The annual Legislative Scorecard published by the California Republican Assembly is out, and only eight of 120 legislators serving in Sacramento received perfect 100% ratings. While that number is low, it is an improvement from 2006 when only five received perfect scores.

“We’d like to congratulate the Assembly Members and Senators who have received perfect scores,” said CRA President Mike Spence “They continue to demonstrate their commitment to Republican principles and should be thanked.”

CRA’s scorecard is derived from votes cast on diverse bills ranging from tax subsidies for illegal aliens to outlawing smoking in a car when a minor is present. The complete scorecard with bill descriptions can be read here.

“The most interesting bill on the scorecard was AB 220,” stated CRA National Committeeman Tom Hudson. “It was union-sponsored legislation that would make it more difficult to punish corrupt, incompetent, or disobedient firefighters, paramedics, and emergency workers.” Twenty-three Republicans in the Assembly and four in the Senate sided with union interests.

Hudson, who compiled the scorecard, also noted that this year’s budget vote was particularly egregious. “The Budget Act of 2007 irresponsibly increased spending and has created a Gray Davis-sized fiscal crisis,” he said.

The total number of zeros on this year’s scorecard also increased from 60 to 61 – all Democrats.

“The Democrats in the legislature continue to demonstrate that they have become even more partisan and more liberal this past year,” added Spence. The highest scoring Democrat on the CRA scorecard was Assemblywoman Nicole Parra who received a poor rating of 35%. On the Senate side, Senator Lou Correa scored 32%.

“It is telling that the highest scoring Democrats rank far lower than the lowest ranking Republicans,” said Spence.
Of the 120 legislators, the lowest scoring Republican was Senator Abel Maldonado, who received a score of 50%, with Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee a close second at 55%.

The Assembly Members receiving perfect scores were Assemblyman Joel Anderson, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, Assemblyman Mike Duvall and Assemblywoman Mimi Walters. In the Senate, Senator Jim Battin, Senator Dave Cogdill, Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Senator Tom McClintock received perfect ratings.