This story from The Thicket, an online blog of the National Conference of State Legislatures, is a cause for concern. A likely close election, fiscal and pension crises (compare the fiscal health of states at the Pew Center), and a burst of inexperienced legislators is a recipe for potential legislative follies (a link to David Canon’s classic study on amateurs in Congress).

There will surely be a burst of activity on the elections front.

Here’s a toast to Tim Storey and the NCSL staff, who will have to redouble their efforts to help provide information and guidance to these new legislators in 2013.