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Would you be a good Republican Legislator?

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In a way, this is a harder question than "Would you be a good Republican Governor?"  I have three suggestions.

First, read the Minnesota Republican State Legislator's Contract with Voters. 
Second, consider what's involved.
Third, try answering two lists of questions I've provided.

What's involved in being a Legislator?

You probably need to spend at least several hundred hours campaigning during election years.  If you are elected, here are the basics about what the Legislature does, and when.

Sessions: Each odd year the "long session," focuses on the budget, and meets from January to mid-May.  Each even year the "short session" meets from February to the end of April to do the bonding bill and things "left over" from the "long session."  A maximum of 120 legislative session days are allowed for both years (most in the long session).  Committees can meet on days that are not "legislative days." 

Responsibilities: The Legislature sets the State budget, currently about $30 Billion per two year budget period.  Of course, all laws, including the tax system, are also established by the Legislature.  Every two years, a bonding bill of up to about $1 billion is also passed for long range improvements like buildings.  The Senate also confirms (and sometimes, doesn't confirm) the Governor's major administrative appointments.  Both houses have oversight over the administration of State Government.  Each Legislator is assigned to several committees, which do most of the work on laws and budgets, preparing bills for votes by each full House.

Citizen Legislators: Because legislators work part time, and perform a vital civic duty, Minnesota State Law requires employers to allow Legislators to take time off for the session, and then return to their same or a similar position and pay.  Obviously, this works better if you work for a large organization.  Legislators are paid $31,140/yr -- this works out to about $500 per legislative day.  Of course,  you spend a lot of time on legislative and campaign activities outside of legislative days.  Legislators are also paid a per diem for committee meetings not held on legislative days, and for living and travel expenses.

For more information about what the Legislature does and how it works, the Minnesota Legislature's FAQ page is a good starting point.
 

List One (easier questions)

Here's a second list of harder questions:

1) How do you think you would do working in what today is such a highly politicized and partisan atmosphere?  

2) Do you think you could help to change this atmosphere?

3) What's your view on whether your task is to a) represent what your constituents want, or b) do what you think is right?  In particular, what issues of principle force you choose option b), and are there other issues where you believe it is better to choose option a)?

4) What Legislative committees do you think you would be most qualified to be on, and what committees would you be most interested in?

5) What two or three goals represent your top priorities if you are elected?

6) Do you think your local Republican party would endorse you? 

7) Can you afford to risk at least $1,000 of your own money, which could possibly be a loan to the campaign but which might never be paid back?

8) Can you devote 500 hours to campaigning, mostly during evening and weekend hours from about May to October?  Here's a plus, you can probably do a lot of it outside.

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