Comparing California and Florida

Comparing California and Florida

In the united states, federalism is a balance of power and responsibilities between the national government and state governments, while municipal and country governments are legally creatures in their state governments. Both the federal and state levels of government have the authority to create laws; local governments have the powers that their state gives them.

To complete this research, we compare our findings for two states, California and Florida. The two states used to comparison are California and Florida, Chosen based on the following criteria: population size, geographic location, and legislative structure.

The population of each of these two states is roughly comparable. They are the two most populous states in the united states, (United States Census Bureau 2018). Population size was the first criterion used to decide which states to includes in this research. State population California 39,557,045 Florida 21,299,325(United States Census Bureau 2018)1

Within the federal system, each state legislature operates uniquely to meet the needs of the state. Scholars have attempted to classify the differences in legislative organizations and functions to make assertions about effectiveness. Based on prior research on the topic of fulltime and part-time legislatures, we have chosen two states to operate differently from one another. Therefore, we are attempting to compare the findings of states’ propensities to sue the federal government across a variety of legislative systems. The National conference of the state legislatures (NCSL) has classified state legislatures as full-time and part-time based on three indicators.

The three indicators used as: time on the job (including time in session, constituent service, interim committee work, and election campaigns), compensation, and staff size (National Conference of the state legislatures 2017). In the NCSL analysis, California is signifying a full -time, well-paid legislature with a large staff. Florida is classified as full-time, without the same well paid and broad staff indicators like California.

The details of time on the job and pay for legislators in California and Florida help clarify their differences. California legislators meet in regular sessions on the first Tuesday in December of even-numbered years, and the regular session ends on November 30 of the following even-numbered year (Constitution of the state of California). California legislators are compensated $97,197 per year and a $176 per day . while in session (National conference of the state of Florida). Florida meets in regular legislative sessions annually for 60 days (Constitution of the state of Florida). Florida legislators are compensated $ 29,697 per year, and a $152 per day per diem While in session (National conference of the state legislatures 2016).

Clearly, each of these two states has a unique system in which their legislative body operates. There is a wide range of time spent in the session and the level of legal compensation. We have attempted to ensure that we are comparing states for this research topic. However, the population size of these states is comparable, in that they are the two most populous states in the United States.

The Florida state Legislature is the state legislature of Florida. The Florida Constitution mandates a bicameral state legislature with an upper house, the Florida state senate, and a lower house, the Florida House of Representatives. Due to term limits, House members may be elected for up to four terms (eight years) while State Senators can be elected for up to two times (eight years). The Florida Legislature is a part-time body, meeting only 60 days of regular sessions annually with the Possibility of individual sessions as needed. Florida has a Republican state government, Trifecta.

A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative Chambers. In the 2018 election, Democrats had a net gain of six trifectas, and Republicans had a net loss of four trifectas, prior to that election. There were 26 Republican trifectas, eight Democratic trifectas, and 16 divided governments. The California State Legislature is the State Legislature of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the Lower house, The California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, The California State Senate, with 40 members.

Article IV of the California Constitution established when the legislature is to be in session. Section 3 of Article IV states that the legislature is to convene in regular meetings on the first Monday of December in each even-numbered year to organize. The legislature must adjourn by November 30 of the following even-numbered year. Section 3 also provides the governor of California the power to call special sessions of the legislature. Article 3 of the Florida Constitution establishes. When the legislature is to be in session Section 3 of the Article III, States that regular session of the legislature is to Convene on second Tuesday after Monday in March of each odd-numbered year and on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of each even-numbered year. Regular sessions of the legislature are not exceeded sixty days, unless extended by a three -fifths vote of each house. Section 3 also allows for the convening of special sessions, either by proclamation of the governor of Florida or provided by law.

The state operates on an annual budget cycle.2 The sequence of key events in the budget. The series of keys events in the budget process is as follows. In July of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies. In October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor. Budget hearings are held with state agencies in September. Public hearings are held in both September and January. In February, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature. The legislature adopts a budget in April or May, effective for the fiscal year beginning in July. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The governor is constitutionally and statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. The legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.

Florida is one of 44 states in which the governor has line-item veto authority. Florida budgets three funds: the endless fun, the primary special revenue fund, and the special revenue fund. Both the major special revenue fund and the special revenue fund are comprised of the lesser fund. The major revenue fund is composed of three lesser funds, and the special revenue funds is composed of about 19 to 20 funds

California state budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows: budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning in April. Agencies submit their budget to the governor in September. Agencies hearings are held from September through November. Public hearings are held from March through June. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in January. The legislature adopts a budget in June. A two- thirds majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1. California is one of 44 states in which the governor has line-item veto authority. The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature is legally required to adopt a balanced budget.

