Former State Senator John Kaites

(written during his tenure in office)

As a State Senator, I am often confronted with the unfortunate, yet understandable fact that many Americans have become disheartened by the political process – opting to withdraw from it entirely. Who can blame them? Many people feel bogged down in the political morass of high taxes, stagnant incomes, government waste, poor education, failed welfare programs, and high crime.

Increasingly, a growing segment of our population believes that the government is no longer a system, as President Lincoln described it, "of the people, by the people and for the people." Rather, they perceive the government to be controlled by a professional political class which, during the last thirty years, has made numerous exorbitant promises. Politicians have not only failed to fulfill these promises, they have often proved quite adept at demonstrating Emerson’s dictum, "We mean well and do ill, and then justify our ill-doing with our well-meaning."

I had the same reservations about the government as anyone else. As a prosecutor particularly alarmed over the meteoric increase in crime, I had a unique perspective on the concerns of victims and the problems which plagued our criminal justice system. I had within my power the ability to punish the guilty and insure justice for the innocent – but I wanted to do more. I wanted to reshape the criminal justice system to fit the mold reasonably expected by the citizens of Arizona. I felt this could be accomplished by making logical changes to sentencing guidelines and juvenile adjudication.

I won election to the Arizona Legislature in 1993 as a member of the House of Representatives. During the course of my first term, I vigorously supported and worked to include "truth-in-sentencing" guidelines to Arizona’s criminal code. Although it would improve our criminal justice system considerably, truth-in-sentencing was actually a fairly simple concept: a person sentenced to prison must serve their entire court imposed sentence (with a possible 15 percent reduction available for good behavior). This fundamental measure achieves four important objectives:

1. It relates the sentence handed out in court to the sentence actually served in custody
2. It restores public confidence in the sentencing process
3. It promotes clarity and consistency amongst sentences
4. It increases the proportion of time spent in custody

The passage of truth-in-sentencing was a victory for crime victims and families as well as a milestone in our state’s criminal justice system. The issue of juvenile crime however, had yet to adequately be addressed. Each year, juveniles commit more serious and heinous crimes than ever before. According to Department of Justice statistics, the number of juveniles arrested for murder increased 104 percent nationwide from 1970-1992. Since 1980, juvenile gang killings, the fastest growing murder circumstance, have increased 371 percent.

Tragically, judges and prosecutors have traditionally been unable to take the actions necessary to halt this violent flow because of superfluous legal cushions afforded juveniles who commit serious crimes. The origins of this calamity go back to 1899, when Illinois (quickly followed by the rest of the nation) established a separate court system for juveniles. The Illinois system featured informal hearings and non-criminal proceedings. Rehabilitation for the youth, not public safety, became the courts’ main purview.

After nearly a century of steadily increasing juvenile crime, Arizona voters, in 1996, overwhelmingly approved Proposition 102, which called for juveniles who commit violent felonies to be prosecuted as adults. As current Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I sponsored and oversaw the enabling legislation to implement this vital proposition.

Ultimately, we passed legislation mandating the automatic transfer to adult court of juveniles 15 years and older who commit the following offenses: murder, rape, forcible sexual assault, armed robbery, drive-by shootings, shooting at an occupied structure, and aggravated assault that causes serious physical injury. Furthermore, those juveniles who are chronic felony offenders would also be transferred to adult court. The legislation provided funding to juvenile detention facilities as well as for summer youth employment and job training.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch has noted that juveniles engage in crime because there is no respect for law and authority coupled with little expectation of arrest and punishment. We have changed this sentiment in Arizona by guaranteeing violent juveniles will be treated as adults, while simultaneously recognizing that many juveniles, especially from low-income families, need assistance in gaining the skills necessary to be productive members of society.

I cite these examples not to demonstrate my legislative prowess, but rather to illustrate the difference one person can make in the political process. Although I’m a Senator, I also have a "real" job, with real responsibilities, and a very real boss. I’m a husband and a father who struggles with the daily grind of balancing work and family. Rather than sit idly by when I witnessed problems with the justice system, however, I did something about it. I got involved, ran for office, and acquainted myself with the political process.

