2018 Legislator Business & Jobs Report Card

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voted for business/jobs position
voted against business/jobs position
NV = Not Voting or Absent
EA = Excused Absence
P = Present

* Points were not deducted for those voting Present (P) or for those with a Excused Absence (EA). Points were deducted for those Not Voting.


Representatives / Senators

Grade Office Holder Party District▼
HB 1198This legislation would have required private insurance plans to cover specific health benefits. The costs associated with the mandate would ultimately result in increased premiums. This would impact the ability of small businesses to provide cost effective health insurance. The state employees’ health insurance plan and self-insured (ERISA) plans were exempted, making the financial impact on small businesses even greater. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 3046SB 3046 was amended in the House to include language from HB 722 and HB 354 which previously passed in the session. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1122This legislation restricts cities and counties from imposing regulations on farmers who are already regulated by state agencies. This is an important step to prevent overregulation by local governments. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2570This legislation prohibits local governments from adopting regulations, fees or taxes on the use, disposition or sale of a bag, cup, bottle or other packaging designed for transporting, consuming or protecting merchandise, food or beverages. This is an important step to prevent more regulation and taxation by local governments. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2479This legislation lowers the investment amount needed to qualify for a fee-in-lieu agreement from $100 million to $60 million. It allows the local governing authorities to enter into these agreements with existing industries in their area that are looking to expand. This legislation is an important step towards giving communities more leverage in recruiting companies to their areas and helping their existing companies grow. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 957This would have created a new per-student public school funding formula designed to improve the way Mississippi funds K-12 education. An educated workforce is vital to the long-term health of Mississippi’s economy. Considering the budget realities facing the state, ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent effectively is important to the business community. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1649This is the omnibus bond bill which included $45M for improvements to the state-owned shipyard in Pascagoula and $50M for the Local System Bridge Program. This legislation is important to support the largest private employer in the state as well as to maintain critical infrastructure. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2097This legislation allows for a "free port warehouse" tax exemption to apply to property that is consigned to a licensed free port warehouse for storage pending transit. The granting of this exemption is at the sole discretion of the local governing authority. This change recognizes the critical nature of just-in-time supply chains and helps incentivize more development of warehousing infrastructure. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2418This legislation increases the axle tolerance allowed for vehicles operating under a harvest permit and certain vehicles loading and unloading at a state port. It increases the tolerance allowed on each axle from 5% to 10%, which will allow greater flexibility in the transport of forest products to manufacturing facilities. It also allows manufacturers to continue to use their harvest permit to transport products from a holding facility to the processing plant. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2473SB 2473 makes business/landlord-friendly changes to the Residential Landlord Tenant statutes. It protects the landlord’s rights to collect late fees as well as rent and allows the landlord to evict for any event for which the lease provides eviction as a remedy. Changes were made to speed up the eviction proceeding and allows for the termination of a lease in fourteen days rather than thirty days. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1476This legislation would have ensured that real estate brokers who are lawfully responsible for overseeing licensed salespersons have had ample opportunity to gain the experience that is necessary to oversee, train, and guide their agents. HB 1476 sought to ensure security for consumers, brokers and everyone involved in a real estate transaction. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1238This legislation tried to limit lawsuits against entities that are regulated under the consumer protection act, thus preventing tremendous legal expense placed on businesses that impact economic growth and jobs. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2295SB 2295 provides regulatory predictability and clarifies governing jurisdiction by making clear that the Mississippi Public Service Commission has exclusive original jurisdiction over utility rate disputes, including those brought by the Attorney General. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2836This bill defines the state’s Medicaid services and reimbursement rates. This is critical for physicians and other healthcare providers as Medicaid reimbursement is a driver of economic output in Mississippi. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 722This would have created a 35% diversion of use tax to be divided between cities, counties and the MS Development Authority for road and bridge maintenance. This legislation was an attempt to address the infrastructure needs of MS. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 354This legislation would have allowed for any growth of the general fund over 2% (up to $100M) to be dedicated to road and bridge repair/maintenance. This legislation was an attempt to address the infrastructure needs of MS. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1488This legislation authorized funds to be used by the Mississippi Development Authority to incentivize companies creating new jobs and making corporate investments in the state. Incentives include grants and loans designed to meet the infrastructure needs of new and expanding businesses, workforce training programs, small and minority-owned business assistance programs, and statutory tax incentives. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
