REP. BRUCE COZART – Ignoring the Republican Platform

Since Conduit focuses on conservative issues and legislators’ voting records, and the Arkansas House and Senate are over 78% Republican, this series of articles highlights Republican incumbents who frequently vote contrary to conservative values and in many instances contrary to the Republican Party of Arkansas Platform.

Here the voting record of Representative Bruce Cozart (R- Hot Springs) is highlighted.

Before we begin, you need to know sometimes a legislator will try to kill a bill without going on record as voting “No.” To do this, some walk off the floor to miss the vote or sit quietly without voting. Another tactic used to help kill a bill without voting “No” is to vote “Present.” Not voting or voting “Present” are not neutral actions. Regardless of whether a legislator votes “No”, doesn’t vote, or votes “Present” each action has the same effect of trying to deny the legislation enough votes to pass.

REPRESENTATIVE BRUCE COZART

Here are some important votes on which Rep. Cozart’s actions conflict with conservative positions.

ABORTION

1. Failed to vote on bill to require licensing of abortion clinics and prohibiting hospitals not do abortions except to save the life of the mother – SB388 of 2021
2. Failed to vote on bill for increased inspections of abortion clinics/requires abortion clinics to report incest/rape crimes – SB463 of 2021
3. Failed to vote on bill to require the parents of minors to prove their identity before a minor can get a abortion – SB1424 of 2015
4. Failed to vote on bill to allow homicide charges for wrongful death of the unborn – sb417 of 2013

VALUE OF LIFE

5. Voted to put a price tag on human life in lawsuits – SJR8 of 2017

TAXES

6. Voted for Internet Sales Tax in 2019 – SB576 of 2019
7. Voted for Internet Sales Tax in 2017 – SB140 of 2017
8. Voted for gas tax increase legislation to move forward – HB1726 of 2017 (expungement votes)
9. Voted for Gas Tax Increase – SB336 of 2019
10. Voted for $300 million tax increase proposal – HJR1018 of 2019
11. Voted against homestead property tax cut – HB1321 of 2019
12. Voted against sales tax cut on used car sales – HB1912 of 2021
13. Voted for tire tax/fee increase – HB1267 of 2017
14. Voted for increased taxes/fees on cell phone bills – HB1564 of 2019
15. Voted for increased taxes on tobacco and e-cigarette products – HB1565 of 2019

COVID

16. Voted against ending mandatory face masks – SB590 of 2021
17. Voted against returning COVID19 regulation fees to businesses – SB301 of 2021 (Governor’s Veto)

EDUCATION

18. Voted against school scholarships for children – HB1371 of 2021
19. Voted against school choice tax credit scholarships for children – SB680 OF 2021
20. Voted against school choice / education savings accounts for children – HB1222 & SB746 of 2017
21. Failed to vote on bill for a day of prayer for students – SB662 of 2021

ELECTIONS

22. Voted to deny free speech in judicial elections – HB1899 of 2021
23. Voted against ending tax increases at special elections – HB1368 of 2021
24. Voted against special election reform – SB723 of 2017

DEREGULATION

25. Voted against deregulation of adopting the least restrictive rules in reciprocity licensing – HB1835 of 2017
26. Voted against work from home freedom by limiting local government regulations on home business – HB1416 of 2021
27. Voted against deregulation that exempts hair stylists from cosmetology licensing – HB1746 of 2021
28. Voted against some virtual schooling in cosmetology – SB580 of 2021
29. Voted against allowing nurse Practioners a path to full scope of practice of their training/education – HB1258
30. Voted against deregulation and improving access to care – allowing nurse practitioners to serve as a primary care provider within Medicaid – HB1254 of 2021
31. Voted against allowing Nurse Anesthetists practice to the full scope of their training/education – HB1198 of 2021
32. Voted against deregulation expanding scope of practice for optometrists – HB1251 of 2019

ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

33. Voted against transparency in Arkansas’ rainy-day fund – SB205 of 2021
34. Voted against transparency – electronic campaign finance reports – HB1427 of 2017
35. Voted against transparency – to allow a FOIA exemption for the government – SB373 of 2017

PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

36. Voted to allow the private information of private groups (churches, nonprofits) to be publicly released – SB535 of 2021
37. Failed to vote on bill to prohibit the release the names of conceal carry permit holders – SB131 of 2013

OTHER IMPORTANT LEGISLATION

38. Voted against improving the minimum wage law for small business, nonprofits, teens – HB1752 & HB1753 of 2019
39. Voted against unemployment sustainability indexing benefits to economic conditions – HB1676 of 2021

PRINCIPLES AND PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARKANSAS

Below are statements from the platform of the Republican Party of Arkansas. You be the judge to what extent Rep. Cozart’s votes conflict with these statements.

