A Laurinburg lawmaker was ranked among the 10 for effectiveness, according to survey by the North Carolina Center for Public Policy.

Sen. Bill Purcell, a six-term Democratic legislator from Laurinburg, ranked ninth out of 50 senators for effectiveness, the survey said. Last year, Purcell ranked number 10.

"I'm pleased to see my rankings move up some over the years, Purcell said.

Purcell said the ranking report was established in the late 1970's.

"I think these rankings are an effort to show how effective a lawmaker can be," he said. "To be in the top 10 does help the people of the District and give me a little more influence to help Scotland and this area."

Two of those who have a higher rankings – Tony Rand, ranked second, and David Hoyle, ranked third – are not seeking reelection, making Purcell ranked seventh among those wanting to stay in the senate. Rand, former senate majority leader, received a state-level appointment and resigned his post in December while Hoyle, chair of the Senate Rules Committee, decided to retire.

On the House side, Rep. Doug Yongue, a Laurinburg Democrat in his eighth term, ranked number 12 for effectiveness out of 119 representatives, while Rep. Garland Pierce, a Wagram Democrat in his third term ranked number 64. Last year, Yongue ranked number 12 and Pierce ranked 88.

"There is nothing I strive for or try to do to get a high ranking," Yongue said. "I just try to help my constituents."

Yongue said those in leadership positions typically receive higher rankings – Speaker of the House Joe Hackney is ranked first, for example in the survey – which tends to favor those with longevity and in the majority party.

"I chair the education oversight committee," he said. "Naturally, I am going to make a lot of contact."

Yongue said he appreciates his ranking, but does not necessarily reflects how hard a legislator works.

Pierce was excited about his ranking.

"That's pretty good for being in the third term," Pierce said. "I'm pleased with my ranking."

Pierce suggested the effectiveness rankings reflect more a legislator's longevity in office and the number of friends the have in the General Assembly than someone's ability to represent their constituents.

However, getting legislation through is a key measure in your reputation in the state legislature and reflects an ability to make friends and network, according to the representative.

An example he gave was the ban on texting while driving, a bill the local pastor proposed and got passed in 2009.

"Things like that, people notice," he said.

The center says these rankings are a good way for laymen voters to judge their legislators from a nonpartisan perspective.

"The effectiveness ranking tells how their legislator is viewed by three groups of people – their peers, registered lobbyists and members of the media," said Ran Coble, executive director of the center.

This trio of respondents represent those who most encounter legislators on the job, which he feels is a strong measure of how big of a role a legislator plays.

"It probably means that they are an effective legislator in terms of getting bills passed," he said.

Coble also said being in the majority can be helpful to having a higher ranking.

"If you are a committee chairman, you are going to get the opportunity to be more effective."

While political affiliations may play a role, Coble said legislators can be effective even if they are in the minority party.

He pointed to Reps. Thom Thillis and Wil Neumann, the two legislators who saw the largest gain in the rankings.

He also said that six Republicans finished in the top 22 in the senate, a number he said was disproportionately large for the minority party. Nine Republicans are in the bottom 10 in the ranking.

Yongue said that those in the minority party often rank poorly.

According to the house rankings, 16 of the bottom 20 are Republicans while just two are in the top 20 are in the minority party.

Republicans are currently in the minority in both houses.

Attendance and votes

Besides effectiveness, the group also ranked legislators’ attendance and voting participation ratings.

“The rankings of attendance and voting participation tell citizens how often their legislator was there to represent them,” N.C. Center Director Ran Coble said. “The effectiveness rankings tell citizens how effective their legislator was when he or she was there. The surveys hold a mirror up to the legislature, and the rankings are the reflection.”

Attendance and vote rankings were favorable for the Scotland delegation.

Yongue was tied for first in the house, along with 21 other people who were present every day the house was in session. Pierce was tied for 22 with 21 other representatives who missed one of 114 days the body was in session.

Purcell is in a seven-way tie for third in the Senate with those who missed one of the 112 days the senate was in session.

"I have missed one day because of a doctor's appointment, but I didn't miss any major votes," Purcell said. "Otherwise, I have been there for all the meetings and votes serving the people I represent.

Purcell was tied for first with vote participation, casting his "aye" or "nay" on every vote for which he was present. Pierce ranked seventh in the house, missing a single vote. Yongue ranked 73 out of 118, missing 9 votes of 1375.