Clean State LegislaturesTyler ArnotJordan BellKristina ConnollyAndrea Tacconi

Michigan State Legislature

Professional Legislature

Size of State Legislative Staff of Michigan, 2003:Permanent Staff: 1,153Session-Only Staff: 0Total Staff: 1,153

Legislative regular sessions convenes on January 11 and meets throughout the year.

Legislator compensation, 2005: $79,650 a year$12,000 yearly expense allowance for session and interim (voucher) set by compensation commission.

Incumbent reelection rates, 1994:Senate:

Running: 27Reelected: 26Percentage: 96%

House:Running: 93Reelected: 91Percentage: 98%

Michigan State LegislatureTotal state turnover, 1994-1996:

Total members: 148Total turnover: 23% Total turnover: 16%

Time demands of legislative work:80-100% time

% of women legislators: 20.3%% of African American legislators: 14%

Term limit:House: 6 yearsSenate: 8 years

Iowa State LegislatureHybrid Legislature

Size of state legislative staff, 2003:Permanent staff: 172Session-only staff: 198Total staff: 370

Legislative regular sessions lasts roughly 4 to 5 months.2002- January 14-April 12, 89 days

Legislator compensation, 2005: $21,380.54 a year$86/day ($65/day for Polk County)

Incumbent reelection rates, 1994:Senate:

Running: 15Reelected: 15Percentage:

100%House:

Running: 74Reelected: 71Percentage: 96%

Iowa State LegislatureTotal state turnover, 1994-1996:

Total members: 150Total turnover: 35% Total turnover: 23%

Time demands of legislative work:60-70% time

% of women legislators: 20%% of African American legislators: 2%

No term limits

Minnesota State LegislatureHybrid Legislature – No Term Limits

70 – 80% of the Time Spent Working as a Legislature

1979: 641 Members – 66% Permanent Staff1988: 804 Members – 75% Permanent Staff1996: 841 Members – 76% Permanent Staff2003: 684 Members – 88% Permanent Staff

Session: 120 Legislative Days During Each Biennium- Begins On The First Tuesday in January of

Odd Years- Convenes On a Date Set By Both Bodies in

Even Years

Minnesota State Legislature• Total Legislative Expenditure: $46,300,000/year

• Salary: $31,140.90/year For Legislatures• Senate: $66/day• Representatives: $66/legislative day

- Unvouchered, Set By Legislature

• Turnover Rate (’94 – ’96) – House: 20% Senate: 16% Total: 19%

• Incumbents- House: 91% Re-election Rate- Senate: No Data

• Women – 29.9%- House: 37 Senate: 23 Seats: 201

• African Americans – 1%- House: 2 Senate: 0 Seats: 201

Wisconsin State LegislaturePermanent staff: 756Session only staff: 0Total Staff: 756Session length: meets throughout the year

Operating Expenditures: $60.29 million ($456,000 per legislator)

Legislative salary: $45,569/yearPer diem: maximum $88

Wisconsin State LegislatureTurnover rate: (2002) Senate: 18%, House:

15%Estimated percentage of time working as a

legislator: 80-100%Percentage women legislators: 25.8%Percentage African-American legislators: 6%No term limits

Bitter Partisanship

• Gridlock• Intense rivalries • Deadlock • State budget

Full Time Legislature

• Inane policies

Fundraising

• Competitiveness• Political bickering• “Strong-arm” tactics

Caucus Scandal

• Special interest groups• Jensen and Schultz