Revision history for Tracking
Additions:
It's also important to keep tabs on which states are in session, including any special sessions that come up. Sessions should be added to the [[https://calendar.google.com/calendar/b/2?cid=dm90ZXNtYXJ0Lm9yZ19nYXYxdXNodnJwZmlmaWNqYTVxOGRrZTVjMEBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t Key Votes calendar]] for easy tracking. The National Conference of State Legislatures also has good information on states currently in session. You can use their [[http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2019-state-legislative-session-calendar.aspx state legislative calendar]] to track current sessions-- just change the year in the URL to the current year.
It's also worth noting that Texas, Montana, North Dakota, and Nevada only have biennial sessions, meaning they only convene every two years. You should still keep tabs on all four, though, as special sessions are always a possibility.
It's also worth noting that Texas, Montana, North Dakota, and Nevada only have biennial sessions, meaning they only convene every two years. You should still keep tabs on all four, though, as special sessions are always a possibility.
Additions:
The first step in selecting votes is tracking the legislatures. When performing your tracking duties, you should always keep in mind the criteria for selecting votes:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/legislative/legislature-control.aspx| partisan breakdown]]** of the state. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Alabama, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
- If specific legislation is consistently inquired about on the Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- If an adviser suggests we select a vote, the vote should be considered for selection.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. The third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely to provide coverage of votes.
One point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under the radar. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of the day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is in session.
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/legislative/legislature-control.aspx| partisan breakdown]]** of the state. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Alabama, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
- If specific legislation is consistently inquired about on the Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- If an adviser suggests we select a vote, the vote should be considered for selection.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. The third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely to provide coverage of votes.
One point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under the radar. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of the day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is in session.
Deletions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/legislative/legislature-control.aspx| partisan breakdown]]** of the state. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
- If specific legislation is consistently inquired about on the PVS Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- If an advisor suggests we select a vote, the vote should be considered for selection.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, the third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely to provide coverage of votes occurring in the legislature.
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
Additions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/legislative/legislature-control.aspx| partisan breakdown]]** of the state. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
Deletions:
Additions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/partysplits/partysplits.aspx/| partisan breakdown]]** of the state. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
Deletions:
Additions:
- **[[TrackingGuide Tracking Links]]**
Deletions:
Additions:
- **[[TrackingGuide Tracking Guide]]**
Additions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the **[[http://www.statescape.com/resources/partysplits/partysplits.aspx/| partisan breakdown]]** of the state.. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
- **[[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]**
- **[[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]**
- **[[PressFiles Creating the Press File]]**
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
----
[[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]]
- **[[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]**
- **[[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]**
- **[[PressFiles Creating the Press File]]**
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
----
[[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]]
Deletions:
- [[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]
- [[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
- [[PressFiles Creating the Press File]]
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
Additions:
======Tracking Legislatures======----
Deletions:
Deletions:
[[TrackingCongress Tracking Congress]]
Additions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. It doesn't need to be extremely close margin, and you should consider the [[http://www.statescape.com/resources/partysplits/partysplits.aspx/| partisan breakdown]] of the state.. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
Deletions:
Additions:
**ADDENDUM**
Deletions:
Additions:
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, the third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely to provide coverage of votes occurring in the legislature.
Deletions:
Additions:
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, the third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely provide coverage of votes occurring in the legislature.
Deletions:
Additions:
ADDENDUM
Deletions:
Additions:
ADDENDUMS
[[TrackingCongress Tracking Congress]]
[[TrackingCongress Tracking Congress]]
Additions:
- [[PressFiles Creating the Press File]]
Deletions:
Additions:
- [[PressFile Creating the Press File]]
Deletions:
Additions:
- [[CreatingPressFile Creating the Press File]]
Deletions:
Additions:
- [[CreatingthePressFile Creating the Press File]]
Additions:
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" and "Nay" votes. Although, it doesn't need to be extremely close margin. If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency when considering this criteria.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, one criteria in particular is important when it comes to tracking - "The vote has received media attention." Furthermore, the third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely provide coverage of votes occurring in the legislature.
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the aforementioned criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, one criteria in particular is important when it comes to tracking - "The vote has received media attention." Furthermore, the third selection criteria ("The vote has received media attention") is particularly important. Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all boils down to monitoring media outlets that are likely provide coverage of votes occurring in the legislature.
