How an Idea Becomes a Law

How an idea becomes a law in New York State is a lengthy process, so let me somehow try to sum it up in a few paragraphs. Lets say there's a large group of concerned citizens out there who want, I don't know.......free ice cream on Mondays.
First you a need a whole lot of people who would want free ice cream on Mondays and they'd need to have a pretty good reason for it.

So, let's pretend that a recent research study conducted by the State Health Department shows that the more people eat ice cream, the happier they are. You and a couple hundred, maybe thousand, of your fellow supporters argue that since there is scientific proof that ice cream makes everyone happier, there should be free ice cream on Mondays for everyone. You argue that, if everyone who works or goes to school receives free ice cream every Monday then they're less likely to be upset about going back to work or school after every weekend is over, thus increasing work place productivity and grades.
You and your fellow supporters contact your local senator. You write or email a report to this local senator that's several pages thick, arguing why New York State would be a more productive if everyone simply received free ice cream on Mondays. After some deep thought, and recognizing the lack of campaign contributions from the local ice cream workers' unions, your senator is convinced this is a good idea for a law. The senator now turns your idea into a bill, the "Free Ice Cream on Mondays Act of 2008."
Your senator now proposes the "Free Ice Cream on Mondays Act of 2008," before the State Legislature. Once everyone in the legislature familiarizes themselves with the proposal, it is sent to what's called an "appropriate committee." The committee weighs the pros, cons, costs and overall effect the "Free Ice Cream on Mondays Act of 2008," will have if enacted. A public hearing is also called in most cases so the politicians can gather information on what the public thinks of the bill. Oddly enough, in an election year what the public thinks about a bill may be more important to the politicians than what they actually think about the bill.
Now the appropriate committee has agreed on the actual written format of the "Free Ice Cream on Mondays Act of 2008." The bill is presented to the rest of the State Senate and then to the State Assembly. You and your friends may as well get comfortable, because in New York State the process of having the majority of either side of either branch come to a consensus may take quite a long time............
.......18 months later and the "Free Ice Cream on Mondays Act of 2008" has been passed!!! Now the only obstacle is Governor Patterson, who has 10 days to veto the bill. Having a sweet tooth himself, Governor Patterson decides not to veto it, despite numerous threats from the executives of Haggan-Das, Ben and Jerry's, Cold Stone Creamery and the local chapter of the United Waffle-Cone Manufacturers of America. Free ice cream for everyone!