State legislature
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| State executive officials |
| State legislatures |
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A state legislature is a generic term referring to the legislative body of any of the country's 50 states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 24 states, the legislature is simply called the "Legislature," or the "State Legislature," while in 19 states, the legislature is called the "General Assembly." In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the legislature is called the "General Court," while North Dakota and Oregon designate the legislature as the "Legislative Assembly."
Composition
Every state (except Nebraska) has a bicameral legislature, meaning that the legislature consists of two separate legislative chambers (or "houses"). Nebraska has a unicameral, or one-chamber legislature. In all bicameral legislatures, the smaller chamber is called the "Senate" and is usually referred to as the "upper house." (Nebraskan legislators are referred to as "senators" for historical reasons; when the legislature was reorganized, the lower house was abolished and the Senate renamed).
The smaller chamber usually, but not always, has the exclusive power to confirm appointments made by the governor and to try articles of impeachment. (In a few states, a separate Executive Council, composed of members elected from large districts, performs the confirmation function.) Members of the smaller chamber represent more citizens and usually serve for longer terms (generally four years) than members of the larger chamber.
In 41 states, the larger chamber is called the "House of Representatives." Five states designate the larger chamber the "Assembly" and three states call it the "House of Delegates." Members of the larger chamber usually serve for terms of two years. The larger chamber customarily has the exclusive power to initiate taxing legislation and articles of impeachment.
Elections
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Comparison of state upper houses
| Chamber article | Members | Party control | Term Length | Term Limit | Session start date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii State Senate | 25 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 17, 2024 | $60,180/year + per diem |
| Idaho State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $16,684/year + per diem |
| Indiana State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $29,749/year + per diem |
| Kentucky State Senate | 38 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $188.22/calendar day during session for legislators whose terms began before 2023. $203.28/calendar day for legislators whose terms began after 2023. + per diem |
| Louisiana State Senate | 39 | Republican | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | March 11, 2024 | $16,800/year + per diem |
| Maine State Senate | 35 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 3, 2024 | $16,245.12 for the first regular session. $11,668.32 for the second regular session. + per diem |
| Nebraska State Senate (Unicameral) | 49 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 3, 2024 | $12,000/year + per diem |
| Maryland State Senate | 47 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $52,343/year + per diem |
| New Jersey State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 9, 2024 | $49,000/year |
| New Mexico State Senate | 42 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $0/year + per diem |
| North Carolina State Senate | 50 | Republican | 2 years | None | April 24, 2024 | $13,951/year + per diem and expenses |
| New York State Senate | 63 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $142,000/year + per diem |
| North Dakota State Senate | 47 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $537/month + per diem |
| South Dakota State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 9, 2024 | $14,778.60/year + per diem |
| Tennessee State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $28,406/year + per diem |
| Texas State Senate | 31 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | None | No regular legislative session | $7,200/year + per diem |
| Utah State Senate | 29 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $293.55/legislative day + per diem |
| Washington State Senate | 49 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 9, 2017 | $57,876/year + per diem |
| Wisconsin State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $57,408/year + per diem |
| Wyoming State Senate | 31 | Republican | 4 years | None | February 12, 2024 | $150/day + per diem |
| Alabama State Senate | 35 | Republican | 4 years | None | February 6, 2024 | $53,913/year |
| Arizona State Senate | 30 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 8, 2024 | $24,000/year + per diem |
| Arkansas State Senate | 35 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | 12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break | April 10, 2024 | $44,356/year + per diem |
| California State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 4 years | 12 years[1][2] | January 3, 2024 | $122,694/year + per diem |
| Colorado State Senate | 35 | Democrat | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 10, 2024 | $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021. + per diem |
| Connecticut State Senate | 36 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 7, 2024 | $40,000/year |
| Georgia State Senate | 56 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $17,342/year + per diem |
| Massachusetts State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $73,655.01/year |
| Michigan State Senate | 38 | Democrat | 4 years | 12 combined years in the Legislature | January 10, 2024 | $71,685/year + expenses |
| Minnesota State Senate | 67 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | February 12, 2024 | $51,750/year + per diem |
| Mississippi State Senate | 52 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $23,500/year + per diem |
| Missouri State Senate | 34 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 3, 2024 | $37,711/year + per diem |
| Montana State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $104.86/legislative day + per diem |
