This program is designed to present an overview of the New Mexico legislature and how citizens can constructively engage with it. Our citizens legislature is a reflection of the state's history ”the divide between the rural and urban lifestyles, the unique mix of ethnic groups, and the personal and familial connections at the heart of a small state. Spanish might be spoken in the hallways of the Roundhouse as much as English, and Native American issues are often pivotal. My talk illustrates this culture with tales of heroes, villains, unlikely alliances, special interests, and successful advocates informed by my 16 years in the legislature. Knowledge of historical antecedents and contemporary history allows citizens to place each session of the legislature in perspective. I have been amazed at how little New Mexicans know about the "Roundhouse", and how appreciative they are to find out what they did not learn in school: how a bill becomes law, why governors and legislatures disagree and why newspapers do not tell the full story. Knowledge of the process will help empower citizens to become active and effective advocates for their own cause and make more informed electoral choices.