Legislative Orientation

As a new Senator, I attended legislative orientation yesterday. (I’m pleased to report that the upperclassmen kept the hazing to a minimum). It occurred to me that I have never blogged about the non-partisan status of legislative staff.

Research and bill drafting are handled by the Legislative Office of Research and General Counsel (“LRGC”). Budget issues are handled by the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst (“LFA”). Auditing responsibilities fall to the Legislative Auditor General (“OLAG”).

Republicans and Democrats – House and Senate – share the services of those offices. Staff is non-partisan, and extremely disciplined about honoring that status. I’ve worked closely with staff for 8 years, and I could only guess at their political leanings. Thus, the research and counsel they give us are dedicated to (1) accuracy and (2) maintaining the integrity of the Legislature.

Removing the temptation of partisanship from staff creates a wonderful system for the production of good information (and saves some money, by avoiding redundancies). An added benefit is that shared staff tends to reduce partisanship among the elected officials, while partisan staff likely would increase it. (By that, I don’t mean the positive philosophical differences that drive good debate, but, rather, the negative factionalism of electioneering).

Lest anyone use his estimation of legislative action as the measure of staff’s services, I point out that clients are free to do whatever they want with the best advice of lawyers and financial advisors. Our staff gives us sharp, accurate, and effective tools. If the products turn out skiwampus at times, don’t blame the tools; talk with your Representative or Senator about using the tools more effectively.

Along with those 3 offices, we are supported by great clerks and administrative staff (House/Senate (no link available)).

As another member and I discussed yesterday, these people are seriously dedicated to the institution. They do a great job of respecting and supporting the decision-making responsibility of the elected officials (which is a respect paid to the electorate), while reminding us with their every deed that they have devoted their working lives to the institution and have an expectation that, during the brief season we fill the seats, we will act to honor the citizens and those members who served before us and those who will come after us.

I often reflect back to the sound – though unglamorous – counsel I received 8 years ago at my House orientation. Rep. Kevin Garn said, “Just remember, Utah managed to get by before you entered the Legislature. It will get by after you are gone. So, at the very least, don’t do anything to mess it up while you are here.”

I also think about my first real introduction to the continuity of the institution. My first session, I lost total control of a meeting I was chairing. It ended like a session of the Taiwanese legislature. That day, Speaker Stephens and 3 former Speakers took time to pull me aside to tell me what a great addition I made to the House. Smarting from that morning’s failure, I knew it was a fiction to buoy me up, but I appreciated it and realized more fully that my service is a sacred trust that I will hold for a season.