OTHER STATES: Pennsylvania Editorial

This is a good editorial in the Patriot News from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which talks about the wastefulness of that state's full-time legislature and the opposition to moving to full-time in other states, such as Montana. Here's my favorite paragraph:

---

There's a refreshing quality about a legislature that is truly representative of the people, one that is composed of public servants who actually experience the day-to-day travails of regular folks. One that's not insulated from economic and social realities by oversized salaries and pensions, the best health-care plan money can buy, taxpayer-provided late-model cars, out-of-state trips galore to fancy places, "walking-around-money" for pet projects in their district, ad infinitum.

---

And in response to the editorial writer's final comment: I very much don't mind if a less corrupt legislature is more boring and gives the newspapers less to write about. And I'm sure pretty much every other Americans agrees with me there.

OTHER STATES: Another Rhode Island Article

Another article discusses moving Rhode Island the wrong way towards a full-time legislature. Here are some of the highlights of the article showing the advantages and disadvantages of the move, with some editorialising by The Debunker:

---

The advantages of a full-time over a part-time legislature might include:

-- More thoughtful consideration of bills. Too much legislation is now rushed through at the last moment. More time might mean better legislation.

-- Better-organized and more transparent legislative business, which would let the public know more about what's going on in the State House, and perhaps yield fewer last-minute surprises and poorly written, confusing state statutes.

---

These are greatest falsehoods in regards to a full-time legislature. It is well known that bills are more lobbyist influenced in that situation and bills are always rushed through or slowed down depending on political considerations regardless of the full-time or part-time status of the legislators. Being well-organized and transparency are equally possible in part-time legislature if the appropriate measures are put in place (such full disclosure and publication of all hearing minutes in full detail.

---

On the negative side:

-- A full-time legislature, it is argued, would be out of touch with the general population, because there would be fewer members dealing with people's day-to-day issues, as many part-time legislators do, in their other jobs.

-- Some worry that a full-time legislature would result in too many people seeking permanent legislative jobs. Thus, some suggest, term limits would be needed. (For that matter, given Congress's susceptibility to lobbyists bearing campaign cash, we wonder if term limits shouldn't be revisited for federal legislators.)

---

These are two of the biggest faults of all full-time legislatures: they are completely out of touch with only the lobbyists influencing them regularly and they are too cushy for people who spend very little time legislating and a lot of time taking trips with lobbyists or other diversions.

OTHER STATES: California's Leading Advocates

This nearly 2-year old article spells out Jim Bouskos' push to make California a part-time legislature state.

Another article (also from April 2004) is an opinion piece written by California Assemblyman Ray Haynes, who gives several good reasons for the move from a full-time to a part-time legislature.

We'll keep an eye out for any news of progress in the right direction in California.

OTHER-MI: David Elwell's Opinion

David Elwell ran for a seat in the Michigan House and advocated a part-time legislature as part of his campaign. He made some very good points on this topic on his campaign website.

PART-TIME MI: Interesting Commentary

The "Politics through Michigan Eyes" blog contains an interesting commentary on what our legislators are so busy doing that they couldn't possibly accomplish their jobs on a part-time basis: hunting and taking lobbyist sponsored trips.

PART-TIME MI: Ken Sikkema Interview

Michigan state Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema was interviewed on a variety of subjects this month and he included his opinion on a part-time legislature:

---

Q. How long do you think Michigan can justify a full-time Legislature when larger states with better economies such as Texas and Florida seem to be getting along fine with a part-time Legislature?

A. I don't have a problem with a part-time Legislature as long as it's structured properly. By that I mean the proposals in the past for a part-time Legislature had the Legislature meeting from like January to May and then they wouldn't meet from May to December. I think what that does is makes it a lot more difficult for some people to serve. For example, when I ran for office in 1986, I was employed at Herman Miller in a management position.

That kind of structure would have prohibited me from running because I had to be full-time for five months and then part-time for seven months. If it's part-time for the whole year, I could do job sharing at a major corporation so I could support a part-time Legislature as long as it's structured properly. Then you still get a diversity of occupations and individuals, which I think is healthy for the Legislature.

---

So his only opposition is because it wouldn't suit his ability to run for office and hold the exact job he wants. Come on now, let's not base our legislative structure on one person's individual needs...

OTHER STATES: Rhode Island going the wrong way

Rhode Island is considering going to a full-time legislature. It last considered the issue in 1993, but rightly rejected it at that time for several reasons (quoted in the article) including:

* More people are available to serve part-time, which increases the likelihood "the General Assembly will reflect the diversity of views and interests in the state."

* Legislators who "have to earn a living outside the legislature" are more likely to be "in touch" with constituent concerns.

* Full-time legislators would have an "occupational incentive" to build up large campaign chests which, in turn, would feed the perception that special interests rule.

* "Little testimony or support for the idea that sessions should be longer."

PART-TIME MI: Bill Ballanger Interview

Former state senator Bill Ballanger (who is currently the editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics) was interviewed on Michigan Radio on January 19th. He discussed the issue of part-time legislatures and Michigan's history in this regard. Click here to listen to the interview.

OTHER-MI: Unicameral Legislature

A group called Unicameral Michigan has filed for and received Ballot Language approval from the Board of State Canvassers for their Michigan constitutional amendment proposal to do away with the Michigan Senate. This is a great idea, especially if combined with our initiative to make the legislature part-time (whether it's one house or two). We'll be keeping an eye out for news on this proposal.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Reinvent Michigan blog!

This blog will be used to convey the latest news related to the movement to reform Michigan's state government by amending the state constitution to create a part-time legislature. We will also be keeping you informed as to the latest news with similar efforts around the country and other relevant news. If you feel that you can contribute to this effort, please email us.