Liberty Index 2019

Legislative Scorecard for the 2019 Legislative Session

About the Republican Liberty Caucus:

The Republican Liberty Caucus is a 527 voluntary grassroots membership organization dedicated to working within the Republican
Party to advance the principles of individual liberty, limited government and free markets. Founded in 1991, it is the oldest
continuously-operating organization within the Liberty Republican movement. The Arizona Republican Liberty Caucus chapter was
launched in January 2018.

Follow us at facebook.com/RLCArizona
 Liberty Index Overview
Created by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Arizona, the 2019
Liberty Index is a liberty-focused legislative scorecard for Arizona’s
state legislators. The Liberty Index scores legislators on 20 pivotal
bills selected by the RLCAZ that either advance liberty or diminish
liberty. Green bills are pro-liberty bills supported by the RLCAZ. Red
bills are anti-liberty bills opposed by the RLCAZ.
A handful of good bills introduced during the 2019 session did
not get a floor vote. The RLCAZ has selected five of these pro-liberty
bills and awards bonus points to legislators who cosponsored these
bills. This serves as a reward/incentive for legislators to support
similar pieces of legislation in future sessions.
For information on the bills we selected, see the bill
explanations on the last two pages of this document.
A high score on this scorecard does not equate to an
endorsement from the RLCAZ. This scorecard simply evaluates the
voting records of each legislator. When the RLCAZ issues an
endorsement, other factors are also considered; such as how they vote
on Committee, what types of bills they hear or don’t hear as a
Committee Chair, and their character.
Scoring Guide
A green number one indicates that the legislator voted with the
RLCAZ on that bill. A red number zero indicates the legislator voted
against the RLCAZ position on that bill. “NV” means the legislator was
absent and did not vote. “N/A” means the legislator was not in office
at that time.
The Liberty Score is obtained by calculating the percentage
that a legislator votes in line the RLCAZ. For example, the highest
possible Liberty Score is 100. This is achieved if a legislator voted with
the RLCAZ 100% of the time. Additional bonus points are available for
those that cosponsored certain pro-liberty bills, so it is possible for
legislators to score above 100. Legislators are awarded two bonus
points for each bonus bill they cosponsored.
Additionally, if legislators cosponsored a bad bill that died in
committee after the RLCAZ actively opposed it, those cosponsors
received a two point penalty. During the 2019 session this applied to
HB2536.
 Liberty Index 2019 - House

Educ.
Fiscal Policy: Individual Liberty & Liberty
Legislator Party LD Taxes & Spending Economic Freedom Criminal Justice Bonus & Penalty Points Score
HB2320

HB2109

HB2359

HB2125

HB2523

HB2569

HB2693

HB2660

HB2318

HB2424

HB2245

HB2635

HB2404

HB2362

HB2536
SB1143

SB1401

SB1085

SB1105

SB1109

SB1087

SB1291

SB1334

SB1310

SB1349

SB1396
Total +
Total Bonus

John Allen R 15 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 17/20=85 85

Richard Andrade D 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 -2 23
Nancy Barto R 15 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 2 92
Leo Biasiucci R 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20/20=100 2 102
Walter Blackman R 6 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 17/20=85 2 2 2 91
Isela Blanc D 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 2 32
Reginald Bolding D 27 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 35
Shawnna Bolick R 20 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Rusty Bowers R 25 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 17/20=85 2 2 89
Kelli Butler D 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 2 32
Noel Campbell R 1 *1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 NV 1 1 1 15/19=79 2 2 2 -2 83
Andres Cano D 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 25
Frank Carroll R 22 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 2 84
Cesar Chavez D 29 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 8/20=40 40
Regina Cobb R 5 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 82
David Cook R 8 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 2 2 94
Domingo DeGrazia D 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NV 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/19=32 32
Timothy Dunn R 13 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 15/20=75 2 2 79
Kirsten Engel D 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 2 2 2 31
Mitzi Epstein D 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 2 32
Diego Espinoza D 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 2 37
Charlene Fernandez D 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 -2 23
 Liberty Index 2019 - House

Educ.
Fiscal Policy: Individual Liberty & Liberty
Legislator Party LD Taxes & Spending Economic Freedom Criminal Justice Bonus & Penalty Points Score
HB2320

