Full Citation

Title: Hot Districts, Cool Legislation: Evaluating Agenda Setting in Climate Change Bill Sponsorship in U.S. States

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2019

ISBN:

ISSN: 1532-4400

DOI: 10.1177/1532440019842175

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: What factors influence agenda setting behavior in state legislatures in the United States? Using the localized effects of climate change, we examine whether notable changes in temperature can raise the salience of the issue, thus encouraging a legislative response. To evaluate the behavior of individual legislators around climate policy, we utilize an original data set that includes geographic mapping of climate anomalies at the state legislative district level and incorporates individual, chamber, district, and state characteristics to predict climate bill sponsorship. Using a multilevel model that estimates climate change bill sponsorship among 25,000 legislators from 2011 to 2015, we find a robust relationship between temperature anomalies and bill sponsorship for Democratic members of state legislators while Republicans are unresponsive to such factors. Our data and methodological approach allow us to examine legislative action on climate change beyond final policy passage and offers an opportunity to understand the motivations behind climate innovation in the American states.

Url: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1532440019842175

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Authors: Bromley-Trujillo, Rebecca; Holman, Mirya; Sandoval, Andres

Periodical (Full): State Politics & Policy Quarterly

Issue: 3

Volume: 19

Pages: 375-395

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Natural Resource Management, Other

Countries: United States