OTHER STATES: California

The Los Angeles Times printed an article on the Republican primary in the 37th Assembly District being a fight for the soul of the party. On the right side of this fight is Bob Larkin, a businessman who "advocates returning to a part-time Legislature, as it was before 1966. In those years, a politician went to Sacramento "as a volunteer to make California better for their kids and grandkids," he said. Today, he said, lawmakers are so worried about getting reelected that they spend most of their time raising money and posturing."

REINVENT MICHIGAN: Press Release

We sent out a press release today announcing a final six week push to get the signatures needed to get on the ballot. We can definitely make this happen, but we need everyone to crank their engines and go full throttle from now till the July deadline to submit the petitions!

PART-TIME MI: Times Herald

Yet another editorial pushes Michigan towards a part-time legislature - this time it's the Times Herald in Port Huron asking why Governor Granholm doesn't bother asking Indiana why their legislature is so much more efficient as a part-time body in her many opportunities when working with them as our neighboring state.

INTERNATIONAL: Another Guam Update

Another editorial in Guam discusses the need for a part-time legislature there. Here is a central quote from the article:

A part-time Legislature would be more efficient because the limited time will ensure that the attention provided by the senators is dedicated to these three objectives. The limited time will require focus.

OTHER STATES: Pennsylvania update

Great News from Pennsylvania: Mark Harris, a major proponent of moving to a part-time legislature there had a great week: he graduated from college and won the primary election, knocking out the incumbent who had voted himself a huge pay raise in the last session!

PART-TIME MI: Jackson Citizen Patriot

A great editorial in The Jackson Citizen Patriot on some of the bad legislation proposed by lawmakers with too much time on their hands - if they were part-time, they would just do the job we need and go home!

OTHER STATES: Indiana

Let's hear it for Indiana State Rep. Bruce Borders, who is showing the proper role of a part-time legislator:

For the second time in as many legislative sessions, District 45 State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) was present and voted on every piece of legislation eligible.

"“Even though we are a part-time legislature, I work on local issues year-round. I'm always preparing projects and goals to improve our communities..."

OTHER STATES: Pennsylvania

Let's put out the word on supporting Joseph Schiaffino in his run for Pennsylvania's 10th State Senate District.

[He] calls himself a "“dedicated reformer"” who says he wants to remove the "stench of corruption" among Pennsylvania lawmakers. He has called for a move to a part-time Legislature...

OTHER STATES: North Carolina

North Carolina, with it's part-time legislature spending just the right amount of time at work, is considering legislation to head in the wrong direction: they want to increase the pay of the legislature under the theory that it will protect the ethics of the legislators to have to work less outside the government for their income and also that more people can "afford to run" if the pay is higher. This is a red herring as greedy lawmakers simply try to claim a larger share of the taxpayer money they take and spend so easily without considering the hard work the taxpayers did to earn that money.

Here are a few of the articles on this issue:
- Is it time for a raise?
- Work raises ethics issues
- Seats in legislature closed to most

INTERNATIONAL: Guam

The Guam part-time legislature debate is heating up! This is an excellent exercise in real democracy and we're sure the final answer will be the right one: cut down the fat in the government and go part-time.

Here are some of the many articles in the Guam local media:
- The work of making laws is well suited to regular folks dedicated to public service
- Let voters choose on part-time Legislature
- Full-time senators must stick to people's work
- Part-time Legislature accomplished more
- We should govern at grass-roots level
- Part-time Legislature would cut down on GovGuam borrowing, spending
- Guam would truly benefit from a part-time Legislature
- Senators wrong people to change the Legislature
- Part-time Legislature appropriate to Guam's size, population
- Part-time pay for senators' part-time work
- Part-time legislator too busy to make excuses
- Legislature debate spotlights caste system
- Guam no longer requires full-time Legislature
- Part-time Legislature requires more thought

OTHER STATES: Pennsylvania

Mark Harris is running for state representative in the 42nd House District in Pennsylvania. Among his issues:

Harris says he is a firm believer in the idea of limited government. He says it is time to cut government spending in Harrisburg, reduce taxes and make reform changes to keep businesses in the state. By switching to a part-time legislature, costs will decrease, he says.

Let's hope he helps push the part-time legislature issue to new heights in his state!