As members of Ad 2 Phoenix, you can also work to insure your interests, ideals, and values remain unscathed. After all, the United States in general, and Arizona in particular, is a participatory democracy. You possess a wide range of rights and opportunities to influence the public policy debate.

The simple, timeless act of voting gives you the opportunity to select those who will ultimately be responsible for determining public policy. Beyond casting ballots, you may actively assist in nominating and electing preferred public officials through volunteer activities and campaign donations.

I would also strongly encourage you to join one of the many citizen’s groups advocating ethical, smaller and more efficient government. In addition, you should become active locally – in the political parties, in anti-regulation groups, on the school board, and even like me, by running for office.

Finally, you should assiduously contact and correspond with your legislators. We are always interested in hearing from constituents. In fact, many of the bills that pass through the Legislature are citizen-driven. Public hearings are held on every bill that comes before the Legislature. Make yourself heard. If an issue is of concern to you, attend the hearings and ask to testify. Your input is crucial to the success of the political process. After all, when all is said and done, it is up to the citizenry to insure politicians do not violate the most fundamental rule of any profession: Primum Non Nocere – First Do No Harm.

Biography for U.S. Congressman Matt Salmon

Matt Salmon was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1994 to represent Arizona’s 1^st District.

Salmon is a member of the Committee on International Relations and its subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, and International Operations and Human Rights. He also is a member of the Committee on Science, and its subcommittees on Energy and Environment, and Space and Aeronautics. Salmon also serves on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the Helsinki Commission).

During his first term in the House, Salmon focused on a variety of issues, including child support enforcement, health care, and US-China relations. His amendment to the welfare reform bill was signed into law in 1996. The amendment facilitates the collection of child support from "deadbeat" parents. Salmon is a leading proponent of market-based health care reforms, particularly medical savings accounts (MSAs). He helped win inclusion of MSAs in the 1996 health insurance portability policies.

Salmon has received numerous awards by taxpayer and government watchdog groups for his service in the 104^th Congress. He was named "Guardian of Small Business" by the National Federation of Independent Business and a "Taxpayer Friend" by Americans for Tax Reform. Salmon was ranked as one of Congress’ toughest budget hawks by the National Taxpayers Union, and he received the "Goldern Bulldog" by the group Watchdogs of the Treasury for his votes to reduce federal spending. The 60 Plus Association named Salmon "Senior Friendly" and rated him 100 percent for his pro-senior votes in 1995. The Center for Security Policy, in its 1995 National Security Scorecard, also rated Salmon 100 percent and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce rated Salmon 96 percent in 1995.

Prior to his election to the House, Salmon served four years in the Arizona State Senate. While a state senator, he served as Assistant Majority Leader and as Chairman of the Rules Committee. The Arizona Federation of Taxpayers three times named Salmon a "Friend of the Taxpayers," rating him third among ninety state legislators for fighting tax increases in 1994. Before going to Congress, Salmon spent thirteen years in the private sector as a telecommunications executive with US West Communications. He resigned from US West to run for Congress.

In Arizona, Salmon has been active in civic and community boards, including Mesa United Way, Child Crisis Nursery, East Valley Child Crisis Center, and the Maricopa County Council on Families, Youth and Children. Salmon has devoted considerable time and energy to the ARC of Arizona (Association of Retarded Citizens). In 1993, the ARC recognized Salmon for his "extraordinary commitment toward family support issues in the state of Arizona.

Salmon was born January 21, 1958, in Salt Lake City. He is a 1981 graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in English Literature. In 1986, he earned a Masters of Public Administration from Brigham Young University. He is married and has four children. He and his family reside in Mesa, Arizona.

Overview of Federal Politics

Arizona Congressman Matt Salmon

Article I, Section I, of the United States Constitution provides that:

"All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives."

The Senate is comprised of 100 members – two from each state, irrespective of population or area. A Senator must be at least 30 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for nine years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State for which the Senator is chosen. The term of office is six years and one-third of the total membership of the Senate is elected every second year.

