controlled Congress during the Obama Administration and is designed to make energy less and less affordable for most people over time and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on July 17, 2017 by a vote of 28-12.
3. AB 1455 Adding Exemptions to the Public Records Act. This bill bars citizens from obtaining public records regarding union negotiations with the government. ACU supports government transparency and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 31, 2017 by a vote of 26-13.
4. AB 20 Mandating Pension Investments for Political Reasons. This bill requires the state’s two public employee pension funds to divest any holdings of any company that has any connection to the Dakota Access oil pipeline. ACU opposes forcing investment decisions to be made for political reasons and supports all forms of energy and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 31, 2017 by a vote of 24-14.
5. AB 1461 Increasing Licensing Requirements for Meal Delivery. This bill expands the state's licensing requirements to include employees of meal prep delivery services such as Hello Fresh and Blue Apron. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated in the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on August 31, 2017 by a vote of 24-14.
6. AB 841 Restricting Foods the Government Doesn’t Like. This bill sets up a series of restrictions for so-called “junk foods” on K-12 school campuses, including banning advertising, eliminating awards and incentives for academic success that involve beverages and “junk foods,” and prohibiting schools from participating in fundraisers that require the purchase of “junk foods.” ACU opposes government mandates that micromanage students’ eating habits and believes individuals have a right to eat foods such as Frosted Flakes and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 5, 2017 by a vote of 27-13.
7. SB 490 Mandating Wage Levels for Cosmetologists. This bill mandates that the base hourly rate of licensed employees of beauty salons and barber shops is at least two times the state minimum wage in addition to commissions paid. The bill also mandates how and when wages are to be paid. Studies by the Congressional Budget Office have found increases in the minimum wage result in higher unemployment. High rates of unemployment hinder family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes these artificial wages that hurt those who need employment the most, such as students and inexperienced workers, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 5, 2017 by a vote of 40-0.
8. AB 291 Banning the Eviction of Illegal Immigrants. This bill prohibits landlords from disclosing the immigration status of their tenants and allows illegal immigrants to sue landlords who report them to immigration authorities. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 6, 2017 by a vote of 25-13.
9. AB 424 Banning Guns in a School Zone. This bill repeals an existing law that allows individuals to carry guns on campus with the permission of the school superintendent. ACU supports the founders' belief in the Second Amendment and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 6, 2017 by a vote of 25-13.
10. AB 262 Mandating Carbon Emission Standards for Construction Materials. This bill requires state contractors to determine the carbon emissions of certain products they use in construction and requires the state to use that information in deciding who will get contracts, regardless of the cost. ACU opposes these mandates that increases the cost of projects to taxpayers to carry out a politicized global warming agenda and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 30-9.
CALIFORNIA SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
11. AB 249 Chilling Political Speech. This bill forces committees that place political ads to list their top three financial contributors in each ad they publish. ACU opposes this blatant attempt to chill political free speech by exposing contributors to harassment from political opponents and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 29-9.
12. SB 150 Forcing Local Governments to Follow the Global Warming Agenda. This bill requires local governments to adopt the state targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2030. ACU opposes these mandates that are designed to drive up the cost of energy for everyone and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 31-8.
13. AB 569 Prohibiting a Faith-Based Code of Conduct for Employees. This bill prohibits employers, including faith-based organizations, from taking action against an employee for having an abortion or having a child out of wedlock. ACU supports the right of faith-based organizations to abide by their religious convictions and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 12, 2017 by a vote of 27-13.
14. AB 186 Allowing Government Supervised Drug Addiction. This bill initiates a pilot project in eight counties through the year 2021 that establishes locations where drug addicts can inject illegal drugs under the supervision of a health care professional and with the approval of the local jurisdiction. ACU opposes taxpayer-funded drug addiction and a program that makes it legal for some to use these drugs while others are prosecuted for it and opposed this bill. The Senate defeated the bill on September 12, 2017 by a vote of 19-17 (21 votes were required).
15. AB 168 Banning Salary Information in Job Interviews. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring about salary history in discussions with prospective employees. ACU believes individuals and companies should be free to negotiate their own benefits in the marketplace and opposes this mandate, especially because this basic information is required in federal government hiring and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 12, 2017 by a vote of 27-10.
