Revision history for PressFileInformation
Additions:
After reading the press file and getting a general understanding of the legislation, locate provisions of the legislation that are included in the press. It is important that you differentiate between two types of information contained in the press:
~- //Primary Information//: anything in the press that explains the explicit provisions or specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a provision of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
~- //Secondary Information//: any additional information that is related to the legislation, but is not explicitly stated in the text of the legislation. It could be potential impacts of the legislation, explanations of what is contained within existing law, or commentary for or against the legislation.
The best way to differentiate is to determine if a given statement made by the press must be explicitly stated in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered primary information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
These statements clearly identify the underlying purpose of the bill: to implement a seat belt law, and establish a fine. Assuming what the press said is true, the legislation would be required to explicitly state that it is a primary law and that the fine is $50 for the first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense. It would be impossible for the press to gather that information if it was not in the text of the legislation itself.
This statement is merely an explanation of a secondary seat belt law in order to provide context for the reader to better understand what a primary law is by comparison. This would be secondary press information because the legislation would not be required to explicitly state that the law is not a secondary seat belt law.
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes take on the form of primary information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a provision of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it.
It is also important not to erroneously identify a statement in the press as primary information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is relaying provisions of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
After reading this statement, you might assume the bill increases penalties for public officials convicted of a felony. However, the statement regarding bills that "enhance penalties for public officials who are convicted felons" is referring to past attempts by the legislature to pass such legislation. It is not explicitly referring to SB 141. Therefore, this would be considered secondary information. If you continue to read the press file, you will encounter the following statements:
Many articles will cover the same provisions of a bill. However, you will often come across some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain details that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
You may wish to take notes on primary information in the press so that you can confirm it while reading the bill text. When you have completed your summary, refer back to the press file to ensure that you have included any major provisions mentioned in the press.
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the primary information mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to provide context to a reader. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above statements are all questions and concerns raised about the ability of the state to effectively expunge the DNA record of an individual after it has been collected following a felony arrest. Obviously the bill text wouldn't say something to that effect, but it does provide the specifics of the process for attempting to have one's DNA record expunged. If your summary provides an adequate explanation of this process, it will allow a reader to raise the objections that were raised in the press file or decide that enough protections are included in the bill. This is a group of highlights from the summary of this bill that detail that very process, as well as additional protections:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the provisions mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these provisions helps to address the questions and concerns that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
Finally, you are free to include information that was not mentioned in the press, even if it's not related to secondary information. Don't hesitate to include information that you think would be relevant to a legislator or voter when casting a vote or if you simply think it's necessary for a thorough and complete summary of the legislation. Here is an example: HB 1171 from North Dakota during the 2009 session. The press file contained the following information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the primary and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were provisions of the bill that may be considered important or relevant to a North Dakota legislator or voter. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
~- //Primary Information//: anything in the press that explains the explicit provisions or specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a provision of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
~- //Secondary Information//: any additional information that is related to the legislation, but is not explicitly stated in the text of the legislation. It could be potential impacts of the legislation, explanations of what is contained within existing law, or commentary for or against the legislation.
The best way to differentiate is to determine if a given statement made by the press must be explicitly stated in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered primary information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
These statements clearly identify the underlying purpose of the bill: to implement a seat belt law, and establish a fine. Assuming what the press said is true, the legislation would be required to explicitly state that it is a primary law and that the fine is $50 for the first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense. It would be impossible for the press to gather that information if it was not in the text of the legislation itself.
This statement is merely an explanation of a secondary seat belt law in order to provide context for the reader to better understand what a primary law is by comparison. This would be secondary press information because the legislation would not be required to explicitly state that the law is not a secondary seat belt law.
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes take on the form of primary information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a provision of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it.