The House of Representatives is composed of 435 members elected every two years from among the 50 states, apportioned to their populations. A Representative must be at least 25 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, and, when elected, be a resident of the state in which the Representative is chosen.

Under the provisions of Section 2 of the 20^th Amendment to the Constitution, Congress must assemble at least once every year, at noon on the third day of January, unless by law they appoint a different day. A Congress lasts for two years, commencing in January of the year following the biennial election of members, and is divided into two sessions. Unlike some other parliamentary bodies, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers, with one exception: only the House of Representatives may initiate revenue bills.

The chief function of Congress is the making of laws. In addition, the Senate has the function of advising and consenting to treaties and to certain nominations by the President. In the matter of impeachments, the House of Representatives presents the charges – a function similar to that of a grand jury – and the Senate sits as a court to try the impeachment. Both Houses meet in joint session on the sixth day of January, unless by law they appoint a different day, following a presidential election, to count the electoral votes. If no candidate receives a majority of the total electoral votes, the House of Representatives, each state delegation having one vote, chooses the President from among the three candidates having the largest number of votes, and the Senate chooses the Vice President from the two candidates having the largest number of votes for that office.

Sources of ideas for legislation are unlimited, and proposed drafts of bills originate in many diverse quarters. First of these is, of course, the idea and draft conceived by a member. This may emanate from the election campaign during which the member had promised to introduce legislation on a particular subject, if elected. The entire campaign may have been based upon one or more such proposals. Or, through experience after taking office, the Member may have become aware of the need for amendment or repeal of existing laws or the enactment of a statute in an entirely new field. In addition, the member’s constituents – either as individuals or by corporate activity such as citizen groups or associations, bar associations, labor unions, manufacturer’s associations, and chambers of commerce – may avail themselves of the right to petition, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The executive communication is another source of legislative proposals. This is usually in the form of a letter from a member of the President’s Cabinet or the head of an independent agency or from the President himself transmitting a draft of a proposed bill to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. The most important of the regular executive communications is the annual message from the President transmitting the proposed budget to Congress. The President’s budget proposal, together with testimony by officials of the various branches of the Government before the Appropriations Committees of the House and Senate, is the basis of the several appropriations bills that are drafted by the Committee on Appropriations of the House.

The work of Congress is initiated by the introduction of a proposal in one of four principal forms. These are: the bill, the joint resolution, the concurrent resolution, and the simple resolution. By far the most customary form used in both Houses is the bill. There are two types of bills – public and private. A public bill is one that affects the public generally. A bill of a private character, that is, a bill that affects and individual rather than the population at large, is called a private bill. A private bill is used for relief in matters such as immigration and naturalization and claims against the United States. A member may introduce a bill at any time while the House is in session simply by placing it in a box by the side of the Clerk’s desk in the House Chamber. In the Senate, a Senator usually introduces a bill or resolution by presenting it to one of the clerks at the Presiding Officer’s desk, without commenting on if from the floor of the Senate. However, a Senator may use a more formal procedure by rising and introducing the bill or resolution from the floor. Once introduced, a bill is referred to committee.

Perhaps the most important phase of the Congressional process is the action by committees. That is where the most intensive consideration is given to the proposed measures and where the people are given their opportunity to be heard. There are, at present, 19 standing committees in the House and 16 in the Senate, as well as several select committees. In addition, there are several standing joint committees of the two Houses which have oversight but no legislative jurisdiction. Each committee has jurisdiction over certain subject matters of legislation and all measures affecting a particular area of law are referred to that committee that has jurisdiction over it.

If the bill is of sufficient importance, and particularly if it is controversial, the committee will usually set a date for public hearings. Public announcements are published in the Daily Digest portion of the Congressional Record as soon as possible after the announcement is made by the committee, and are often noted in newspapers and periodicals. Personal notice is sent frequently to individuals, organizations, and government departments and agencies that are known to be interested. A typewritten transcript of the testimony taken at a public hearing is made available for inspection in the office of the clerk of the committee. Committee reports are perhaps the most valuable single element of the legislative history of a law. They are used by courts, executive departments and agencies, and the public generally, as a source of information regarding the purpose and meaning of the law.