16. SB 29 Banning Contracts for Illegal Immigrant Detention Facilities. This bill prohibits cities and counties from contracting with private businesses to expand the capacity of detention facilities that hold illegal immigrants facing deportation. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 27-13.
17. AB 630 Funding the “Cash for Clunkers” Program. This bill funds the “Clean Cars 4 All Program” based on the failed federal “Cash for Clunkers” program that pays people to turn in older cars to reduce emissions on the road. ACU opposes this disastrous policy that destroys countless serviceable cars and the secondhand parts market, and forces one set of taxpayers to pay for the cars of another set of individuals and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 29-11.
18. SB 306 Increasing Barriers to Dismissing an Employee. This bill allows an employee or the state Labor Commissioner to obtain an immediate preliminary injunction against the dismissal of an employee if there is “reasonable cause” that the employer violated the law. Currently, the Commissioner must first investigate a claim before action is taken. ACU opposes this effort that is designed to intimidate employers and reduce oversight, resulting in an increased ability for wrongful injunctions to be brought forward and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 25-14.
19. SB 386 Banning Smoking in State Parks or on the Beach. This bill bans smoking at state parks or state-owned beaches and orders the state parks department to post no smoking signs. ACU opposes this overly broad ban and believes that both tobacco and e-cigarettes are a personal liberty issue and that government regulations on products are only appropriate when their use substantially impacts others and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 28-12 but it was vetoed by the governor.
20. SB 649 Creating a Regulatory Framework for “5G” Internet. This bill makes it easier for companies to offer the latest in high speed internet technology, known as 5G, by streamlining the governmental approval process and creating a clear fee structure. The bill also makes it more difficult for local communities to bar the installation of “small-cell” antennas in communities across the state. ACU supports regulatory reform that advances new technology and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 22-10 but it was vetoed by the governor.
21. AB 134 Reserving Electric Car Rebates for Unionized Companies. This bill authorizes up to $140 million in rebates for electric car purchases if the state labor secretary approves of the car companies’ treatment of their workers. The bill was written to exclude Tesla which is not unionized. ACU opposes government favoring one type of car over another and government officials arbitrarily deciding who will get the taxpayers’ money and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 28-9.
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
22. AB 678 Forcing Local Governments to Accept Low-Income Housing Projects. This bill forces local jurisdictions to approve any low-income housing project at whatever density is requested unless they can prove that the project would be inconsistent with their zoning ordinances and general plans for land use. ACU opposes the state usurpation of local control over development to mandate the approval of low-income housing and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 27-10.
23. SB 2 Imposing Fees on Real Estate Transactions. This bill imposes a new fee of $75 for real estate transactions in order to raise $1.2 billion over the next five years to finance additional low-income housing. ACU opposes this redistribution of wealth that makes homeownership less affordable, all in order to finance even more government-subsidized housing and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 27-11.
24. SB 3 Placing a $4 billion Bond Bill on the Ballot. This bill places a $4 billion bond bill on the 2018 ballot to finance more low-income housing. ACU opposes this fiscally unsound approach and running up a massive debt for programs that do not produce economic growth and that will inevitably lead to more tax increases and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 30-8.
25. SB 167 Forcing Local Government to Allow Low-Income Housing. This bill makes it harder for local governments to turn down low-income housing projects by changing the standard from providing “substantial” evidence that a project violates local ordinances to basing the decision on a “preponderance” of the evidence. ACU opposes these continuous attempts to usurp local decision-making on development and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 28-9.
26. SB 145 Authorizing the Use of Driverless Vehicles. This bill authorizes the use of autonomous vehicles, also known as driverless cars, for testing purposes. ACU supports the development of new technology under the free enterprise system and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 38-0.
27. SB 54 Prohibiting Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities. This bill prohibits all state law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. ACU believes states should not preempt the federal government’s constitutional role in setting immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on September 16, 2017 by a vote of 27-11.
