The State Advantage.

AuthorMcLaughlin, Alysoun
PositionState legislators as successful congressional members

Half of all congressmen were once state legislators. Their previous state experience serves them well.

When the 52 newest members of the United States congress were sworn in last January, what did most of them have in common? A law degree? (No, only 16 of the incoming freshmen are lawyers.) Military service? (No, only 10 served in the military.) Give up?

Thirty of them--almost two thirds of the freshman class--were once state legislators. In fact, for the first time since the National Conference of State Legislatures started keeping track, over half of the current members of Congress have served in a state legislature.

And it serves them well. Freshman Representative Betty McCollum says her experience in the Minnesota Legislature helped her "hit the ground running." California Representative Adam Schiff, a freshman who chaired the California Senate Judiciary Committee, says he has a "significant advantage" over his colleagues who have not previously served in public office.

Schiff says his job as a congressman, like that of a state legislator, is twofold: providing services to his constituents and representing his district in the crafting of legislation. "The district part is almost identical. The agencies are different, but the method of dealing with them is very much the same. The legislative process is different, but understanding how the process works in general and how to build relationships with other members and the other party-all of this comes in very handy in Congress."

SIMILAR PROCESSES

Just knowing legislative procedure is invaluable. Sophomore Representative John Larson, a former Connecticut Senate president pro tem, says that "having a basic understanding of how the legislative and committee processes work provides you with a real leg up."

Representative Grace Napolitano, also a sophomore, served as a city council member and mayor before running for the California Senate. She says that her experience at the state and local levels helps her understand the different responsibilities of government.

It allows her to "visually pigeonhole" where services are needed and how local officials and organizations can best tap into resources or dovetail program funds. This enables her to turn legislation into results for her district. As a freshman, she was able to secure funds for a demonstration program in Los Angeles County focused on suicide prevention for young Latina girls who contemplate suicide at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the country.

"Because I served at the state level, I can call my colleagues back home to help me match funds. Also, because I know my district, I am able to say, 'This is a very poor area, we need to help them first.'"

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

An important tool these members bring from their legislatures is a skill for building relationships. Sophomore Representative Mike Simpson, a former speaker of the Idaho House, says that in a legislative body, "Everything you do is built by relationships and trust, and how people respect you or don't respect you. I can have the best idea in the world, but if I can't get 218 people to agree with me, it doesn't matter. People have to be able to respect me and trust my judgment. You learn that in the state legislature."

Freshman Representative Mike Rogers, a former majority floor leader of the Michigan Senate, agrees. "You've got to build relationships with the leadership, the committee chairs, the members in your own party and the loyal opposition," he says. "If you're going to be successful in getting any of your agenda passed, it takes some time to learn how important these relationships can be. I knew that before I got here, and I think that helped me get a key leadership position here as a freshman." A few weeks into his term, Rogers was named deputy majority whip, an unusual appointment for a freshman.

STATE ADVOCATES

Another big plus: They know how federal legislation affects the states. Representative John Larson tries to make his colleagues in Congress more aware of the consequences of unfunded mandates. "I can't think of a more glaring example than the IDEA program and special education," he says.

"Understanding what federal mandates mean to both local communities...

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