| New Hampshire State Senate | 24 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $100/year |
| Ohio State Senate | 33 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | January 2, 2024 | $69,876/year |
| Oregon State Senate | 30 | Democrat | 4 years | None | February 5, 2024 | $35,052/year + per diem |
| Pennsylvania State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $102,844.07/year + per diem |
| Nevada State Senate | 21 | Democrat | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | No regular legislative session | $130/legislative day + per diem |
| Alaska State Senate | 20 | Split | 4 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $50,400/year + per diem |
| Delaware State Senate | 21 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system | None | January 9, 2024 | $45,291/year |
| Florida State Senate | 40 | Republican | 2-4-4 year system | 2 terms (8 years) | January 9, 2024 | $29,697/year + per diem |
| Illinois State Senate | 59 | Democrat | 2-4-4 year system[3] | None | January 16, 2024 | $85,000/year + per diem |
| Kansas State Senate | 40 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $86.66/session day + per diem |
| Oklahoma State Senate | 48 | Republican | 4 years | 12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers | February 5, 2024 | $47,500/year + per diem |
| Rhode Island State Senate | 38 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $17,626.63/year |
| Vermont State Senate | 30 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $811.68/week during session + per diem |
| South Carolina State Senate | 46 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $10,400/year + per diem |
| Virginia State Senate | 40 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem |
| Iowa State Senate | 50 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $25,000/year + per diem |
| West Virginia State Senate | 34 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $20,000/year + per diem |
Comparison of state lower houses
| Chamber article | Members | Party control | Term Length | Term Limit | Session start date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska House of Representatives | 40 | Split | 2 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $50,400/year + per diem |
| Arizona House of Representatives | 60 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 8, 2024 | $24,000/year + per diem |
| Alabama House of Representatives | 105 | Republican | 4 years | None | February 6, 2024 | $53,913/year |
| Arkansas House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | 12 consecutive years; can return after a four-year break | April 10, 2024 | $44,356/year + per diem |
| California State Assembly | 80 | Democrat | 2 years | 12 years[4][5] | January 3, 2024 | $122,694/year + per diem |
| Colorado House of Representatives | 65 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 10, 2024 | $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021. + per diem |
| Connecticut House of Representatives | 151 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 7, 2024 | $40,000/year |
| Delaware House of Representatives | 41 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $45,291/year |
| Florida House of Representatives | 120 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 9, 2024 | $29,697/year + per diem |
| Georgia House of Representatives | 180 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $17,342/year + per diem |
| Hawaii House of Representatives | 51 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 17, 2024 | $60,180/year + per diem |
| Idaho House of Representatives | 70 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $16,684/year + per diem |
| Illinois House of Representatives | 118 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $85,000/year + per diem |
| Indiana House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $29,749/year + per diem |
| Iowa House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $25,000/year + per diem |
| Kansas House of Representatives | 125 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $86.66/session day + per diem |
| Kentucky House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $188.22/calendar day during session for legislators whose terms began before 2023. $203.28/calendar day for legislators whose terms began after 2023. + per diem |
| Louisiana House of Representatives | 105 | Republican | 4 years | 3 terms (12 years) | March 11, 2024 | $16,800/year + per diem |
| Maryland House of Delegates | 141 | Democrat | 4 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $52,343/year + per diem |
| Massachusetts House of Representatives | 160 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $73,655.01/year |
| Michigan House of Representatives | 110 | Split | 2 years | 12 combined years in the Legislature | January 10, 2024 | $71,685/year + expenses |
| Minnesota House of Representatives | 134 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 12, 2024 | $51,750/year + per diem |
| Mississippi House of Representatives | 122 | Republican | 4 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $23,500/year + per diem |
| Montana House of Representatives | 100 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $104.86/legislative day + per diem |
| New Hampshire House of Representatives | 400 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $100/year |
| New Jersey General Assembly | 80 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $49,000/year |
| New Mexico House of Representatives | 70 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $0/year + per diem |
| New York State Assembly | 150 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $142,000/year + per diem |
| North Carolina House of Representatives | 120 | Republican | 2 years | None | April 24, 2024 | $13,951/year + per diem and expenses |
| North Dakota House of Representatives | 94 | Republican | 4 years | 2 terms (8 years) | No regular legislative session | $537/month + per diem |
| Ohio House of Representatives | 99 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 2, 2024 | $69,876/year |
| Oklahoma House of Representatives | 101 | Republican | 2 years | 12 year cumulative total, in either or both chambers | February 5, 2024 | $47,500/year + per diem |
| Oregon House of Representatives | 60 | Democrat | 2 years | None | February 5, 2024 | $35,052/year + per diem |
