State legislator scorecard ranks from radically centrist to persistently polarizing, states Reason in Government

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Reason in Government, a 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organization, has released Who Makes the Grade?, a legislator scorecard that identifies "radically centrist" and "persistently polarizing" legislators in California.

"Radically centrist legislators are those whose votes are routinely guided by a commitment to reasoned policy consistent with Reason in Government's core principles, which are broadly characterized as socially liberal, fiscally conservative, and environmentally conscious," explained Brian C. Goebel, president of Reason in Government and founder and editor-in-chief of 2040matters.com, a public policy blog dedicated to restoring the American Dream for younger Americans. "Persistently polarizing legislators, by contrast, are those who consistently eschew these principles when voting and are thus far removed from the radical center."  

Reason in Government was founded in 2015 to address a number of intertwined issues: increasing polarization in politics, poor performance across government, public policies divorced from data, science, and reason, unwarranted government intervention into private and economic lives, and a lack of concern for future generations in managing public finances. The organization educates citizens and promotes civic engagement to improve all levels of government effectiveness and efficiency and to preserve personal and economic liberty with an emphasis on local, state, and federal policies affecting the larger Santa Barbara community.

In Who Makes the Grade?, Reason in Government looked at a broad range of public policy issues over the last four years with a focus on personal freedom and public health, environmental regulation, education, and economic opportunity. Reason in Government selected 22 bills in these areas, developed a position with respect to each bill, and then evaluated voting records for consistency with those positions. The methodology penalized legislators for abstentions.

Playing no political or geographical favorites, Reason in Government awarded its top two grades to Adam Gray (D-21) and Devon Mathis (R-26).  It graded Santa Barbara's legislators as follows:

Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian (R-35) – "C"
Assemblyman Das Williams (D-37) – "F"
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-19) "C" 

For more information on Reason in Government or to read Who Makes the Grade?, visit reasoningovernment.org.

Reason in Government, the voice of the radical center, is dedicated to the proposition that all levels of government should be reformed to improve their effectiveness and efficiency while simultaneously preserving the personal and economic liberty of their citizens. For more information, visit reasoningovernment.org.

SOURCE Reason in Government

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