The first initiative is a joint project of the pew charitable trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that works to partner with states in implementing cost-benefit analysis models. The initiative released a report in July 2013, concluding that cost-benefits analytics in policymaking led to more productive uses of public funds. Looking at the date from 2008 through 2011, the study’s authors found that some states were more likely to use cost-benefit analysis, while others were facing challenges and lagging behind the rest of the nation. The challenges states faced included a lack of time, money, and technical skills needed to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. Florida was one of the ten states that used cost-benefit analysis programs. Also, these states were more likely to use cost-benefit analysis with respect to large budget areas and when making a policy decision.

The pew-MacArthur results first imitative is a joint project of the Pew charitable trusts and the John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that works to partner with sates in implementing cos-benefits analysis models. The imitative released a report in July 2013, concluding that cost-benefits analysis in policymaking led to more productive uses of public funds. Looking at Data from 2008 to 2011, the study authors found that some states were more likely to use cost-benefit analysis, while others were facing challenges and lagging behind the rest of the nation. The challenges states faced included a lack of time, money, and technical skills needed to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses. California was one of 29 states with mixed results regarding the frequency and effectiveness of the use of cost-benefit analysis.

The US public interest Research group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization, based in Washington DC, released its annual report on state transparency websites in march 2015. The report, entitled “Following the money “measured how transparent and accountable state websites were with regards to state government spending. According to the report, Florida received a grade of A and a numerical score of 95, indicating that Florida was “Leading” in terms of transparency regarding state spending.

The US public interest research group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization, based in Washington DC, released its annual report on state transparency websites in march 2015. The report, entitled “Following the money “measured how transparent and accountable state websites were with regards to state government spending. According to the report, California received a grade of F and a numerical score of 34, indicating that California was failing in terms of transparency regarding state spending.

In Florida, Open states transparency of the sunlight foundation released an “Open legislative date card” in March 2013. Florida was given a grade of c in the report. The report card evaluated how adequate, complete, and accessible legislative data was to the general public. There are dual employment and financial disclosure requirements. State ethics regarding dual public employment and income disclosure for legislators vary across the United States. A January 2015 report by the national council of state legislatures (NCSL) concluded that legislators in 33 states are not permitted to maintain additional paid government employment during their terms in office. The NCSL published a report in June 2014 that counted 27 states with disclosure requirements for outside income, business associations, and property holdings. The exceptions to these disclosure categories were Idaho, Michigan, and Vermont. Click the show on the right side of the table below to compare state policies.

In California, the sunlight’s foundation released an “open Legislative data report card” in march 2013 California was given a grade of D in the report. The report card evaluated how adequate, complete, and accessible legislative data was to the general public. Sate ethics regulations regarding dual public employment and income disclosure for legislators vary across and the United States. A January 2015 report by the national council of state legislatures (NCSL) concluded that Legislators in 33 states are not permitted to maintain addition paid government employment during their terms in office. The NCSL published a report in June 2014 that counted 47 states with disclosure requirements for outside income, business associations, and property holders. The exceptions to these disclosure categories were Idaho, Michigan, and Vermont.

Florida state senate from 1992-2013, the republican party was the majority in the Florida state senate for the last 19 years while the demarcate were the majority for one year. The Florida state senate is one of 13 state senates that was republican for more than 80% of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, Florida was under the Republican party was the majority in the Florida state senate for the last 19 years while the democrats were the majority for one year. The Florida state senate is one of year. The Florida state senate is one of 13 state senates that was republican for more than 80% of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, Florida was under Republication trifectas.

Across the country, there was 541 democratic replication state from 1992 to 2013. Florida state House of Representatives for the last 17 years while the Democrats were the majority in the Florida state house of representatives for the previous 17 years while the Democrats were the majority for five years. During the final three years of the study, Florida was under republications trifectas. Across the country, there were 577 democratic and 483 Republication state Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.over the courses of the 22- year study, state governments become increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas, and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments. While single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in 22 years studied.

California state senate: from 1992-2013, the democratic party was the majority in the California sate senate for all 22 years. The California state is one of 16 state senates that was democratic for more than 80% of the years between 1992-2012. During the final three years of the study, California was under democratic trifectas. Across the country were 541 Democratic and 517 Republication state from 1992 to 2013. California state House of Representatives: from 1992-2013, the democratic party was the majority in the California state House of Representatives for all 22 years. The California state House is one of 18 state House that was Democratic for more than 80 %of the years between 1992-2013. During the final three years of the study, California was under Democratic trifectas. Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republication State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013. Throughout the 22-years study, State governments become increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas, and 31 states had divides governments. In 2013, states had divided governments, white single party tariffs held sway in 36 states, the most in 22 years studied.

reference

JEFFREY A. KARP, EXPLAINING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATIVE TERM LIMITS, Public Opinion Quarterly, Volume 59, Issue 3, FALL 1995, Pages 373–391, https://doi.org/10.1086/269482

1 https://www.census.gov/

2 http://www.ncsl.org/research/fiscal-policy/state-experiences-with-annual-and-biennial-budgeti.aspx