Measuring lawmaker effectiveness is indeed a fickle yardstick.
One measure is certainly the bills introduced and passed. But it isn't the only one.
Others include an ability to kill bad legislation, working the Rules Committee to get bills passed or killed, tweaking the budget to fund certain programs, rectifying problems for voters in their home districts and perfecting the art of compromise among factions locked in a hopeless impasse.
Or maybe effectiveness is something measured mostly in the eye of the beholder.
That was certainly evident in more than 20 interviews conducted with legislative insiders — current and former lawmakers, lobbyists and current and former government officials.
You can find someone willing to say something good or bad about virtually all of the 104 lawmakers. One person's most-effective lawmaker invariably turns up on another's least-effective list. And the 2001 and 2002 general sessions
were tough times for a number of legislators, with a divisive redistricting process taking place and state revenues dropping off, requiring budget cutbacks and employee layoffs. "The Legislature as a whole was a huge disappointment," said one veteran lobbyist. "Look at how lawmakers dealt with a budget crisis 12 years ago and how they did it this time, and you cringe at the thought of what these guys would do in a real crisis."
Another veteran legislative watcher, Ralph Wakley, who just retired from the Ogden Standard Examiner, said the 2002 Legislature "was the most petty and vindictive I've seen" in a decade of covering lawmakers for the newspaper.
But one pattern emerged through the Deseret News interviews, most of which were conducted with the promise of anonymity: Insiders consistently agree on who is effective and who is not.
Most effective?
Heading the Deseret News' most-effective list in the Senate were Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, and John Valentine, R-Orem. And interviews with insiders tend to support that ranking.
"They both work hard on very, very difficult bills, and they help the rest of us understand," said one Democratic colleague. "We look to them for leadership."
But praise was not universal. One lobbyist said Hillyard's day has come and gone.
"He could have been the elder statesman, but he is basically becoming a cranky-old-man voice," said one lobbyist. "He has been my friend for 30 years, but it is time for Lyle to quit."
One executive branch state official disagreed: "Lyle brings some balance to the Senate. We're glad he's there."
Valentine was praised on one hand for being a moderate voice who has to deal with "the Utah County nut crowd." But he was criticized for not taking unequivocal positions.
"Valentine has all the ability and intelligence in the world, but everyone is still waiting to see what kind of leader he will be," said one observer. (Valentine says he's planning a run for Senate president in 2004.)
Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, was praised on both sides of the aisle, as was Senate President Al Mansell, R-Sandy, who introduced no bills but was named an effective lawmaker by almost all of those questioned.
"People thought Al would be more hooked up with the conservative wing, but we have all been pleasantly surprised," said one lobbyist. "Yeah, he is not a great personality. But he is a better leader than anyone thought he would be originally." Like presidents before him, Mansell wields most of his influence behind the scenes. And it is not uncommon for some senators to pass on the roll call vote, waiting to see how Mansell, who votes last, casts his vote.
Although not on the newspaper's most-effective list, Senate Majority Leader Steve Poulton, R-Holladay, received some votes for most improved senator, although some observers echoed earlier criticisms that he is pawn of ultra-conservatives who can't quite make up his mind where he stands on his own.
"You are never sure where he stands," said one colleague.
Observers also point to Sen. Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni, as someone who fell out of favor in the Senate, only to rebound as co-chairman of the powerful Executive Appropriations Committee, where he wields tremendous power over program funding.
"He manipulates the system and he does it unapologetically," said one colleague. "People get leery of that, but if you want something funded you have to go through Leonard."
The fastest-rising star on the Senate side appears to be Sen. David Gladwell, R-Ogden, who was praised for his legislative acumen and willingness to take a stand on tough issues. Several predicted he would be in leadership within a few years.
"He does not try to defend his position at all costs but tries to achieve a broad consensus . . . without sacrificing his core principles," said one GOP colleague.
On the Democratic side, virtually all senators named Minority Whip Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, as one of the most-effective lawmakers on either side of the aisle — two years after the Deseret News named him one of the most ineffective.
Sen. Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, earned high marks as "the workhorse" of the Senate, "not flashy, just gets the job done," said one person. Evans "has a good head on her shoulders," said a House member.
Speaker of the House Marty Stephens, R-Farr West, was named by several as effective and several more cast votes on the other side. "Marty was a gigantic disappointment, mainly because you expect so much more out of leadership," said one lobbyist. "No one really stepped to the forefront."
But Stephens, who has an eye toward running for governor in 2004, was also praised for his even-handed approach to leadership and willingness to listen. Several House Democrats praised Stephens for his fairness.
