State House Minority Leader
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The minority leader of the lower chamber of a state legislature directs the minority party strategy, assembles party members for important votes, and serves as a party spokesperson. In this way, the minority leader functions as the leader of the minority party and serves as a counterpart to the speaker and the majority leader. Many of the minority leader's duties are similar to those of the majority leader.[1]
The minority leader is often assisted in their role by whips, who work to enforce party discipline on votes deemed to be crucial by the party leadership and to ensure that members do not vote in a way not approved of by the party.
Overview
Leadership at the state legislative level refers to a range of different positions, including senate presidents and presidents pro tempore, house and assembly speakers, and minority and majority leaders. There are also middle- and lower-level leadership positions, such as whips, deputies, and floor leaders. Voters typically have little direct say in who holds these positions. Instead, the legislators themselves usually select their leaders. While the power and authority—and even the names—of leadership positions vary from chamber-to-chamber and state-to-state, leaders in state legislatures generally play influential roles in four, often interconnected, areas: the legislative process, elections, management, and career advancement. Read more about state legislative leadership positions here. |
The minority leader directs the minority party strategy on the house or assembly floor. The minority leader acts as a spokesperson for the party's policy positions and helps direct the party's overall legislative agenda.[1]
The minority leader is often assisted by whips, who help ensure that minority party members are present for votes during floor sessions and support the party's legislative agenda.
At the federal level, the minority leader is elected by the party conference or caucus at the beginning of each Congress. At the state level, the minority leader is similarly elected by the minority members of the chamber at the beginning of each legislative session.[2][3]
History
The roles of minority and majority leaders evolved in the U.S. House of Representatives during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a means of advancing party policy positions on the House floor and building unity among party members. The first minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, James Daniel Richardson (D-Tenn.), was recognized in 1899.[1]
Forty-six state legislatures operate with minority leaders in the lower chamber. In addition, the minority leader in Nebraska serves in the unicameral state legislature.
Responsibilities
The minority leader generally assumes the following duties:[4][5]
- Develops the minority party positions
- Negotiates with majority party leaders
- Directs minority caucus activities on the chamber floor
- Leads floor debates for the minority party
At the federal level, the House minority leader also has the responsibility to appoint individuals to certain task forces and commissions.[6]
In some states, the minority leader also serves as an ex officio member of all standing committees.
Voting
Since the minority leader represents the constituency of his or her district, they can vote on all questions before the chamber.
Tenure
Selection
At the federal level, the House minority leader is elected through secret balloting by the party conference or caucus at the beginning of each Congress.[1]
At the state level, the house or assembly minority leader is elected by the minority party conference or caucus at the beginning of each legislative session.[2][7]
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
Congressional representatives who serve as the majority leader are not subject to term limits. State legislators who serve as majority leaders are subject to any applicable term limits in their state.
In New York, the state Assembly minority leader is limited to eight years in the position.[8]
About state leadership positions
State legislative leadership refers to a range of different positions, including senate presidents and presidents pro tempore, house and assembly speakers, and minority and majority leaders. These positions are typically elected by the full membership of the chamber instead of by the public at large. Although the power and titles of leadership positions vary between states, these leaders all play a role in the legislative process.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 United States House of Representatives—History, Art, & Archives, "Minority Leaders of the House (1899 to present)," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 State Legislative Leaders Foundation, "Majority Leaders Program," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ Ohio Democratic County Chairs Association, "State House Minority Leadership – 132nd General Assembly," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislators, "Roles and Responsibilities of Selected Leadership Positions," accessed January 31, 2017
- ↑ Montana Legislative Services Division, "Legislative Leadership," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ Congressional Institute, "House Democratic Leadership Positions," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ Courier-Journal, "Adkins unopposed for House minority leader," December 30, 2016
- ↑ The New York State Senate, "Senate Passes Term Limits for State Legislative Leadership," January 12, 2016
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