Women in State Government

By Raquel Maria Dillon on Friday, February 20, 2004.

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The Center for Women in Government revised its 50-state survey of women in top state policy-making positions today. New Hampshire had ranked at the very bottom, but when Governor Craig Benson?s office submitted new numbers, the state jumped to seventh place. New Hampshire Public Radio?s Raquel Maria Dillon has more.

The survey measured the percentage of women in high-level advisory positions in Governors? offices and among gubernatorial appointees. Judith Saidel is the Director of the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society.
SEIDEL2 :?? We collect the original data directly from the 50 states we have honed a survey so that it?s streamlined easier for busy members of gov?s staff to complete the survey

Saidel says New Hampshire, and a few other states, did not return the survey, even after repeated attempts to collect the data. Governor Craig Benson?s spokesman, Wendell Packard:
WENDELL1 :?? I?ve asked around in my office and no one seems to have any recollection of them sending us a report or calling our office.

SAIDEL3 :?? We rely entirely on individual states to provide us with accurate and updates information.

When the study made the news last week, New Hampshire?s 15% of women in leadership positions

ranked dead last among the 50 states. Packard contacted Saidel to ask why. He discovered that the survey the Center had on file was out of date, and counted many commissioners who were not appointed by Benson. Packard says Saidel?s study didn?t take into account the peculiarities of New Hampshire state government.
WENDELL2 :22 Governor Benson doesn?t come in with a clean slate and his own nominations. He has the previous governor?s commissioners who are filling out their terms, they also didn?t take into account the Exec Council that gets to confirm nominations. The governor just doesn?t get to appoint people to agency head here in NH.

Saidel admits, social science research can get complicated. She says she designed her study with this in mind ? to control for differences between the 50 different state governments.
SAIDEL5 :20 it?s like 50 different species! It?s quite remarkable how much variation there is ? It?s not easy data to collect. Highly politicized data and there?s a sensitivity in some states. Al thought I waill tell you, most states immediately returned the survey.

Saidel says study is only as good as its data. Packard submitted a new, updated survey. New Hampshire?s ranking on of female policy makers soared from 50th to 7th. Packard put out a press release, but he says Benson doesn?t care.
WENDELL3 :20 the governor doesn?t put a lot of stock in these surveys. We were 50th an hour ago now we?re 7. what does that mean? That doesn?t mean a lot. The governor will continue to put people in positions that are best qualified and have the best skills to perform the duties of the task at hand. If they are women or men, it doesn?t matter to him its? about being the most qualified person.

According to the new, updated survey, three out of 11 Benson appointees are women. Each of those women had previously worked in some capacity for former Governor Jeanne Shaheen.
Also on the revised survey, five out of eleven people who work in the governor?s office are women. Saidel and the Center for Women in Government only counted staffers have the same title, ?Virtual Team Member? and are listed as people who shape policy. Packard says the governor doesn?t differentiate between policy advisors and office staff. as people who shape policy.
The National Governor?s Association has its own separate list of the governor?s staff. On that list Wendi Fenderson appears as Benson?s personal secretary and scheduler. Packard says that doesn?t mean she?s not involved in policy making.
WENDELL6 I could tell you, Wendy talks to governor every day and has direct input into his job every day.

According to the National Governor?s Association, Claire Blanchette handles mail and constituent services, and Kristen VanHorn is a speechwriter. Keith Herman is listed with 13 different titles ? from Public Safety Advisor to Transportation Advisor to Federal Relations.
WENDELL5 :?? him being down for 13 positions is not an indication of him having 13 repsonsibilities, it?s just these outside groups who want to put labels on us. We just say label us as you will.

For NHPR News, I?m RMD.