Rising stars on the House side include Reps. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, and Steve Clark, R-Provo. "Rep. Marda Dillree (R-Farmington) gets things done more by her ability to talk individually with legislators rather than by playing power politics," said another state executive. "Don't underestimate her, she's one tough lady" who went through two legislative sessions during the 1990s while being treated for cancer.
Several observers gave House Assistant Majority Whip Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, high marks for being the most-improved representative and one of the most effective. "You have a tough bill in the Senate and you take it to Greg to run in the House. He's getting the reputation as a go-to guy," said one GOP senator.
Said one female lobbyist: "I praise all the women legislators, especially those like Rep. Sheryl Allen who try to moderate" the discussions. Allen, R-Bountiful, was named by more than half of those interviewed as effective.
Picking up that gender theme, one current GOP legislator liked Rep. Pat Jones, D-Cottonwood Heights. "She's been an excellent freshman."
Least effective?
One longtime observer on Capitol Hill pointed the finger of ineffectiveness at all Senate Democrats. "There are only nine of them, and somehow they have divided themselves into five different factions," he said.
Sen. Ed Allen, D-Ogden, ranked near the bottom of the Deseret News list, but several GOP lawmakers and some lobbyists named Allen among the most improved senators.
"He realizes now he doesn't have to speak on every bill, that other people's opinions are equally as valuable as his," said a GOP colleague. "And he picks his issues better and he is not picking fights."
Senate Republicans on the lower half of the effectiveness ratings were freshmen still learning the ropes. Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, passed only one of four bills, but none of his colleagues would say he was ineffective, only inexperienced.
"He is the 'everyman' senator," said one government official. "He is not the most articulate person up there, but he is very practical." Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, was labeled by some as an up-and-comer with limitless potential, while others said he has far to go. "He is so bright, but he has to learn he doesn't know everything about everything, and every discussion does not have to be a contact sport," said one lobbyist. The in-your-face attitude was criticized by several House members, as well.
Several observers have noted a shift toward the political right ideology, led by Sens. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, and Bill Wright, R-Elberta.
"Bill (Wright) hasn't figured it out yet that church and state are not one and the same," said one lobbyist, who shares Wright's religious beliefs.
Hickman has a reputation as crafty, and moderates and Democrats say they don't trust him. "But I am amazed at how he delivers for his area (southern Utah) down there," said one. "So much of what makes him effective goes unnoticed by anybody."
"We've always had some goofballs in the Legislature, but by and large they have always been quiet goofballs," said one observer. "Now we have goofballs who are really loud, people like Reps. Glenn Way (R-Spanish Fork) and Morgan Philpot (R-Sandy), whose rudeness and arrogance defies belief."
But Way was also cited as a conservative who should be praised for sticking by his guns.
Some senators worry that the loss of House Majority Leader Kevin Garn, R-Layton, and other GOP moderates in the House could prompt conservatives to flex their muscles even more, and there will be nothing Stephens can do to stop them.
"We thought as time went on, people like (Rep. Dave) Ure (R-Kamas) and Way would settle down a bit, not be as emotionally rambunctious," said one Senate conservative. "They (House conservatives) have to realize they are hurting us, and we could lose all our influence if they aren't careful."
Several Democrats, executive branch employees and House Republicans bemoaned the loss of retiring Republican moderates Reps. Afton Bradshaw, R-Salt Lake, and Lamont Tyler, R-East Millcreek. "They were so reasonable to work with; had been around so long," said one.
Reps. David Litvack and Scott Daniels, both D-Salt Lake, didn't do well in the bill count. Litvack actually made the newspaper's least-effective list, going zero-for-five in his bills over the past two years. But several people said Litvack and Daniels carry important bills but ones that have no chance of passage in the GOP-controlled House, like Litvack's hate-crime legislation and Daniels' gun-control and legislative ethics measures.
Casting a wide net, one House Republican, asked to list an ineffective colleague, said: "I'd say the whole Utah County (GOP) House delegation. They meet together weekly, talk with each other constantly, influence each other, vote like each other. It's the worst delegation, as a whole, I've seen. Much too conservative. And they can afford it. They aren't challenged (in re-election), don't have to be accountable."
Few people listed as ineffective any House Democrat. That's because, said one former legislative staffer, they are all "boxed in by the majority Republicans" — who often don't allow any House Democrats to shine much. "This Legislature is so one-sided to Republicans, it is not how a democracy is supposed to work."
E-MAIL: spang@desnews.com ; bbjr@desnews.com
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