Accountability and Legislative Staffing

The Legislature is the most accountable branch of government. Although some may say that the Legislature is out of touch with the people, my experience has been just the opposite. Constituents have a great deal of power within state capitols, particularly if they speak up. Even when constituents are silent, a typical legislative office spends a significant amount of time thinking about the impact decisions may have upon constituents. Accountability to the electorate is a concept that permeates the entire legislative institution.

This level of accountability plays an important role in distinguishing the Legislature from the Executive branch. Political scientists and economists have lamented the lack of market competition in government service, arguing that the result is costly, poor quality services. While this sentiment may have some validity for executive branch bureaucracies, I believe the high level of accountability in the Legislature can act as a surrogate for market competition. In the Legislature, the level of concern devoted to constituents is similar to the level of concern that private sector professionals devote to their clients. At at some level, constituents have the authority to fire the legislator, much like clients have the authority to fire their lawyer or accountant. The market, in a sense, is alive and well when it comes to the Legislature.

All of this can make the Legislature a top choice for individuals seeking a public service career. In the private sector, you get the productivity and excitement that comes with being accountable to your customer base but, in the end, you may just be working to earn a buck. In the typical executive branch bureaucracy, you get the satisfaction of working in the public interest but, in the end, you may have to deal with a complacent workplace that is not particularly concerned with customer satisfaction. However, in the Legislature, you get the productivity and excitement that comes with being directly accountable to your constituents, together with the satisfaction of working in the public interest.