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL
Party District
SB 562
AB 398
AB 1455
AB 20
AB 1461
AB 841
SB 490
AB 291
AB 424
AB 262
AB 249
SB 150
AB 569
AB 186
AB 168
SB 29
AB 630
SB 306
SB 386
SB 649
AB 134
AB 678
SB 2
SB 3
SB 167
SB 145
SB 54
ACU Votes
Votes Cast
2017 %
2016 %
LIFETIME AVG
Allen D 26 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 6% 4%
ANDERSON R 38 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 25 27 93% 94% 97%
Atkins D 39 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% 5% 3%
BATES R 36 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + X + + + + + + + + + + + + 25 26 96% 91% 96%
Beall D 15 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 6% 2%
BERRYHILL R 8 + - + + + + - + + X + - + + + + + + + + X X X X X X X 16 19 84% 97% 93%
Bradford D 35 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - + - 1 26 4% n/a 1%
CANNELLA R 12 + + + + + + - - + - - - + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + 20 27 74% 71% 72%
de León D 24 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% 6% 3%
Dodd D 3 - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 26 8% 6% 7%
FULLER R 16 + + + + + + - + + + + X + + X + + + + + + + + + + + + 24 25 96% 97% 95%
GAINES R 1 + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + + + + X X X X X X 19 21 90% 97% 93%
Galgiani D 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - X - - - - - + - 1 25 4% 17% 12%
Glazer D 7 + - - - + - - - - - - - - + - - - + - - + - - - - + - 6 27 22% 23% 24%
Hernandez D 22 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% 8% 4%
Hertzberg D 18 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% 6% 8%
Hill D 13 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 6% 4%
Hueso D 40 X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 26 8% 9% 4%
Jackson D 19 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 3% 2%
Lara D 33 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% 6% 3%
Leyva D 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 11% 7%
McGuire D 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 3% 5%
Mendoza D 32 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - X - - - - X + - 1 24 4% 3% 3%
Mitchell D 30 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - + - 1 26 4% 3% 2%
Monning D 17 - - X X X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 24 4% 6% 3%
MOORLACH R 37 + + + + + + - + + + X + + + + + + + + X + + + + + + + 24 25 96% 91% 96%
MORRELL R 23 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 26 27 96% 97% 98%
Newman D 29 - - - - - - - - X - - - - + - - - - - X - - - - - + - 2 25 8% n/a 8%
“+” 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.
CALIFORNIA SENATE SCORES
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AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA SENATE VOTE DETAIL
Party District
SB 562
AB 398
AB 1455
AB 20
AB 1461
AB 841
SB 490
AB 291
AB 424
AB 262
AB 249
SB 150
AB 569
AB 186
AB 168
SB 29
AB 630
SB 306
SB 386
SB 649
AB 134
AB 678
SB 2
SB 3
SB 167
SB 145
SB 54
ACU Votes
Votes Cast
2017 %
2016 %
LIFETIME AVG
NGUYEN R 34 + + + + + + - + + + X + + + X + - + - + X + + - + + + 20 24 83% 83% 88%
NIELSEN R 4 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 26 27 96% 94% 96%
Pan D 6 X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 25 8% 3% 3%
Portantino D 25 - - - X X - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + - 2 25 8% n/a 4%
Roth D 31 X - - + - - - - X - - - - + - - - X - X - - - - - + - 3 23 13% 24% 19%
Skinner D 9 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% n/a 2%
Stern D 27 - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - X - X - - - + - 1 24 4% n/a 4%
STONE R 28 + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 26 27 96% 94% 95%
VIDAK R 14 + + + + + + - - + + + - + + + + + + + + - - + + - + + 21 27 78% 86% 83%
Wieckowski D 10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - 1 27 4% 6% 2%
Wiener D 11 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - + - 2 27 7% n/a 7%
WILK R 21 + + + + + + - + + - - - + + + + - + + + X + + - + + + 20 26 77% 68% 87%
“+” 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.
11
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY STATISTICS
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY CONSERVATIVE RATINGS
RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS
# OF STATEREPS
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
090-100%
2017 ACU PERCENTAGE
0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%
80%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE
9%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE
31%OVERALL AVERAGE
LOWEST REPUBLICAN
FRAZIER, GRAY33%
HIGHEST DEMOCRATS
BAKER35%
12
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
1. AB 1455 Adding Exemptions to the Public Records Act. This bill bars citizens from obtaining public records regarding union negotiations with the government. ACU supports government transparency and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on May 30, 2017 by a vote of 51-24.
