what are your considerations with each bill?

Here are the things I consider with every bill presented to me:

1. What are the intentions of the proposed legislation?

2. Why is it needed?

3. What problem(s) is it intended to fix?

4. What other previous legislation has been passed and how does this bill affect it?

5. Is it Constitutional?

6. Do the voters support it?

7. What are the ramifications – positive and negative – if passed?

8. What is the financial impact and what does the cost-benefit analysis show?

Unless I can answer each of these questions honestly and see value in the bill, I won’t support it no matter what Party proposes it. Legislating isn’t a 30 second sound bite. It takes hard work, experience, knowledge and commitment.