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Legislative Branch 1

Legislative Branch 1. A little bills and a little intro And this little video (which MIGHT work ). Let’s start with some Pork-Barrel Spending!. The “Pork Barrel” – pool of federal monies available for appropriation

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Legislative Branch 1

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  1. Legislative Branch 1 A little bills and a little intro And this little video (which MIGHT work)

  2. Let’s start with some Pork-Barrel Spending! • The “Pork Barrel” – pool of federal monies available for appropriation • The “Pork” – government projects that benefit only a specific locale, specifically the sponsors voters +

  3. True/False Quiz • Which of the following are REAL government projects from the past 10 years? • $4,200,000 for shrimp aquaculture research in 7 states to develop domestic shrimp farms • $211,000 for tropical aquaculture in Florida aimed at ornamental fish development • $591,017,000 for 8 C-130J aircraft • $1,000,000 for the Waterfree Urinal Conservation Initiative • $350,000 for hanging basket plants in Chicago

  4. Quiz cont’d • $450,000 for plantings on the eastern front of the Capitol • $300,000 to buy special locks for anhydrous ammonia tanks • $100,000 for the Harper’s Ferry (W.Va.) Police Department • $950,000 for a parking facility at an Omaha art museum • $500,000 for the Sparta Teapot Museum in Sparta, N.C.

  5. Back to some Basics of Legislative Branch! *membership #s accurate to the best of my knowledge, they are at least close* • House of Reps – Elected every 2 years • 435 voting members, 6 non-voting • Requirements: • 25 years old • 7 yrs citizen • Resident of the state • 234 Republicans, 201 Democrats • Approx 82 Women, 353 Men

  6. House cont’d • Racial demographics • 348 Caucasian • 41 African-American • 33 Hispanic • 12 Asian/Pacific Islander • 2 American Indian • Salary - $174,000/yr

  7. Senate • 100 members – approx. 1/3 up for reelection every 2 years (6 year terms) • Requirements: • 30 yrs old • 9 yrs citizen • Resident of state • 53 Democrats, 45 Republicans, 2 Independents (both of whom caucus with Democrats) • 20 women, 80 men

  8. Senate cont’d • 94 Caucasian • 2 African-American • 4 Hispanic • 1 Asian/Pacific Islander • Salary - $174,000/yr

  9. The work of Congress • Primary function is making/adjusting laws • Accomplish this goal through the Bill process!

  10. Consider… • Quote from Otto von Bismarck: • “Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made.” • What is implied by this quote? • A clip

  11. The Bill-to-Law Process:Grossly Simplified ?

  12. Notable Recent Legislation • USA PATRIOT Act – Actually an acronym • Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (2001) – primarily increases surveillance • NCLB – Bush’s plan, Bush gets the blame/credit for it • Passed overwhelmingly by both houses – Ted Kennedy (D) was major sponsor • Affordable Health Care for America Act *passed* • Close to 2000 pages of sweeping health care reforms • On-campus Gophers Stadium (MN) • MN on the hook for about 55% of total cost ($10.25 million/year for 25 years) • Minnesota Twins Stadium • .15% tax on goods and services purchased in Hennepin county among other things

  13. What does Minnesota NEED? • What is an aspect of Minnesota that could be improved through legislation? • Some Audio Clips forthcoming! • Smoking Rant • Speeding Tickets

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