Why Are You Here?

A Primer for State Legislators and Citizens

By (author) Franklin L. Kury

Publication date:

08 October 2014

Length of book:

110 pages

Publisher

University Press of America

Dimensions:

225x155mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780761864622

Why Are You Here? A Primer for State Legislators and Citizens is a challenge to America’s 7,382 state legislators and their constituents to critically examine their state legislature and take appropriate action to improve it. This is a handbook telling how legislatures came to be, how they function, and discussing how they have fallen in public esteem. The book provides an analytical discussion for evaluating how any legislature deals with four issues: personal greed, criminal and ethical scandal, the influence of money and lobbying, and self-serving legislative seat apportionment. The last section is a “Legislative Toolbox” that provides information helpful in evaluating legislatures and readings of a patriotic nature that enhance idealism and spirit.

Introduction: A Handbook for Action

PART ONE: ORIGINS AND PURPOSES
Chapter One: The Constitutional Basis
Chapter Two: The Work and Nature of Legislatures

PART TWO: SOURCES OF DISCONTENT
Chapter Three: Personal Benefits versus Public Service
Chapter Four: Scandal and Ethics Questions
Chapter Five: Expenditures of Money Meant to Influence
Chapter Six: Apportioning State Legislative and U.S. Congressional Districts

PART THREE: THE ULTIMATE QUESTION–WHY ARE YOU HERE AT YOUR STATE CAPITOL?
Chapter Seven: Legislators
Chapter Eight: Constituents

PART FOUR: THE LEGISLATIVE TOOLBOX
A.Online and Organization Information Sources
B.Bibliography and Suggestions for Further Reading
C.Readings for the Legislative Spirit
1.Article 61 of Magna Carta
2.Burke’s Bristol Constituency Speech (excerpt)
3.The Declaration of Independence
4.De Tocqueville’s Comments on American State Legislatures.
5.Legislative Corruption in Montana (Montana Supreme Court Opinion Excerpt)
6.Amanda Holt on Legislative Redistricting

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
PHOTO CREDITS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INDEX

It's a book that should be on the desks of 253 state House and Senate members. . . .Why Are You Here?: A Primer for State Legislators and Citizens, by former Sen. Franklin Kury, touches on virtually every aspect of what legislators should be thinking.