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should this happen, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
Deletions:
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, one criteria in particular is important when it comes to tracking - "The vote has received media attention." Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all comes to monitoring media outlets that are likely discuss votes occurring in the legislature.
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should that happens, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
Additions:
- [[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]
- [[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
- [[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
- [[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
- [[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
Deletions:
- Tracking current press
- Creating press files
[[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]
[[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
[[PressFiles Creating Press Files]]
Additions:
- If specific legislation is consistently inquired about on the PVS Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- If an advisor suggests we select a vote, the vote should be considered for selection.
- If an advisor suggests we select a vote, the vote should be considered for selection.
Deletions:
- Occasionally, if an advisor suggests we select a vote, the should be considered for selection.
Additions:
====Tracking Legislatures====
The first step in selecting votes is tracking the legislatures. When performing your tracking duties, you should always keep in mind the criteria for selecting votes:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member of the legislature stands on a particular issue.
- The vote should be clear for any individual to understand, meaning the intention of the "Yea" or "Nay" vote is understandable.
- The vote has received media attention.
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" or "Nay" votes. Although, it doesn't need to be extremely close margin If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency in assessing this criteria.
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the PVS Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- Occasionally, if an advisor suggests we select a vote, the should be considered for selection.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, one criteria in particular is important when it comes to tracking - "The vote has received media attention." Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all comes to monitoring media outlets that are likely discuss votes occurring in the legislature.
The following steps are essential to ensure that the U.S. Congress and state legislatures are being properly tracked:
- Allocating legislatures among staff members
- Tracking current press
- Creating press files
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should that happens, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
[[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]
[[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
[[PressFiles Creating Press Files]]
The first step in selecting votes is tracking the legislatures. When performing your tracking duties, you should always keep in mind the criteria for selecting votes:
- The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member of the legislature stands on a particular issue.
- The vote should be clear for any individual to understand, meaning the intention of the "Yea" or "Nay" vote is understandable.
- The vote has received media attention.
- The vote was passed or defeated by a relatively close margin, meaning there should be a sizable number of "Yea" or "Nay" votes. Although, it doesn't need to be extremely close margin If you're dealing with a legislature with a lopsided majority (Massachusetts and Idaho, for example), allow for more leniency in assessing this criteria.
- Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the PVS Hotline, the vote should be considered for selection.
- Occasionally, if an advisor suggests we select a vote, the should be considered for selection.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria before you begin tracking because that will largely determine whether you will bring a vote up for selection. Furthermore, one criteria in particular is important when it comes to tracking - "The vote has received media attention." Press coverage is usually the first thing to tip us off to a vote, and tracking all comes to monitoring media outlets that are likely discuss votes occurring in the legislature.
The following steps are essential to ensure that the U.S. Congress and state legislatures are being properly tracked:
- Allocating legislatures among staff members
- Tracking current press
- Creating press files
Before a more detailed description of each step is articulated, one point must be stressed: timely and thorough tracking is absolutely necessary for the viability of the department. Tracking work is not something that should be set aside for another time; it's extremely easy for a vote to slip under your radar if you're not paying attention. Should that happens, it's a problem that is not easily solved. A portion of a staff member's day must be set aside to check on each legislature that is assigned to him or her.
[[AllocatingStates Allocating Legislatures Among Staff Members]]
[[TrackingPress Tracking the Press]]
[[PressFiles Creating Press Files]]
Deletions:
The goal of tracking is to identify the key votes on important legislation that we may want to cover. In order to do that, check press on the state legislatures you are assigned and bills they are passing and watch the state legislature websites for what occurred in a specific day.
There are three main resources that you should check frequently to find key votes for your states.
Start by going to http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action. Check for any news articles pertaining to your state legislature and bills they have votes on. Additionally, skim over any Stateline articles discussing national trends to keep in mind as potentially key issues this year. Also check local news sources. See the [[TrackingGuide State-Specific Tracking Guide]] for newspaper suggestions, links, and helpful hints.
Finally, check the state's legislative website and specifically their daily journals. Scan both chambers' daily journals for close votes that occurred and votes on issues you have been tracking. Please note that a few states do not have journals, so you will have to use other resources on the legislative site such as daily calendars, minutes or press releases. After selecting close votes in the journals, make sure you don't have a file on those votes. You can do this by right clicking on the 2009 folder in your folder for that state, selecting "search," and typing in the bill number. If you have that bill, make sure the vote you found in the journal is one you have recorded. If you don't have this particular vote on the bill, copy (do not cut) the file, paste the copy in the Considering folder, and build a defense for that vote. If you don't have a file on the bill at all, see if there is enough press to warrant making a file. Do this by going to http://news.google.com/ and run a search using the name of your state and two or three key words from the bill or bill topic.
