Comparing State Legislatures: The Mountain States

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Comparing State LegislaturesThe Mountain States
Ashley Crane, Adam Cupples, and Josh Lauren
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Colorado
Senate Percent Turnover 2002
House Percent Turnover 2002
Salary
Legislative Style Hybrid
17
28
30,000/ year
Term Limits
Per Diem (Allowance for Daily Expenses)
1990- 8 years for Senate and House
Session Length for 2006 January 11th- May 10th
45/day for members living in the Denver metro
area.  99/day for members living outside
Denver.  Per diem is determined by the
legislature.
Percentage of Women in the Legislature  
Total Percentage of African American State
Legislators
Total Legislative Staff during 2003 Session 385
33
4
3
Montana
Senate Percent Turnover 2002
House Percent Turnover 2002
Salary
Legislative Style Citizen
36
28
76.80 per day
Term Limits
Per Diem (Allowance for Daily Expenses)
1992- 8 years for Senate and House
Session Length for 2006 No Regular Session in
2006
90.31 per day
Percentage of Women in the Legislature  
Total Percentage of African American State
Legislators
Total Legislative Staff during 2003 Session 247
24.7
0
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Nevada
Senate Percent Turnover 2002
House Percent Turnover 2002
Salary
Legislative Style Citizen/ Hybrid
19
38
130/day maximum of 60 days of session
Term Limits
Per Diem (Allowance for Daily Expenses)
1996- 12 years for Senate and House
Session Length for 2006 No Regular Session in
2006
Federal rate for Capitol area.  Legislators who
live more than 50 miles from the capitol, if
require lodging, will be paid Hud single-room
rate for Carson City area for each month of
session.
Percentage of Women in the Legislature  
Total Percentage of African American State
Legislators
Total Legislative Staff during 2003 Session 498
33.3
11
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Utah
Senate Percent Turnover 2002
House Percent Turnover 2002
Salary
Legislative Style Citizen
17
17
120/day
Term Limits
Per Diem (Allowance for Daily Expenses)
There are no set term limits
Session Length for 2006 January 16th-March 1st
79/day lodging allotment for each calendar day,
tied to federal rate, 39/day meals.
Percentage of Women in the Legislature  
Total Percentage of African American State
Legislators
Total Legislative Staff during 2003 Session 181
19
2
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Colorado lawmakers say the job takes more than 75
percent of their time.
Lawmakers in Montana and Utah reported their
legislative jobs require less than half of their
time, but not as little as a third.
Nevada legislators reported that legislative work
takes 50 percent to 60 percent of their time.