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | 203 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $102,844.07/year + per diem |
| Rhode Island House of Representatives | 75 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 2, 2024 | $17,626.63/year |
| South Carolina House of Representatives | 124 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $10,400/year + per diem |
| South Dakota House of Representatives | 70 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 9, 2024 | $14,778.60/year + per diem |
| Texas House of Representatives | 150 | Republican | 2 years | None | No regular legislative session | $7,200/year + per diem |
| Utah House of Representatives | 75 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $293.55/legislative day + per diem |
| Vermont House of Representatives | 150 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 3, 2024 | $811.68/week during session + per diem |
| Virginia House of Delegates | 100 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $18,000/year for senators. $17,640/year for delegates. + per diem |
| West Virginia House of Delegates | 100 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 10, 2024 | $20,000/year + per diem |
| Wisconsin State Assembly | 99 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 16, 2024 | $57,408/year + per diem |
| Wyoming House of Representatives | 62 | Republican | 2 years | None | February 12, 2024 | $150/day + per diem |
| Washington House of Representatives | 98 | Democrat | 2 years | None | January 8, 2024 | $57,876/year + per diem |
| Maine House of Representatives | 151 | Democrat | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 3, 2024 | $16,245.12 for the first regular session. $11,668.32 for the second regular session. + per diem |
| Missouri House of Representatives | 163 | Republican | 2 years | 4 terms (8 years) | January 3, 2024 | $37,711/year + per diem |
| Nevada State Assembly | 42 | Democrat | 2 years | 6 terms (12 years) | No regular legislative session | $130/legislative day + per diem |
| Tennessee House of Representatives | 99 | Republican | 2 years | None | January 9, 2024 | $28,406/year + per diem |
Partisan Control (1992-2013)
1992-2013
Praise or blame is extended to political parties for the economic, educational, health and other quality of life outcomes that result from the policies those parties enact into law. To better understand which political party enjoys power in each of the states, Ballotpedia has analyzed state government control from 1992-2013 using the concept of a "partisan trifecta." A partisan trifecta is defined as when a state's governorship and legislative chambers are controlled by the same political party.
The two major political parties claim that their policies will lead to better outcomes. What does the data show?
At Ballotpedia, we explored these issues in a three-part study, Who Runs the States.
Part 1: Partisanship
- See also: Ballotpedia:Who Runs the States, Partisanship Results, Partisan Control of State Legislatures
We identified the party holding each state's legislature for the majority of time in each year from 1992 through 2013. Across the 49 states (excluding Nebraska with partisan legislatures, there were 827 years (76.7%) of legislature under the unified control of one party and 251 years (23.3%) of split legislatures. Among the unified legislatures, the Democrats had 443 years (53.6%) of legislative control, and the Republicans had 384 years (46.4%).
The trifecta analysis over this period shows a notable trend toward one-party control of state governments. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 states had trifectas while 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas hold sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years we studied. The number of states with trifectas doubled between 1992 and 2013.
The trifecta analysis also allowed us to identify seven states that have experienced dramatic changes in partisan state government control from the first 11 years of the study to the last 11 years of the study. Studying the partisan composition of state governments as we do also allows a clean way to assess whether a state is "moving red" or "moving blue."
Visualizations
Figure 10: Visualization of Trifectas from 1992-2013 -- Alabama-Missouri
Figure 11: Visualization of Trifectas from 1992-2013 -- Montana-Wyoming
Figure 19: Visualization of State Partisanship (with Presidential voting) from 1992-2013 -- Alabama-Missouri
Figure 20: Visualization of State Partisanship (with Presidential voting) from 1992-2013 -- Montana-Wyoming
Infographic
| Infographic of Partisanship Results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 This infographic was created by Attwood Digital | |||||
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Senators who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Senate, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. Senators elected to the State Legislature prior to the passage of Proposition 28 are bound by two four-year terms in the State Senate and three two-year terms in the State Assembly established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ California State Assembly Office of the Chief Clerk, "Elected Officials," accessed January 22, 2019
- ↑ Under the Illinois Constitution of 1970, senators are divided into three groups, each group having a two-year term at a different part of the decade between censuses, with the rest of the decade being taken up by two four-year terms. Depending on the election year, roughly ⅓, ⅔, or all of the senate seats may have terms ending.
- ↑ According to the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, "Assembly Members who were first elected to the State Legislature on or after the passage of Proposition 28 may serve 12 years in the Assembly, or a combination of service in the Assembly and Senate as long as the combined terms do not exceed 12 years. However, Members elected to the State Assembly prior to the passage of Proposition 28 may serve a maximum of three two-year terms established by the passage of Proposition 140, in 1990."
- ↑ California State Assembly Office of the Chief Clerk, "Elected Officials," accessed January 22, 2019
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