2. AB 186 Allowing Government Supervised Drug Addiction. This bill initiates pilot project in eight counties through the year 2021 that establishes locations where drug addicts can inject illegal drugs under the supervision of a health care professional and with the approval of the local jurisdiction. ACU opposes taxpayer-funded drug addiction and a program that makes it legal for some to use these drugs while others are prosecuted for it and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 1, 2017 by a vote of 41-33.
3. AB 1461 Increasing Licensing Requirements for Meal Delivery. This bill expands the state's licensing requirements to include employees of meal prep delivery services such as Hello Fresh and Blue Apron. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated in the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 1, 2017 by a vote of 54-21.
4. AB 398 Extending the Cap and Trade Program. This bill extends the state’s “cap and trade” program that allows companies to trade “pollution credits.” Under the bill, the number of pollution credits are decreased over time, forcing increases in the price of energy. ACU opposes this scheme that was even rejected by a Democrat-controlled Congress during the Obama Administration and is designed to make energy less and less affordable for most people over time and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on July 17, 2017 by a vote of 55-22.
5. SB 490 Mandating Wage Levels for Cosmetologists. This bill mandates that the base hourly rate of licensed employees of beauty salons and barber shops is at least two times the state minimum wage in addition to commissions paid. The bill also mandates how and when wages are to be paid. Studies by the Congressional Budget Office have found increases in the minimum wage result in higher unemployment. High rates of unemployment hinder family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes these artificial wages that hurt those who need employment the most, such as students and inexperienced workers, and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on August 31, 2017 by a vote of 74-0.
6. AB 20 Mandating Pension Investments for Political Reasons. This bill requires the state’s two public employee pension funds to divest any holdings of any company that has any connection to the Dakota Access oil pipeline. ACU opposes forcing investment decisions to be made for political reasons and supports all forms of energy and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 5, 2017 by a vote of 46-28.
7. SB 150 Forcing Local Governments to Follow the Global Warming Agenda. This bill requires local governments to adopt the state targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2030. ACU opposes these mandates that are designed to drive up the cost of energy for everyone and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 7, 2017 by a vote of 69-6.
8. SB 29 Banning Contracts for Illegal Immigrant Detention Facilities. This bill prohibits cities and counties from contracting with private businesses to expand the capacity of detention facilities that hold illegal immigrants facing deportation. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 52-24.
9. AB 291 Banning the Eviction of Illegal Immigrants. This bill prohibits landlords from disclosing the immigration status of their tenants and allows illegal immigrants to sue landlords who report them to immigration authorities. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 56-20.
10. AB 424 Banning Guns in a School Zone. This bill repeals an existing law that allows individuals to carry guns on campus with the permission of the school superintendent. ACU supports the founders' belief in the Second Amendment and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 44-27.
11. AB 841 Restricting Foods the Government Doesn’t Like. This bill sets up a series of restrictions for so-called “junk foods” on K-12 school campuses, including banning advertising, eliminating awards and incentives for academic success that involve beverages and “junk foods,” and prohibiting schools from participating in fundraisers that require the purchase of “junk foods.” ACU opposes government mandates that micromanage students’ eating habits and believes individuals have a right to eat foods such as Frosted Flakes and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 11, 2017 by a vote of 53-25.
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY VOTE DESCRIPTIONS
13
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
12. SB 306 Increasing Barriers to Dismissing an Employee. This bill allows an employee or the state Labor Commissioner to obtain an immediate preliminary injunction against the dismissal of an employee if there is “reasonable cause” that the employer violated the law. Currently, the Commissioner must first investigate a claim before action is taken. ACU opposes this effort that is designed to intimidate employers and reduce oversight, resulting in an increased ability for wrongful injunctions to be brought forward and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 12, 2017 by a vote of 45-29.
