REP. DAVID HILLMAN – Ignoring the Republican Platform

Most everyone has some good votes especially when a bill is about to pass with a large majority, but bad votes are more telling. This series of articles highlights Republican incumbents who frequently vote contrary to conservative values and in many of those instances contrary to the Republican Party of Arkansas Platform.

We are highlighting the record of Representative David Hillman (R – Almyra). Before we highlight some votes, we need to explain voting records.

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 DAVID HILLMAN

Here are some important votes on which Rep. Hillman’s actions conflict with conservative values and to various degrees with the platform and principles of the Republican Party of Arkansas. The platform does not address all subjects and we have made note where there is no related statement on the issue in platform but the issue is still a conservative issue.

Note: In all the instances below in which he failed to vote on a bill, he had signed in as being present that day but didn’t vote on the bill. Not voting has the same effect as a no vote in that it works to deny the legislation enough votes to pass.

Abortion

1. Voted against overriding Gov. Beebe’s veto of a bill prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of life – HB1037 of 2013
2. Voted against overriding Gov. Beebe’s veto of a bill prohibiting abortions after 12 weeks of life – SB134 of 2013
3. Failed to vote (which works against a bill) on bill to require abortion providers to follow FDA protocols when performing drug-induced abortions – HB1394 of 2015.
4. Failed to vote (which works against a bill) on bill to prohibit public schools from entering into transactions with abortion providers – HB1592 of 2021

Life

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

Taxes

6. Voted for the Internet Tax 2.0 – SB576 of 2019
7. Voted for internet sales tax – SB140 of 2017
8. Voted for gas tax increase – SB336 of 2019
9. Voted to use military retirees to raise taxes – HB1162 of 2017
10. Voted for the $300 million sales tax increase proposal – HJR1018 of 2019
11. Voted for tire tax increase – HB1267 of 2017
12. Voted to increase taxes/fees on phone bills – HB1564 of 2019
13. Voted to increase taxes/fees on water bills – HB1737 of 2019
14. Voted for highway tax increase proposal – HB1726 of 2017
15. Voted against bill to prevent new tax increases at special elections – HB1368 of 2021

Education

16. Voted against school choice – HB1371 of 2021
17. Voted against school choice – HB1222 of 2017

Elections

18. Voted to undermine election integrity to allow electronic voter registration – HB1517 of 2021
19. Failed to vote (which works against a bill) on proposed constitutional amendment for voter I.D. – HJR1016 of 2017
20. Failed to vote (which works against a bill) on bill for voter I.D. – SB2 of 2013

Freedom

21. Voted to deny free speech in judicial elections – HB1899 of 2021

Regulation or Deregulation

22. Voted for new regulations and fees on ride sharing apps at airports – SB686 of 2021
23. Voted against adopting least restrictive licensing reciprocity – HB1835 of 2017

Restricting Access to Government Information

24. Voted for secret meetings for spending taxpayer money on economic development projects – HB1280 of 2021
25. Voted for FOIA exemption for government attorneys – SB373 of 2017

Other Important Legislation

26. Voted to remove the lifetime cap on term limits for politicians in Arkansas – SJR15 of 2019
27. Voted “Present” (which works against a bill) on legislation to ban liquor stores near daycares – HB1385 of 2019
28. Voted against bill to index unemployment benefits to economic conditions – HB1676 of 2021
29. Voted against bills to improve the minimum wage law for nonprofits, small business, and minors – HB1752 & HB1753 of 2019

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 Representative Hillman’s voting record conflicts with these statements. As noted above the platform does not address all subjects and we have made note where there is no related statement on the issue in platform but the issue is still a conservative issue.

Item 1-5: The 2^nd Principle of the RPAP “The sanctity of life”
Items 6-15: The 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.”
Item 16-17: 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.”
Items 18-20: The platform says: “Honest elections are the foundation of our republican form of limited government, and we strongly applaud every effort Arkansas Republicans have previously taken to ensure our ballot is protected and that access is guaranteed for all authorized voters, including the elderly, the military, and young voters.”
Item 21: The Government Reform Section of the RPAP says: “We are opposed to any restrictions that would discourage Arkansans from fully exercising their First Amendment rights, or limit their commitment to their beliefs”, and “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: 22-23: The 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 24-25: The 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 26-27: No statement on point.
Item 28-29: The 4^th Principle of the RPAP – “Individual freedom and liberty secured by a limited 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.”

2022 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

The Republican primary is May 24, 2022. Early voting has begun.