from the eyes of a “first-time attendee” mountains …page 5 first-time attendee (from page 1)...
TRANSCRIPT
National Conference of State Legislatures Fall/Winter 2003
1Page
(Continued on page 5)
After being around the IndianaLegislature for more years that I care toadmit and hearing about the NationalConference of State Legislatures, I couldnot believe that I was finally going to myvery own seminar! In the beginning of mystate house experience, I only workedsessions and in a variety of positions. TheHouse of Representatives sessionassignments ranged from the “typing pool”to secretary to the assistant majority floorleader and assistant majority caucus chair.But my favorite session job was in theSenate as the Bill Status Clerk where Isat at the front of the Senate Chamberswith three other ladies. My job was towrite down what action was takenon each bill, then put it into thepublic information computer.This was considered very“high-tech” for the time. Butthe best was yet to come......
In 1996 I became a fulltime employee in theSpeaker’s office in theHouse of Representativesand in December 2003found myself as the leg-islative assistant toSenator LawrenceBorst, the Chair-man of Senate Fi-nance. He encour-
aged me to get involved with the LeadershipStaff Section of NCSL. Well, no one had totell me twice, I had always wanted to see what
these seminars were all about! On a layover in Cincinnati, my Senate
traveling buddy Jenny Collier and I met upwith some ladies that Jenny had met on aprevious NCSL trip. So my firstconversation about legislatures in otherstates was with Jeanne Ludwig andTerri Franks-Smith of Idaho. That wasonly the beginning of manyconversations with Jeanne and Terri.We arrived just in time for the “NewAttendees Reception.” What fun,just my cup of tea, meeting people
from all over the country. Thefirst person I met at the
reception was Joe Balashfrom Alaska. What an
eyeopener talking withhim about how thingsoperate in theAlaskan Legislature.He actually has to
move from hishome in the districtto Juneau. We
s o m e - t i m e swhine abouthaving todrive 10 - 20miles to workin ice and
s n o w
and then parking in a covered garage.On Thursday, the serious work began
with the plenary session of “Thriving onthe Edge.” The whole room respondedenthusiastically to speaker JeffThompson as he led us through a selfanalysis test on determining our adversityquotient. I was pleased when I scoredhigh on the adversity scale, but I thoughtif you work long enough and live longenough one better learn to “deal with it”!But Jeff had a lot more to tell us than just“dealing with it”. The four aspects of hispresentation were Control, Ownership,Reach and Endurance. After goingthrough the testing process we weregiven a nice booklet that allows one toevaluate oneself more thoroughly. Thebooklet is a good source of reference andcan help a person stay on track.
Thursday afternoon we had thedelightful experience of having WestVirginia Delegate A. James Manchinserve as the moderator for the plenarysession, “Problems, Possibilities & PublicPerception.” The professional panel ofspeakers did a wonderful job and gaveus insightful information. However, it wasclear to me that the world takes a backseat to A. James Manchin! He was firstelected to the West Virginia Legislaturein 1947, went on to become the Secretaryof State and then State Treasurer. Aftera few years of retirement he decided torun for the Legislature again. He said his
From the eyes of a “First-time Attendee” ...
Mountains of Learning – Valleys of AdventureLSS Annual Training Seminar – Charleston, West Virginia / September 2-6, 2003
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Marsha Wise-Conley(Pennsylvania)
2Page
Did you know our staff section has a website? www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/lss/lsshome.htm
It’s the place to go for the most up-to-date information onwhat’s going on with the Leadership Staff Section. You’ll find:
� Complete meeting information, including agendas� On-line registration for meetings� Recent newsletters
� Upcoming activities� Contact information for LSS officers and your NCSL Liaison� NCSL information, including policy issues, state
legislative data, NCSL’s federal activities, and contactinformation for NCSL’s issue specialists
� And MUCH more!
Hello from Pennsylvania!
Kudos to the West Virginia Host State Committee, led by JohnMullins and Nancy Butcher, for planning one of the finest LSSTraining Seminars to date!
The programs were excellent, and I’m sure those of you who wereable to attend, went home with beneficial information for you andyour Leadership.
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Delegate Manchin. Foranyone who was lucky enough to hear him speak, you’ll, no-doubt,remember him as an icon of WV politics.
Kudos, also, to Kerri Spielman (a member of the Executive Com-mittee), who left the day after the seminar ended for NationalGuard basic training. Congratulations, Kerry, we’re very proud of you.
