Swann's plan targets size, spending of Legislature

[brooklynite]

HARRISBURG - Republican gubernatorial nominee Lynn Swann intends to unveil today a government-reform plan that calls for the state's fiscal watchdog to audit the Legislature.

Swann will propose cutting the size of the state's 253-member General Assembly -- the nation's largest full-time legislature -- to 30 senators and 121 House members to save $90 million and to increase their accountability.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_457942.html
- - -
Better still, why not eliminate the Legslature completely and save real money? It's not like Republican Executives really need them...

[Selatius]

1. I say go further. Eliminate the legislature. Let corporations run the show

Hell, many laws that pass through the federal government are written by corporations now.

[Avalux]

2. Swann is an idiot - has no concept of government.

He's so far behind in the polls he should give up now. Great football player, but not too bright upstairs. :eyes:

[qanda]

3. He'll eliminate all the Democrats

And save the Republicans.

[rabid_nerd]

4. We should follow New Hampshire... INCREASE THE NUMBER

but only pay a few hundred a year plus mileage.

[Dr.Phool]

6. Yeah, my good friend in Florida, spent 22 years in NH House.

It only paid $100 per year.

[bleedingheart]

5. Wanna know something funny...Allen Kukovich (D) tried it for years

and he lost his state senate election because the republican knuckledraggers in our area wanted a candidate who would vote to eliminate abortion and ban gay marriage. Meanwhile he did a lot of good in our state.

[RamboLiberal]

8. You know I agree with you bleedingheart

The voters in your district were fools for voting out Kukovich and I'm sorry to see the idiots are catering to the knuckledraggers with this gay marriage ban. However I do think Swann has hit an issue that will resonate with the voters at this moment. You know the incredible anger that pay raise garnered with voters.

Rendell needs to back this particular issue as well - it's past time the size of this legislature is reduced.

[RamboLiberal]

7. Swann actually has an issue that resonates with PA voters

Anger is high here in PA over the pay raise this legislature voted for itself in the wee hours of the morning last July. It was repealed after the legislature figured out the voters were royally pissed. Still some of them paid the price at the polls during the primary.

The legislature in this state is overpaid, has incredibly cushy perks that do cost the taxpayers a ton of money, and is oversized. We have a bigger legislature than CA! It does need to be pared down and it does need more accountability.

Rendell needs to get behind this issue. It is long overdue in PA.

So while I think Swann lacks the experience to be governor I will hand it to his campaign people for picking an issue that will garner some votes for him.

Pennsylvania legislators, the second highest-paid in the nation, enjoy health benefits and other perks superior to what most of their constituents receive, according to national experts.

And while public attention has focused on lawmakers' pay in the weeks since their July 7 vote to fatten their paychecks by 16 percent to 34 percent(since repealed - note they do get COLA), fringe benefits will push total compensation for a rank-and-file legislator far beyond the $81,050 base salary to about $150,000 a year. Legislative leaders get much more.

<snip>

In addition to health coverage and pensions, lawmakers get offices in Harrisburg and staffs for their Capitol and district offices whose members' salaries are paid out of special accounts controlled by Republican and Democratic leaders.

House members get expense allowances totaling $39,800 a year to run their district offices and pay other expenses. They also get $4,000 to cover their constituent newsletters and other mailings. Senators receive expense accounts of $25,000 a year and postage allowances of $26,500 a year.

Legislators also get as much as $7,800 a year for vehicle expenses. Those who live more than 50 miles from the Capitol get $128 a day for meals and lodging.

http://ap.lancasteronline.com/4/pa_xgr_legislative_perks

[rocktivity]

9. Increase their accountability? A REPUBLICAN???

:rofl:

This is Step One toward the "Delay-ization" of PA. He's out out to solidify GOP power, nothing more. And it isn't any more Swann's idea than torpedoing the Enron settlement was Arnold Schwarzenegger's.

:headbang:
rocknation