State 48 News sat down with Arizona State Senator John Kavanagh for an in-depth discussion about his newly released book, State Legislatures: An Owner’s Manual. What followed was less a promotional interview and more a candid walkthrough of how state government actually functions — and why much of it is routinely misunderstood.
For context, State 48 editor Christy Kelly read the new book cover to cover. Despite its nearly 400 pages, the book is a surprisingly easy read and is packed with practical, usable information for anyone seeking to understand how state government actually operates.
Kavanagh, who has spent nearly two decades in the Arizona Legislature, wrote the book to address a gap he repeatedly encountered both in public discourse and in academic settings. According to the Senator, there is no widely available, practical guide that explains how state legislatures truly operate — from bill drafting and committee maneuvering to leadership dynamics and informal power structures that never appear in one civics textbook.
The book draws heavily from Kavanagh’s firsthand experience as a lawmaker and educator. In addition to serving in the legislature, he teaches at Arizona State University, where the original concept for the book emerged while preparing course material on state legislative systems. That project ultimately expanded into a comprehensive manual intended for lawmakers, staffers, journalists, students, lobbyists, and engaged citizens seeking a clearer understanding of how policy is made at the state level.
During the interview, Kavanagh emphasized that state legislatures —not Congress — are where many of the most consequential policy decisions occur, yet they remain poorly understood by the public.
State Legislatures: An Owner’s Manual covers both the formal mechanics of lawmaking and the informal realities that influence outcomes behind the scenes. Kavanagh does not shy away from discussing political pressure, ethics, and how legislators are punished by leadership.
The interview offers readers a rare opportunity to hear directly from a veteran Arizona lawmaker reflecting on the institution from the inside. Rather than advancing partisan talking points, the discussion centers on institutional knowledge, civic literacy, and the practical realities of governing.
Kavanagh’s book is now available in print and digital formats - you can find in on Amazon.