Grade Office Holder Party District
HB 1198This legislation would have required private insurance plans to cover specific health benefits. The costs associated with the mandate would ultimately result in increased premiums. This would impact the ability of small businesses to provide cost effective health insurance. The state employees’ health insurance plan and self-insured (ERISA) plans were exempted, making the financial impact on small businesses even greater. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 3046SB 3046 was amended in the House to include language from HB 722 and HB 354 which previously passed in the session. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1122This legislation restricts cities and counties from imposing regulations on farmers who are already regulated by state agencies. This is an important step to prevent overregulation by local governments. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2570This legislation prohibits local governments from adopting regulations, fees or taxes on the use, disposition or sale of a bag, cup, bottle or other packaging designed for transporting, consuming or protecting merchandise, food or beverages. This is an important step to prevent more regulation and taxation by local governments. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2479This legislation lowers the investment amount needed to qualify for a fee-in-lieu agreement from $100 million to $60 million. It allows the local governing authorities to enter into these agreements with existing industries in their area that are looking to expand. This legislation is an important step towards giving communities more leverage in recruiting companies to their areas and helping their existing companies grow. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 957This would have created a new per-student public school funding formula designed to improve the way Mississippi funds K-12 education. An educated workforce is vital to the long-term health of Mississippi’s economy. Considering the budget realities facing the state, ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent effectively is important to the business community. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1649This is the omnibus bond bill which included $45M for improvements to the state-owned shipyard in Pascagoula and $50M for the Local System Bridge Program. This legislation is important to support the largest private employer in the state as well as to maintain critical infrastructure. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2097This legislation allows for a "free port warehouse" tax exemption to apply to property that is consigned to a licensed free port warehouse for storage pending transit. The granting of this exemption is at the sole discretion of the local governing authority. This change recognizes the critical nature of just-in-time supply chains and helps incentivize more development of warehousing infrastructure. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2418This legislation increases the axle tolerance allowed for vehicles operating under a harvest permit and certain vehicles loading and unloading at a state port. It increases the tolerance allowed on each axle from 5% to 10%, which will allow greater flexibility in the transport of forest products to manufacturing facilities. It also allows manufacturers to continue to use their harvest permit to transport products from a holding facility to the processing plant. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2473SB 2473 makes business/landlord-friendly changes to the Residential Landlord Tenant statutes. It protects the landlord’s rights to collect late fees as well as rent and allows the landlord to evict for any event for which the lease provides eviction as a remedy. Changes were made to speed up the eviction proceeding and allows for the termination of a lease in fourteen days rather than thirty days. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1476This legislation would have ensured that real estate brokers who are lawfully responsible for overseeing licensed salespersons have had ample opportunity to gain the experience that is necessary to oversee, train, and guide their agents. HB 1476 sought to ensure security for consumers, brokers and everyone involved in a real estate transaction. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1238This legislation tried to limit lawsuits against entities that are regulated under the consumer protection act, thus preventing tremendous legal expense placed on businesses that impact economic growth and jobs. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2295SB 2295 provides regulatory predictability and clarifies governing jurisdiction by making clear that the Mississippi Public Service Commission has exclusive original jurisdiction over utility rate disputes, including those brought by the Attorney General. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
SB 2836This bill defines the state’s Medicaid services and reimbursement rates. This is critical for physicians and other healthcare providers as Medicaid reimbursement is a driver of economic output in Mississippi. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 722This would have created a 35% diversion of use tax to be divided between cities, counties and the MS Development Authority for road and bridge maintenance. This legislation was an attempt to address the infrastructure needs of MS. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 354This legislation would have allowed for any growth of the general fund over 2% (up to $100M) to be dedicated to road and bridge repair/maintenance. This legislation was an attempt to address the infrastructure needs of MS. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
HB 1488This legislation authorized funds to be used by the Mississippi Development Authority to incentivize companies creating new jobs and making corporate investments in the state. Incentives include grants and loans designed to meet the infrastructure needs of new and expanding businesses, workforce training programs, small and minority-owned business assistance programs, and statutory tax incentives. The business vote was in support of this legislation.
