text: Do a wordsearch of the State Constitution and the Joint Legislative Uniform Rules and you won't find the word "Caucus" yet a permanent standing caucus is the functioning legislature in this state.  It is designed to reward toady behavior over time with power.  Regardless of the names, the only thing these candidates for Speaker and Senate President have is hanging around the institution for years and a total dedication to the silencing of any dissenting ideas by being able to close the forum of debate.
  
     Currently membership in the majority requires support of the final budget appropriation regardless of sustainability and lockstep voting with caucus leadership on the procedural votes necessary to thwart any minority proposals (like a vote on repeal of the PFD reduction). Couple this insane caucus system with the current legislative exemption from state open meeting law and the defacto veto power given to committee chairs to simply refuse to hold hearings and you have what we  have.