Does their difference make a difference? The impact of women on public policy in the Arizona legislature

Through a longitudinal analysis of bills initiated in the Arizona state legislature between 1969 and 1986, this study investigates qualitative and quantitative changes in the effects of gender on public policy. Women legislators generally initiated more proposals than men in traditional women's interest areas and on feminist issues. Differences can be seen in the number, subject matter, and enactment rate of women's bills as the proportion of women in the state legislature increased. This study suggests that proportional group size may be an important consideration in the evaluation of the impact of gender on public policy.