Peggy Piety: Indiana senior staff attorney and NCSL staff chair.

• Author: Hansen, Karen
• Position: THE FINAL WORD - National Conference of State Legislatures - Interview

Peggy Piety is a native Hoosier with B.A. and J.D. degrees from Indiana University. She did a stint in private practice and as an attorney for the City of Indianapolis. After losing her job when administrations changed, a friend told her about an opening at the Legislative Services Agency and encouraged her to apply because she thought Peggy would enjoy it and be good at it. (Her friend was right.) She and her husband, Josef Laposa, have been married for 15 years, after dating long distance for five years. NCSL's Director of Communications Karen Hansen chatted with Piety about her adventures in public service.

How has your view of public service evolved over the years? I've come to understand that public service is not a career for wimps. It's hard and often under-appreciated, but extremely critical. While I didn't consider public service as a new law school graduate, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have a public-sector legal career and make a difference in people's lives--even if they don't know who I am.

What is the biggest challenge legislative staff face? One is finding ways to work efficiently and effectively in an increasingly partisan environment. A second is the oncoming wave of senior staff retirements, which creates opportunities to update legislative processes and procedures and recruit and train the next generation of legislative staff.

Why are staff important to a legislature? Legislatures would be hard pressed to function without staff. They serve in every aspect of the legislature and partner with lawmakers to accomplish its work. Staff also play a critical role preserving and strengthening the legislative institution as one of the three co-equal branches of state government.

Why should staff be involved in NCSL? It is the organization for legislative staff! NCSL offers skills training and policy education geared to getting staff up to speed and better at their jobs, and it provides lots of opportunities to meet and learn from staff from every state. Plus, it's wonderful to have legislative friends and colleagues who are just a phone call away when you need help or support!

What are your priorities as staff chair this year? I hope to strengthen the staff programs and services NCSL currently provides, identify trends and changes on the horizon that will affect and are...