It is also important not to erroneously identify a statement in the press as primary information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is relaying provisions of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
After reading this statement, you might assume the bill increases penalties for public officials convicted of a felony. However, the statement regarding bills that "enhance penalties for public officials who are convicted felons" is referring to past attempts by the legislature to pass such legislation. It is not explicitly referring to SB 141. Therefore, this would be considered secondary information. If you continue to read the press file, you will encounter the following statements:
Many articles will cover the same provisions of a bill. However, you will often come across some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain details that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
You may wish to take notes on primary information in the press so that you can confirm it while reading the bill text. When you have completed your summary, refer back to the press file to ensure that you have included any major provisions mentioned in the press.
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the primary information mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to provide context to a reader. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above statements are all questions and concerns raised about the ability of the state to effectively expunge the DNA record of an individual after it has been collected following a felony arrest. Obviously the bill text wouldn't say something to that effect, but it does provide the specifics of the process for attempting to have one's DNA record expunged. If your summary provides an adequate explanation of this process, it will allow a reader to raise the objections that were raised in the press file or decide that enough protections are included in the bill. This is a group of highlights from the summary of this bill that detail that very process, as well as additional protections:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the provisions mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these provisions helps to address the questions and concerns that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
Finally, you are free to include information that was not mentioned in the press, even if it's not related to secondary information. Don't hesitate to include information that you think would be relevant to a legislator or voter when casting a vote or if you simply think it's necessary for a thorough and complete summary of the legislation. Here is an example: HB 1171 from North Dakota during the 2009 session. The press file contained the following information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the primary and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were provisions of the bill that may be considered important or relevant to a North Dakota legislator or voter. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
Deletions:
~- //Primary Information//: anything in the press that explains the actual provisions or specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a provision of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
~- //Secondary Information//: any additional information that is related to the legislation, but is not necessarily specified in the text of the legislation. It could be potential impacts of the legislation, explanations of what is contained within existing law, or commentary for or against the legislation.
The rule of thumb for deciphering primary and secondary information is to determine if a statement made by the press, assuming it is true, must be specified in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered primary information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
These statements clearly identify the underlying purpose of the bill: to implement a seat belt law, and establish a fine. Assuming what the press said is true, the legislation would be required to specify that it is a primary law and that the fine is $50 for the first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense. It would be impossible for the press to gather that information if it was not specified in the text of the legislation.
This statement is merely an explanation of a secondary seat belt law in order to provide context for the reader to better understand what a primary law is by comparison. This would be secondary press information because the legislation would not be required to specify that the law is not a secondary seat belt law.
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes, for all intents and purposes, take on the form of primary information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a provision of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it. Assuming that statement is true, your summary of the bill should allow a reader to raise the question of whether a DNA sample could be effectively expunged.
It is also important not to falsely identify a statement in the press as primary information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is specifying the intent of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
After reading these statements paired together, you might assume the bill increases penalties for public officials convicted of a felony. However, the statement regarding bills that "enhance penalties for public officials who are convicted felons" is referring to past attempts by the legislature to pass such legislation. It is not explicitly referring to SB 141. Therefore, this would be considered secondary information. If you continue to read the press file, you will encounter the following statements:
Many articles will cover the same provisions of a bill. However, you will often come across some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain details that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
After locating specific information in the press, highlight or underline the text. Continue to do this for the entire press file, and remember to highlight or underline each specific, regardless of whether you already highlighted or underlined identical or near-identical text from a separate article. Your summary should, in most cases, include each specific that you highlighted or underlined in the press file. Of course, this doesn't apply to specific information that you determine to be incorrect, which happens from time to time. Otherwise, once you think you have finished writing your summary, go back to the press file and check off each specific that you highlighted or underlined to ensure that you included all of the necessary information. Here is an example: H 3301 from South Carolina during the 2009 session. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered specific information:
~- //".... prevents consumers from taking out more than one loan at a time, up to $600. An online database, which must be up by Feb. 1, 2010, would instantly report when a loan is made."
~- "Lenders must check it to ensure customers don't have outstanding loans elsewhere...."