Please take a moment to read page-9 of the newsletter for thevarious committee descriptions of LSS. We welcome committeeinvolvement from ANYONE working for leadership, willing to contrib-
ute. Travel is not essential for participation on any of the committees.The 2004 Training Seminar (Harrisburg, PA) will be the primary focus of the LSS Winter Planning
meeting. We will meet in Denver, CO (in early January) to finalize the programming and content.Look for detailed information in the Spring issue of “Leadership Staff Notes.”
Congratulations to our 2003 Staff Section Achievement Award winners, Joyce Johnson (TN),and John Mullins (WV). Both have contributed a great deal of their time, energy and talents to oursection helping make it one of the best groups of leadership staffers in the country.... It’s not toearly to start thinking about someone to nominate for next year. (Check our website for criteria)
If you are a “new” leadership staffer, please take time to check our website (details below) forwhat we can do for each other!.... Networking with peers across the country, skills enhancement,information on issues, policies or just to find out how someone in another state handles the same“job” you have!....
Please continue to support our Troops and pray for their safe return Home!Hope to hear from YOU!
Marsha Wise-ConleyLSS Chair
P.S. I would like to thank you for the calls,
cards, prayers and well-wishes during my
recent surgery. I’m truly grateful!
2003-2004 Leadership Staff Executive CommitteeChair
Marsha Wise-Conley(Pennsylvania)Graphic ArtistHouse Republican Printing4 Technology ParkHarrisburg, PA 17110p) 717-783-0196f) [email protected]
First Vice ChairLori Rigby (Delaware)Legislative AssistantHouse Majority CaucusLegislative Hall, H-225Dover, DE 19903p) 302-744-4201d) 302-856-5107f) [email protected]
Second Vice ChairNancy Butcher(West Virginia)Administrative AssistantHouse of Delegates1900 Kanawha Blvd E, #462-MCharleston, WV 25305p) 304-340-3341f) [email protected]
Immediate Past ChairLaura Bauman (Indiana)Chief of StaffIndiana Senate DemocratsState Capitol, Room 401200 W. WashingtonIndianapolis, IN 46204-2785p) 317-232-9506f) [email protected]
MEMBERS
Joe Balash (Alaska) 03Chief of StaffOfc of Senate President119 N Cushman Suite 101Fairbanks, AK 99701p) 907-488-0857f) [email protected]
Susan Duncan(New Hampshire) 03Sr. Legislative AideSenate107 North Main StreetConcord, NH 03301p) 603-271-3043f) [email protected]
Sheila Hardy(Kentucky) 02Assistant to Caucus ChairmanHouse of Representatives416 Capitol AnnexFrankfort, KY 40601p) 502-564-4334f) [email protected]
PK Jameson(Florida) 03Chief of StaffOffice of the Speaker420 Capitol402 South Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1300p) 850-488-1450f) [email protected]
Mary Sue Jones(Idaho) 02Office of the SenatePresident Pro TemP.O. BOX 83720Boise, ID 83720-0081p) 208-332-1302f) [email protected]
Mechelle Miller(Louisiana) 02Administrative DirectorHouse Rural CaucusP.O. Box 44420Baton Rouge, LA 70804p) 225-342-7380f) [email protected]
Dawn Reese(Pennsylvania) 02Administrative SpecialistHouse of Representatives417 Main Capitol Bldg.Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020p) 717-787-3085f) [email protected]
Maxine Roberts(Tennessee) 02Senior Executive AssistantSenateSuite 1,Legislative PlazaNashville, TN 37243p) 615-741-2368f) [email protected]
Kerri Spielman(Kansas) 01Chief of StaffOfc. of theSenate Majority LeaderState Capitol, Room 354-ETopeka, KS 66612p) 785-296-7301f) [email protected]
VOTING EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Glenn Davis (Arizona) 02p) 602/542-5979 f) 602/542-0515
Terri Franks-Smith (Idaho) 02Boise, ID 83720-0038
p) 208/332-1112 f) 208/[email protected]
Joyce Johnson (Tennessee) 03p) 615-741-3791 f) 615-741-6098
John Mullins (West Virginia) 02p) 304-340-3104 f) 304-340-3389
Barbara Oakes (Maryland) 03p) 410-841-3392 f) 410-841-3020
Diane Steward (Maine) 03p) 207-287-1501
NON-VOTING EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Rosina Boyd (New Mexico)p) 505-986-4757 f) 505/986-4399
Michael Charboneau (Minnesota)p) 651-296-4115 f) 651-296-8605
David Coburn (Florida)p) 850-487-5140 f) [email protected]
Louise Krautheim (Pennsylvania)p) 717-783-1510 f) 717-783-7728
Gwen Miller (Pennsylvania)p) 717/783-3797 f) 717/772-3605
