As a former Republican Party of Florida chairman, Al Cardenas knew the government in Florida is conservative.
As the chairman of the American Conservative Union, he admits his reaction was Wow when he saw how conservative the Legislature had become.
It was a wow moment for the movement, Cardenas said Tuesday as the ACU released its first conservative ratings of the Florida legislature. You let these experts come up with the matrix and they came with an analysis of dozens of bills and figured out which were best to home in on and then you grade them.
Of the 160 members of the Senate and House, 106 all Republicans scored at least an 80 when graded on 19 topics eyed by the Washington, D.C.-based ACU.
The topics range from teacher tenure reform, property insurance reform, immigration reform, pension reform, health care, and ultrasound requirements to red light camera repeal, spending caps, charter schools and virtual education expansion.
Cardenas said the board has yet to take a stance on gaming.
He said Texas may compete with Florida on terms of conservatism, but they may not be as strong on immigration, Cardenas surmised.
The inside the Beltway PAC has graded Congress since 1971 and is now turning its eyes to battle grounds states.
Florida is the fourth state the ACU is grading this year, following Nevada, Ohio and Virginia.
Grades will be released next week for North Carolina.
Cardenas said the goal is to score 15 states next year and eventually cover all the state legislature.
For a listing of the top rated lawmakers see here.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859 or (772) 215-9889.
