Nevada has a biennial legislature, meaning that we are only officially in session every two years. Specifically, in Nevada, we are obligated by the Nevada Constitution to convene on the first Monday of February in odd numbered years, and to adjourn 120 days later. (And, thanks to the Nevada Supreme Court, we do get to go to 1AM on the 121st day... to make up for the hour we lose to Daylight Saving Time!) Today is the first Monday in February in an even-numbered year, meaning that we are now at the midpoint between the beginning of the 76th Legislative Session (2011) and the beginning of the 77th Legislative Session (2013).
Just because the session is biennial does not mean that our work is done when Day 120 is complete. Indeed, in many senses, our work has just begun. The process of documenting what has happened during the session begins during the session but continues well beyond. The Senate Front Desk, under the experienced direction of Assistant Secretary of the Senate Sherry Rodriguez, does an extraordinary job during the session ensuring that legislation is accurately tracked, that agendas are complete and accurate, and that each day's Journal is complete. Most observers do not realize that the Front Desk (and, specifically, the Journal Clerk) is responsible to produce a complete draft of the Journal each day before leaving the Legislative Building. This is not so much of a challenge on days with brief floor sessions... but late in the session, as the Senate floor session stretch past midnight, the Front Desk can be hard at work on the Journal at 3AM and beyond.
This week, we completed the second proof of the Senate Journal, marking the midpoint of the editing process. Altogether, we'll do four proofs of the 6,000 page Journal, alternatively focusing on substance, grammar, process, and style. We will ensure that the Journal adheres to Senate tradition. We will pore over Senators' speeches, to assure that their words are accurately transcribed. And we will retrace the path of every piece of legislation taken up by the Senate, ensuring that every piece of legislation is accounted for during every step of the legislative process.
Every time I review the Journal I am reminded of the evident care, conviction, and thoughtfulness of Nevada's 21 Senators. From our most grizzled veterans to our wet-behind-the-ears "rookies," from the most conservative Republican to the most liberal Democrat... Nevada’s Senators repeatedly demonstrate their commitment, dedication, and unflagging stamina. The Legislative Session is a marathon, but the Senate Journal breaks that marathon into the day-by-day story of Nevadans from many different walks of life, all coming together to do the work of the people.
Perhaps I am a victim of "Stockholm Syndrome," the oft-discussed phenomenon where a kidnap victim falls in love with his captors (in my case, those who elect him). Whether or not I could be plausibly diagnosed with Stockholm Syndrome, I do believe that most people would be pleasantly surprised that their elected officials, to whom so little is paid and so much is expected, by and large perform admirably during their time in Carson City.
It's not all rainbows and roses, of course. I’m sure our Senators would agree that partisan rancor can be difficult and that the process is far from perfect. But in an age where it has become de rigueur to believe that politics is broken, taking a good read (or four good reads!) through the Journal reassures at least this Nevadan that our citizen legislature is putting forth the effort and determination needed to address Nevada's substantial challenges. This realization gives me and my team the stamina we need to read this hefty 6,000 page book four times, ultimately producing a quality Journal that adequately and accurately reflects the hard work these Senators have performed.
It's not all rainbows and roses, of course. I’m sure our Senators would agree that partisan rancor can be difficult and that the process is far from perfect. But in an age where it has become de rigueur to believe that politics is broken, taking a good read (or four good reads!) through the Journal reassures at least this Nevadan that our citizen legislature is putting forth the effort and determination needed to address Nevada's substantial challenges. This realization gives me and my team the stamina we need to read this hefty 6,000 page book four times, ultimately producing a quality Journal that adequately and accurately reflects the hard work these Senators have performed.
