Citizen legislators shun politician label
by Mark LaPointe,Outpost Staff'
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But about three-fourths of the time, the halls are virtually empty and you'll have to look hard to find an elected official, lobbyists or reporter. In the chambers where the Senate and Assembly meet you'll find only empty desks and silence. No, Nevada's elected officials have not been banished from the building. No, they are not all on vacation.
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Empty seats in this normally busy center of political activity. Photo by Mark LaPointe. |
It's business as usual for the Silver State, one of seven states in the nation that operates on a true biennial system. What that means is that both houses of the Nevada Legislature meet every other year for what is supposed to be a relatively brief session.
The state constitution provides for the legislative session to begin on the third Monday in January of each odd-numbered year and end within 60 days. In recent years, as the state has grown rapidly, the legislature has often spent twice that time writing and passing laws, spending tax dollars and planning the state's future.
Although senators and Assembly members are only paid $130 a day for the 60 of the "official session" and an extra 20 days, Nevada legislators don't go on a long vacation the day the session ends. They continue to serve on committees, prepare legislation for the next session, serve constituents and oversee the legislative staff. Of course, there's always campaigning -- every two years for the Assembly and every four years for senators.
But even with their year-round duties, most in the legislature don't see themselves as truly "professional" politicians. Instead, many believe the state has a class of men and women who govern from within the populace rather than above it. These "citizen legislators," as they call themselves, are business people, educators, retirees, parents and students.
copyright 11/15/97 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost