Karl Aro: NCSL staff chair.

• Author: Andrade, Jane Carroll
• Position: THE FINAL WORD - Interview

Karl Aro, NCSL's new staff chair, has 36 years of experience as a bill drafter, research analyst and a director with Maryland's Department of Legislative Services. He was born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey and earned a bachelor's degree in government and politics from Monmouth University in New Jersey and a master's in public administration from the University of Maryland. He has worked in several policy areas including health, workers' compensation, environment, elections, but is best known for his work in redistricting and reapportionment.

What life lessons have you learned working in a legislature for 36 years?

What appears to be easy isn't. It's difficult to achieve compromise. It's hard to communicate clearly. It's challenging to get your ideas or the information needed out there. Nothing is simple.

What advice would you give to new staff?

The greatest asset you have is your credibility. Stay organized, be honest and make sure your work is on time and accurate. And if you don't know an answer, don't fake it; there are way too many people out there who know the answers. Say "I don't know, but I will find out" and then find the answer--fast.

What are your priorities as NCSL staff chair?

We need to continue to provide value-added, useful information and reliable resources, primarily through electronic media. We have to stay current. But even though we can do a lot of work through electronic media, we shouldn't do it at the cost of face-to-face, personal-contact opportunities. With so many ways available to reach legislators--through Facebook or Twitter or whatever-the challenge becomes distinguishing ourselves, making sure our members understand that we are the most reliable source.

What do legislative staff wish lawmakers understood?

From a nonpartisan staff perspective, that we always make our best professional effort. We care about the legislative institution. We want to help lawmakers make good decisions by giving them the information they need. We don't have a dog in the hunt. I just wish they all understood that as fully as I think they ought. I think most do. Some don't.

How has legislative service evolved?

Computerization has changed the landscape dramatically. The fact that we can do so much more, so much more quickly has sometimes created unrealistic time expectations. It still takes a human mind to figure out the best way to draft a...