This study examines agenda setting behavior regarding climate change bills in U.S. state legislatures, focusing on local temperature effects.
Data & Methods:
- Created an original data set mapping climate anomalies at the state legislative district level.
- Incorporates individual (legislator), chamber (House/Senate), district, and state characteristics to predict bill sponsorship behavior.
- Utilizes a multilevel model analyzing 25,000 legislators from 2011-2015 regarding climate change bill sponsorship.
Key Findings:
📊 Temperature Anomalies: Significant local temperature changes correlated with increased climate bill sponsorship among Democratic members but not Republican members.
🔍 Partisan Contrast: Democrats responded to these localized climate cues, while Republicans did not show responsiveness.
Real-World Significance:
- Demonstrates how local-level data can illuminate state legislative processes.
- Suggests motivations behind state-level climate innovation may be partisan and locally influenced.