13. AB 262 Mandating Carbon Emission Standards for Construction Materials. This bill requires state contractors to determine the carbon emissions of certain products they use in construction and requires the state to use that information in deciding who will get contracts, regardless of the cost. ACU opposes these mandates that increase the cost of projects to taxpayers to carry out a politicized global warming agenda and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 64-12.
14. AB 1513 Giving Unions Private Contact Information. This bill allows union organizers to obtain private contact information, including cell phone numbers, of home healthcare workers that is not available to the public. ACU opposes this violation of privacy to satisfy union demands and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 49-28 but it was vetoed by the governor.
15. SB 649 Creating a Regulatory Framework for “5G” Internet. This bill makes it easier for companies to offer the latest in high speed internet technology, known as 5G, by streamlining the governmental approval process and creating a clear fee structure. The bill also makes it more difficult for local communities to bar the installation of “small-cell” antennas in communities across the state. ACU supports regulatory reform that advances new technology and supported this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 13, 2017 by a vote of 46-16 but it was vetoed by the governor.
16. AB 569 Prohibiting a Faith-Based Code of Conduct for Employees. This bill prohibits employers, including faith-based organizations, from taking action against an employee for having an abortion or having a child out of wedlock. ACU supports the right of faith-based organizations to abide by their religious convictions and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 55-20.
17. SB 2 Imposing Fees on Real Estate Transactions. This bill imposes a new fee of $75 for real estate transactions in order to raise $1.2 billion over the next five years to finance additional low income housing. ACU opposes this redistribution of wealth that makes homeownership less affordable, all in order to finance even more government-subsidized housing and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 54-25.
18. SB 167 Forcing Local Government to Allow Low-Income Housing. This bill makes it harder for local governments to turn down low-income housing projects by changing the standard from providing “substantial” evidence that a project violates local ordinances to basing the decision on a “preponderance" of the evidence. ACU opposes these continuous attempts to usurp local decision-making on development and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 59-18.
19. SB 386 Banning Smoking in State Parks or on the Beach. This bill bans smoking at state parks or state-owned beaches and orders the state parks department to post no smoking signs. ACU opposes this overly broad ban and believes that both tobacco and e-cigarettes are a personal liberty issue and that government regulations on products are only appropriate when their use substantially impacts others and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 56-22 but it was vetoed by the governor.
20. SB 3 Placing a $4 billion Bond Bill on the Ballot. This bill places a $4 billion bond bill on the 2018 ballot to finance more low-income housing. ACU opposes this fiscally unsound approach and running up a massive debt for programs that do not produce economic growth and that will inevitably lead to more tax increases and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 56-21.
21. AB 168 Banning Salary Information in Job Interviews. This bill prohibits employers from inquiring about salary history in discussions with prospective employees. ACU believes individuals and companies should be free to negotiate their own benefits in the marketplace and opposes this mandate, especially because this basic information is required in federal government hiring and opposed this bill. Then Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 57-15.
22. AB 630 Funding the “Cash for Clunkers” Program. This bill funds the “Clean Cars 4 All Program” based on the failed federal “Cash for Clunkers” program that pays people to turn in older cars to reduce emissions on the road. ACU opposes this disastrous policy that destroys countless serviceable cars and the secondhand parts market and forces one set of taxpayers to pay for the cars of another set of individuals and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 14, 2017 by a vote of 55-23.
23. SB 54 Prohibiting Cooperation with Federal Immigration Authorities. This bill prohibits all state law enforcement officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. ACU believes states should not preempt the federal government’s constitutional role in setting immigration laws and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 51-26.
14
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
24. AB 134 Reserving Electric Car Rebates for Unionized Companies. This bill authorizes up to $140 million in rebates for electric car purchases if the state labor secretary approves of the car companies’ treatment of their workers. The bill was written to exclude Tesla which is not unionized. ACU opposes government favoring one type of car over another and government officials arbitrarily deciding who will get the taxpayers’ money and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 58-19.
25. AB 678 Forcing Local Governments to Accept Low-Income Housing Projects. This bill forces local jurisdictions to approve any low-income housing project at whatever density is requested unless they can prove that the project would be inconsistent with their zoning ordinances and general plans for land use. ACU opposes the state usurpation of local control over development to mandate the approval of low-income housing and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 70-7.
