We all saw the extensive media coverage surrounding the Maine Legislature as they chose a new President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and constitutional officers, Secretary of State, Attorney General and State Treasurer. These are high-profile positions we often read about and therefore are familiar to us.

However, many people don’t know what goes on behind the scenes with legislators during the days of December. It’s during these few weeks when newly elected lawmakers do everything in their power to get appointed to their preferred legislative committees. There’s posturing, pleading and considerable arm-twisting as legislators try desperately to win their prized appointment.

It’s similar to the game of Monopoly where properties have different values ranging from the most expensive to the least. Only the value in this case is based on the prestige and accompanying power that goes with being a member of a highly respected committee. Putting it bluntly, some committees are held in high esteem while others ….aren’t.

There are 16 Joint Standing Committees that collectively consider all of the proposed 2,500 to 3,000 bills that will be presented to the Legislature over the two-year term and are an integral part of the legislative process. Individual committees deal with specific parts of state government. For example, the tax committee hears all bills pertaining to tax issues while the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee handles all hunting and fishing issues.

Each committee has 13 members, three senators and 10 representatives, two of whom are co-chairs, one each from the House and Senate. Many of these committee assignments are highly sought after, especially the chair positions, thus the intense lobbying and maneuvering by legislators as they try to secure that critical post.

The presiding officers, Senate President and Speaker of the House, have the sole power to make the appointments in their respective bodies so legislators use any and all tactics to apply whatever persuasions they can muster.

The most highly desired committees include the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (budget writing), Health and Human Services (HHS), Transportation and more recently Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJ&PS).

Chairing or just being a member of the Appropriations Committee is the ultimate of assignments. Back to the Monopoly game, being selected for this committee is equal to acquiring the Boardwalk property. The Appropriations Chair can be more influential than even those in elected leadership positions. On the other hand, committees such as State and Local Government have less influence and being appointed to those would compare with owning Baltic Avenue.

Why all the fuss, why all the competition to get on a specific committee? A plum assignment means greater influence with the full Legislature and significantly more potential for media attention for the legislator. On the other hand, being appointed to a committee of little influence can make for an obscure and long two-year term.

It’s easy to get lost in the legislative process and being appointed to a low-level committee can be deadly. Constituents expect their representatives to be involved in the pertinent topics being debated. Getting roads fixed in the district, controlling taxes and keeping our children safe are important issues and being part of a committee that deals directly with matters like these will raise the stature of the lawmaker, not to mention the importance of bragging-rights back home.

All legislators want to be relevant, but without the right committee assignment it’s difficult to be a major player. This is a high-stakes game, especially for veteran lawmakers. So while you’re going about your busy holiday season, about an hour away there is an intense battle occurring with all the backroom dealings you can imagine. You can’t see or hear it, but legislators know all too well what’s at stake for the next two years. Next week we’ll see the results of all the dealing and wheeling.

Winning a legislative race is only the first step. The next victory needs to be securing Park Place or even Marvin Gardens. However, being stuck for two years on Mediterranean Avenue could be the kiss of death. Veteran legislators know this all too well. Freshmen will learn it soon enough.

Bill Diamond, of Windham, is former Maine Secretary of State, state representative and state senator.