Posted by
Jay Kern on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:26:59 PM
Despite the fact that I personally disagree with term limits and shrinking the size of the legislature, I AM in favor of an unrestricted constitutional convention. The biggest arguement against such a convention is that there are no limits placed on what can be done, and that's just fine to my way of thinking. It most certainly is a risk that is worth taking.
I would like to detail why I am not in favor of term limits. In states where they have been enacted, they simply have not had any noticeable effect on the expansion and personal invasiveness of government. California for example, has 12 year term limits. What that has meant there is that an individual spends 12 years in the house, then turns around and runs for another 12 years in the senate. For those states that have tried to pass stricter term limits, they have generally seen them shot down in the first legal challenge in court. Term limits are unrealistic and they have a high probability of being a violation of free speech when challenged in court.
I also believe that shrinking the size of the legislature would be devastating to our values and traditions here in central Pennsylvania. If the size of the legislature is reduced, it will further concentrate all political power in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Two areas where I feel we in the midstate are already sending too much of our money. There are many other ways in which we can keep the size of the legislature the same and still reduce costs, the primary one of which I favor is making the state legislature a part time position.
It's no secret that the beauracracy in Harrisburg runs the day to day business with absolutely no guidance whatsoever by the legislature. A part time legislature would reduce money wasted on individual offices that are rented across the state. It would also bring up the issue of eliminating questionable pensions and health care benefits. And in fact, considering how often the legislature is in session during the year, it's already part time, just with full time benefits.