Under the Gold Dome

Book excerpt: "Under the Gold Dome is an insider's window into the legislative process in the State of Connecticut. Satter gives readers an understanding of a system in which he has become exceptionally familiar with through his years of service as a legislative staff member, a state representative, and as a judge. "Under the Gold Dome traces the history of the legislative system in Connecticut, weaving in the author's personal reflections and anecdotes in the process. It describes the nuances and idiosyncrasies of how a bill becomes a law ? detailing the interesting and tedious path it must take to become a law. The book sheds light onto the state budget process, the role of lobbyists and lobbying, and other legislative areas. Satter discusses the role of political parties over time and their influence on the decision-making process. Satter goes beyond party lines in discussing how power is exercises and how this power is filtered into debate, discussion and eventually enactment.