We spend a great deal of time and effort to ensure that the work OLR produces is accurate, easy to understand, and unbiased. Each new OLR analyst and attorney goes through a rigorous training program that includes such matters as research principles and sources, general writing principles, and writing specifically for OLR. And we periodically offer writing workshops so that even seasoned staff members can brush up on their writing skills.

Every written document that leaves OLR is reviewed by a senior staff person for accuracy, objectivity, organization, completeness, clarity, and grammar. Reviewers often suggest changes to sharpen the focus, clarify concepts, and tighten language. Staff come to know that a second, skeptical pair of eyes really improves their work. Bill analyses are also “edited” for readability and how well the document communicates to a lay reader who may know little about the bill’s subject matter.

Despite authorship by experienced analysts and thorough review by senior staff, we do make mistakes. Sometimes they are factual; sometimes they result from errors in judgment, interpretation, or emphasis; sometimes they result from ambiguity. It is our policy and practice to take another look at any document we produce when someone - legislator, staff, commissioner, lobbyist, or member of the public - questions its accuracy.

When this occurs, we thoroughly review the claim and the original document. Senior staff, the author, and the original reviewer discuss the arguments on both sides. Sometimes we contact outside experts for their opinions. Our criterion in these cases is not who asked for a change or why or what they objected to but rather wheter the document is correct.

If we decide the original version is accurate and objective, the document stands as is. But if we determine that we have indeed made a mistake or let an erroneous or misleading judgment creep in, we revise the document, send it to the parties who received the original with an explanation of the changes, and replace the original in the Legislative Library and on our website. In cases where the issue is particularly high profile or important, we also might inform appropriate committee chairs and ranking members or legislative leaders of the change.