The first branch of government : from grass roots to law.

State Representative Tom Berg of Minnesota is shown traveling through the political maze of constituent demands and legislative strategy in an attempt to pass a land use bill. He meets with citizens to learn their reactions to the bill and confers with other legislators for their support and strategy ideas, including possible amendments to make the bill more acceptable to undecided lawmakers. Following a fiery debate on the bill, a final amendment is adopted that all but nullifies the bill's intent. Berg and his colleagues reword the legislation and after another month, it passes and becomes law, the culmination of thirteen months' planning and work