A big part of the job of a state legislator? Meeting with constituents

NEICAC Family Development and Self-Sufficiency staff and client with Rep. Michael Bergan at the Capitol Rotunda

When the State Assembly is in session, state legislators spend a fair share of time meeting with people from their district who have traveled to Des Moines to talk with them.

For instance, State Representative Michael Bergan of Decorah has already met with MiEnergy Cooperative board members, Family Development and Self-Sufficiency workers from NEICAC and EARL Public Transit representatives in the first week of the session.  MiEnergy Cooperative board members were in Des Moines at the State Historical Museum of Iowa; FaDSS staffers were at the State Capitol and EARL Public Transit's Transportation Director Curt McNew met with Bergan at the Capitol.

Some Northeast Iowans travel to Des Moines to discuss possible legislation.  State Senator Michael Breitbach says that's why the opening weeks of the legislative session are busy, noting, "It takes time to prepare legislation and have it pass through the legislative process. For consideration, a bill is prepared and then approved by the senator making the request.  Following that, it is assigned to a committee and the committee chair assigns the bill to a subcommittee. If the bill passes out of subcommittee, it goes to a full committee for consideration. Upon passing out of committee, it is eligible for floor debate in front of the full Senate. If it passes the Senate, it is transferred to the House and goes through the entire process again.  If it passes the House in the same language as it passed the Senate, it goes to the Governor for signature."