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Robert Dempsey's avatar

According to an Axios report, it isn't part-time legislative workers drafting this legislation, it's a handful of "Christian and conservative" groups:

"Groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Family Research Council, the Liberty Counsel and the American Principles Project are behind a multimillion-dollar effort targeting LGBTQ rights through "parents' rights" bills." - Axios, The forces behind anti-trans bills across the U.S.

And, as reported by Erin Reed, "The proposed legislation bears similarities to recent laws in Russia and Hungary, which similarly eradicated legal recognition of transgender people."

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christopher o'loughlin's avatar

Robert,

Yes others besides legislators frequently draft proposals for bills to become laws. My point is, think of a Venn diagram with three circles: one, large enough for 12 months a year Governor, executive branch duties, two, large enough for 12 months a year Judges, judicial branch duties, three, small enough for <6 months a year State Senators, Representatives, legislative branch duties. Have you heard the phrase: 3 co-equal branches of government for balance? Are the three Venn circles above representative of three co-equal branches of government in your eyes? Which of the 3 branches would be easiest to persuade?

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Robert Dempsey's avatar

While I have stayed away from politics and it's mechanizations aside from voting, I am aware of the three "co-equal" branches of government. I was surprised to find out, just last weekend, that my state legislature meets for only 60 days of the year. It led me to ask what they do the remaining 10 months of the year, aside form campaigning.

Getting to your Venn diagram, I do agree that they could be subject to additional persuasion from all sorts of groups, especially large-money donors, as it's simply not possible to read all the bills that come up in a single legislative session, and shortcuts, in their many forms, are used.

Do you think a longer session might influence their decision making or actions?

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