breakdown of state legislatures

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Every state in America has a legislature. This group of people includes elected state senators and representatives. You can vote to choose your legislators in your state's next election.

Register to Vote: https://vote.gov/

A state legislature makes the laws for their state. They create laws, vote, and make recommendations to their governor. 

Legislator - One person; can be used to describe a senator or a representative.

Example: I spoke with my state legislator at the capital building. She is a great senator!

Legislature - The group of legislators (meaning the entire body of people).

Example: "My state's legislature meets from January through June each year."

State Representatives represent smaller areas (like towns and parts of cities). This group of legislators is usually larger.

State Senators represent larger areas (such as several towns or regions). This group of legislators is usually smaller.

Both groups of legislators introduce and vote on state laws.

Your state's legislators pass laws that govern the state and its budget (aka your state's tax dollars). They also have a direct relationship with your state's governor. This group is located within your state and represents individual towns, counties, regions, etc.

Your federal legislators are also chosen by voters in your state, but work in Washington DC to represent your entire state. 

These two groups are not the same. 

A state's legislature is important because it creates laws that directly affect our daily lives, education, housing, healthcare, and public safety. It controls the state's budget, determining how our tax dollars are spent.