MI

MN

WI

IA

Professionalism and Party Competition in the Clean States

Mary Palmer

Minnesota

0100200300400500600700800900

1979 1988 1996 2003

Permanent

Session-Only

Total

Iowa

050

100150200250300350400450

1979 1988 1996 2003

Permanent

Session-Only

Total

Wisconsin

0100200300400500600700800

1979 1988 1996 2003

Permanent

Session-Only

Total

Michigan

0200400600800

1,0001,2001,4001,600

1979 1988 1996 2003

Permanent

Session-Only

Total

MN and IA, hybrid

MI and WI,professional

Permanent Staffing Relatively High in Clean States

Compensation ($)/Year for Legislators in 2008

79,650

47,413

31,140.9025,000

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Michigan Wisconsin Minnesota Iowa

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legman/about/05salary.htm.

The Professional Legislatures Make More Money

Very Little Turnover

Senate House Iowa 100% 96% Wisconsin 100% 96% Michigan 96% 98% Minnesota No data available 91%

Incumbent Reelection Rate (1994)

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/incmb1.htm

Total Turnover in Legislature (1994-96)

Total Turnover (%) Wisconsin 11% Michigan 16% Minnesota 19% Iowa 23%

Minority Representation in the State Legislature (2006)

29.9

25.8

20.3 20

1

6

14

2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

MN WI MI IA

% Women

% AfricanAmericans

http://www.ncsl.org/programs/wln/WomenInOffice2006.htmhttp://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/ABOUT/AfrAmermain.htm

Competition of Legislature (2006)

Iowa Michigan

MinnesotaWisconsin

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/graphs/competitive/index.phtml

“All in all, lawmakers have exhibited a stunning knack for discrediting their

institution”- Mahtesian

“Professionalism creates an institution filled with able, full-time legislators, talented staff and generous

resources. And yet many of these institutions become hopelessly polarized, form the back benches to the

rostrum” -Mahtesian

“The hardest votes aren’t popular but are the right thing to do. It’s hard to do that if you’ve only been there two years. But if you’ve been there 26 years, people might say, ‘I disagree with you, but you’re a good man, and I trust you’, we’re not getting the citizen Legislature we hoped for..”

–Andy Dillon (D), House majority leader (explaining how term limits impacted the budget crisis in 2007)

The 2007 Budget Crisis in Michigan- sick legislation at it’s worst…

"... the problem many people have with this service tax increase and for the most part any of the tax increases proposed is that it seems like the State is asking for us to cough up more of our hard earned money and to accept the tax increase, without them giving up anything. I have an idea, let's cut the pay of the legislature and the executive branch.”

-MI citizen

"Michigan cannot attract business due to our excessive taxes -- the tax increase our Liberal Politicians want will only exacerbate the problem. Here is the best part -- our 'Tax and Spend Governor' wants to increase our spending (more taxes) on education -- so we educate our kids in Michigan (at our expense) so they can leave the state to work for say -- Alabama.”

-MI citizen

Public Cynicism was not Resolved With the Budget:

Work CitedAmy Lane. “Bishop: A different party but the same firestorm.” Crain’s Detroit Business April 2, 2007.

Amy Lane. “Poll: Political logjam is harming the state’s economy.” Crain’s Detroit Business May 12 2008.

Amy Lane. “Ideas abound to prevent the next state budget impasse.” Crain’s Detroit Business October 1, 2007.

Amy Lane. “Deadline nears to get term-limit redo on ballot.” Crain’s Detroit Business November 5 2007.

Christ Christoff, Kathleen Gray, Zachary Gorchow and Tina Lam. “State of crisis.” Detroit Free Press. September 29, 2007.

Chris Christoff. “Lawmakers try to fix budget crisis by midnight.” The Detroit Free Press. September 27, 2007.

“An utter failure of leadership.” The Detroit Free Press. September 23, 2007.

Tom Henderson. “State lawmakers talk of budget clash at breakfast forum” Crain’s Detroit Business. May 21, 2007.

Dawson Bell, Zachary Gorchow, and Chris Christoff. “Senate approves 4.35% income tax o 20-19 vote.” The Detroit Free Press. October 1, 2007.