Scoring Methodology
3 Broad Categories Are Considered When Choosing to Score a Bill
1
Constitutional Integrity
Limited Government and Individual Liberty
2
Property and Civil Rights
Personal and Economic Freedom
3
Fiscal Impact
Budget, Accountability, and Transparency
1
Constitutional Integrity
Limited Government and Individual Liberty
2
Property and Civil Rights
Personal and Economic Freedom
3
Fiscal Impact
Budget, Accountability, and Transparency
Tallying System for Vote Scores
The how and the why behind the vote score.
You might notice as you look through our legislator profiles that the Vote Score may not directly correlate to the number of bills on their profile. You might also notice that there are a slightly different number of bills adjudicated for each legislator, especially when comparing Senators vs Representatives.
Each legislator is graded based on their own potential vote score which is comprised of each and every opportunity that they were able to cast a vote on any particular measure that TLRC might oppose or support. Those opportunities consist of both votes in committees and on the floor of each chamber.
Not every legislator will cast a vote in any particular committee. Therefore, whether or not that legislator sits on a committee will impact their potential vote score.
Additionally, not every bill will make its way through both the Senate and House chambers. For example, a Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) will only be presented in the Senate. And a bill that passes on the House Floor may not be taken up in the Senate.
Utilizing a scoring method based on a potential vote score presents a more complete picture of the legislator’s voting habits based on every opportunity for which that individual was able to cast a vote.
What makes the difference?
Why the Tennessee Legislative Report Card is different from scorecards from lobbying organizations.
Objectivity
TLRC is not lobbying the legislature on specific issues and therefore not peddling influence. We are wholly unconcerned with how vote scores might be viewed by members of the legislature. The audience is you, the voter.
The Full Picture
Scoring legislators is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. We know that much legislation lives and dies by the committee process. That is why our scoring is an indicator of what is transpiring beyond the floor vote. Additionally, the legislature is being scored on a cross-section of issues from elections to healthcare, fiscal responsibility, gun rights, and more.
The Money
We believe that oftentimes, voting is influenced by lobbying relationships and special interest contributions. Our report includes a full financial accounting of the campaign finance reporting for each legislator. Transparency in government is essential. We give you the tools to see the information that you need in order to make your own assessment.
Reviews
TLRC is the only report card that allows voters to publicly rate and review their legislators. This process is highly moderated by our team in order to avoid slander and spam.
2-Score System
Each chosen bill is tracked through the legislative process from sponsorship to floor vote.
Voting Score
The analysis takes into account bills that have been subjected to voting both in the full legislative assembly and in committee settings. To ensure equitable comparison among members who may have differing opportunities to cast votes, the methodology involves tallying and averaging multiple votes cast by a single member on a particular bill.
This approach ensures that legislators who consistently vote in favor of pro-freedom policies are not disadvantaged by having fewer voting opportunities. High scores in this voting analysis are indicative of a legislator’s steadfast dedication to advancing public policies that are conducive to freedom.
3 POINTS
A floor vote in favor of our position on a bill receives (3) points. Otherwise, no points are awarded.
1 POINT
A committee vote in favor of our position on a bill receives (1) point. Otherwise, no points are awarded. Lack of a motion to hear a bill in committee will be considered opposition to the bill and scored accordingly.
PNV
“Present not voting” will be scored as a vote in opposition to the stated TLRC position on a bill.
ABSENT
Absentees will be considered on a case by case basis.
Leadership Grade
The TLRC-selected pro-freedom bills, once filed, accrue credit to their sponsors and co-sponsors, irrespective of whether these bills are deliberated in committee sessions. This assessment encompasses both primary sponsorships and co-sponsorships of legislation. Additionally, committee members who actively work against a TLRC-chosen bill are subject to penalties. The evaluation process also takes into account any significant amendments to the legislation. Beyond legislative actions, the overall conduct and behavior of legislators are also scrutinized. The aggregation of these scores contributes to the overall grade assigned to each legislator.
High leadership grades are indicative of a legislator’s capacity to consistently make judicious decisions, independent of prevailing circumstances.
+/- 3 POINTS
Bill sponsorship
+/- 1 POINT
Bill co-sponsorship
+/- 3 POINTS
Amendments to bills
1-5 POINTS
Meritorious deeds are rewarded
(1-5) POINTS
Deleterious deeds are penalized
+3 POINTS
Votes scores over 95%
+2 POINTS
Votes scores over 90%
+1 POINTS
Votes scores over 85%
Though we do our absolute best to apply a rubric to the Leadership Grade, this is a fundamentally subjective score. That said, it is a robust effort in order to display to the voter the kind of leadership they should expect from their legislators when advocating pro-freedom measures in the Tennessee General Assembly.