Items 1-4: 2^nd Principle of the RPAP “The sanctity of life” and with the platform which says: “Most importantly, we believe all unborn children have a fundamental right to live in order to avail themselves of these equal opportunities.”
Item 5: 2nd Principle of the RPAP – “The sanctity of life”, the 9th Principle of the RPAP – “The equal and just enforcement of the law”, and the 10th Principle of the RPAP – “Separate and equal branches of government”
Items 6-15: 6^th Principle of the RPAP “Lower taxes to produce economic growth” and the Preamble of the RPAP – “We recognize the importance of lower taxes to spur economic growth and to ensure that individuals reap more of the benefits of their hard work.”
Items 16 and 17: 4th principle of the RPAP – “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”.
Items 18-20: the Education Section of the RPAP – “Arkansas’s children deserve a world class education, developed by parents, educators, and leaders accountable to our citizens, regardless of their zip code. This requires openness to every type of education system available: homeschooling, distance learning, public school, private school, charter school, and vocational or technical school.” “Every tool should be given equal consideration and be utilized in a manner that puts the student’s needs above all ‘to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education.’”  “Every education decision we make is with the students and parents first in our minds!” “Every opportunity for every family to enroll each child in the school of its choice should be secured by government and offered to Arkansas families. Parents must have the ability to make informed choices regarding the education of their children and should not be restricted by lines on a map or the cost of tuition.” “to become greater players on the global stage, our children must be given the tools to succeed in their chosen fields through education.”
Item 21: 1st Principle of the RPAP – “The power of faith in God almighty” and with the Education Reform section of the RPAP – “Every tool should be given equal consideration and be utilized in a manner that puts the student’s needs above all to secure to the people the advantages and opportunities of education.”
Item 22: platform says – “We further oppose any state or federal efforts to impair Arkansans’ free speech rights guaranteed in the Constitution and upheld by the Supreme Court.”
Items 23 and 24: 6^th Principle of the RPAP – “Lower taxes to produce economic growth” and the Preamble of the RPAP – “We recognize the importance of lower taxes to spur economic growth and to ensure that individuals reap more of the benefits of their hard work.”
Items 25-32: 4^th Principle of the RPAP – “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited government”, the Preamble of the RPAP – “We are created equally with individual freedoms and liberties that, through our own exercise of individual responsibility and initiative, can result in great outcomes independent of government.”, and the Economic Prosperity and Job Growth Section of the RPAP – “In order to continue moving forward in our economic recovery, businesses in Arkansas need to operate freely from overly burdensome regulation and over-taxation.”
Item 33-35: Preamble of the RPAP – “Regnat Populus, the People Rule” and with the Government Reform Section of the RPAP – “We firmly support transparency and openness at every level of government. Those elected, appointed, and employed in government work for the taxpayers of this state and must provide public information when requested . . .”
Item 36 and 37:  platform says – “Our self-evident rights must always continue to be secured at the individual, state, national, and international levels.”
Item 38-39: Business section of the RPAP “Arkansas’s small businesses are the drivers of our economy. All levels of government must do all they can to understand and meet the needs of small businesses during our recovery.”

POOR SCORE ON ECONOMIC FREEDOM FILTER

Conduit for Commerce scores the votes of legislators based on Conduit’s Economic Freedom Filter.  The Economic Freedom Filter analyzes bills that do the following:

• Increase or decrease the size and scope of government
• Increase or decrease dependency on government
• Spend money we do not have
• Increase or decrease transparency in government

Representative Cozart scored poorly on the Conduit for Commerce Scorecards. Cozart has never been recognized as a Hero of Freedom by the conservative organization. Below is a breakdown on his showings on the scorecard, released after each regular legislative session.

Only 24 of 100 House members scored lower than Rep. Cozart in 2021 and that includes Democrats.

2022 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

The Republican primary is May 24, 2022 and candidate filing is near. Filing begins on February 22 and ends March 1.