A
 Lester Carpenter Republican 1
B
 Nick Bain Democrat 2
A
 William Tracy Arnold Republican 3
B
 Jody Steverson Republican 4
C
 John G. Faulkner Democrat 5
P
P
C
 Dana Criswell Republican 6
B
 Steve Hopkins Republican 7
C
 John Thomas "Trey" Lamar Republican 8
NV
NV
C
 Cedric Burnett Democrat 9
A
 Nolan Mettetal Republican 10
C
 Lataisha Jackson Democrat 11
P
D
 Jay Hughes Democrat 12
EA
B
 Steve Massengill Republican 13
B
 Margaret Rogers Republican 14
NV
A
 Mac Huddleston Republican 15
EA
C
 D. Stephen Holland Democrat 16
A
 Shane Aguirre Republican 17
A
 Jerry R. Turner Republican 18
A
 Randy P. Boyd Republican 19
B
 Chris Brown Republican 20
NV
EA
NV
NV
B
 Donnie Bell Republican 21
C
 Preston E. Sullivan Democrat 22
A
 Charles Jim Beckett Republican 23
NV
A
 Jeff Hale Republican 24
B
 Dan Eubanks Republican 25
D
 Orlando Paden Democrat 26
NV
D
 Kenneth Walker Democrat 27
A
 Robert Foster Republican 28
D
 Abe Hudson Democrat 29
F
 Robert E. Huddleston Democrat 30
NV
NV
C
 Sara R. Thomas Democrat 31
EA
EA
EA
D
 Willie J. Perkins Democrat 32
D
 Thomas U. Reynolds Democrat 33
NV
B
 Kevin Horan Democrat 34
NV
EA
B
 Joey Hood Republican 35
NV
C
 Karl Gibbs Democrat 36
A
 Gary Chism Republican 37
D
 Cheikh Taylor Democrat 38
A
 Jeffrey C. Smith Republican 39
B
 Ashley Henley Republican 40
D
 Kabir Karriem Democrat 41
P
P
C
 Carl Mickens Democrat 42
A
 Rob Roberson Republican 43
A
 C. Scott Bounds Republican 44
B
 Michael T. Evans Democrat 45
B
 Karl Oliver Republican 46
NV
F
 Bryant W. Clark Democrat 47
P
A
 Jason White Republican 48
D
 Willie Bailey Democrat 49
F
 John W. Hines Democrat 50
NV
NV
P
P
D
 Rufus Straughter Democrat 51
NV
NV
A
 Bill Kinkade Republican 52
A
 Vince Mangold Republican 53
B
 Kevin Ford Republican 54
NV
C
 Oscar Denton Democrat 55
P
A
 Philip Gunn Republican 56
D
 Edward Blackmon Democrat 57
C
 Joel Bomgar Republican 58
A
 Brent Powell Republican 59
P
A
 Ray Rogers Republican 61
A
 Tom Weathersby Republican 62
C
 Deborah Butler Dixon Democrat 63
A
 Bill Denny Republican 64
C
 Christopher Bell Democrat 65
P
P
F
 Jarvis Dortch Democrat 66
D
 Earle S. Banks Democrat 67
NV
P
C
 Credell Calhoun Democrat 68
D
 Alyce G. Clarke Democrat 69
D
 Kathy Sykes Democrat 70
F
 Adrienne Wooten Democrat 71
P
P
C
 Debra Gibbs Democrat 72
P
P
A
 Cory Wilson Republican 73
B
 Mark Baker Republican 74
NV
D
 Tom Miles Democrat 75
C
 Gregory Holloway Democrat 76
B
 Andy Gipson Republican 77
NV
A
 Randy Rushing Republican 78
NV
B
 Mark Tullos Republican 79
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
NV
C
 Omeria Scott Democrat 80
EA
EA
EA
EA
NV
EA
EA
D
 Stephen A. Horne Republican 81
C
 Charles Young Democrat 82
NV
B
 Greg Snowden Republican 83
D
 William Shirley Republican 84
NV
B
 America Chuck Middleton Democrat 85
P
B
 Shane Barnett Republican 86
NV
B
 Chris Johnson Republican 87
B
 Gary V. Staples Republican 88
A
 Donnie Scoggin Republican 89
B
 Noah Sanford Republican 90
F
 Bob Evans Democrat 91
NV
P
NV
P
A
 Becky Currie Republican 92
NV
A
 Timmy Ladner Republican 93
D
 Robert L. Johnson, III Democrat 94
NV
NV
A
 Patricia H. Willis Republican 95
EA
EA
EA
B
 Angela Cockerham Democrat 96
A
 Sam C. Mims Republican 97
NV
A
 Bill Pigott Republican 99
A
 Ken Morgan Republican 100
A
 Brad Touchstone Republican 101
B
 Missy McGee Republican 102
D
 Percy W. Watson Democrat 103
P
P
A
 Larry Byrd Republican 104
A
 Roun McNeal Republican 105
EA
A
 John Glen Corley Republican 106
B
 Doug McLeod Republican 107
B
 Stacey Wilkes Republican 108
NV
NV
NV
B
 Manly Barton Republican 109
D
 Jeramey D. Anderson Democrat 110
P
A
 Charles Busby Republican 111
B
 John Read Republican 112
NV
A
 Henry Zuber, III Republican 113
B
 Jeffrey S. Guice Republican 114
EA
EA
B
 Randall Patterson Republican 115
EA
B
 Casey Eure Republican 116
NV
A
 Scott DeLano Republican 117
A
 Greg Haney Republican 118
NV
D
 Sonya Williams-Barnes Democrat 119
P
NV
NV
NV
B
 Richard Bennett Republican 120
B
 Carolyn Crawford Republican 121
C
 David Baria Democrat 122
NV
Results: 120