By Kae Warnock
Part two of our series of interviews for Legislative Staff Week explores legislature through the eyes of a legislative editor. These staff assure the accuracy of language in bills and research analyses. They are often unseen, yet their contribution is paramount.
Today we are talking with Darren Thornberry, a legislative editor with the Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services.
Q: How/why did you end up working for the legislature?
Thornberry: Just about this time three years ago, I saw the job posted. Although I had been in writing and editing for years, I'd never even heard of a "legislative editor." The work sounded intriguing, and the chance to learn more about how the wheels of government turn really interested me.
Q: What do you find enjoyable and rewarding about working in the legislature?
Thornberry: The subject matter is often interesting, and the reward is working with great people who care about producing work that benefits the citizens of Colorado.
Q: What work are you most proud of?
Thornberry: The cleaner and more accurate the bill draft is as it leaves my hands, the more content I feel.
Q: Do you have any unique experiences or stories about your time working in the legislature?
Darren: I could tell you about the time I almost walked straight into the well, but hey we've all done that, right?
Q: Any insights for your peers? Any shout outs to colleagues you’ve worked with?
Thornberry: Editing for the legislature is nothing like editing in the private sector. It's highly specialized, it's weird, and it takes time to learn the nuances, rules, and style. Be patient, new editors! Shout out to my gang on the business team at the Office of Legislative Legal Services for helping me every step of the way.
Q: How do you stay at the top of your game?
Thornberry: By relying on the experience and assistance of my coworkers, who are the best of the best, and by asking questions.
Kae Warnock is a policy specialist in NCSL's Legislative Staff Services Program. It provides strategic, programmatic and administrative support to the staff professional organizations of NCSL and develops training and information programs for the nation's more than 30,000 legislative staff. She also staffs the Research, Editorial, Legal and Committee Staff (RELACS) professional association.
Email Kae.