Diane D. Blair, Jay Barth Arkansas Politics and Government, Second Edition (2005)

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.As the greatest beneficiary of legislative impotence,5 Governor Huckabee, put it, We lose some good [legislators], but let me tell6 you about the other side.We also lose some real scoundrels. 487 The methods of lobbyists are much less crude than in decades past, and8 most of those who have systematically studied the legislator-lobbyist rela-9 tionship in Arkansas have concluded that most legislators are fairly sophis-10 ticated in their dealings with lobbyists and fairly effective at weighing and11 balancing their pressures.One recent study concluded rather optimistically,12 in fact, that while lobbyists have very extensive and successful relationships[213], (28)13 with Arkansas legislators, access to the decision-making process is not14 restricted to professional insiders but extends to marginal and amateur citizen15 lobbyists as well.49Lines: 367 to16 In another study, however, the same authors acknowledge that the attention 17 given to constituents readily becomes translated into attention to interest0.0pt PgV18 groups because of low citizen participation and a relatively homogeneous 19 economy.Reinforcing this observation is the purposeful and effective blur-Normal Page20 ring of constituent and interest-group pressure that is created when interestsPgEnds: TEX21 successfully recruit key constituents to make contacts on their behalf.A22 legislator s remembrance of one incident makes this point well:23[213], (28)DonAllen of the Poultry Federation was trying to lobby me about something.A24constituent from Danville called.[It was] the man who was my peewee football25coach, who had been my counselor in the Methodist Youth Foundation when26I d been in it.Somehow Mr.Allen had found that man.He visited me on the27same subject, and I d trusted and known that man most of my life.2829 When legislative matters vital to an interest group are being considered, that30 group will ensure that its point of view is conveyed and considered.Other31 points of view may or may not be heard.5032 What happens to the harried lawmaker when, as is frequently the case,33 the signals from constituents, the governor s office, and interest groups34 are either absent or conflicting? During a legislative session, most of a35 legislator s transactions are with his or her fellow legislators.These constant36 interpersonal relationships, enhanced by a feeling that those outside the37 legislature do not fully understand or appreciate the hard work and sacrifices38 of those within it, tend to produce remarkable affection, respect, and concern39 for other legislators needs and wishes.Hence, as longtime Representative214 The Power and Politics of the Legislative Branch1 David Matthews noted, Much more important than party, profession, or2 philosophy is friendship. 513 In part this is a sensible technique of reciprocity, as the advice of one4 Arkansas legislator clearly expresses: Don t oppose anyone else s bills5 unless there is strong reason to, because it hurts the chances of your bill s6 passing. At times, however, this spirit goes far beyond the usual legislative7 norms of mutual expediency to something bordering on sentimentality.8 Consider the following example.In 1979, Representative Mack Thomp-9 son s persuaded the House State Agencies Committee to give a Do Pass to10 Representative Arlo Tyer s bill making it a crime to show X-rated pictures.11 Thompson s reasons were that Tyer had been a faithful committee member,12 had attended all meetings, and this is the only bill he s had and it s important[214], (29)13 to him. 5214 Camaraderie aside, unless a bill directly affects his or her district, has15 produced substantial public debate, or has come before one of his or herLines: 39716 committees, a legislator is unlikely to know anything about a bill s contents 17 (what does it really do?) and impact (will it help or hurt me?).This substantive0.0pt Pg18 and political knowledge is most readily and reliably obtainable from one s 19 colleagues.Depending upon time constraints, a quick conference with theNormal Pa20 bill s sponsor or with one s seatmates may suffice.Over time, however, aPgEnds: TE21 few legislators are most consistently the cue givers and therefore have the22 most influence on their colleague s voting behavior.23 In neither house nor senate does a formal leadership position necessarily[214], (29)24 coincide with influence over individual members decision making.This is25 in part because (with the exception only of Bobby Hogue s four years as26 Speaker in the mid-1990s) every two years a new Speaker of the house and27 president pro tempore of the senate are elected by their colleagues.However,28 there is a real sense that, in the term limits era, members are more consciously29 selecting strong leaders for those roles in each house; moreover, recent rules30 alterations have strengthened the Speaker institutionally.The Speaker was a31 formidable figure through the early 1960s, making committee assignments,32 naming committee chairs, assigning bills to friendly or hostile committees at33 will, and totally controlling the calendar [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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