There are many problems with Arizona politics. Out of them all, I do feel there is one source that creates some of the “crazy” that we call the Arizona Legislature.
Before I dive into what I think is the root of the problem, I need to ask: Have you ever been to the legislature during session? If you are a tax paying, Arizona citizen, then this is a required trip! You’ve heard the stories and you seen the reports from local news, but you still cannot be prepared enough for the idiocy of our legislature. Let me be clear that there is no political party exempt from this idiocy. The speeches and the rationale of some of this legislature leave for face palming, jaw dropping, and unbelievably hilarious time. If it wasn’t for the fact that these folks make our laws it would be a free comedy! Your next day off, check to see if the legislature is in session and drop on by to both the House and Senate for a good hour. It’s a must.
So is the source of the problems the legislature? Sort of. The real issue is who we elect into the legislature. The state defines the job of a legislator to be a “part-time” gig. Forgetting the fact that being called into special sessions 6 times a year and working until 2am to pass the Budget is not “part-time,” the question should be: is making our laws be a “part-time” gig? Because of this classification the current salary for a Legislator is $24,000 a year. Yup. I said that correctly.
If you are an educated passionate member of our community, could you be in a position to quit your job and campaign for a year without income just for the possibility to win an election? Oh and remember that should you win a seat you will replace your former income wiht $24,000 a year?
Of course this is not about money; it is about representing your constituents and being a civic leader. But you still need to live! Most Legislators hold other jobs or are independently wealthy to do this job. We have had very important bills fail in the past by one missing vote due to the fact that the particular legislator that was not present had to go home to prepare for their day gig.
Yes politicians suck. Yes this is not about the “money.” But does this salary even allow quality folks to step up to the plate and run for office? Those who attempt to run and maintain their day job tend not to make it to office, or past their first term.
There are many problems with Arizona’s political system. This is one I think that is at the core. Let’s fix this issue next time. The state legislator can’t raise their pay, thus it is on the ballot as an initiative every election cycle.
Don’t gloss it over this time.
Think about the consequences.
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View Comments to “The Source of the Problems”
And furthermore, does the salary insult us into not even considering taking this task on?
I am not going to claim this is all about the money. I think the question for me remains “SHOULD I run for a seat?” rather than “could I?”
Most of the time I feel like I am preventing myself from getting involved, not because I do not care but because I do not not think I know enough. A lot of days I wonder if I can handle what it takes to run our household and myself…much less the world around me.
But…twofold…I care about our society at large and certainly about our city (shameless plug for my running post). So I am the only one to blame for my not being involved. Maybe it just takes someone telling me I am smart enough to try.
From this political hack, you are smart enough to try! You are oodles of smartness over those currently in there!
“Should” is a good initial question. But then responsibility to family, etc. comes into play. So the next question is “can I run?”
Quality, educated, passionate folks such as teachers, social workers, blue collar workers often can't because of this very real factor.
I wonder if…at some point…we can find a way to enable the individuals we really need the ability to get involved. With all the grant programs around, why can we not find one for REAL citizens with REAL issues?
Clean elections was supposed to be the first step. If you ask me the clean elections system is seriously flawed! That is for another post soon. But that only get's them into office. Do we want folks to take second jobs aside from their legislative duties? These jobs might be for special interests, etc.
Being a law maker should be a full time job. We need to start with that mentality I feel in order to begin to fix this problem.
Then we HAVE to make it doable for most families. Think about this, though…if we make the salary really livable for most families, we make the caring citizens able to focus on legislature full time, thus making change more efficient and more of a reality.
Yes, in a perfect world.
But…we have to make the elections clean first. How do we unravel years and years of misconduct?
I think the a central problem is the number of safe legislative districts in Arizona. Or, put another way, the lack of competitive seats. Currently in AZ there are only 3 out of 30 legislative districts and only 2 out of 8 congressional districts that are competitive.
The result is that incumbent politicians are seldom challenged, and when they are challenged, it is from within their own party in the primaries. This has resulted in polarized politicians (on both sides) and less responsive lawmaking.
A serious look at redistricting could dramatically changes the power balance in Arizona politics from the fringes to the main stream. this could result in actual solutions being found that meet the needs of the greatest number of citizens. Alas, given that the incumbent politicians were elected under the current system they are less likely to advocate for competitive districts.
Arizona's districts will be reviewed again in 2011. Those of use who want some sanity to return to the Legislature need to call for a fairer distribution of seat. In the meantime, pay attention to, and be sure to vote in, to the primaries in this years elections. Chances are that is where the 'real' election is taking place in your district.
Heather, why not start by becoming a member of a board or commission? It's a lot less of a commitment in terms of time and money, but gives you access to important decision makers and helps to familiarize yourself with the system. You wil quickly find that you know far more than 'enough' This is one of the key ways that the developers and kookacracy wield their influence; it's time for the rest of us to start getting involved to balance them.
You mean start from the bottom and work your way up? Surely these generations are too short sighted and extrinsically driven to take on such a tactic.
They claim it's broken, and they want it fixed. NOW.
Thank you for this post. I agree with so much of what you say. In addition to our legislators being independently wealthy or business owners, some are most likely being directly financially supported by members of their community.
As much as I would love to see a full-time legislature that also offers a livable wage, I'm not sure we'll get it any time soon. In the meantime, there are things concerned citizens can do. Like Yuri said, we can get involved on local or state boards or commissions. We can find those candidates we like and financially support their campaigns – or at least be a volunteer. Also contact your representatives, let them know what you support and what you don't.
And vote in EVERY election. While most people only vote nationally, it's the local elections that have the greatest impact on our day to day lives.
As a former legislator, I agree that the salary is part of the problem. I do not believe that Clean Elections is what causes extremism. In fact, those who want to see it eliminated may not remember what it was like when only the chambers of commerce and home builders chose who would get in to office, practically.
The central problem is redistricting. We only have 3 competitive districts when we should have 9-10. For various reasons, we can't have 30 out of 30 competitive districts. But with 9-10, we have more moderates and more opportunity for finding common ground.
As for the salary, yes, it needs to change. I advocate for a dual system. As a legislator, you can choose: Option 1 is to continue with the part time salary and you do whatever you do outside the legislature to make money. Option 2 is the full time option. We will pay you quite a bit more. In that case, like a member of Congress, you can't have another job. You have your investments in a blind trust and you are expected to have office hours.
We also need to find a way to get legislators to learn about the departments in our government, what they do and why.
Thanks for this post. I had no idea about the salary her ein AZ. Having only been here a few years I am still learning the AZ “system”.
I agree many people can not afford to run due to the financial burden it would cause to run, and then serve. Back in NY I knew many members of Dean For America who would have been great public servants, but could not fit the time into thier schedules to run. I walked door to door with one local county legislature candidate, even though he had been at Xerox for many years he still had hard time, and we could only walk nights and weekend. Granted thats the best time as people are home them, but theres so much more to running that HAS to take place during the day. Interviews with papers, talk radio, etc, managing the campaign.
I agree you have to start local, and small and make the connections and learn. I was thinking of doing a town level campaign in NY, but the chance to move here came up before I got in a position to do that. I have gotten involved a little in my local schools here even though my oldest doesnt start school until this August. As they get older I hope to increase that participation and then maybe move to other interests besides the school.
Thanks so much for the sane civil discourse here!