26. AB 249 Chilling Political Speech. This bill forces committees that place political ads to list their top three financial contributors in each ad they publish. ACU opposes this blatant attempt to chill political free speech by exposing contributors to harassment from political opponents and opposed this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 59-15.
27. SB 145 Authorizing the Use of Driverless Vehicles. This bill authorizes the use of autonomous vehicles, also known as driverless cars, for testing purposes. ACU supports the development of new technology under the free enterprise system and supported this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on September 15, 2017 by a vote of 76-2.
15
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY VOTE DETAIL
Party District
AB 1455
AB 186
AB 1461
AB 398
SB 490
AB 20
SB 150
SB 29
AB 291
AB 424
AB 841
SB 306
AB 262
AB 1513
SB 649
AB 569
SB 2
SB 167
SB 386
SB 3
AB 168
AB 630
SB 54
AB 134
AB 678
AB 249
SB 145
ACU Votes
Votes Cast
2017 %
2016 %
LIFETIME AVG
ACOSTA R 38 + + + + - + - + + X + + - + + X + X + X X + + + - - + 17 22 77% n/a 77%
Aguiar-Curry D 4 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% n/a 7%
ALLEN R 72 + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + X + + + + + + + + + + + 25 26 96% 94% 80%
Arambula D 31 - + - - - - - - - + - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 4 27 15% 8% 12%
BAKER R 16 + + - - - + - - - X - + - + - - + - - - - + + - - - + 9 26 35% 50% 55%
Berman D 24 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% n/a 4%
BIGELOW R 5 + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 24 27 89% 84% 94%
Bloom D 50 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 8% 4%
Bocanegra D 39 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% n/a 2%
Bonta D 18 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 5% 3%
BROUGH R 73 + + + + X + + X + + + + + + + + + + X + + + + + - + - 22 24 92% 88% 92%
Burke D 62 - - X - - - - - - X - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 25 8% 6% 7%
Caballero D 30 - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% n/a 7%
Calderon D 57 - X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - + 1 25 4% 5% 2%
Cervantes D 60 - + - X - - - - - - - X - - + - + - - - - - - - - - + 4 25 16% n/a 16%
Chau D 49 X X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 24 4% 5% 3%
CHÁVEZ R 76 + - + - - + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + X X - X + 17 24 71% 70% 83%
CHEN R 55 + + + + - + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 23 27 85% n/a 85%
Chiu D 17 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 27 4% 5% 5%
CHOI R 68 X X X + - + X + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + 21 23 91% n/a 91%
Chu D 25 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 5% 5%
Cooley D 8 - + - - - + X - - + - + - + - - - - - - - - - - - - + 6 26 23% 11% 21%
Cooper D 9 - + X - - X - - - X - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 3 24 13% 6% 8%
CUNNINGHAM R 35 + - + - - + - + + + + + - + X + + + + + - + + - - + + 18 26 69% n/a 69%
Dababneh D 45 - + - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 3 27 11% 11% 13%
DAHLE R 1 + + + + - + + + + + + + - + X + + + + + - + + + + + + 23 26 88% 79% 92%
Daly D 69 - - - - - X - - - X - X - - + - - - - - X - - - - - + 2 23 9% 11% 8%
Eggman D 13 X - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 25 4% 8% 4%
FLORA R 12 + + + - - + - + + + + + - + + + + - + X X X + X - X + 16 22 73% n/a 73%
“+” 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.
