Cultivating the Political "Major Leaguers" of the Future

Jon Ralston has famously dubbed the Nevada Legislature the "Gang of 63."

As a baseball fan, I prefer to think of the Nevada Legislature as the "big leagues" of Nevada politics. Our league has produced some Hall of Famers (like Bill Raggio, the Cal Ripken of the Senate, and Speaker Joe Dini, who acted as the "Manager of the Year" for 16 years in the Assembly). The Nevada Legislature has launched the career of many U.S. Congressmen, Senators, and Governors, as well as eight Justices of the Nevada Supreme Court.

If the Nevada Legislature is the big leagues, it is my great pleasure to work to cultivate our minor league farm system. Working with young people is a highlight of my job. uLegislate, our legislative simulation, has been very well received thus far. We welcomed nearly 100 high school students in April and we'll welcome 200 participants to the Nevada Senate in May. Many of these sessions are available for viewing on the Nevada Legislature's website. Watch the legislative calendar and you'll get to watch students and adults alike "learning by doing" in a one-hour legislative simulation where they debate model legislation.

But the "AAA" minor league for the Nevada Legislature -- where the prime talent can be found -- is at the Nevada Youth Legislature. This program, created by the Nevada Legislature in 2007, has won many prestigious awards and serves as a national model for involving young people in the legislative process. Senator Valerie Wiener was the early champion for this program, and last year was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the newly-established Nevada Youth Legislature Foundation. I was very pleased when she asked me to serve as Executive Director on a volunteer basis. The Nevada Youth Legislature is a terrific program that complements my focus on making the legislative process more accessible, understandable, and open to the public. I truly enjoy working with Senator Wiener to help build this important organization.

Following a competitive application process, every Nevada Senator appoints a high school student for a two-year term. Once appointed, these Youth Legislators serve as emissaries for their Senate Districts, communicating needs and concerns on behalf of their constituencies. They receive training on the legislative process, on effective public speaking, and on negotiation strategies. These training sessions are well received by the students, who report back that they use their new skills in myriad ways in their high school careers.

As a body, the Nevada Youth Legislature is empowered by law to consider and propose legislation. Every fall in odd-numbered years, the Youth Legislators each conduct town meetings within their own districts to generate ideas for legislation. Each Youth Legislator then works with LCB staff to create a bill summary on an issue of concern. Those 21 bill summaries are debated and narrowed down to 7, and ultimately, down to 2 finalists. Once the Youth Legislature identifies the two finalist issues, the full Youth Legislature considers those two issues, hearing from lobbyists, constituents, and other concerned parties. The Youth Legislature then votes on one final bill topic, which is then fleshed out as a full-fledged Bill Draft Request (BDR) by the LCB's Legal Division. Once approved, this BDR is submitted to the Nevada Legislature at its next biennial session.

We have had three official sessions of the Nevada Youth Legislature in the last six months. Senator Wiener and I continually marvel at the intelligence, compassion, care, and seriousness with which the Youth Legislators acquit themselves. The level of discourse is high, and the preparation and consideration of these young people truly impressive. I admit to being a cynic and a skeptic on some matters -- but time spent with these young people will wash the cynicism away from even the most jaded of political observers. The Nevada Youth Legislature will propose legislation in 2013 to amend the Nevada Constitution to "lock" the Millennium Scholarship Account so funds for that program cannot be used for any other purpose. The selection of this topic reflects the value and importance of this program to the young people represented in this body.

13 of our 21 Youth Legislators will be graduating from high school this year. This will create new opportunities for our "AA" players (who are currently honing their craft in student councils, on debate teams, and by leading student clubs and organizations) to step up to the "AAA" level. We will be appointing 13 young people to one-year terms this summer to complete the terms of our graduating seniors. If you know of a young person who may be a good fit for the program, advise them to watch the Nevada Youth Legislature website for more information and for application materials, which will be posted soon.

Warming temperatures and the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air remind us that spring has sprung and a new baseball season has begun. Having observed our legislative minor leaguers this spring, I can report that the future is bright. The Nevada Youth Legislature is one program that instills hope in this political observer, and I'll be rooting for these young people as they graduate and lay the groundwork for their ascendance to the "Major Leagues" in the not-too-distant future.

Senator Bill Raggio: In Memorium

On behalf of Senate staff past and present, I would like to add my voice to the chorus of recognition honoring Senator Bill Raggio for his lifetime of public service.  Senator Raggio passed away today at the age of 85.  With 38 years of service, Senator Raggio will likely forever hold the distinction as the longest-serving Senator in the history of the Nevada Legislature.  But the story of Bill Raggio is about much more than longevity.  It’s about the respect and admiration that he earned, with colleagues and staff alike.

Mike Archer last year wrote “A Man of His Word: The Life & Times of Nevada’s Senator Bill Raggio,” the definitive and authorized biography.  Mike served as a Senior Finance Committee Proofreader in the 2011 Session.  He has worked for the Senate for nearly ten years.  Last year, Senator Raggio did a book signing in the Legislative Building, upon publication of that book.  The line that formed for that book signing told you all you needed to know about the respect and admiration Senator Raggio earned – and just how widespread that sentiment was.  I saw Senate, Assembly and Legislative Counsel Bureau staff in that line.  I saw lobbyists – committed conservative Republicans and committed liberal Democrats alike – in that line.  I even remember a few current members of the Assembly and Senate were good naturedly standing in line, as a sort of simple tribute and show of respect.  We are very fortunate that we had the opportunity in 2011 to honor Senator Raggio while he was still with us and in relatively good health.