~- "...The bill requires the industry to let customers go into an extended payment plan if they can't meet that deadline, without incurring any extra fees...."
~- "...limited a customer to 10 successive payday loans. After 10, the customer can't get another one until at least one pay period has passed."
~- "...new regulations on the payday lending industry...."
~- "...The bill approved Wednesday limits borrowers to one loan at a time, but raises the maximum loan to $600 from $300. It also requires creation of a database that lenders must check before making a loan...."
~- "Borrowers also can enter an extended payment plan, with no additional fees charged, if they cannot repay the loan in the allotted time...."
~- "The bill, which goes to the Senate, would raise the amount a payday lender could loan in a single transaction from $300 to $600...."
~- "The bill also limits the number of loans a customer may take out to one at a time.... The bill establishes a database to track and prevent multiple loans."
~- "...Lenders must inform borrowers at the point of sale that an extended repayment plan is available if the borrower is unable to repay on time. Payday loans typically are required to be paid within two weeks...."
~- "...limits to 10 the number of consecutive payday loans a customer can assume before a mandatory cooling-off period...."//
This is the PVS synopsis and some of the highlights that were included in the final summary:
~& Vote on a motion to advance a bill to the third reading that increases regulations on payday lending, including, but not limited to, capping the number of payday loans that individuals may receive at one time and successively, and authorizing the use of an extended repayment plan, if necessary.
~& -Increases the maximum amount that may be issued in a payday loan from $300 to $600 (Sec. 4).
~& -Prohibits lenders from issuing payday loans to individuals with an outstanding payday loan balance, including individuals that have entered into an extended payment plan agreement (Sec. 2).
~& -Prohibits lenders from issuing payday loans to individuals who have received 10 successive loans until after a period of days equal to that of the individual's pay period (Sec. 2).
~& -Requires lenders to provide customers with the opportunity to enter into an extended repayment plan approved by the Consumer Finance Division of the Board of Financial Institutions without facing additional fees if they are unable to pay the balance on time (Sec. 2).
~& -Requires the Consumer Finance Division of the Board of Financial Institutions to establish an online database of individuals that have an outstanding loan, including individuals that have entered into an extended payment plan agreement, or have received 10 successive payday loans by February 1, 2010 (Secs. 1).
~& -Requires lenders to check the online database to determine if an applicant is eligible for a payday loan (Sec. 2).//
Notice that the PVS synopsis and highlights cover all of the specifics mentioned in the press. However, this is not the entire summary written for this bill. As important as it is that you include in your summary every specific mentioned in the press, it's equally important to remember that you are not limited exclusively to information contained in the press.
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the primary information mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to ensure that it's possible for a reader to at least deliberate such information after reading the summary. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above statements are all questions and concerns raised about the ability of the state to effectively expunge the DNA record of an individual after it has been collected following a felony arrest. Obviously the bill text wouldn't say something to that effect, but it does provide the specifics of the process for attempting to have one's DNA record expunged. If your summary provides an adequate explanation of this process, it will allow a reader to raise the objections that were raised in the press file or decide that enough protections are included in the bill. This is a group of highlights from the summary of this bill that details that very process, as well as additional protections:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the provisions mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these provisions helps to address the questions and concerned that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
Finally, you are free to include information that was not mentioned in the press, even if it's not related to secondary information. Don't hesitate to include information that you think would be relevant to a legislator when casting his or her vote, if you think that information would be relevant to a voter, or if you simply think it's necessary for a thorough and complete summary of the legislation. Here is an example: HB 1171 from North Dakota during the 2009 session. The press file contained the following information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the primary and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were provisions of the bill that would be considered rather important, such that it could affect a legislator's vote, or a North Dakota voter might consider it relevant. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
Additions:
==Locating Primary and Secondary Information in the Press==
After reading the press file and getting a general understanding of the legislation, the next step is to locate provisions of the legislation that are spelled out by the media. It is important that you differentiate between two types of information contained in the press:
~- //Primary Information//: anything in the press that explains the actual provisions or specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a provision of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
The rule of thumb for deciphering primary and secondary information is to determine if a statement made by the press, assuming it is true, must be specified in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered primary information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
In all, this paragraph is three sentences long, two of which are provisions of the legislation, and one that is secondary information. These are the two pieces of primary information:
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes, for all intents and purposes, take on the form of primary information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a provision of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it. Assuming that statement is true, your summary of the bill should allow a reader to raise the question of whether a DNA sample could be effectively expunged.
