AND THE SURVEY SAYS …

CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley and Sen. Terry Care, both Las Vegas Democrats, were named the best legislators of the 2007 Legislature in an informal survey by the Review-Journal.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, was the surprising choice as worst senator.

Gov. Jim Gibbons fared no better than Titus in the survey, earning a D+ for his dealings with the Legislature. And Reno Assemblyman Ty Cobb, who drew fire for refusing to cast a ceremonial vote to elect Democrat Buckley speaker, was named both the worst Assembly member and worst freshman lawmaker.

The Review-Journal distributed 150 surveys to reporters, legislators and full-time lobbyists. Forty surveys were returned. No Review-Journal staff members participated in the survey.

One respondent said of Gibbons: "His budget mole hills were an embarrassment, his teenage staff an insult to the Legislature and his utter lack of interest in policy and governance reason enough to recall him."

But another said, "At the end of the session, he accomplished his goals: no new taxes, empowerment and transportation funding without new taxes."

Several respondents said Titus, who last year lost the race for governor to Gibbons, should have concentrated on legislative matters instead of trying to exact revenge on Gibbons. Those surveyed also called Titus too partisan.

"That's what you get when you represent the public interests instead of special interests," Titus said of the survey. "I have moved on. I have restrained myself from attacking him (Gibbons) personally. ... Our ideologies differ."

Titus noted she passed bills to impose stricter controls on sex offenders, curb credit card company excesses and require insurance companies to pay for a cervical cancer vaccine for women.

Cobb, who championed a failed bill to stop illegal immigrants from receiving state benefits, speculated Democrats cast him in a negative light because they see him as a threat.

For Buckley, being named the best Assembly member is becoming a habit. She's won the honor five consecutive sessions.

"The consummate pro," one respondent said.

Buckley was named the first female speaker in state history in February. She quickly embarked on an agenda to secure additional funds for full-day kindergarten and public education.

"This process can be exasperating," she said. "The best way to handle legislation is to be even-keeled, keep an open mind and listen to people."

Care, who was named best senator, went into the session vowing to be a statesman, not a partisan politician, a goal he believes he accomplished.

"Smart and reasonable" and "works well with others" were among the comments respondents made of Care.

"For me to get a bill out, I have to get it through a Republican-controlled Senate," Care said. "I have learned to work on a nonpartisan basis."

A former TV newsman, Care authored a bill requiring the government release public records within five days of a request.

ED VOGEL/REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU PHOTOS by John Locher