2021 MS Legislative Scorecard
The following scorecard lists several key votes in the Mississippi Legislature in 2021 and ranks state representatives and senators based on their fidelity to (U.S.) constitutional and limited-government principles.
This is our first state-level Scorecard; the selected votes may not be reflective of legislators' overall records. Their cumulative scores will change as we add more votes. Please check regularly for updates.
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House Votes
HB1315 repeals occupational license requirements those for art therapists, auctioneers, interior designers, wigologists and massage therapists.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed HB1315 on February 3, 2021 by a vote of 74 to 36. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because the government has for far too long interfered with commerce and entrepreneurship by creating unnecessary licensure. The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" and government interference in entrepreneurship and private business is in violation of that belief.
HB1231 creates a state fund where a portion of the state sales tax revenue derived from certain industries will be deposited into the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed HB1231 on February 10, 2021 by a vote of 117 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this is another government fund that is not permitted in the constitution and is something that should be managed by the free market in the private sector.
HB1326 pre-ratifies a "Balanced Budget Amendment" before a constitutional convention convenes.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed HB1326 on February 11, 2021 by a vote of 75 to 44. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation unconstitutionally pre-ratifies a Balanced Budget Amendment before a constitutional convention convenes. An Article V Constitutional Convention proposal could cause serious damage to our constitution and there is no evidence that such amendment would fix our financial problems. Article V of the U.S. Constitution was designed to correct structural deficiencies in the federal government, not the behavior of its elected officials.
SB2107 prohibits state and local government entities from entering in any contract or rental agreement that restricts the possession, carrying, transportation, sale, transfer, or ownership of guns and firearms.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed SB2107 on March 8, 2021 by a vote of 81 to 34. We have assigned the pluses to the ayes because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th Amendments, and should not be infringed in any situation.
HB1263 requires the Mississippi Occupational Licensing Board to issue a license to an applicant who establishes residence in the state if the applicant holds a current license in good standing from another state.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed HB1263 on March 16, 2021 by a vote of 115 to 1. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because there is no reason the state should require someone who is a trained professional in their field should to go through the same training in another state if they have the right credentials. Licensure deters entrepreneurship and allows the government to pick winners and losers, which is unconstitutional.
SB2971 is an act to authorize mass amounts of spending on education, capital projects and much more.
The Mississippi State House of Representatives passed SB2971 on March 29, 2021 by a vote of 109 to 10. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this government spending expands government and funds projects and programs that are not authorized in the constitution.
How did your legislators vote?
Average Freedom Score by Party
| Party | Score |
|---|---|
| Democrat | 40.7% |
| Republican | 50.2% |
