Changes

In 2014, Norton did not vote on the requirement that [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; only five House members opposed the measure. That same year, she voted to extend the time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. She voted to forbid the transportation of dogs in open truck beds on interstate highways. She did not vote on the repeal of state anti-sodomy laws; the measure failed in the House, 27-67.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/35632/barbara-norton#.VT5SXcstGhw|title=Barbara Norton's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=September 1, 2020}}</ref>

In 2014, Norton did not vote on the requirement that [[abortion]] providers have hospital admitting privileges near their clinics; only five House members opposed the measure. That same year, she voted to extend the time for implementation of the [[Common Core]] State Standards Initiative. She voted to forbid the transportation of dogs in open truck beds on interstate highways. She did not vote on the repeal of state anti-sodomy laws; the measure failed in the House, 27-67.<ref name=votingrecords>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/35632/barbara-norton#.VT5SXcstGhw|title=Barbara Norton's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|accessdate=September 1, 2020}}</ref>

   

   

In 2013, Norton voted to reduce penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. She did not vote on permanent concealed carry]gun permits but in 2014 opposed the use of such permits in [[restaurant]]s that serve [[alcoho]]. She opposed keeping information on concealed carry permits confidential and out of the public record. She voted to increase judicial pay and to end the mandatory retirement age for judges. She co-sponsored an "equal pay" plan for state employees. In 2012, she co-sponsored legislation to provide for [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent inmates. She did not vote on the prohibition of the use of telephones while driving but opposed making illegal the holding of hand-held devices while driving. She supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana but opposed state income tax deductions for taxpayers donating to scholarship funds. She opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open; Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days.<ref name=votingrecords/>   

In 2013, Norton voted to reduce penalties for the possession of [[marijuana]]. She did not vote on permanent concealed carry gun permits but in 2014 opposed the use of such permits in [[restaurant]]s that serve [[alcoho]]. She opposed keeping information on concealed carry permits confidential and out of the public record. She voted to increase judicial pay and to end the mandatory retirement age for judges. She co-sponsored an "equal pay" plan for state employees. In 2012, she co-sponsored legislation to provide for [[parole]] eligibility for non-violent inmates. She did not vote on the prohibition of the use of telephones while driving but opposed making illegal the holding of hand-held devices while driving. She supported state tax incentives to recruit a [[National Basketball Association]] team to Louisiana but opposed state income tax deductions for taxpayers donating to scholarship funds. She opposed reducing the number of hours that polling locations remain open; Louisiana has traditionally had 14-hour polling days.<ref name=votingrecords/>   

In 2011, Norton voted for a permanent tax on [[cigarette]]s. That year she also supported parole eligibility for elderly inmates and a failed bill which proposed to halt [[bullying]] in public schools. She opposed the  requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. She voted against the establishment of a commission to developa  plan to abolish the state income tax. She supported the redistricting bill for the state Senate but opposed the plan for the [[United States House of Representatives|congressional]] delegation. In 2010, Norton opposed the carrying of handguns into churches; supporters said the measure would enhance security.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In 2011, Norton voted for a permanent tax on [[cigarette]]s. That year she also supported parole eligibility for elderly inmates and a failed bill which proposed to halt [[bullying]] in public schools. She opposed the  requirement for drug testing of welfare recipients. She voted against the establishment of a commission to developa  plan to abolish the state income tax. She supported the redistricting bill for the state Senate but opposed the plan for the [[United States House of Representatives|congressional]] delegation. In 2010, Norton opposed the carrying of handguns into churches; supporters said the measure would enhance security.<ref name=votingrecords/>  

In May 2016, Norton received national attention when she announced her opposition to a bill which would require that the [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] , written by [[Thomas Jefferson]], be taught in Louisiana public schools. She declared the Declaration "[[racist]]" because it did not apply to [[Slavery|slaves]]. "For the Declaration of Independence, only [[Caucasian]]s [were] free. And for you to bring a bill to request that our children will recite the Declaration, I think it's a little bit unfair."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/05/28/louisiana-state-representative-barbara-norton-declaration-independence-racist|title=State Rep: Declaration of Independence Is Racist|publisher=[[Fox News]]|accessdate=September 1, 2020}}</ref>

In May 2016, Norton received national attention when she announced her opposition to a bill which would require that the [[Declaration of Independence]], written by [[Thomas Jefferson]], be taught in Louisiana public schools. She declared the Declaration "[[racist]]" because it did not apply to [[Slavery|slaves]]. "For the Declaration of Independence, only [[Caucasian]]s [were] free. And for you to bring a bill to request that our children will recite the Declaration, I think it's a little bit unfair."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2016/05/28/louisiana-state-representative-barbara-norton-declaration-independence-racist|title=State Rep: Declaration of Independence Is Racist|publisher=[[Fox News]]|accessdate=September 1, 2020}}</ref>

In her biography in Project Vote Smart, Norton, when term-limited in the state House, was said to have run against the incumbent fellow African-American Democrat, Gregory Tarver, for the District 39 seat in the state Senate. However, the Louisiana Secretary of State [[Kyle Ardoin]]'s website, Tarver retained his seat by defeating, not Norton, but a Republican, James F. "Jim" Slagle, 69 to 31 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> Perhaps, she filed and then withdrew from the Senate race.

In her biography in Project Vote Smart, Norton, when term-limited in the state House, was said to have run against the incumbent fellow African-American Democrat, Gregory Tarver, for the District 39 seat in the state Senate. However, the Louisiana Secretary of State [[Kyle Ardoin]]'s website, Tarver retained his seat by defeating, not Norton, but a Republican, James F. "Jim" Slagle, 69 to 31 percent.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> Perhaps, she filed and then withdrew from the Senate race.