Essay

Todays legislative institutions are different, but are they better? Although many observers would answer in the affirmative, the legislative reform picture is not unequivocally rosy. Political scientist Alan Rosenthal, who has closely observed legislative reform, warns that the legislatures recent success in enhancing its capacity and improving its performance may place it in greater jeopardy than before.

Based on your reading of the material in Chapter 6 in the following book Bowman, Ann and Richard Kearney (2017). State and Local Government, 10th Edition, Cengage (ISBN: 9781305388475). that discusses legislative reform complete the following assessment.

Assignment: In 300-500 words, draft a brief essay that discusses how state legislatures reinvented themselves; that is, what changes have occurred since the 1960s that have made many state legislatures more professional and capable of handling their duties?

Much has been written about how legislators make public policy decisions, and a number of explanations are plausible. Legislators may adopt the policy positions espoused by their political party. They may follow the dictates of their consciencethat is, do what they think is right. They may yield to the pressures of organized interest groups. They may be persuaded by the arguments of other legislators, such as a committee chairperson who is knowledgeable about the policy area or a trusted colleague who is considered to be savvy; or they may succumb to the entreaties of the governor, who has made a particular piece of legislation the focus of their administration. Of course, legislators may also attempt to respond to the wishes of their constituents.

Based on your reading of the material in Chapter 6 that discusses legislative cue taking and decision making complete the following assessment.

Assignment: In 300-500 words, draft a brief essay that discusses if you were a legislator, which role, trustee or delegate, would you follow? Discuss why you chose the particular role and how that role would affect some hypothetical policy decisions. Would the role you choose have an effect on your reelection prospects.