Changes

At the state level, state legislatures have a Senate but often use a different name for their other legislative body. In New Jersey the equivalent of the U.S. House of Representatives is called the "Assembly".  Because the term of office for the Senate is longer than for the Assembly (or House), politicians aspire to eventually be elected to the Senate.  

At the state level, state legislatures have a Senate but often use a different name for their other legislative body. In New Jersey the equivalent of the U.S. House of Representatives is called the "Assembly".  Because the term of office for the Senate is longer than for the Assembly (or House), politicians aspire to eventually be elected to the Senate.  

Bills are designated by the chamber in which they are introduced:  "A 555" means "Assembly bill number 555" in a state legislature.  "H.B. 555" means "House Bill No. 555" in Congress; "S.B. 555 means "Senate Bill No. 555."  Nebraska has a "unicameral" legislature: only one legislative body rather than two.  It refers to its bills as "L 555"; the "L" stands for its one and only legislative body.  '''''The state legislatures and Congress are in completely separate systems; no bills go from one to the other'''''.

Bills are designated by the chamber in which they are introduced:  "A 555" means "Assembly bill number 555" in a state legislature.  "H.B. 555" means "House Bill No. 555" in Congress; "S.B. 555" means "Senate Bill No. 555."  Nebraska has a "unicameral" legislature: only one legislative body rather than two.  It refers to its bills as "L 555"; the "L" stands for its one and only legislative body.  '''''The state legislatures and Congress are in completely separate systems; no bills go from one to the other'''''.

When one political party controls one of the legislative bodies, and the other political party controls the other legislative body or the executive branch, then this is called "divided government."  While some complain that it is harder to enact laws when there is divided government, others observe that divided government makes each side more responsive to the public.  Competition is usually a good thing in bringing out the best in everyone.

When one political party controls one of the legislative bodies, and the other political party controls the other legislative body or the executive branch, then this is called "divided government."  While some complain that it is harder to enact laws when there is divided government, others observe that divided government makes each side more responsive to the public.  Competition is usually a good thing in bringing out the best in everyone.