Additions:
Finally, check the state's legislative website and specifically their daily journals. Scan both chambers' daily journals for close votes that occurred and votes on issues you have been tracking. Please note that a few states do not have journals, so you will have to use other resources on the legislative site such as daily calendars, minutes or press releases. After selecting close votes in the journals, make sure you don't have a file on those votes. You can do this by right clicking on the 2009 folder in your folder for that state, selecting "search," and typing in the bill number. If you have that bill, make sure the vote you found in the journal is one you have recorded. If you don't have this particular vote on the bill, copy (do not cut) the file, paste the copy in the Considering folder, and build a defense for that vote. If you don't have a file on the bill at all, see if there is enough press to warrant making a file. Do this by going to http://news.google.com/ and run a search using the name of your state and two or three key words from the bill or bill topic.
Deletions:
Additions:
Start by going to http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action. Check for any news articles pertaining to your state legislature and bills they have votes on. Additionally, skim over any Stateline articles discussing national trends to keep in mind as potentially key issues this year. Also check local news sources. See the [[TrackingGuide State-Specific Tracking Guide]] for newspaper suggestions, links, and helpful hints.
Deletions:
Additions:
Start by going to http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action. Check for any news articles pertaining to your state legislature and bills they have votes on. Additionally, skim over any Stateline articles discussing national trends to keep in mind as potentially key issues this year. Also check local news sources. See the State-Specific [[TrackingGuide]] for newspaper suggestions, links, and helpful hints.
Deletions:
Additions:
Start by going to http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action. Check for any news articles pertaining to your state legislature and bills they have votes on. Additionally, skim over any Stateline articles discussing national trends to keep in mind as potentially key issues this year. Also check local news sources. See the [[TrackingGuide]] for newspaper suggestions, links, and helpful hints.
Finally, check the state's legislative website and specifically their daily journals. Scan both chambers' daily journals for close votes that occurred and votes on issues you have been tracking. Please note that a few states do not have journals, so you will have to use other resources on the legislative site such as daily calendars, minutes or press releases. After selecting close votes in the journals, make sure you don't have a file on those votes. You can do this by right clicking on the 2007 folder in your folder for that state, selecting "search," and typing in the bill number. If you have that bill, make sure the vote you found in the journal is one you have recorded. If you don't have this particular vote on the bill, copy (do not cut) the file, paste the copy in the Considering folder, and build a defense for that vote. If you don't have a file on the bill at all, see if there is enough press to warrant making a file. Do this by going to http://news.google.com/ and run a search using the name of your state and two or three key words from the bill or bill topic.
Finally, check the state's legislative website and specifically their daily journals. Scan both chambers' daily journals for close votes that occurred and votes on issues you have been tracking. Please note that a few states do not have journals, so you will have to use other resources on the legislative site such as daily calendars, minutes or press releases. After selecting close votes in the journals, make sure you don't have a file on those votes. You can do this by right clicking on the 2007 folder in your folder for that state, selecting "search," and typing in the bill number. If you have that bill, make sure the vote you found in the journal is one you have recorded. If you don't have this particular vote on the bill, copy (do not cut) the file, paste the copy in the Considering folder, and build a defense for that vote. If you don't have a file on the bill at all, see if there is enough press to warrant making a file. Do this by going to http://news.google.com/ and run a search using the name of your state and two or three key words from the bill or bill topic.
Deletions:
Finally, check the state's legislative website and specifically their daily journals. Scan both chambers' daily journals for close votes that occurred and votes on issues you have been tracking. Please note that a few states do not have journals, so you will have to use other resources on the legislative site such as daily calendars, minutes or press releases.
After selecting close votes in the journals, make sure you don't have a file on those votes. You can do this by right clicking on the 2007 folder in your folder for that state, selecting "search," and typing in the bill number. If you have that bill, make sure the vote you found in the journal is one you have recorded. If you don't have this particular vote on the bill, copy (do not cut) the file, paste the copy in the Considering folder, and build a defense for that vote. If you don't have a file on the bill at all, see if there is enough press to warrant making a file. Do this by going to http://news.google.com/ and run a search using the name of your state and two or three key words from the bill or bill topic.
