Legislative Effectiveness Committee
Committee Officer Planning Meeting Report
The Legislative Effectiveness Committee officers met in Washington, DC, and made plans for the coming year.
Committee Theme for 2007-8
Finding the Formula for Legislative Effectiveness
The officers decided it was time for the committee to get back to basics. Over the course of the year, the committee will explore fundamental questions like:
- What does legislative effectiveness mean?
- How do you measure legislative effectiveness?
- What does effectiveness mean in practical quantifiable terms?
- How does the definition change depending on your role as legislator, staff, citizen or lobbyist?
Key aspects of the theme will include:
- Strengthening the Institution
- Strengthening Legislators and Staff
- Seizing Opportunities
Comments on the theme of Finding the Formula for Legislative Effectiveness
Ø Strengthening the Institution
- Institutionalizing legislative training concerning complex issues
- Providing fair compensation to legislators and staff
- Understanding ethical issues and preparing legislators and staff to face ethical dilemmas
- Engaging citizens and making them a more vital cog in the legislative process
- Exercising political courage
- Planning ahead to fill key staff vacancies and address legislator turnover and term limits
Ø Strengthening Legislators and Staff
- Providing practical skill or knowledge building sessions at each meeting
- Providing leadership training to help legislators and staff focus on priorities (the big, difficult thorny issues)
Ø Seizing Opportunities
- Making the best use of the legislative interim period
- Forging public/private/nonprofit partnerships
Fall Forum Sessions
ü Legislative Compensation: Too Hot to Handle? States vary greatly in how much they pay legislators, ranging from nothing but expenses (New Mexico) to $113,098 (California). The pay rate obviously affects the ability to attract top-notch candidates from both parties, but most legislators consider it “political death” to vote for a pay raise, even when it is prospective. Per diem rates and expense reimbursements can be increased, but this may be just sidestepping the real pay raise issue. Some states are looking at tying legislator pay raises to judges’ salary increases. How do you make the case for a fair legislator salary? Many states are also looking at legislative staff salaries, making both internal comparisons among the various staff positions and external studies to compare legislative jobs with other similar work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
ü Taking on the Tough Stuff Legislatures (which are mostly part-time bodies) often fail to deal with the big, difficult, thorny issues, commonly finding legislative time consumed by relatively minor issues that have some vocal proponents. Former Senate President Dave Kerr (Kansas) suggests that one of the top measures of a legislative leader is his or her ability to keep the legislature on track to deal thoughtfully and responsibly with those priority issues. How can states make progress on the topics that really matter, particularly in short-session legislatures or where legislators have other full-time jobs? How much is this a factor of political courage and how much is simple time management? Is there a more proactive role for staff to play to help legislatures identify and remain focused on the big issues?
ü Can We Talk? Ask veteran legislators and staff how their legislature has changed and you’re likely to hear about how collegiality, civility and humor are disappearing from the scene. There is a sense that highly pitched campaigns, sharp partisan divides, strict ethics requirements and the time demands on legislators are all playing a part in this change in the legislative culture. Although many wish they could return to a more relaxed legislative atmosphere, there is a sense that it won’t be easy to change things. This session will explore how to reinvigorate your legislature.
ü Committee Business Meeting The committee officers and members will plan the Spring Forum sessions.
Future Meeting Sessions
ü Filling the Void: Institutionalizing Legislative Training and Planning for the Future In Minnesota annual training (concerning complex issues) was spearheaded by a legislator who has since left the legislature. How do states effectively institutionalize good training so that it can continue after the champions leave the legislature? Some states like Georgia have a long-standing connection with their university for training; others like California and Wisconsin have created programs within the legislature. States also need to plan ahead to make smooth transitions when key legislative staff directors and experienced employees approach retirement. [Annual meeting session]
ü Understanding At-will Employment Many in legislatures believe that “at-will” employment status gives them carte blanche to terminate employees, but that attitude can be dangerous. Some states are looking at using merit-based pay increases to help improve productivity. This session will explore some of the experiences legislators and staff have encountered hiring, firing and supervising at-will employees and highlight best practices. The session will also consider how employment practices can strengthen the legislator-staff relationship.
ü Engaging Citizens There are many examples of programs and projects designed to increase citizen understanding and participation in the legislative process. What works in terms of helping to create a more vital legislator-citizen connection? Are there barriers like time involvement, lack of legislative control or other factors that are standing in the way? What gets citizens interested in connecting with the legislature? What is the effect of technological advancements concerning email, blogs, the Internet and easy on-line polling results? How does all of this affect the public’s perception of the legislature?
Additional Session Ideas
ü Effective Use of the Interim
ü Ethics Training for Legislators and Staff
ü Emerging Public/Private/Non-profit partnerships
ü Mentoring
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