Local legislators graded by state chamber

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sent home to voters its grade cards on the work legislators across the state performed during 2013.

Locally, Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, and Rep. Kevin Austin, R-Springfield, received top marks, while Rep. Charlie Norr, D-Springfield, was hit with the poorest grade among state lawmakers from Greene or Christian counties.

The grades were released on Oct. 21 as part of the chamber’s 2013 Legislative Vote Record, which reports how lawmakers voted on business-related bills - such as workers’ compensation and economic development - it identified as key issues in this year’s legislative and veto sessions.

Tracy King, Missouri chamber vice president of government affairs, said the grades were weighted based on the business organization's priorities. For example, votes on workers’ compensation reform and unemployment insurance were valued above votes on bills related to education and economic development.

“We followed the votes on business-core issues, no matter the individual,” King said. “We are really excited about the support we saw from southwest Missouri for pro-business legislation.”

On each of the issues the chamber followed, she said lawmakers were given the chamber’s position. Votes that supported the chamber’s view received positive marks, while votes against the chamber or nonvotes due to an absence counted against grades. The Missouri chamber, which was founded in 1923, represents nearly 3,000 employers from across the state.

Here’s how local legislators fared:

• Sen. Bob Dixon (R); A; 95 percent
• Sen. Jay Wasson (R); A; 100 percent
• Rep. Jeff Messenger (R); A-; 91 percent
• Rep. Sonya Anderson (R); A-; 90 percent
• Rep. Charlie Norr (D); F; 36 percent
• Rep. Eric Burlison (R); B; 83 percent
• Rep. Elijah Haahr (R); C-; 72 percent
• Rep. Lincoln Hough (R); A; 95 percent
• Rep. Kevin Austin (R); A; 100 percent
• Rep. Lyndall Fraker (R); A-; 91 percent
• Rep. Kevin Elmer (R); A; 96 percent
• Rep. Lynn Morris (R); B; 83 percent