Ranking puts Watauga representatives near bottom

By Scott Nicholson

nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

The 2005 effectiveness rankings for state legislators, determined through surveys of peers and lobbyists, puts Watauga’s representatives low on the list.

N.C. Sen. John Garwood, R-Wilkes, ranked 30 out of 49 senators rated, though he was sixth-best out of the 19 Republicans on the list.

His ranking was a slight drop from 2004, but better than when he was ranked near the bottom in 1997 and 1999.

N.C. Rep. Gene Wilson, R-Watauga, ranked 109 out of 120 members of the House of Representatives.

Wilson has slid from a rank of 61 in 1997 to 97 in 1999 and has dropped steadily over the last few years.

He ranked 107 in 2003 in the biannual rankings.

The effectiveness rankings are compiled by a nonpartisan, nonprofit group called the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research.

The rankings are made through surveys of Capitol Hill lobbyists, legislators and media.

The reports also include attendance records and voting participation.

Garwood said the effectiveness rankings have some value, though he said the “people in power” are going to get higher scores.

The rankings support that assertion, as 14 of the top 15 senators are Democrats.

In the House rankings, two of the top 10 are Republicans.

“I felt like I’d come out a little higher, being co-chair of the education committee,” Garwood said.

“I’ve advanced in the rankings. I’m not ashamed of it. I think I’ve done a good job, particularly on behalf of public schools.”

Garwood also made a veiled connection in the rankings with his opponent in the upcoming Republican primary, David Blust of Boone. He referred to Blust’s brother, John Blust, a Guilford County representative, who ranked 119 out of 120 representatives.

“Mine’s not quite as bad as that Blust fellow in the House, who is kin to someone I know,” he said.

“ The apple usually doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” Garwood said.

David Blust questioned the value of the rankings, saying they were subjective and wondering if anyone paid attention to them. He pointed to Garwood’s attendance percentage of just under 90 percent.

“He’s one of the worst in attendance,” Blust said. “That can’t be biased in any way.”

Garwood said all his 13 absences were excused with good reason. He ranked 45 out of 49 senators in attendance, but ranked 32 in roll call voting participation with more than 99 percent.

Wilson downplayed his ranking, saying it was geared to the Democrats who controlled the N.C. General Assembly and filled out the majority of surveys. “It’s the opposite party making those (rankings) up,” Wilson said. “I’m proud of my record. I’m there to serve the people and I try to do whatever they ask.”

Wilson said voting participation was important, as he was in the top 10 for voter participation, missing only two roll call votes out of 1,194 possible votes. He was in a tie for 33rd in House attendance, missing three of 122 legislative days.

“It’s so important to be there and vote,” Wilson said.

“Those rankings are based on what you do there. They don’t reflect what you do outside (Raleigh).”

Wilson’s opponent in the upcoming Republican primary, Dan Hense, was quick to jump on Wilson’s low ranking. “I wouldn’t be running if I thought he was doing a good job,” Hense said.

“I believe he’s an ineffective representative and he has been for a while. If he represented the county instead of lobbyists and drug companies, the county would be better off.”

The top of the rankings changed little from 2003, the last time the reports were released. President pro tempore Marc Basnight, D-Dare, maintained his position at the top of the Senate despite being criticized for his role in launching the state lottery. The highest-ranked Republican senator is Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, who heads up a judiciary committee.

In the House, speaker Jim Black ranked at the top for the fourth straight session, despite being connected to possible wrongdoing in setting up the state lottery.

Speaker pro tempore Richard Morgan, R-Moore, was the highest-ranked Republican at number six on the list.

According to a N.C. Center for Public Policy Research press release, over the 28-year history of the rankings, three factors have tended to predict a high effectiveness ranking: committee chairing, longevity of service and a legislator’s personal skills in areas such as homework and floor debate. Six senators and 12 representatives had perfect attendance records.

The rankings are based on surveys that rate each legislator on the basis of participation in committee work, skill at guiding bills through committees and in floor debates and general knowledge or expertise in special fields.

Other subjective criteria included the relative degree of peer respect the legislator held, their political power, their ability to sway votes and their legislative aptitude.

However, the rankings weren’t compiled from universal participation. Sixty-eight percent of House members and 72 percent of senators filled out the surveys, along with 10 media representatives and 173 of 442 registered lobbyists.

“It’s somewhat biased, but there’s an element of truth to it,” Garwood said. “I guarantee you some of the Republicans don’t even fill it out.”