Twitter is the undisputed social media venue for national political conversations - presidents, senators, and reporters keep up a running stream of statements and reactions that compete with cable news as the background noise of Washington. Is the same true for city politics? A smaller geography means that real life conversations are more possible, but a more connected political ecosystem might also make a social network like Twitter more vibrant.

Politics is, at its heart, about relationships. Since majority support is required to enact laws, legislators must dedicate time to building alliances with colleagues who will support their ideas and -- ultimately -- their bills. Forging connections in a legislative body isn’t just a part of an elected official’s job; it’s a critical function that shapes how the government operates.