Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things which are God's. ~ Matthew 22:21
Policy decisions in state legislatures may be influenced by any number of sources known to shape human behavior (Patterson, 1983). To pinpoint the factors of influence upon legislative decision-making, researchers have observed the norms governing legislators' behavior, the roles they assume, and the goals and objectives that motivate them (Clausen, 1994). In addition to roll call votes, the legislative process offers members a variety of opportunities to take public positions. Chief among these is a members’ ability to sponsor and cosponsor legislation without institutional limit on the type, subject, or number of pieces of legislation (Oleszek, 2007).