Democrats dominate the top spots in the effectiveness rankings for the state House.
Democrats hold a 68-52 majority in the chamber, but they hold all but eight of the top 50 slots in the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research's latest effectiveness survey.
House Speaker Joe Hackney, an Orange County Democrat was the most effective House member in the report, which is based on surveys of lawmakers, lobbyists and capitol news reporters. Rules Chairman Rep. Bill Owens, an Elizabeth City Democrat was number two and chief budget writer Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Durham Democrat, was number three. House Majority leader Rep. Hugh Holliman, a Lexington Democrat was fourth and Rep. Rick Glazier, a Fayetteville Democrat was fifth.
Republican House Leader Paul "Skip" Stam is the highest ranking Republican at 10 while Rep. Harold Brubaker, a Randolph County Republican was 18th. Rep. Thom Tillis, a Cornelius Republican was number 32 and posted the highest gain for both chambers. He moved up 63 places from his 95th ranking in 2007.
In the House, the dubious honor for the biggest drop in effectiveness belongs to former Rep. Ty Harrell, who dropped from 52nd to 110th. Harrell, a Raleigh Democrat, resigned amid an investigation into problems with his campaign finances.
The least effective member of the House was former Rep. Cary Allred, a Burlington Republican who resigned his seat after he was accused of an inappropriate hug with a teenaged page in the House chamber.
