Legislative Conference 1997: You Should GO!

Let us first start with meeting your legislator. You are face to face with the senator or representative who stands for the district in which you live. He or she has a number of issues before them, but one thing reigns clear- they work for you. This is not some trite, silly retort given by your local politico on a hurried TV interview- they actually do.

According to the Arizona State Constitution, Article IV, Part 1, Section 1, Arizona residents have the ultimate authority to initiate legislation and make laws, aside from general elections. Legislators are aware of that. Arizona has a part-time legislature, thus rendering legislators more apt to listen to the needs of their constituents because of the limited time for enactment. Legislators must consider every constituent's need, no matter how small, for not to do so would not only be political suicide, but reinforce the apathy that plagues the electoral process.

Legislators are in dire need of support (outside of the usual financial begging) to enact what would be beneficial to the state as a whole. Those who become elected officials do so out of the belief that they could effect change. However, the process does not allow them the luxury of implementing their own personal agenda (of course, there are exceptions). They remember, if only periodically, that they must do as would their constituents have them do. The result is making laws that benefit those constituents. They require input from those constituents in order to satisfy that need.

But legislative constituencies come in all shapes and sizes. The classic corporate capitalist that most people imagine strong-arming their way with money and influence is but a small part of the picture. There are many influential individuals who have the ear of legislators.

Not everyone shares the needs of big industry.

For example, the elderly, though a strong voice in their own right, have a variety of requirements, decentralized from any larger target group, such as affordable housing and health care, and convenient transportation to needed facilities. Small business owners need protection from market forces that are out of their control, such as large corporations that may displace them, undermining a community's sense of self and placement. There are homeowners that are interested in safeguarding themselves from unchecked pollutants and preserving our environment for current and future generations.

One of the most important constituents is you- the student. Let us look at it from the standpoint of the state's economy. Each of the three universities are one of the largest employers in their respective areas. Thus, as the backbone of the university system, students play a major role in what happens or what does not happen on campus.

Legislators understand in order to satisfy the needs of the student population they must meet the demands of a large and powerful constituency. Legislators want to here what students need, what students want, and how might they, as elected officials, fulfill those needs. Therefore, when the students are satisfied, systems that employ thousands of individuals and bring in millions of dollars of revenue are able to endure.

Legislators understand the cycle of prestige. A preeminent university system draws top-notch students, which attracts scholarship, grant and research dollars, which, in turn, attracts even more superior students. Legislators want to know what makes a university attractive to students in the hopes of making their university the most appealing.

Great students who have equally great experiences at the university are more interested in becoming residents if they are not already. In addition, great universities also attract surrounding business to support them, which creates thriving communities. In the end, a legislator that supports the needs of students can create a distinguished university, lure well-educated residents, invite business, and ultimately build a voting constituency.

It is easy for me to cogitate reasons why you should attend the Legislative Conference. Meeting your legislator may not be the thrill of life time for some of you, but it could change your life and the lives of other students. Being a part of the process is the key. Coming to the Legislative Conference will allow you and your state representative to come together and shape the future of Arizona. As I said above, students are the backbone of the university system. It is your voice that moves legislators into action. Come and help us all make a difference.

David H. Benton is a third-year law student, member of the ASUA President's Cabinet and Arizona Students' Association board member. His column, 'Another Perspective,' appears Tuesdays.

By David H. Benton (columnist)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 25, 1997