Lecture 5: Policy and Politics of the Legislature

Lecture 5: Policy and Politics of the Legislature

How do people become legislators?

·         Previous experience – City Council, School Board, County Sup

·         Community activism

·         Personal or professional experience (the cranky factor)

How do you get elected?

·         Money, money, money. Where does it come from? Individuals, PACS

·         Grassroots v. media/ mail campaigns; party supported or not

·         Reapportionment/ Redistricting process

·         Party interests – competitive seats State Legislature is inside pool.

Once Elected – how do you organize and office.

·         It’s all about the district – prescence, especially the further from Capitol

·         Constituent Services

The needs of the Members to be on specific Committees (District v. Fundraising v. Caucus Leadership):

·         Policy/ Fiscal Committees germane to Member’s District or expertise

·         Policy/ Fiscal Committees for raising money – “Juice Committees”

About Caucus Leadership – how and why things happen.

·         Party above all (Caucus perspective)

·         Re-election (Members Perspective and Caucus too.)

·         District demands versus Caucus/ Party demands

·         How Leadership works

Link between members needs (re-election) and Caucus needs.

Policy and Politics

Bill Authors and Sponsors

Lobbying and Special Interests

·         So-called special interests and lobbying

·         Types of lobbying (Association, Corporate, Contract, Government)

And – Back to Elections!