Saturday, May 14, 2011
Unicameral: Let's do it.
The Wash State legislature is vaguely considering a proposal to simplify itself by eliminating the Senate.
I grew up in Kansas and often traveled in Nebraska for work or fun. Kan and Neb make a good Separated Twins experiment because they began as one territory, and are innately similar in geography, history, resources and demographics. If the structure of the legislature made an important difference, it would have been visible between these two twins. It didn't make a difference. Both had similar roads, similar public services, similar schools, and a similar level of prosperity. In short, both states had equally competent governance.
Form is insignificant. If we can speed things up a bit and save some money (on elections and staff) by eliminating the state Senate, let's do it. ¶ 6:12 PM
"Well, that's an idea that is batted around from time to time," said Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Lacey.
Fraser was on a governor's committee that went around the state collecting ideas from citizens on how to save money. On the committee's final list was an idea to establish a unicameral legislature, just like Nebraska.
"I like it," said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish. "Things happen faster, and you can hold people accountable."
I grew up in Kansas and often traveled in Nebraska for work or fun. Kan and Neb make a good Separated Twins experiment because they began as one territory, and are innately similar in geography, history, resources and demographics. If the structure of the legislature made an important difference, it would have been visible between these two twins. It didn't make a difference. Both had similar roads, similar public services, similar schools, and a similar level of prosperity. In short, both states had equally competent governance.
Form is insignificant. If we can speed things up a bit and save some money (on elections and staff) by eliminating the state Senate, let's do it. ¶ 6:12 PM