Sherry Rodriguez serves as Assistant Secretary of the Senate.  In that capacity, she is responsible for coordinating closely with the Majority Leader on bill referrals and parliamentary matters.  This morning she said, “Senator Raggio has touched so many lives not just here inside the Legislature but throughout the entire State of Nevada. His presence will forever be felt inside the Senate Chamber as we remember him and his eloquent way of speaking. Anyone who knew him could feel his love and passion he held for the great State of Nevada.  During his career Senator Raggio dealt with many tribulations and triumphs but he always stood steadfast for what he felt was best and what he felt was right for the people of Nevada, putting aside the influence or threats of others. Most of all he leaves behind a legacy of what a true Statesman is and should be.  Senator Raggio will truly be missed by all and especially those of us who were fortunate to work closely with him inside the Senate Chamber."

I think Sherry’s words speak for many on the Senate staff.  Let me let you in on a secret: even though the Senate staff is sworn to be nonpartisan, we still have our favorites.  Many Senators serve their terms with good humor, dignity, and a sense of decorum.  Some, like Senator Raggio, exceed even this standard and bring esteem to the institution with their dedication and selfless devotion to the process.  Senator Raggio loved the Senate like few others.  His hard work reflected tremendously on the institution.

The story of Senator Raggio is about much more than longevity, but longevity is an important aspect of the story.  To serve for 38 years in the Senate is quite an accomplishment; to serve as Senate Majority Leader for 10 regular sessions and 9 special sessions – setting records that will likely never be surpassed – is literally unprecedented and shows the kind of political acumen that became a Raggio hallmark.  Jan Thomas, who served as Secretary of the Senate from 1981-2000, said today that, “Senator Bill Raggio was indeed a gifted man who deeply cared about the people whom he served and all of humanity in general,” while Claire Clift, who served as Secretary of the Senate from 2001-2010, said, “he had a keen wisdom and insight into the integral elements of governance that made the Senate an outstanding example of what a bipartisan, deliberative body could yield when working together.”  My two predecessors worked with Senator Raggio for nearly thirty years altogether.  More than most, they had the measure of the man.  The admiration of both women speaks volumes to the quality of this Senate icon.

Throughout his illustrious Senate career, Senator Raggio was beloved by his Finance Committee staff (a committee he chaired for 18 years) and by his personal staff.  Particularly, the Senate staffs’ condolences go out to Dale Raggio, who for many years served as his Executive Assistant and worked closely with staff of the Nevada Senate.  We will miss Senator Raggio, but the Nevada Senate – an institution that Senator Raggio loved – has been molded by his wit and wisdom forevermore.

Journal Checking - How the Secretary of the Senate May Be Suffering From Stockholm Syndrome

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.

Introducing uLegislate: the Nevada Senate's Legislative Simulation

Welcome to “From the Well,” an occasional blog about the Nevada Senate.  While my Twitter feed (@NVSecSenate) will continue to be updated daily, I hope to update this blog about once every month or two with news and information that can’t be summarized in 140 characters or less.

Even before being appointed Secretary of the Senate, I was a longtime believer in the importance of participatory democracy.  The phrase is a bit of a mouthful, but the idea is powerful: our democracy is only as strong as the citizens who participate in it.  I think it’s an important part of my job to develop new ways to engage Nevadans in the legislative process, and to develop new ways to make this process more engaging, more relevant, and more interesting.  During the 2011 Session, I found Twitter to be one way to accomplish this goal: it gave me a communications tool to convey what was happening on the floor of the Senate.  I was able to engage with audiences both within the Legislative Building and with the community at large.  Through Twitter, I was able to answer questions from the gallery, provide updates on schedule, and explain parliamentary jargon… all in real time.

Today, continuing this effort to make the legislative process more accessible for Nevadans, I am very proud to introduce uLegislate.  This is a collaborative effort between the Senate and the Legislative Counsel Bureau, involving staff from LCB’s Information Technology, Broadcast, and Legal divisions.  Once a week, we will host a variety of groups (community groups, schoolchildren, chambers of commerce, church groups, any group that wants to learn more about the legislative process) within the Senate chamber for a one-hour legislative simulation.  We are currently hard at work developing the scripts, sample legislation, and technology needed to provide participants with a unique and informative first-hand experience. 

If your group participates in uLegislate, you might see your name on the big board in the Senate Chamber, voting for or against sample legislation.  You might have the opportunity to preside over a simulated session, from the same rostrum where the Lieutenant Governor presides.  You might be put through the paces of a Senate staffer or Sergeant at Arms, helping to keep the legislative day running smoothly and efficiently.  And in all of these cases, you will gain a valuable perspective on the legislative process and the difficult challenge facing Nevada’s Senators.

We have our "guinea pigs" lined up for February, and plan to launch this service to the general public in March.  Our goal is to have one group participate each week from March 5^th to July 27^th.  There is no charge to participate, though we may offer some premium services (for example, a DVD of your group’s experience) at a nominal fee and at-cost. 

A flyer about the program is available for download.  We are now taking reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information, or to reserve your week, please call us (775-684-1400) or email us.  We look forward to welcoming you for a first-hand look at the challenge of service in the Nevada Senate.