This was a really concise explanation of how AZ's legislature works....And it's why we can't have the things that Arizonans want. The Rs are the gatekeepers.
Thanks for the LOL about Carine Werner's experience to chair the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. That says it all.
Your description of committees and their chairs was useful and insightful. I would add some additional powers of the committee chair. Here is a snippet (and shameless plug) from my soon to be published book, "State Legislatures: An Owner's Manual,
The committee chair oversees the committee’s work, presides over meetings, and decides which bills will be heard and how much time will be allocated to each. Although in four states (Colorado, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Maine) all bills must be heard in committee to give them a fair hearing and to allow for public comment. The chair is the most powerful committee member and is usually a senior member of the majority party. However, voting for the speaker or president in a close leadership election can also get one a committee chair. The most influential role of the committee chair is setting the committee agenda, which includes the bills to be heard and, by omission, not heard. In addition, the chair determines the order of bills and how much time will be allocated to each bill. Finally, the chair can limit the number of speakers testifying, if any are allowed, and the time each speaker has to comment. I almost always allow people to testify before my committee, but I often call those representing groups first and reduce the time allowed per speaker after the first few people speak because testimony gets redundant after that.
This was a really concise explanation of how AZ's legislature works....And it's why we can't have the things that Arizonans want. The Rs are the gatekeepers.
Thanks for the LOL about Carine Werner's experience to chair the Senate Health & Human Services Committee. That says it all.
No wonder we can't have nice things.
Your description of committees and their chairs was useful and insightful. I would add some additional powers of the committee chair. Here is a snippet (and shameless plug) from my soon to be published book, "State Legislatures: An Owner's Manual,
The committee chair oversees the committee’s work, presides over meetings, and decides which bills will be heard and how much time will be allocated to each. Although in four states (Colorado, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Maine) all bills must be heard in committee to give them a fair hearing and to allow for public comment. The chair is the most powerful committee member and is usually a senior member of the majority party. However, voting for the speaker or president in a close leadership election can also get one a committee chair. The most influential role of the committee chair is setting the committee agenda, which includes the bills to be heard and, by omission, not heard. In addition, the chair determines the order of bills and how much time will be allocated to each bill. Finally, the chair can limit the number of speakers testifying, if any are allowed, and the time each speaker has to comment. I almost always allow people to testify before my committee, but I often call those representing groups first and reduce the time allowed per speaker after the first few people speak because testimony gets redundant after that.
Excited to do a book review when it comes out!
You will be the first one I sent it to.