Women will constitute about 23.3 percent of all state legislators when sessions begin in 2007. That's a national record but not by much: the proportion of women legislators hasn't moved more than a few tenths of a percentage point since 2000. 

Some states saw more dramatic increases this year. Wyoming had the greatest jump. Its legislature went from 15.6 percent female with 14 woman legislators in 2006 to 23.3 percent with 21 woman legislators for 2007. Maine went from 23.1 percent to 30.6 percent, giving it one of the ten highest percentages in the nation. Minnesota, which wasn't even in the top 10 states last year, is now No. 3, going from 29.9 percent to 34.5. See the numbers in your state.

If you have more questions about women in state legislatures, call the coordinator of the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL, Katie Fischer, at (303) 856-1514.

States Pass School Bullying, Cyberbullying Laws

A rise in school violence has prompted more than half of the states to pass anti-bullying legislation since 2001. In the 2005-2006 sessions, ten states passed such laws: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Four more states amended their laws.

Cyberbullying, a new type of harassment that has surfaced with new technologies, is  cruelty by sending or posting harmful material using the Internet or a cell phone. Legislation in Idaho, New Jersey and Utah addressed cyberbullying last session.

Ask for a copy of the new NCSL Legisbrief about bullying in an email to press-room@ncsl.org.

Get Ready for 2007 Sessions at NCSL Fall Forum

NCSL's Fall Forum is a cornucopia of information. Really! It will take place in San Antonio, Texas December 5-8.

Why states should care about immigration. The future of higher education. Trends in marriage and child support laws. Voting in 2006: what went right, what went wrong and why? That's a taste of what you'll find on our full agenda.

Reporters can come to the meeting for free. If you're interested, you can register in advance by sending your contact information to press-room@ncsl.org.