Darlene Mullally (New York)p) 518-455-3992 f) 518-455-5776
Jan Shirrell (Indiana)p) 317-232-9414 f) 317-232-9464
Thomas Tedcastle (Florida)p) 850-488-5644 f) [email protected]
David Wilkins (Delaware)p) 302-744-4161 f) 302-739-5049
NCSL Liaison to LSSBrenda Erickson
National Conference of State Legislatures7700 East First Place / Denver, CO 80230
p) (303) 364-7700, x1391 / f) (303) 364-7800 / e) [email protected]
Newsletter EditorMarsha Conley (Pennsylvania) Graphic Artist
p) 717-783-0196 / f) 717-772-5293 / e)[email protected]
3Page
Four Days in ChadALISON HARVEY, Chief of Staff
Office of the Senate President Pro TemporeCalifornia
In my more than 20 years of working in the California Legislature, I have alwaysrecognized the importance to stepping out of the day-to-day and reflecting on thehow-and-why of what we do for a job.
But, who ever has time?My opportunity came in August when I joined several colleagues from other state
legislatures and 14 French-speaking African countries at the inaugural meeting of theRéseau Africain des Personnels des Parlements (Network of African ParliamentaryStaff) in N’Djamena, Chad, August 15 – 18, 2003.
The group, formed this year with assistance from NCSL and a State Departmentgrant, patterned its meeting on the NCSL model – organizational meetings andconcurrent staff workshops on legislative functions.
Each workshop featured one of the American state legislative staffers and one ortwo colleagues from the African countries. The enthusiasm of the Africans wasinspirational. Even if there was a Nordstrom’s as close to the meeting venue as in SanFrancisco, attendance would not have flagged.
They were annoyed that the sessions were concurrent because they wanted toattend all of them. The 90-minute format was never long enough for them to exploreeach topic to their satisfaction. Every theoretical underpinning was examined, and justabout every person in each workshop had a thought or an experience to contribute.
And in those meetings, they helped me to think hard about our own operationalcustom and precedent.
For instance, in one workshop I made a presentation on policy committee billanalyses – why we do them, how we do them, and what they are intended toaccomplish.
I talked about the committee analysis as the most important written documentproduced by the committee staff. Their key purpose is to identify policy issues and toguide decisions, I said, and a good bill analysis has the power to influence what isdiscussed, the outcome, and the public perception of the work of the parliament.
But, I ended my presentation with the comment that committee staff should beemployees of the parliament, not the executive branch.
In most of the 14 countries in attendance, the legislative staff are on loan from theexecutive branch. These are governments adapted from the French model, a systemthat is not set up to have the equal powers (and inherent tensions) between the executiveand the legislative branches. Legislation is almost always initiated by the executive,and administration bills and budgets are rarely rewritten in the legislature.
My comment about which branch employs the committee staff sent us off on a longthread involving the relative powers of the legislative and the executive, the size (usuallysmall) of the legislative budget, and job security.
It was fascinating, but not on point.To the rescue came my colleague from the Ivory Coast, Roger Coulibaly, director of
legislative services for the Ivorian National Assembly.The point, he eloquently reminded us, is that we owe it to the elected members of
the legislature to provide them the best-researched, most comprehensive informationavailable on a proposed new law. Whether the legislators use that information toassert legislative power vs. the executive branch or just to make an informed decisionis irrelevant.
He was right, and it was a good point to reflect on, whether you work in the UnitedStates or in Africa.
You can learn more about the Network at www.ncsl.org/public/internat/rapp.htm
Congratulationsto our2003
Leadership StaffAchievement
Award Winners
Joyce Johnson,Tennessee
John Mullins,West Virginia
4Page
5Page
First-time Attendee (From page 1)
constituents must have thought it was a good idea because here he was back in the WestVirginia House of Delegates!