It is also important not to falsely identify a statement in the press as primary information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is specifying the intent of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
Clearly this statement would be considered primary information. The key word that separates it from the first sentence of the article is the word "allow." While the first sentence may suggest the bill is actually encoding stronger penalties into law, the above sentence actually identifies the court as the arbiter of whether to enhance such penalties. It is a subtle change in language, but an important one to recognize in order to provide a complete and entirely accurate summary of the bill.
Many articles will cover the same provisions of a bill. However, you will often come across some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain details that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
==Incorporating Primary Information Into Your Summary==
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the primary information mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to ensure that it's possible for a reader to at least deliberate such information after reading the summary. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the provisions mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these provisions helps to address the questions and concerned that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
~1) Primary Information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the primary and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were provisions of the bill that would be considered rather important, such that it could affect a legislator's vote, or a North Dakota voter might consider it relevant. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
After reading the press file and getting a general understanding of the legislation, the next step is to locate provisions of the legislation that are spelled out by the media. It is important that you differentiate between two types of information contained in the press:
~- //Primary Information//: anything in the press that explains the actual provisions or specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a provision of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
The rule of thumb for deciphering primary and secondary information is to determine if a statement made by the press, assuming it is true, must be specified in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered primary information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
In all, this paragraph is three sentences long, two of which are provisions of the legislation, and one that is secondary information. These are the two pieces of primary information:
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes, for all intents and purposes, take on the form of primary information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a provision of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it. Assuming that statement is true, your summary of the bill should allow a reader to raise the question of whether a DNA sample could be effectively expunged.
It is also important not to falsely identify a statement in the press as primary information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is specifying the intent of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
Clearly this statement would be considered primary information. The key word that separates it from the first sentence of the article is the word "allow." While the first sentence may suggest the bill is actually encoding stronger penalties into law, the above sentence actually identifies the court as the arbiter of whether to enhance such penalties. It is a subtle change in language, but an important one to recognize in order to provide a complete and entirely accurate summary of the bill.
Many articles will cover the same provisions of a bill. However, you will often come across some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain details that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
==Incorporating Primary Information Into Your Summary==
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the primary information mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to ensure that it's possible for a reader to at least deliberate such information after reading the summary. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the provisions mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these provisions helps to address the questions and concerned that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
~1) Primary Information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the primary and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were provisions of the bill that would be considered rather important, such that it could affect a legislator's vote, or a North Dakota voter might consider it relevant. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
Deletions:
After reading the press file and getting a general understanding of the legislation, the next step is to locate specifics of the legislation that are spelled out by the media. It is important that you differentiate between two types of information contained in the press:
~- //Specific Information//: anything in the press that explains the specific intent(s) of the legislation. Don't assume information in the press is not a specific of the legislation because the wording of it is vague. It could be as vague as "increasing taxes" or as specific as "increasing the income tax rate for those earning more than $1 million."
