2006 Conference Program - Midwest Political Science Association

Presenter Out of Time: Examining the Effects of Executive TermLimitsRoom TBA, Board 16, Thur 10:30 amDaniel B. Krug, University of ColoradoOverview: The majority of research into term limits has focusedon state legislatures. My paper examines the impact of termlimits on state governors. I specifically consider the aspects ofelectoral careerism, tenure, and minority opportunity.34-1 CAREERISM & SPECIALIZATION INLEGISLATURESRoomChairPaperPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Thur 10:30 amDeWayne L. Lucas, Hobart and William Smith CollegesLegislative Professionalization and Divided Government inU.S. StatesInsun Kang, University of RochesterOverview: I investigate the relationship between legislativeprofessionalization and divided government. I find there is apositive effect of legislative professionalization throughincumbency and a negative effect due to voters' policyconsiderations.Congress Under Attack: Congressional OfficeAdministration Post-9/11Jocelyn J. Evans, University of West FloridaStephen Stanquist, University of West FloridaOverview: The terrorist attacks of 2001 brought critical changesto the Hill, involving staff training, preparedness, responsibility,and emergency protocol. This analysis examines the factorscontributing to staff job satisfaction, performance, and tenure.Working or Shirking? A Closer Look at MPs' Expenses andAttendanceValentino Larcinese, The London School of Economics andPolitical ScienceTimothy Besley, The London School of Economics andPolitical ScienceOverview: This paper studies determinants of MP's expenseclaims in the UK Parliament. We use the results to reflect ontwo views of the motivation of MPs, the Public Choice viewand the public service view.Who Specializes? The Internal and External Influences onIssue Specialization in State LegislaturesJohn D. Wilkerson, University of WashingtonLynda Powell, University of RochesterE. Scott Adler, University of ColoradoCherie Maestas, Florida State UniversityOverview: We propose a general theory of legislative issuespecialization. We then test this theory using multi-levelstatistical techniques and individual-level survey data onlegislative specialization across the states (in 1995 and 1992).Jacob R. Straus, University of Florida34-15 INSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURALISMRoomChairPaperPaperPaperTBA, Thur 10:30 amDavid C. W. Parker, Indiana University, South BendCommittee Discharge and Minority Party Discontent in theHouse of RepresentativesBarry C. Burden, Harvard UniversityOverview: I conduct two empirical analyses of the use of thedischarge petition in the House. An aggregate analysis showsdischarge filings to be a function of electoral, partisan, andideological factors.Revisiting the Rules Committee: Do Restrictive RulesControl Floor Votes?Sang-Jung Han, University of Michigan, Ann ArborOverview: This paper empirically investigates the argument thatthrough special rules, the party leadership can engineer passageof bills that have to pass but some members dislike voting for.Agenda Control Uncovered: Motions to Table in the SenateChris Den Hartog, Northwestern UniversityNathan W. Monroe, Michigan State UniversityOverview: Senate agenda control is widely thought to beprecluded by Senators' ability to offer non-germaneamendments. We examine the extent to which this conclusion isattenuated by motions to table, which are sometimes used to killproposed amendments.Paper Divided Government and Oversight: Utilization of theCongressional WatchdogJeremy D. Walling, Southeast Missouri State UniversityOverview: It is argued in this paper that unified governmentleads to an increase in member and GAO initiated reports andthat divided government leads to an increase in non-routinereports and testimony requested by congressional committees.Paper Hostile Amendments on Senate Appropriations Bills, 1995-2000Diana Evans, Trinity CollegeOverview: The paper examines hostile amendments proposed toSenate Appropriations bills during three congresses with a focuson changes in partisanship in amending activity over time,especially among committee members.Disc. C. Lawrence Evans, College of William and Mary35-2 CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS IN THESTATESRoomChairPaperPaperPaperDisc.TBA, Thur 10:30 amJames S. Battista, University of North TexasCampaign Effects in US State Legislative ElectionsDoug Roscoe, University of Massachusetts, DartmouthOverview: Examines importance of major electoral actors inconduct of candidates' campaigns, as well as campaigns' style,activities and professionalism using candidate/party chairsurveys. Assesses whether any of these factors affect electionoutcomes.Party-Switching Among Incumbent State LegislatorsEdward M. Burmila, Indiana University, BloomingtonOverview: Literature on party switching among elected officialsis hampered by an over-reliance on Congress. This paper targetsstate legislatures, where cases are more plentiful, and considersmotivations beyond traditional rational choice assumptions.Personal Politics: Explaining State-level FinancialDisclosure LawsRamona S. McNeal, University of Illinois, SpringfieldMary Schmeida, Cleveland Clinic FoundationKathleen Hale, Kent State UniversityOverview: In this paper, we will investigate what factorsinfluence the passage of state-level legislative financialdisclosure laws. Using multivariate statistical methods, we willexamine the influence of factors drawn from the agenda settingliterature.Jeffrey Lazarus, Georgia State University36-3 LITIGANTS AND LAWYERSRoomChairPaperPaperPaperTBA, Thur 10:30 amRichard L. Pacelle, Georgia Southern UniversityLitigation and Bureaucratic Rsponse: Forum Choice inChallenging the IRSRobert M. Howard, Georgia State UniversityOverview: I examine litigation choice in challengingassessments by the Internal Revenue Service. This manuscriptcompares the responses of prospective litigants to precedent,litigation success, and amount of assessment in choosing aforum to sue the IRS.Repeat PlayersMaxwell H. Mak, Stony Brook UniversityOverview: Using an improved measure of litigator experience, Iretest McGuire's (1995) hypotheses that litigator experience atthe Supreme Court matters. I find that the relationship betweenexperience and success at the nation's highest court does notappear.How Justice is Served: The Influences Behind U.S. AttorneyDecision-MakingColin L. Provost, Nuffield College, Oxford UniversityOverview: This paper examines the decision of U.S. attorneys tofully prosecute or plea-bargain criminal cases, with an emphasison the relationship between the U.S. Attorney and the AttorneyGeneral.92