Glossary

Bicameral
Describes a legislature with two houses.

Biennium
An event that occurs every two years.  The MN Legislature is on a biennial schedule. It convenes in regular session in January of each odd numbered year and is authorized to meet in regular session each year of the biennium for a total of 120 days.

Bundling
The gathering and delivery of checks to a candidate from a specific group or corporation. 

Chief Author
Legislator who sponsors a bill and whose name appears after the file number on the bill.

Gerrymandering
The process of drawing the district lines to unduly increase a group’s political power.

Political contribution refund (PCR)
Minnesotans are eligible for refunds up to $50.00 per person and $100.00 per household for contributions to Minnesota political parties, a candidate for statewide office, or candidates for the Minnesota legislature.  The Governor approved the unallotment of funds for this program for the time period of July 1, 2009-June 30, 2011.  This program will not operate during those times. 
 
Public financing
A way of funding campaings in which political candidates receive money from the government to finance their election campaigns, usually in exchange for limiting their spending.

Reapportionment
The process of using a state’s population to determine how many representatives it receives in the House of Representatives.

Soft money
Money raised outside of campaign finance laws