HOW DID MY LEGISLATOR VOTE?

Next, trying to understand the vote. Some questions to ask:

1. What exactly was voted on? Precisely what would passage of this measure do? Bill titles can be misleading and bill texts can be complex. Bill summaries (found at the end of the bill text) usually are written in more “user-friendly” language. They provide a brief statement of the intent and content of the bill.

2. At what stage of the legislative process was the vote taken? Was it the final version (“engrossed” version) of the bill with all adopted amendments attached? Or—was it at an intermediate stage, e.g. an amendment to the original bill?

Recommended: Written as a guide for new legislators, The Legislators’ Handbook (Nov. 2004 edition) contains in-depth, “insiders’” coverage of all legislative procedures, sources of information, a legislative glossary, etc. Available at http://www.state.me.us/legis/opla. Click on “Legislators’ Handbook”.

Also very helpful: “The Legislative Process in Depth” A detailed, step-by-step description of how an idea becomes a law. Available at http://janus.state.me.us/house/document.htm. Click on “Legislative process in depth”.

Finally, how did my legislator vote?

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Other ways to Get a Sense of a Legislator’s Record on Issues

Look at:

--Bills the legislator sponsors and co-sponsors

--The legislator’s performance in his assigned committee(s). Although restricted to bills handled by that particular committee, votes here are recorded “by name.” Currently, Representative Crosthwaite is serving on the State and Local Government Committee and the Government Oversight Committee. Senator Damon chairs the Marine Resources Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Joint Select Committee on Property Reform. Representative Koffman Chairs the Natural Resources Committee.

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