The rest of Thursday and Friday were filled with very meaningful and information packedplenary sessions. Dr. Stalebrink, who talked about fiscal issues, sent me a copy of his slides.Christopher Buckley with his insider Washington DC views, was a treat and kindly consented tohaving his picture taken with me. At each break or meal I tried to find new people with which tovisit and had great conversations with Joan Loudon and Rhoda Struhs of Utah. It was amazingto me that here we were all involved in the same business and yet there seemed to be so manyvariations to how we all get the job done.
The evening events were such a treat. Thursday evening we were transported by trolley tothe State Capitol for a wonderful dinner and a tour of the House of Delegates and Senate. I readwith interest the Commemorative History of The West Virginia Capitol and was pleased to seethat the exterior stone came from the Indiana Limestone Company. The interior of the buildingis exquisite and I was fortunate to sit at the same dinner table as Delegate A. James Manchin.Later, he proudly showed me the seat he had chosen in the back row of the House of Delegates.I won’t tell why he wanted that seat! He told me his father had brought him as a child to thededication of the building.
Friday evening we went down to the Kanawha River to board the P.A. Denny Sternwheelerfor an evening of dining and cruising on the river. The lively music was provided by the VooDooKatz and at one point I found myself in a conga line. The weather was perfect, the food wasgood, the camaraderie was apparent and the moon was full! What more could we ask?
Saturday was our day of fun. I chose the bus trip to the Greenbrier and the Beckley CoalMine. Our guide on the coal mine trip was a retired coal miner. At one point in his career he hadleft the coal mine to come to Indiana to work in a factory. He told us he didn’t last in the factory,that he would rather be in a West Virginia coal mine. He was a delight and told us manyinteresting stories. Here’s a hint ... if the canary dies, get out of the mine! Our next stop was theGreenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs. We were treated to a wonderful lunch served in veryhigh style, followed with a tour of the hotel and grounds. Our day concluded with a stop atTamarack, a facility chock full of West Virginia made arts and craft.
Then it was over. It is with much appreciation to Senator Borst for encouraging me to getinvolved and to our President Pro Tempore Robert Garton for authorizing us to attend. All toolate I realized that I never talked with someone that does the same thing I do here in the IndianaSenate. Maybe, just maybe I will get to go to Harrisburg next year and find that person.
JUDITH ESSEX, Legislative AssistantSenate Finance / Indiana Senate
In Memory
Delegate A. James Manchin
West Virginia
For those of you who were
fortunate enought to attend
the West Virginia Annual
Training Seminar, you will
undoubtedly remember one of
the most popular and colorful
politicians in WV history ...
Sadly, Mr. Manchin passed
away on November 3.
Who Travelled the Farthest?
Three of the WV Seminar “new-attendees” travelled quite a distance from home. JoeBalash (one of our new members of the
Executie Committee) flew in fromFairbanks, Alaska, but, Jennifer
White-Aguon and MarthaMendiola beat Joe’s flight timeflying to West Virginia from theNorthern Mariana Islands(Saipan) ... We hope they willreturn next year to our seminar
in Harrisburg, PA.
“The secret ofHappiness
is to count your
Blessingswhile others areadding up their
Troubles.”– anon
6Page
West Virginia 2003 ... In Pictures
Dinner at the Governors Residence
Chris Buckley
Jeff Thompson
Dr. Christopher Plein
Ou
Juni
7Page
Our Special Award Winner,Steve Wilborn
Aboard the PA DennyJohn ... Jams!
Max Arinder
Our Youngest
Junior Member!
West Virginia 2003 ... In Pictures
8Page
Legislative Staff Coordinating CommitteeLSCCLSCC
From the ... NCSL’s
The NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee has 46 members. It is made up of the legislative staffmembers elected to the NCSL Executive Committee, the staff chair and staff vice chairs of the NCSL StandingCommittees, two officers from each of the ten staff sections, and four discretionary appointees of the NCSL StaffChair. The Leadership Staff Section representatives on the LSCC currently are Marsha Conley and Lori Rigby,who are the LSS Chair and 1st Vice Chair, respectively.
The purposes of the LSCC are to oversee the legislative staff division of NCSL, to coordinate the work of the tenstaff sections of NCSL, to promote professional development of legislative staff, and to review and evaluate NCSLservices to legislative staff. The LSCC serves in an advisory capacity to the NCSL Executive Committee.
The full LSCC and its task forces met on October 10 and 11 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, as part of the NCSLExecutive Committee meeting. Max Arinder, the NCSL Staff Chair, opened the LSCC meeting by describing thehow the LSCC is structured this year and outlining the goals and objectives assigned to the four LSCC task forces.
