SC Club for Growth Releases 2009-2010 Legislative Scorecards, names 23 “Taxpayer Heroes” and 102 “Taxpayer Nightmares”
Columbia, SC – SC Club for Growth today released its 2009-2010 Legislative Scorecards, awarding its “Taxpayer Hero” award to sixteen representatives and seven senators who earned top grades in their respective chambers. “Taxpayer Hero” awardees include now-Governor Nikki Haley and now-freshmen Congressmen Jeff Duncan, Mick Mulvaney, and Tim Scott.
Legislators’ ratings (view scorecards here) were based on critical economic and good government votes in the South Carolina House and Senate. The scorecards are publicized to the media, SC Club for Growth members, and South Carolina voters. Additionally, the scorecards serve as the basis for SC Club for Growth PAC endorsements. In the past two election cycles, SC Club for Growth PAC has a 75% win record and its members have contributed nearly $1 million to reform-minded candidates.
Club Chairman Bauer Vaughters commented, “SC Club for Growth’s scorecards are the true measure of where legislators stand on spending, good government, and reform. In the past it has been too easy for public officials to say one thing to people back home while voting differently in Columbia – which is why we track important votes and spread the word about legislators’ real records.
“Voters have made it clear that they want fiscally conservative reforms in state government. With every Representative and Senator back up for election in less than 18 months, we are hopeful that a new legislative session will bring more than just lip service to the reforms our state desperately needs.”
2009-2010 FAST FACTS
– 16 Representatives and 7 Senators (listed below) earned “Taxpayer Hero” awards for earning “A” or “B” grades, ranking them in approximately the top 15% of all legislators.
– 49 Democrat Representatives and 19 Democrat Senators earned “Taxpayer Nightmare” awards for earning “F” grades.
– 22 Republican Representatives and 12 Republican Senators earned “Taxpayer Nightmare” awards for earning “F” grades.
Senate
– The average Democrat score was “5.5.”
– The average Republican score was “36.5.”
– Senators endorsed by the Club PAC in 2008 had an average score of “82.”
– 12 Democrats and 1 Republican had a score of “0.”
“Taxpayer Heroes” in the SC Senate
Sen. Lee Bright
Sen. Kevin Bryant
Sen. Tom Davis
Congressman Mick Mulvaney
Sen. Mike Rose
Sen. Greg Ryberg
Sen. Phil Shoopman
House
– The average Democrat score was “21.”
– The average Republican score was “47.”
– Representatives endorsed by the Club PAC in 2010 had an average score of “88.”
“Taxpayer Heroes” in the SC House
Rep. Nathan Ballentine
Rep. Eric Bedingfield
Congressman Jeff Duncan
Governor Nikki Haley
Rep. Dan Hamilton
Rep. Joey Millwood
Rep. Wendy Nanney
Rep. Ralph Norman
Rep. Ted Pitts
Rep. Rex Rice
Congressman Tim Scott
Rep. Garry Smith
Rep. Jim Stewart
Rep. Tommy Stringer
Rep. Michael Thompson
Rep. Thad Viers
2009-2010 SCORECARD METHODOLOGY
SC Club for Growth publishes these scorecards so our members and the public can monitor the actions and the voting behavior of South Carolina legislators on economic growth policies. The Club conducted a comprehensive examination of each lawmaker’s voting record and computed on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicates the highest support for pro-growth policies. Those lawmakers earning “A” or “B” grades in their respective chamber receive the Taxpayer Hero award. The rating examines legislative actions that affect our immediate pro-economic growth policy goals, including:
* Promoting economic freedom
* Lowering the tax burden on South Carolina families
* Creating an efficient and accountable state government
* Cutting and limiting state government spending
* Protecting South Carolina small businesses from red tape
* Reforming our pension system and entitlement programs to avoid unfunded liabilities
* Giving educational choice to South Carolina parents
Note: Not all of these policy goals will come up for votes in each legislative session.
Votes in the 2011 legislative session will be included in the all-new 2011-2012 scorecard.
Computation
The Club’s rating includes 30 House and 19 Senate roll call votes that advance or harm pro-growth policies. Scores are computed on a scale of 0 to 100. Each vote or action in the rating is assigned a certain number of points depending on its relative importance. To provide some additional guidance concerning the scores, each lawmaker was ranked. Scores and ranks cannot be directly compared between the House and Senate as different votes were taken in each chamber.
Additional Factors
A study of roll call votes on the floor of the House and Senate and legislative actions is just that. It cannot account for a lawmaker’s work in committee, advocacy in his party’s caucus meetings, and effectiveness as a leader in advocating pro-growth policies.