Washington State Legislature: A Case Study in Civility and Politics Francis Benjamin Washington State University The Council of State Governments WEST Annual Meeting - Honolulu - August 2, 2011
Washington State Legislative Service Project Examines the Washington state legislative process and the perceptions and attitudes of a variety of participants and stakeholders connected to the Washington state legislature. Legislators who served during the period 1990 to 2009 Legislative staff Legislative interns from the last ten years Lobbyists Members of the media Registered voters College students
Legislator Service Perspectives Benefits Ability to represent and help their constituents Learn the legislative process in-depth Influence the crafting of legislation Access to important policy influencers Professional growth Challenges Separation from family Short election cycle Persistently tight schedules Hyper-partisanship, too frequent display of disrespect and incivility Poor public policy outcomes
What is Legislative Civility Incivility Legislative Process Civility Mutual respect Interest in other s perspective Doesn t require agreement Recognition that you may be wrong
How Important is Civility in Producing Good Policy Outcomes Percent of respondents 50 40 30 20 10 0 Percent of respondents 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Not important Essential 10-point scale 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not important Essential 7-point scale Legislator Lobbyist Voter Student
Does Bipartisan Collaboration Improve the Effectiveness of Legislative Sessions? Legislator: Yes 95% No 5% Lobbyist: Yes 81% No 19% Percent of respondents 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Almost Never Almost Always 7-point scale Staff
How Civil was the Legislature During the Legislator s Tenure? Percent of respondents 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Extremely uncivil Extremely civil 10-point scale Legislator
Changes in Legislative Civility During the Legislator s Tenure Percent of respondents 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Decrease substantially Decrease somewhat Stay about the same Increase somewhat Increase substantially Legislator Lobbyist
Changes in Legislative Civility During the Last Ten Years Percent of respondents 50 40 30 20 10 0 Less 2 3 Same 5 6 More Voter Student
Hindrances Bipartisan Collaboration Party and caucus leadership influence Pressure from lobbyists/special interest groups Focusing on re election Majority vs. Minority (especially with super majorities) Differences in party ideology and perspective Lack of personal relationships between legislators Not working in a professional manner/lack of respect for other legislators Focusing on making the other party look bad
Encouraged by Bipartisan Collaboration Developing personal relationships with other legislators Maintaining mutual respect/courtesy/civility Working in committees and study groups When the vote separation between majority and minority is small Crisis/disasters Leadership who are inclusive of both parties Legislators who focus on making a difference in their community and state
Civility Factors Party Caucus Smaller vote separation between majority/minority increases civility Plan for ideological differences Party Leadership Inclusive leaders are viewed as more civil Structuring committee seating/ working groups Legislator Relationships Importance of personal relationships View all legislators as valuable Professionalization of the Legislature Increased time requirements on legislators Decrease in non partisan staff
Civility Factors Legislators Residences During Session Legislators Families Joining Them During Session Transportation Changes Technological Changes Televising of sessions Computers/e-mail/text messaging
Civility Factors Legislator Demographics gender, election vote %, length of service, party Legislative District Demographics legislator composition, turnover rate, region, density Session Demographics majority/minority, senate/house, date, majority vote lead
Campaign Incivility Carries Over to Legislative Sessions Civility of the legislature while a legislator (10-point scale) 8 7.5 7 6.5 6 5.5 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 With Civility With Hostility How treated during campaign (7-point scale)
Civility Factors Is Being a Legislator a Worthy Calling? Legislators Perspective Citizens Perspective
Incivility as it Relates to Political Discrimination among New Young Voters Political discrimination has become the accepted outlet for socially unacceptable discriminatory behavior.
Political Discrimination What Types of Political Discrimination are Acceptable How Does Political Discrimination Compare to Other Types of Discrimination
Civility
Washington State Legislature: A Case Study in Civility and Politics Francis Benjamin Washington State University benjamin@wsu.edu (509) 335-7146