1. Strategic Issues –Jim Greenwalt, NCSL Staff Vice Chair and LSCC Task Force Chair, Minnesota
Formed two subgroups to:� examine actions taken to date to implement the NCSL strategic plan� identify issues likely to face legislatures and legislative staff in the near future
2. Staff Communication –Kathy Schill, LSCC Task Force Chair, Minnesota
Formed subgroups to study communication among and between staff sections andthe standing committees in four areas:� Skills Development� NCSL Annual Meeting� Internal Staff Section Operations� Membership
3. Value and Efficiency –Craig Kinton, LSCC Task Force Chair, Texas� Made motions relating to bidding the LSMI and locations for future LSCC meetings.� Will survey staff section chairs to collect quantifiable data on services to staff and
ideas for improving the value and efficiency of staff sections.
4. Support and Outreach Task Force –Susan Swords, LSCC Task Force Chair, New Jersey� Will gather data on legislator and staff participation in NCSL activities through
electronic surveys and a review of historical data.
The LSCC received reports from Bill Pound, Max Arinder and Jim Greenwalt. Mr. Pound, who is the NCSLExecutive Director, discussed NCSL’s budget, attendance at staff section meetings, and changes to the NCSL Website. Mr. Arinder and Mr. Greenwalt provided summaries from the meetings of two committees of the NCSL Execu-tive Committee—the Budget, Finance and Rules Committee and the Program Planning and Oversight Committee.
The LSCC also reviewed the preliminary schedule for staff programs at the 2004 NCSL Annual Meeting andapproved a recommendation to solicit bids from schools of public policy to host the Legislative Staff ManagementInstitute.
9Page
NewAwards Committee
Mission - To interpret and apply the standardsset forth in the Leadership Staff Section achieve-ment award criteria relative to the nominationand selection of the two LSS Staff AchievementAwards. Announce deadlines for nominationsand ensure a timely process to enable the Com-mittee ample time to thoroughly review all nomi-nations and make selections of award recipients.
ChairJoyce Johnson (Tennessee)[email protected]
MembersRosina Boyd (New Mexico)[email protected] Duncan (New Hampshire)[email protected] Franks-Smith (Idaho)[email protected] Oakes (Maryland)[email protected] Roberts (Tennessee)[email protected]
Bylaws & Finance CommitteeMission - To review any suggested changes inthe Bylaws of the Leadership Staff Section andmake recommendations to the LSS ExecutiveCommittee.To oversee the LSS “Officers’ Fund,” which maybe used by LSS Executive Committee membersand LSS representatives to NCSL’s LSCC tosupplement travel expenses when participationis otherwise limited by state travel restrictions.
ChairLouise [email protected]
MembersNancy Butcher (West Virginia)[email protected] Hardy (Kentucky)[email protected] Miller (Louisiana)[email protected] Oakes (Maryland)[email protected] Rigby (Delaware)[email protected] Shirrell (Indiana)[email protected] Tedcastle (Florida)[email protected]
Newsletter CommitteeMission - Continue to improve our excellent LSSNewsletter and encourage early submission ofarticles and other information for inclusion in theSpring and Fall issues. Continue the hard copymailings to all Leadership Staff throughout thecountry, and also continue to make available onthe LSS Web site.
ChairMarsha Conley (Pennsylvania)[email protected]
MembersLouise Krautheim (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Miller (Pennsylvania)[email protected]
Nominating CommitteeMission - From our general membership, encour-age participants to run for the LSS ExecutiveCommittee. Be prepared to explain the struc-ture of the LSS Committee and ensure that wehave candidates for all vacancies on the Execu-tive Committee and for officer slots.Publicize the procedures and time lines for sub-mitting letters of intent to seek LSS office. Re-view all letters of intent and interview all candi-dates at the annual training seminar prior to se-lection of nominees. Seek information about leg-islative leadership support of candidates and ap-proval for travel and participation in LSS activi-ties. Inform nominees of their selection prior toannouncement to general membership vote. An-nounce nominees and ask for nominations fromthe floor at the general membership meeting.
ChairLaura Bauman (Indiana)[email protected]
MembersJoe Balash (Alaska)[email protected] Johnson (Tennessee)[email protected] Lovette (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Rigby (Delaware)[email protected]
Outreach CommitteeMission - To continue the outreach efforts to en-courage participation in the Leadership Staff Sec-tion and other NCSL programs. Develop an in-formational format that will establish communi-cation between Leadership Staff of all states byselecting a “key contact person” in each of thestates who will be responsible for submitting anychanges in staff to the Chair of the OutreachCommittee and encourage other staffers to par-ticipate in LSS. This will enable us to keep ourmailing list updated and allow our attendance togrow at the annual training seminars.
ChairMary Sue Jones (Idaho)[email protected]
MembersCarol Benoit (Kansas)[email protected] Boyd (New Mexico)[email protected] Butcher (West Virginia)[email protected]
Sheila Hardy (Kentucky)[email protected] Jameson (Florida)[email protected] Miller (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Roberts (Tennessee)[email protected]
Program DevelopmentCommitteeMission - To develop balanced training programsthat will provide information of value to Leader-ship Staff participants. These programs shouldbe informative, enjoyable, participatory, andshould offer issues that are pertinent to leader-ship staff activities and personal career develop-ment. Contact and schedule speakers and/orpanelists to ensure topics offered at the annualtraining seminar meet or exceed past sessionsby reviewing seminar evaluations submitted byLSS attendees.
Co-ChairsMarsha Conley (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Hershey (Pennsylvania)[email protected]
MembersJoe Balash (Alaska)[email protected] Brubaker (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Krautheim (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Lovette (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Miller (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Moyer (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Mullins (West Virginia)[email protected] Reese (Pennsylvania)[email protected] Steward (Maine)[email protected]
Web Site CommitteeMission - To review the current NCSL Leader-ship Staff Section Web site and make recommen-dations for future inclusion of information. To de-velop a plan to publicize the Web site and ac-quaint new users with its value to staffers. Coor-dinate with Outreach Committee with regard tofully-utilizing list-serve in efforts to maintain mail-ing lists.
ChairKerri Spielman (Kansas)[email protected]
MembersMichelle Lorenzo-Palacio (Florida)[email protected]
2003-2004 Leadership Staff Committee Assignments
Mark YourMark YourMark Your
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10Page
Newsletter Staff
Marsha Conley (PA), EditorPhone: (717) 783-0196FAX: (717) 772-5293
E-mail:[email protected]
Louise Krautheim (PA)Assistant Editor
Phone: (717) 783-1510FAX: (717) 783-7728
E-mail:[email protected]
Gwen Miller(PA)Phone: (717) 783-3797FAX: (717) 772-3605
E-mail:[email protected]
Your commentsare encouraged
and input isessential to
makingthis newsletterwork for YOU.
Please send your information,including photos
to the editor.
Winter Planning MeetingDenver, CO
January15-17, 2004
NCSL Annual ConferenceSalt Lake City, UT
July19-23, 2004
Leadership StaffAnnual Training Seminar
Harrisburg, PAOctober 5-9, 2004
Mark Your
Calendars~!
Contact for More InformationJOAN BARILLANCSL—Denver(303) 364-7700, ext. [email protected]
2004 LEGISLATIVE REGULARSESSION CALENDAR
as of October 3, 2003
STATE CONVENES ADJOURNS COMMENTSAlabama Feb 3 May 17Alaska Jan 12 May 11Arizona Jan 12 late AprilArkansas —- —- No regular session in 2004California Jan 5 Aug 31Colorado Jan 7 May 6Connecticut Feb 4 May 5Delaware Jan 13 June 30Florida Mar 2 April 30Georgia Jan 12 late Mar/early AprilHawaii Jan 21 early MayIdaho Jan 12 late MarchIllinois Jan 14 *Indiana Jan 12 Mar 14Iowa Jan 12 late AprilKansas Jan 12 early MayKentucky Jan 6 April 13Louisiana Mar 29 June 21 Organizational session, Jan 12-14,2004Maine Jan 7 April 21Maryland Jan 14 April 5Massachusetts Jan 7 * Formal sessions end July 31Michigan Jan 14 *Minnesota Feb 2 May 17Mississippi Jan 6 May 9Missouri Jan 7 May 30Montana —- —- No regular session in 2004Nebraska Jan 7 mid AprilNevada —- —- No regular session in 2004New Hampshire Jan 7 July 1New Jersey Jan 13 *New Mexico Jan 20 Feb 18New York Jan 7 *North Carolina May 10 JulyNorth Dakota —- —- No regular session in 2004Ohio Jan 6 *Oklahoma Feb 2 May 28Oregon —- —- No regular session in 2004Pennsylvania Jan 6 *Rhode Island Jan 6 late JuneSouth Carolina Jan 13 June 3South Dakota Jan 13 mid MarchTennessee Jan 13 late AprilTexas —- —- No regular session in 2004Utah Jan 19 Mar 3Vermont Jan 6 early MayVirginia Jan 14 Mar 13Washington Jan 12 Mar 11West Virginia Jan 14 Mar 13Wisconsin Jan 13 *Wyoming Feb 9 Mar 5American Samoa Jan 12 2nd part of session begins July 12District of Columbia Jan 2 *Guam Jan 12 *Puerto Rico Jan 12 June 30Virgin Islands Jan 12 *
KEY:
*=Legislature meetsthroughout the year
Shaded states did not meetin regular session or have
adjourned theirregular sessions.
11Page
Partisan Composition of U.S. Legislatures
NOTE:Please seeaccompanying“Election” articleon back page.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
of STATE LEGISLATURES
The Forum for America’s Ideas7700 East First PlaceDenver, CO 80230
ATTENTION: The Leadership Staff Section is continually trying to maintain accurate mailing records ...If the information on the mailing label below is inaccurate, or if you have received this issue in error, please
contact BRENDA ERICKSON, at NCSL Headquarters: (303) 364-7700, x1391or [email protected]
Win Some, Lose Some:The 2003 Election
TIM STOREY & BRENDA ERICSON, NCSL Staff – Denver, CO
Six states geared up for elections in No-vember 2003. Up for grabs were 578 leg-islative seats in Louisiana, Mississippi,New Jersey and Virginia and over 20 state-wide positions in California, Kentucky,Louisiana and Mississippi.
In a rare—but much publicized—recallelection, California voters replaced incum-bent Democrat Governor Gray Davis withGOP standard bearer ArnoldSchwarzenegger. The Republicans alsoclaimed the top executive spots in Ken-tucky and Mississippi.
Although the Democrats lost thegovernor’s mansion in three states, theparty found a silver lining by seizing con-trol of the New Jersey Legislature, nettingseats in the Virginia Legislature, and win-ning the Louisiana governorship.
Perhaps the biggest legislative prize in2003 was the New Jersey Senate, whichstood at a 20-20 tie prior to the election.Democrats won the chamber outright bypicking up two seats to gain a 22 D-18 Rmajority. Democratic success in the Gar-den State extended to the Assembly wherethey added six seats, giving them a 47 D-
33 R majority. This is the first time since1991 that Democrats have controlled theNew Jersey Legislature.
Democrats also celebrated small gainsin the Virginia House of Delegates by add-ing four seats. The GOP still retains con-trol of the chamber by a 61 R-37 D-2 Inde-pendent margin. In the Senate, the Repub-licans added one seat to their majority,making it 24 R-16 D.
In Mississippi, new Republican Gover-nor Haley Barbour will be working with aDemocrat-controlled Legislature, eventhough his party gained seven seats in theHouse. The post-election breakdown in theHouse stands at 76 D-46 R. The Housewill be under new leadership next session,because House Speaker Tim Ford endedhis 24-year legislative career by not run-ning in 2003. In the Senate, RepublicanAmy Tuck easily won re-election as Lieu-tenant Governor, but the Democrats stillmaintain their 29 D-23 R advantage in thechamber.
In Louisiana, the Democrats now con-trol the governorship and both chambersof the Legislature—24 D-15 R in the Sen-
ate and 68 D-37 R in the House. Ninety-three percent of the legislators who soughtreelection in 2003 won, but because ofterm limits, many of them are heading intotheir final four years. As a result, local po-litical observers believe the next four yearscould be interesting—with a “last hurrah”for about half the members of the Louisi-ana Legislature coming up against theagenda of a new governor. Traditionally,Louisiana governors handpick their legis-lative leadership team, so one of the firstindications of what’s to come may be afight over legislative leadership positions.
After all is “said and done” following the2003 election, however, the overall parti-san control picture still favors the Repub-licans. The GOP holds 21 state legisla-tures; Democrats control 17; 11 legisla-tures are split between the two parties,and the Nebraska Legislature is nonparti-san. Republicans also hold 28 guberna-torial spots, while the Democrats have 22.
NOTE: Please see accompanyingchart of Partisan Compositions of
US Legislatures on Page 11.