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY SCORES
16
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY VOTE DETAIL
Party District
AB 1455
AB 186
AB 1461
AB 398
SB 490
AB 20
SB 150
SB 29
AB 291
AB 424
AB 841
SB 306
AB 262
AB 1513
SB 649
AB 569
SB 2
SB 167
SB 386
SB 3
AB 168
AB 630
SB 54
AB 134
AB 678
AB 249
SB 145
ACU Votes
Votes Cast
2017 %
2016 %
LIFETIME AVG
FONG R 34 + + X + - + X + + + + + X + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 22 24 92% n/a 23%
Frazier D 11 X - + - - - - + - + - X + X + - - - + - - - + - - - + 8 24 33% 18% 18%
Friedman D 43 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% n/a 4%
GALLAGHER R 3 + + + + - + - + + + + + - + X + + - + + + + + + - X + 20 25 80% 83% 85%
Garcia, C. D 58 - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - + 1 25 4% 9% 4%
Garcia, E. D 56 - X - - X X - X - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - X - + 1 21 5% 5% 6%
Gipson D 64 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 3% 5%
Gloria D 78 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% n/a 7%
Gomez D 51 - + - X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 1 3 n/a† 5% 2%
Gonzalez Fletcher D 80 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 8% 7%
Gray D 21 - + + + - - - - - + - + - - + - - - - - + - + - - - + 9 27 33% 22% 25%
Grayson D 14 - + - - - X - X - X - X - X + X - - - - X - - - - - + 3 20 15% n/a 15%
HARPER R 74 + + + + X + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 26 26 100% 91% 97%
Holden D 41 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 6% 4%
Irwin D 44 - + - X - - - - - - - - - + + - - - - - - - - - - - + 4 26 15% 5% 14%
Jones-Sawyer D 59 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 5%
Kalra D 27 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 27 4% n/a 4%
KILEY R 6 + + + + - + - + X + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - X + 21 25 84% n/a 84%
LACKEY R 36 + + - + - + - + + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + - - - + 18 27 67% 68% 75%
Levine D 10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - + - + 4 27 15% 11% 9%
Limón D 37 - - - + - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - X 1 25 4% n/a 4%
Low D 28 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 8%
MAIENSCHEIN R 77 + + - + - + - + - X + + - + + - - - - - + - + + - - + 13 26 50% 56% 75%
MATHIS R 26 + + + - - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - - + + 21 27 78% 83% 83%
MAYES R 42 + + + - - + - + + + + + X + + + + + + + X + + + - X + 20 24 83% 73% 85%
McCarty D 7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 6%
Medina D 61 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 11% 7%
MELENDEZ R 67 + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 25 27 93% 84% 93%
Mullin D 22 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 5% 3%
Muratsuchi D 66 - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - X - X - - - + 1 23 4% n/a 10%
“+” 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.
17
AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of California
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY VOTE DETAIL
Party District
AB 1455
AB 186
AB 1461
AB 398
SB 490
AB 20
SB 150
SB 29
AB 291
AB 424
AB 841
SB 306
AB 262
AB 1513
SB 649
AB 569
SB 2
SB 167
SB 386
SB 3
AB 168
AB 630
SB 54
AB 134
AB 678
AB 249
SB 145
ACU Votes
Votes Cast
2017 %
2016 %
LIFETIME AVG
Nazarian D 46 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 27 4% 6% 3%
O'Donnell D 70 - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - X - - - - - + 1 25 4% 3% 4%
OBERNOLTE R 33 + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + 24 27 89% 89% 93%
PATTERSON R 23 + + + + - + + + + + + + X + + + + - + + + + + + - + + 23 26 88% 89% 93%
Quirk D 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 6% 4%
Quirk-Silva D 65 + + X + X + - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 6 25 24% n/a 44%
Rendon D 63 - - - - - - - - X - X - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 24 4% 5% 3%
Reyes D 47 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% n/a 4%
Ridley-Thomas D 54 - - - - X X - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 24 4% 11% 6%
Rodriguez D 52 - X - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 26 8% 6% 6%
Rubio D 48 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% n/a 7%
Salas D 32 - + - - - + - - - - + + - - + - - - + - - - - - - - + 7 27 26% 28% 35%
Santiago D 53 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 6%
STEINORTH R 40 + + - - - + - + X + + + - + + X + + - + - + + + - - + 16 25 64% 81% 77%
Stone D 29 - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 4%
Thurmond D 15 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 27 4% 5% 5%
Ting D 19 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 27 4% 6% 3%
VOEPEL R 71 + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + 24 27 89% n/a 89%
WALDRON R 75 X + + + - + X + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - 22 25 88% 81% 91%
Weber D 79 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + 2 27 7% 5% 4%
Wood D 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - + 1 26 4% 5% 5%
“+” 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.