HB2109

HB2359

HB2125

HB2523

HB2569

HB2693

HB2660

HB2318

HB2424

HB2245

HB2635

HB2404

HB2362

HB2536
SB1143

SB1401

SB1085

SB1105

SB1109

SB1087

SB1291

SB1334

SB1310

SB1349

SB1396
Total +
Total Bonus
John Fillmore R 16 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 82
Mark Finchem R 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Randall Friese D 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 -2 23
Rosanna Gabaldon D 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NV 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/19=26 -2 24
Travis Grantham R 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Gail Griffin R 14 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Alma Hernandez D 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 NV 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 8/19=42 42
Daniel Hernandez D 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 9/20=45 2 47
Jennifer Jermaine D 18 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 35
John Kavanagh R 23 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 82
Anthony Kern R 20 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Jay Lawrence R 23 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 15/20=75 75
Aaron Lieberman D 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 NV 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/19=37 2 39
Jennifer Longdon D 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 30
Robert Meza D 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 35
Becky Nutt R 14 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 15/20=75 75
Joanne Osborne R 13 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 15/20=75 75
Jennifer Pawlik D 17 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 9/20=45 45
Kevin Payne R 21 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 2 2 101
Geraldine Peten D 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 25
Warren Petersen R 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Steve Pierce R 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1 1 1 N/A 0 N/A 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 7/11=64 64
 Liberty Index 2019 - House

Educ.
Fiscal Policy: Individual Liberty & Liberty
Legislator Party LD Taxes & Spending Economic Freedom Criminal Justice Bonus & Penalty Points Score
HB2320

HB2109

HB2359

HB2125

HB2523

HB2569

HB2693

HB2660

HB2318

HB2424

HB2245

HB2635

HB2404

HB2362

HB2536
SB1143

SB1401

SB1085

SB1105

SB1109

SB1087

SB1291

SB1334

SB1310

SB1349

SB1396
Total +
Total Bonus
Pamela PowersHannley D 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 25
Tony Rivero R 21 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 NV 1 1 1 1 1 1 16/19=84 2 2 88
Bret Roberts R 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 19/20=95 2 97
Diego Rodriguez D 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 2 32
Athena Salman D 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 2 27
Amish Shah D 24 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 35
TJ Shope D 8 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 80
Lorenzo Sierra D 19 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 6/20=30 30
Arlando Teller D 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 7/20=35 35
Raquel Teran D 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 5/20=25 25
Bob Thorpe R 6 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 17/20=85 -2 83
Ben Toma R 22 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 2 2 2 88
Kelly Townsend R 16 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NV 1 1 1 18/19=95 2 97
Myron Tsosie D 7 NV 0 0 NV NV 0 0 0 NV 1 NV 0 NV 0 NV 0 1 1 1 NV 5/12=42 42
Michelle Udall R 25 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 82
Jeff Weninger R 17 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 80
 Liberty Index 2019 - Senate
Fiscal Policy: Individual Liberty & Liberty
Legislator Party LD Taxes & Spending Economic Freedom Criminal Justice Education Bonus & Penalty Points Score

Amendment 1

Amendment 2
HB2109

HB2454

HB2569

HB2693

HB2660

HB2318

HB2245

HB2635

HB2404

HB2362

HB2536
SB1001

SB1143

SB1354

SB1401

SB1085

SB1105

SB1109

SB1087

SB1291

SB1334

SB1310

SB1349

SB1394

SB1394

SB1396
Total +
Total Bonus
Sylvia Allen R 6 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 2 92
Lela Alston D 24 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 6/20=30 30
Sonny Borrelli R 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 90
Sean Bowie D 18 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NV 1 1 NV 1 1 0 0 0 11/18=61 61
Paul Boyer R 20 1 1 NV 0 1 NV 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 NV 1 1 15/17=88 88
David Bradley D 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 7/20=35 35
Kate Brophy McGee R 28 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 12/20=60 60
Heather Carter D 15 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 NV NV 11/18=61 61
Lupe Contreras D 19 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 NV 1 0 0 0 6/19=32 32
Andrea Dalessandro D 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 4/20=20 20
Karen Fann R 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 80
David Farnsworth R 16 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20/20=100 2 102
Eddie Farnsworth R 12 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 19/20=95 95
Sally Ann Gonzales D 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 NV 0 0 6/19=32 2 34
David Gowan R 14 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 90
Rick Gray R 21 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 80
Sine Kerr R 13 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 17/20=85 85
Vince Leach R 11 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 90
David Livingston R 22 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 2 82
Juan Mendez D 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 4/20=20 2 22
JD Mesnard R 17 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18/20=90 90
 Liberty Index 2019 - Senate
Fiscal Policy: Individual Liberty & Liberty
Legislator Party LD Taxes & Spending Economic Freedom Criminal Justice Education Bonus & Penalty Points Score

