NEWS Western Legislative Academy Western Legislative Academy 2011 WLA’ers Review History of Legislative Institutions When newer lawmakers gathered in Colorado Springs from October 3-6, 2011 for the 12th Western Legislative Academy, veteran WLA faculty member and Boise State University political science professor Gary Moncrief gave participants a lesson on the history of state legislatures. From the reapportionment revolution in the 1960s to the modernization movement of the 1970s to the growing careerism of the 1980s to the growing use of the initiative in the 1990s, Moncrief looked at the positive and negative changes over the last five decades. On the plus side, legislatures have become more representative, WLA’ers work on team building at the U.S. Air Force Academy better staffed and more equal to the executive branch. On the down side, legislatures have become itself creates an environment of short-term versus long-term limited by the use of initiatives and by term limits in several perspectives. The geographically-based nature of the American Western states. district system gives rise to more narrow outlooks. And growing partisanship results from a period when the two parties are very In the new millennium, Moncrief cites heightened partisanship competitive nationally and in many states. and fiscal stress as characteristics of state legislatures. Sessions have lengthened and workload has increased. A 1996 In addition to Moncrief’s class on “50 Years of Legislative survey of veteran legislators found that lawmakers themselves Change,” state legislators at the Academy worked with national perceived that: re-election is a higher priority than earlier in their experts in communications, ethics, civility, negotiations, time careers, campaigning against the legislature happens more management and governance. A highlight was the half-day spent at the U.S. Air Force Academy engaged in team building. frequently, case work has increased and news coverage has become more confrontational. The Western Legislative Academy is a product of the Council of State Governments-WEST. Since its creation in 2000, Moncrief also touched on negative public perceptions of state 451 Western state legislators have graduated from the WLA. legislatures. He Many alumni have gone on to leadership positions in their said the culprits Post 2011 WLA Newsletter chambers, in statewide offices and in Congress. Class President Profile ...........2 are the media, Sponsors ................................3 the public, the Legislative “Students” ......... 4-5 education system The 2012 Western Legislative Academy will take place Faculty ................................ 6-7 and legislators November 13-16. Applications from legislators in their first Alumni.....................................8 themselves. The four years of TOTAL service are due April 30. For more legislative system information, call 916-553-4423 or visit www.csgwest.org. CSG-WEST 2011 Western Legislative Academy 1 Profile of the 2011 WLA Class President: WLA Class of 2011 Nevada Assemblywoman Benitez-Thompson October 3-6 in Colorado Springs, Colorado It was Thanksgiving Assemblywoman Jan Evans and then working for Michigan week when Governor Jennifer Granholm. CSG-WEST Benitez-Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in political called to interview science from the University of Nevada, Reno and a master’s Nevada freshman degree in social work from the University of Michigan. Both Assemblywoman degrees were financed in part by beauty pageant scholarships. Teresa In 2002 she was Miss Nevada, and in 2003 she was third runner Benitez-Thompson. up to Miss America. While proud of these accomplishments, Session was Benitez-Thompson doesn’t wish to be known as a former beauty over, and making queen. She finds that people are sometimes surprised when gingerbread she doesn’t fit the stereotype. cookies with her young children Speaker Pro Tempore Debbie Smith describes Benitez-Thompson Lillian and Elijah as “one of this session’s most outstanding freshmen legislators.” was at the top Benitez-Thompson is known by colleagues as someone who of her list. is well spoken and compassionate, as someone who is very organized and does her homework before staking out Married to a Southerner (a broadcast meteorologist named major positions. Photo courtesy of Lynn Boutte Photography Jeff), Benitez-Thompson likes to bake with recipes gleaned Front row (left to right): Kathleen Williams (MT Rep), Liz Bangerter, (MT Rep), Jeanne Nicholson (CO Sen), from that perennial magazine favorite, Southern Living. At When asked what advice she would offer new legislators coming Laurie Jinkins (WA Rep), Henry Perea (CA Asmbr) interview time, Benitez-Thompson was wrestling with a glue- after her, Benitez-Thompson said she wishes she had started Second row: Alan Olsen (OR Sen), Rudy Martinez (NM Rep), Pete Lee (CO Rep), Nick Harper (WA Sen) - seated, like molasses ingredient brought back from Arkansas by earlier getting to know fellow lawmakers across the aisle. And Teresa Benitez-Thompson (NV Asmbr), J.T. Wilcox (WA Rep), Jason Frierson (NV Asmbr), Melinda Smyser (ID Sen) - seated, her husband. she noted: “Wake up every morning and eat a piece of humble Jeff Thompson (ID Rep), Tim Eichenberg (NM Sen), Brian Cronin (ID Rep) pie. During the campaign, people will tell you how great you Family life is important to Benitez-Thompson, and with her Center second row: Alyson Huber (CA Asmbr), Henry Aquino (HI Rep), Isaac Choy (HI Rep), are, but you’re going to make mistakes and that’s the best way first session behind her, she’s learned to set better boundaries Irene Bustamante Adams (NV Asmbr), Mia Costello (AK Rep) to grow.” between her personal, professional and legislative lives. Center third row: Kevin Grantham (CO Sen), Leland Christensen (WY Sen), David Smith (AZ Rep) When she’s not at home with her family or at the legislature Past presidents of the Western Legislative Academy are: Center last row: Brenda Barton (AZ Rep), Janak Joshi (CO Rep), Linda Menard (AK Sen), Leslie Nutting (WY Sen) working on public policy, Benitez-Thompson is a medical Wyoming Senator Drew Perkins (10), New Mexico Senator Top Left - in front: Randy Brodehl (MT Rep), Michael Dembrow (OR Rep), - in back: Bobby Wooley (NM Rep), social worker with Vista Care Hospice in Reno where she John Sapien (09), Arizona Representative Steve Farley (08), Chuck Thomsen (OR Sen), Mark Nakashima, (HI Rep) specializes in working with end-of-life patients. New Mexico Representative Thomas Garcia (07), Idaho Top Right on stairs: -in front: Gregg Bilkre (WY Rep), Pat Hickey (NV Asmbr), Neal Foster (AK Rep) - in back: Lee Heider (ID Sen), Representative Rich Wills (06), former Nevada Assemblymember Mike Greear (WY Rep), Ted Vogt (AZ Rep) She says being a social worker definitely helped prepare Heidi Gansert (05), former New Mexico Representative Jose her to be a legislator since 80 percent of what happens Campos (04), Nevada Assemblymember Kelvin Atkinson (03), in Carson City is based on personal relationships. The A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE 2011 WLA SPONSORS Montana Senator Jim Keane (02), Alaska Senator Lesil McGuire 33-year-old lawmaker was inspired to run for public office (01) and Nevada Senator Barbara Cegavske (00). by dynamic women she met interning with the late Nevada Allergan • Altria Client Services Astellas Pharma US, Inc. • AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Special appreciation goes to the El Pomar Foundation and Penrose House who play a large role in the success AT&T • Bayer Healthcare • GlaxoSmithKline of the CSG-WEST Western Legislative Academy. The Foundation’s ongoing investment in the WLA helps newer American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity • BP America • Genentech Western legislators acquire the skills and networks to be more effective policy makers. The campus environment Johnson & Johnson • Kelly Services • McLane Company, Inc. created by the Penrose House provides a place where participants can step away from their busy lives and immerse Philips Electronics North America • PhRMA • Reynolds American • Shell Oil Company themselves in intensive skill building classes. El Pomar fellows serve as independent evaluators of the WLA and are Intermountain Rural Electric Association an unbiased resource for course corrections in the curriculum. 2 CSG-WEST 2011 Western Legislative Academy CSG-WEST 2011 Western Legislative Academy 3 Class of 2011 “Students” 4 CSG-WEST 2011 Western Legislative Academy CSG-WEST 2011 Western Legislative Academy 5 Western Legislative Academy Faculty Phil Boyle Gary Moncrief Dr. Phil Boyle, president Boise State University Professor of Leading and Governing and scholar Gary Moncrief reminded Associates, asked lawmakers lawmakers why it’s important to respect to vote with their feet the legislatures where you serve. during his “Campaigning to Governing” session. David Landis Master consensus builder and former Nebraska Senator David Landis demonstrated how focusing on interests rather than positions can improve outcomes during tough negotiations. Arch Lustberg National media trainer Pam Vaccaro Arch Lustberg taught Gene Griessman Designs on Time President Pam Vaccaro lawmakers why an Internationally known taught lawmakers the basics of focus open face, likeability Abraham Lincoln interpreter management as they juggle increasing and storytelling are Dr. Gene Griessman taught demands on their legislative, professional the keys to successful lessons in leadership in and personal lives. communications. character and in costume. Kent Briggs Kent Briggs,