How do we know if a legislator is doing a good job? That debate is the heart of electoral campaigns, but we can at least look to bills passed, fundraising numbers, or re-election prospects for a more objective analysis. How do we know if a legislature as a whole is doing a good job? The institution does not get re-elected, nor do collective fundraising numbers tell us much about this.

We searched for accounts followed by the 76 members of the Arizona State Legislature with public twitter accounts. This gives us a window into what legislators see on their timelines when they open up Twitter.

This is the fourth installment of a series that looks at the timetables of legislative bodies and what you need to know to stay on top of events.

This is the third installment of a series that looks at the timetables of legislative bodies and what you need to know to stay on top of events.

This is the second installment of a series that looks at the timetables of legislative bodies and what you need to know to stay on top of events.

If you’re new to state politics, calendars can be confusing. Each state has its own quirks and deadlines, and you may find yourself closely following the slow-moving proceedings in one legislature while another is in the middle of a flurry of votes. Especially if you’re a new staffer whose experience in politics has been campaigning and/or federal government, it can take time to understand when everything happens.

Late summer is often a slow period at the State House, and the lull may feel disorienting when you’re used to its hustle and bustle. Here are a few ideas for making the most of those quiet Augusts at the State House.

Managing interns can seem intimidating, especially when you just stopped being one yourself. As a staffer in a state legislature or city council, you’re often in one of your first roles out of college, inundated with work, and still learning the ins and outs of the job. You’re then given a handful of students to manage, no management training, and expected to get them up to speed.

We downloaded the accounts followed by the 178 members of the Massachusetts State Legislature with public twitter accounts and who follow others. This gave us a list of 60,254 accounts that at least one representative or senator followed and 167,831 unique follower-followed relationships. The median legislator followed 740 accounts, though with a wide range across the building.

You can access and download the full data for the 28,000 most popular accounts with the button below. See how followed you might be and conduct your own analysis.

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.

How much time is lost every day that a state legislature drives to work?

When many people think of elected officials, they envision polished politicos whisking through stately corridors. They may picture noisy press briefings, lavish state dinners, or fiery primetime debates. In the American imagination, elected officials are masters of political intrigue who broker deals over martinis and expensive steak dinners.

In reality, public service looks a whole lot less like The West Wing and more like Parks & Recreation.