The rule of thumb for deciphering specific and secondary information is to determine if a statement made by the press, assuming it is true, must be specified in the legislation in order for the press to make such a statement. After reading something in the press that might be considered specific information, ask yourself: "If that is true, would the legislation also be required to specify this information?" Here is an example: HB 383 from New Hampshire during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following paragraph:
In all, this paragraph is three sentences long, two of which are specifics about the legislation, and one that is secondary information. These are the two specifics:
Although it was noted earlier that commentary on the legislation is usually secondary information, it will sometimes, for all intents and purposes, take on the form of specific information. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session. The underlying purpose of this bill is to require anyone who is arrested for a felony to submit a DNA sample, as opposed to collecting a sample after they are convicted. The press file contains the following paragraph:
The first sentence of this paragraph is quoting a member of the legislature defending the bill. At first glance, it might appear to be secondary information, but actually the legislator is defending the bill by discussing specific provisions. Like the first sentence, the second one is also commentary on the bill, even though it is not a direct quote. Unlike the first sentence, the second sentence is considered secondary information because it is not a specific of the bill and is instead a possible unintended consequence of the legislation. There is no reason why the bill would actually say that once a DNA sample is collected, there is no way to "effectively" return it. Assuming that statement is true, your summary of the bill should allow a reader to raise the question of whether a DNA sample could be effectively expunged.
It is also important not to falsely identify a statement in the press as specific information about the bill. Sometimes the wording of a sentence will suggest that it is specifying the intent of a bill when it is really providing context or commentary. Pay very close attention to the language used by the press. Here is an example: SB 141 from New Mexico during the 2009 legislative session. The press file contains the following:
Clearly this statement would be considered specific information. The key word that separates it from the first sentence of the article is the word "allow." While the first sentence may suggest the bill is actually encoding stronger penalties into law, the above sentence actually identifies the court as the arbiter of whether to enhance such penalties. It is a subtle change in language, but an important one to recognize in order to provide a complete and entirely accurate summary of the bill.
Remember to take note of each specific mentioned by the press, even if it is repeating information that you read in a previous article. This will not only ensure that we are covering each specific in our summary, but frequently you will come across specifics in some articles that are more detailed than others. Here is an example: A 6468 from New York during the 2009 legislative session. One of the articles in the press file states the following:
As you can see, each statement covers the underlying intent of the bill, but they each contain specifics that the other does not. The first article provides a more detailed description of what "microstamping" is, and the second statement specifies that this rule applies to pistols manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, as opposed to the more generic phrase "all new guns."
==Incorporating Specifics Into Your Summary==
Secondary information can assist you with including information beyond the specifics mentioned by the press. Secondary information is something that you may want to keep in mind while writing the summary to ensure that it's possible for a reader to at least deliberate such information after reading the summary. Here is an example: SB 241 from Colorado during the 2009 session, which was dealt with earlier. The following is a list of statements in the press that would be considered secondary information:
Notice that the above highlights detail the specifics of the process by which one can have their DNA sample expunged, as well as an additional prohibition against admitting a match of DNA samples as evidence at trial if the DNA sample was suppose to have been destroyed. The press file didn't include all of the specifics mentioned in this group of highlights, but the inclusion of these specifics helps to address the questions and concerned that were brought up in the secondary information of the press.
~1) Specific Information:
Notice that the PVS synopsis contains both the specifics and secondary information contained in the press. However, after reading the bill text, there were specifics of the bill that would be considered rather important, such that it could affect a legislator's vote, or a North Dakota voter might consider it relevant. This includes changing graduation standards for home schooled students, regulations of parents without a high school diploma that are home schooling their children, and a sunset provision. This summary is a good example of why you are not limited to the issues discussed by the press.
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[[CategoryKeyVotes Key Votes Homepage]] | [[UTInternTraining Training Guide]] | [[SummaryWritingGuide Summary Writing Guide]] | [[VoteEnteringGuide Vote Entering Guide]] | [[CongressGuide Congress Guide]] | [[StatusUpdateGuide Status Update Guide]] | [[WebCheckGuide Web Check Guide]]
[[CategoryKeyVotes Key Votes Homepage]] | [[UTInternTraining Training Guide]] | [[SummaryWritingGuide Summary Writing Guide]] | [[VoteEnteringGuide Vote Entering Guide]] | [[CongressGuide Congress Guide]] | [[StatusUpdateGuide Status Update Guide]] | [[WebCheckGuide Web Check Guide]]
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======Summary Writing - Press File Information======----