Each standing committee is required to review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of the laws dealing with the subject matter over which the committee has jurisdiction. The committees also review the organization and operation of federal agencies and entities responsible for the administration and implementation of those laws.

If the committee votes to refer the bill favorably to the House, a debate ensues on the floor. During the general debate on a given bill, and account of time is kept on both sides, and when all the time allowed under the rule has been consumed, the Chairman terminates the debate. Then begins the "second reading" of the bill, at which time amendments may be offered. After all amendments have been offered, debate is cut off. The Speaker then puts the question of whether the bill shall be read a third time. If this question is decided in the affirmative, the bill is read a third time and voted on for passage. After passage of the bill by the House, a motion to reconsider it is automatically made, because the vote of the House on a proposition is not final and conclusive until there has been an opportunity to reconsider it. The rules of the House require a three-fifths vote to pass a bill, joint resolution, amendment or conference report that contains a federal income tax rate increase.

Senate committees give the bill the same kind of detailed consideration as it received in the House, and may report it with or without amendments. All committee meetings, including those to conduct hearings, must be open to the public. However, a majority of the members of a committee or subcommittee may, after discussion in closed session, vote in open session to close a meeting or series of meetings for up to 14 days if they feel it necessary. After the Senate votes on a bill, it returns to the House. At this point the House Clerk reads the title of the bill and the Senate amendments – if there are any. If there is no objection, the bill is ready to be enrolled for presentation to the President.

This is the legislative process for bills originating in the House. When a bill originates in the Senate, this process is reversed. When the Senate passes a bill that originated in the Senate, it is sent to the House for consideration. The bill is referred to the appropriate House committee for consideration. If the committee reports the bill to the full House and the bill is passed without amendment, it is ready for enrollment. If the House passes an amended version of the Senate bill, the bill is returned to the Senate for action on the House amendments.

Such is the federal process of a bill on its way to becoming a law.

Trends and the Future of Federal Politics

Some intriguing things are in store for the future of federal politics, both in the issues that are debated and in the manner that politics is conducted.

In 1992, Ross Perot captured headlines with his ideas of an electronic town hall, where each citizen would have access to an electronic device they could use to register their votes on issues facing the nation. The question here is not whether such a national electronic vote would be feasible, certainly the technology is, or will soon be available for such a vote to take place. Instead, the issue is whether such an idea can come to fruition within the structure of American government. Our democracy is not the classical variety seen in ancient Greece when each person registered their vote on each issue. Instead, ours is a representative democracy, where we elect men and women to represent our interests in Washington. Whether or not American politics of the future is conducted in the way in which Ross Perot envisioned may not depend on whether it’s technologically possible, but whether such a system is permissible within America’s democratic structure.

We may see some issues on the political radar screen in the future not seen before. Legislation concerning material on the Internet, or who, if anyone, can claim jurisdiction over the internet, is a new issue for our representatives. Some of the issues we’ll see in the future will be familiar ones. The federal debt and deficit continue to be a thorn in the side of politicians as they continue to be a major concern of voters, and those candidates who pledge to get tough on crime will more likely capture the attention of voters rather than those candidates who are silent on the issue.

No one knows what exactly the future holds for federal politics. Some issues will be old, some new. But none will have easy solutions. The President’s recent attempt to foster a dialogue on race relations in our country proves that there will be some issues for which a definitive conclusion may never be reached. It is up to us – the voters – to make sure we have a voice in any dialogue that takes place in federal politics. Only time will tell if we have any measurable effect over the policies that govern our lives. But without a concerted effort, our effect will be minimal.

Getting the Attention of Federal Officials

We often hear of federal officials who are "out of touch" with their constituency or just don’t seem to care about the people who put them in office. This need not be the case. Communication with our elected officials is a good way to ensure they hear our thoughts and opinions.

