"The Colorado General Assembly provides a portrayal and analysis of Colorado's state legislature. Based upon documentary materials and more than two decades of direct observation by the author, the book combines treatment of the organizational structure and processes with the politics of the institution.".

"New to this second edition is Straayer's treatment of two recent and highly consequential political developments in Colorado, namely, term limits and the so called taxpayer bill of rights (TABOR). Term limits have seriously affected both elections and leadership. Meanwhile, TABOR has had an enormous impact upon state policy and the legislature itself, and is discussed in the context of the legislature's Joint Budget Committee - the General Assembly's most powerful committee."--BOOK JACKET.