Sine Die: A Guide to the Washington State Legislative Process

by Edward D. Seeberger

Overview

This 1997 edition of Sine Die is a completely new book. Since the first edition of Sine Die was published in 1987, there have been dramatic changes in the Washington State Legislature and in state politics. Limits have been placed on campaign contributions and reporting requirements are expanded; ethics laws were passed following revelations of improper use of caucus staff; Initiative 601 was passed by the voters imposing limitations on state taxing and spending powers; the legislative process has been computerized and information is now easily and quickly accessible electronically to all; and term limits, passed in 1992, start taking their toll on state legislators in 1998. Even more significant, there has been a gender revolution in the legislature. Women are on the verge of having an equal place in numbers and power and are having a dramatic effect on the legislative climate and on state policy.

Sine Die is a clear and up-to-date description of how the Washington State Legislature works. Presenting substantially more information on women in the legislature, the role of the governor, and the various origins of legislation, the 1997 edition explains the process by which thousands of proposed laws are introduced each year and are culled down to the approximately twenty percent that are eventually enacted.

This book will be a valuable aid to legislators, citizens, students of government, and to historians who need to understand the legislative process and the people who serve in the Washington State Legislature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295806969
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	06/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	318
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction to the 1997 Edition

1. The State Capitol

2. Legislative Sessions Regular and Special Shift of Power in 1979 What Was So Special?

3. Bills Bills, Memorials and Resolutions Drafting, Filing and Sponsorship of Measures Origin of BillsSeverability Clause, Emergency Clause, Effective Date and Expiration Date Initiative and Referendum

4. Committees Standing Committees Committee Chairs and Membership Committee Hearings and Procedures Fiscal Notes Information Available

5. Management of Legislation Through Cutoffs Introduction and First Reading Committee Consideration of Own-House BillsExempt Bills The Rules Committee Floor Consideration of Own-House Bills The Rules of Debate and Voting Committee Consideration of Opposite-House Bills Floor Consideration of Opposite-House Bills Calendars Disputes and Conferences The Last Week

6. The Budgets Where the Money Comes From Initiative 601 Where the Money Goes The Operating Budget The Capital Budget The Transportation Budget

7. The Governor and the Legislature Policymaker Vetoes Veto OverridesGubernatorial Appointments Senate Confirmations

8. Legislators Number of Legislators Legislative Districts and Redistricting Political Parties Terms, Term Limits and Turnover Qualifications and Prior Experience Age Racial Diversity Leadership Vacancies Pay, Perks and the Good Life

9. The Gender Revolution Women’s Suffrage Getting Elected Taking Power Senator Jeannette Hayner Using Power

10. Legislative Staff Direct Legislative Staff Shared Legislative Staff Interns Pages Staff Past and Future

11. Ethics, Disclosure and Campaigns 1994 State Ethics in Public Service Law Legislative Ethics Board Public Disclosure Commission Campaign Finance Reform: Initiative 134

12. A History of the 1991-1992 Sessions 1991 1992

Glossary of Legislative Terms Bibliography Index