An important vote is coming before Congress soon and you want to be sure your Representative or Senator hears your opinion. What’s the best way to go about this? First, putting your thoughts down on paper and writing a letter is a great start. This will give your Senator or Representative a chance to sit down with your letter in-hand and peruse your opinions at their convenience and, hopefully, take them to heart.

Phone calls, faxes, and e-mails are also a good way to sound-off to our officials in Washington. Don’t worry if you don’t speak to the Representatives or Senators themselves. Members of their staff are required to keep their bosses abreast of opinions and comments from their districts.

Many issues that come up for a vote in Washington aren’t always black and white and your elected officials may struggle with a decision. Contacting your officials by letter, phone, fax, or -mail, gives you, the voter, a good chance to inform them of your opinion.

How Much One Person Matters in Federal Politics

The degree to which one person affects policy at the federal level depends on how much time and energy that person lends to such a worthy cause.

A person can most greatly affect federal politics by exercising his or her right to vote. The right to vote is the greatest assurance our country offers its citizens to assure they have a voice in our representative democracy. Remember, our elected officials work for us, the voters. To make sure that fact is not lost on them, we must vote and make our voice heard in Washington.

After voting, there are a myriad of opportunities for people to get involved in federal politics. National parties are always looking for volunteers to help their efforts at the grass roots level. Of course, volunteering involves sacrifices. Time is scarce in our hectic world, but one must ask himself or herself whether they want to take advantage of the opportunities afforded them in our democracy. The sacrifices are small compared to the benefits of getting involved and making a difference.

Differences Between Local, State and Federal Politics

The differences between local, state and federal politics can sometimes be a matter of the issues at hand and is always a matter of scale.

Across the country, city and town councils, as well as state assemblies and legislatures, often debate the same issues debated on Capitol Hill. The main difference between the three are the number of people affected by each body’s initiatives. For example, a city council may spend several session trying to arrive at ways to fight juvenile crime, just as lawmakers in Congress. But city hall passes ordinances that only affect citizens of a particular city or municipality, while Congress attempts to fight juvenile crime on a nationwide basis.

Not all issues are so broad as to be tackled on all levels of government, however. The construction of a new water treatment facility in a small town isn’t likely to be taken up on the floor of the House of Representatives. But the issue of water pollution is likely to be explored as are possible solutions to the problem.

Our Constitution also speaks to the issue of which powers are to be designated to the states in the Tenth Amendment. It states:

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

So even if the federal government wanted to take up a particular issue, it may not be able to according to our Constitution. Such is an example of steps taken by our founding fathers to ensure a decentralized federal government.

The Role of Citizens in Federal Policy Development and how to Get Involved

Although day-to-day policy making decisions rest in the hands of our elected representatives, this is not to say citizens do not have a significant impact on the way policy is shaped at the federal level.

The most obvious influence citizens have over policy is the way they use their right to vote. By voting, citizens can elect those candidates whose views most directly agree with their own. For example, following the election of a majority Republican Congress in 1994, the legislation proposed and passed had (and has) a more conservative flavor than in years past. All of this occurred as a result of voters voicing their opinion at the ballot box as to how future policy in America ought to be shaped.

Although elections at the federal level are held every two years, there are still ways for citizens to affect the development of policy on a more immediate basis. Letters and phone calls to Senators and Representatives are a good way for our elected officials to gauge the sentiment of voters back in their home state. We often hear of elected officials who are "out of touch" with their constituency. Communicating with those who we elect is a good way to ensure such distance between voter and elected official doesn’t occur.

Citizens can also become involved in the political process itself. Volunteering at one’s local party headquarters can not only provide some much needed help at the grass roots level, but also gives citizens a behind-the-scenes look at party politics. As a delegate to a national party convention, one gets to directly affect the party’s agenda by voting on planks in his or her party’s platform.

Students and recent graduates may consider an internship in the office of a Senator or Representative. An internship provides one the opportunity to learn about the legislative process as well as gain skills beneficial in today’s job market.