Two Years in the Making - The Massachusetts Legislative Cycle

The Massachusetts state legislature used to have a really ridiculous name.  Prior to 1780, it was known as the Great and General Court of Massachusetts. Thanks to John Adams, however, it is now less ridiculously called: the General Court. 

Like the United States Legislative Branch, the General Court is bicameral: a 160-member House of Representatives and a 40-member Senate.  Even though Massachusetts has an annual budget process, Massachusetts lawmaking runs on a two-year cycle.  Every two years, the legislative slate is wiped clean and old bills are re-filed or go gently into that good night.  

A good policy advocacy plan is designed around the two-year cycle. That doesn't necessarily mean passge in two years! There are thousands of pieces of legislation that - after many legislative cycles - are still building the political capital for passage.  The current General Court, the 186th, will end on June 30, which means that a lot of political jockeying for position will take place over the next 80 days.

I thought you might want to know.

Slow and Steady Wins the Political Capital Race

You can have over 100 followers on Twitter in a few days. You can find almost anything (except maybe your City Council Subcommittee Meeting Minutes) online. And you can start a movement from your dining room table.

We're used to making things happen quickly. But politics doesn't move quickly.  At all.  Ever.  And this can be very very frustrating for everyone involved.  The latest example? Health Care Reform.  

But I disagree with those who say that real politics is like sausage making.  Sausage making is not what's happening 'behind closed doors.'  Any government affairs consultant can tell you exactly what's happening behind closed doors:  Elected and agency officials are negotiating. Mediating. Resolving conflicts with key constituent organizations and their representatives who have brought political capital to the table.

Please understand: I'm not defending the current system, I'm just describing its realities in the hopes of helping you or your organization/client prepare to do effective battle.  If you are not at the table, you could be on the menu.