NCSL–PCI Workshop for Legislators: "Beyond Bickering"
Four experienced legislators led the workshop: Representative Ralph Becker, Utah; Senator Sheila Kiscaden, Minnesota; and former legislators Peggy Kerns, Colorado, and Lana Oleen, Kansas. Assisting them were Bruce Feustal of NCSL and Chris Carlson of PCI.
The workshop began by looking at the “spiral of unmanaged conflict,” a description of what happens as conflict escalates and positions become increasingly polarized. This escalation ultimately results in crisis, stalemate, and cynicism about politics and political leaders.
Participants discussed how legislators typically get involved in conflicts that have moved far along the spiral: sides have formed, positions have hardened, and communications have stopped. They learned how—even with late entry into such apparently unpromising situations—they can use new approaches to engage citizens and stakeholders in problem solving and build consensus on complex issues.
Each state team looked at how a current issue in their state could be addressed collaboratively. They also discussed how they could get work done through a more collaborative, bi-partisan approach in their legislatures.
Reactions to the workshop were uniformly positive. Some teams now want to hold the workshop for their own legislatures. PCI and NCSL will make the "Beyond Bickering" workshop available to all legislatures and welcome inquiries and opportunities to work with interested legislators to plan such events.