Amendment 1

Amendment 2
HB2109

HB2454

HB2569

HB2693

HB2660

HB2318

HB2245

HB2635

HB2404

HB2362

HB2536
SB1001

SB1143

SB1354

SB1401

SB1085

SB1105

SB1109

SB1087

SB1291

SB1334

SB1310

SB1349

SB1394

SB1394

SB1396
Total +
Total Bonus
Tony Navarrete D 30 1 0 0 0 NV 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 NV 0 0 9/18=50 50
Lisa Otondo D 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 6/20=30 30
Tyler Pace R 25 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 17/20=85 85
Jamescita Peshlakai D 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 NV 0 0 6/19=32 32
Frank Pratt R 8 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 16/20=80 80
Martin Quezada D 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 6/20=30 30
Rebecca Rios D 27 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 8/20=40 40
Victoria Steele D 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 6/20=30 30
Michelle Ugenti-Rita R 23 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 NV 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 18/19=95 2 97
 Liberty Index 2019 - List of Bills
RLC
Bill Position Description
SB1001 For Would have repealed the $32 Public Safety Fee (VLT)
Would have cut and capped the $32 Public Safety Fee (VLT) at $18.
NOTE: The House voted on two versions of this bill. The original version failed 27-32 and was later amended to add $47 million to the Highway Patrol Fund. The RLCAZ
supported the original bill that did not add $47 million to the budget.
HB2320 For *Noel Campbell switched his vote from Yes to No so he could make a motion to reconsider the bill. For this reason, he was scored as a Yes on HB2320.
SB1143 For Would have reduced income tax rates by 0.11% in each tax bracket for 2018 taxes, to offset the automatic tax increase when confoming to the new federal tax code.
HB2109 Against Allows Pima County to increase their transportation excise tax rate from 10% to 20%.
HB2359 For Allows people to deduct charitable donations from their income taxes, on top of the standard deduction.
SB1354 Against Would have appropriated an additional $50 million to fund graduate medical education programs.
HB2125 Against Would have appropriated an additional $48 million to the Department of Economic Security and $7 million to the Department of Child Safety to fund welfare programs.
HB2454 For Repeals statute that allows cities and towns to levy a tax to fund a municipal band.
HB2523 For Would have allowed students between ages 16-22 to work part-time at or above the federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) instead of the state minimum wage ($11/hr).
HB2569 For Makes Arizona recognize occupational licenses from other states, so people no longer have to obtain a redundant license that they already have.
SB1401 For Repeals current occupational licensing requirements (1000+ hours of training) for styling and blow drying hair.
SB1085 For Makes it easier for small businesses to band together to form association health plans, so they can offer affordable health insurance to employees.
Repeals current statutes regarding direct primary care provider plans and establishes framework for direct primary care agreements (prepaid payment plans with
SB1105 For medical providers).
SB1109 For Extends the length of time allowed for short term limited duration insurance, so people may remain enrolled in short term health insurance plans.
SB1087 Against Requires auto insurance companies to increase the minimum liability coverage amounts, which will increase the cost of insurance.
Would have allowed adults to store a loaded firearm in their vehicle when parked on school grounds. Current law requires firearms to be unloaded in these
HB2693 For circumstances.
SB1291 For Repeals the statewide ban on nunchucks.
HB2660 For Prohibits licensing agencies from denying licensure to people convicted for certain offenses more than seven years ago.
HB2318 Against Makes it illegal to hold/support/use a mobile electronic device while driving.
Makes changes to statute to help prevent people from being unfairly sentenced as a repetitive offender, which subjects them to excessive mandatory minimums,
if they have no prior convictions.
NOTE: The House voted on two versions of this bill. The RLCAZ believes the original version of this bill was the strongest, so the House was scored based on their first
SB1334 For vote of SB1334 when it passed 42-16-2.
SB1310 For Increases earned release credits for people in prison for drug possession, so they can be released after 70% of their prison term instead of 85%.
Would have given Judges discretion to sentence certain class 6 undesignated felonies as misdemeanors, to make it easier for people on probation to obtain
HB2424 For employment/housing/licenses, etc.
SB1349 For Expands tax deferred 529 education savings accounts so they can be used for K-12 public, private, and religious schools.
 Liberty Index 2019 - List of Bills
RLC
Bill Position Description
SB1394 Amendment 1 Against The Quezada floor amendment would have imposed numerous new regulations on charter schools and their governing boards.
The Dalessandro floor amendment would have imposed new regulations on charter schools, restricting their administrative expenses and prohibiting them from
SB1394 Amendment 2 Against contracting with a for-profit organization.
SB1396 For Would have expanded empowerment scholarship accounts, so families at or below 185% of the poverty level would be eligible.
Would have allowed Judges to depart from a mandatory minimum prison sentence and impose a lesser sentence if the mandatory prison sentence would result in an
HB2245 For injustice to the defendant or if the mandatory prison sentence is not necessary for public safety.
HB2635 For Would have banned photo radar traffic enforcement.
HB2404 For Would have decriminalized possession of marijuana (2.5 oz or less) and made it a petty offense.
Would have established a process for petitioning the court to expunge a conviction from a criminal record, for certain nondangerous offenses after a specified amount
HB2362 For of years have passed.
HB2536 Against Would have imposed a large tax increase on gas, propane, natural gas and electric vehicles.