The long and short of it
In some states, new legislatures have to work fast
WHEN Congress convened earlier this month, Democrats in the House used their new majority to pass some popular measures during the first 100 hours in session. House Democrats hope to portray themselves as a determined bunch who are swiftly getting things done; but few of those votes will mean much until the Senate approves similar bills, the two chambers negotiate, and George Bush signs them into law. If Americans really want to see some busy lawmakers at work, therefore, they should pay attention over the next few months to their often-overlooked state legislatures.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “The long and short of it”
From the January 27th 2007 edition
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