Reforming the legislative process, organization and information resources
/by Alex Knopp (1.24.18)
I am focusing more on process reforms than on substantive policies because my experience as an elected official for 22 years in Connecticut has taught me that legislative procedures often have as much to do with successful legislative outcomes as does the merit of a policy. The legislative process is the way a good idea can die a thousand deaths so understanding why and how the process works and can be made better will aid the work of this Commission.
Improving the legislative process would also help to restore public faith in governing outcomes and rescue us from the cynicism that makes it more difficult to vote for hard choices or to enact productive but controversial measures. Restoring public confidence through greater transparency and accountability in the writing of budgets by democratic consent is what “going big” must also include.
