Learning the Ropes

For the ninth time, Karen Wadsworth, the clerk of the House of Representatives, is preparing for a biannual deluge of newly elected lawmakers. Large election-year turnover is typical in New Hampshire for what is essentially a volunteer Legislature where members are paid only mileage reimbursement plus $100 per year.

But, there’s large turnover and then there’s historically large. When the two days of new lawmaker orientation begins Tuesday, Nov. 16, Wadsworth will face her largest arrival of new members yet.

“Yes, it’s one of the largest groups of new legislators,” Wadsworth tells Front Door Politics. Though a recount or two may change the final numbers, she estimates there will be 158 new members and 30 “returning” members, or people who have served in the past.

The total make-up of the House could be 298-102 in favor of Republicans. A 19-5 Republican majority in the Senate is certain. By our reckoning, that’s a 43.2 percent out-with-the-old-and-in-with-the-new shuffle. But, before committee assignments are made and bills are considered, newcomers must begin to learn the fundamentals of being a lawmaker.

“We pack a lot in for two days,” Wadsworth said. To manage the orientation effectively, she says, new lawmakers have been sent invitations and need to reply to attend the two-day school of legislature. The curriculum includes:

• Tours around the State House and legislative buildings.
• A seminar on how to write a bill.
• A mock committee hearing.
• A mock session in the House and Senate chambers to help them learn the rules of decorum and debate — and voting procedures.
• Learn about the House and Senate calendars and where to get related information.
• Learn the distinction between partisan and non-partisan services in each body. (Wadsworth herself is part of a non-partisan staff that serves all House members.)
• Lawmakers receive a 43-page legislative handbook that covers all aspects of House and Senate legislative work, including party caucus activities (You can read the handbook here.)

“I tell them there are no dumb questions,” Wadsworth says. One of the more popular topics for new legislators is how to get a legislative license plate (see Page 35 of the handbook).

The orientation sessions are preparation for Organization Day on Dec. 1. That’s when lawmakers will be sworn in as members of the 162^nd General Court (the official name of the New Hampshire legislature.)

This Daily Update was written by Michael McCord.

Posted by Hilary Niles on Nov 8 2010. Filed under Government, Weekly Briefing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry