A better way to do California's business

I have been proposing a part time legislator system for some time now. The response has been less than enthusiast. Everyone seems to dismiss it with “that will never happen”. Why won’t it happen? All the people have to do is be determined to make it happen.

I propose a yearly salary of $78,000.00 per year, meeting four times annually. Per Diem must be gauged to expected expenses. $1,500.00 per each of four round trips to Sacramento per year with a three night stay over is $6,000.00. I would recommend an additional amount of $6,000.00 per year for other travel expenses. There is not need to provide a car or credit card. There could be an additional amount for an office and minimum staff in their district. A cubicle populated office can be provided in Sacramento for the legislators to share.

Four meetings is sufficient time to do the state’s business. The rest of the time can be spent working with their constituents. Those meetings can be in public meeting places in their area. For most other state business a phone conference should do. If the governor calls a special session the state should reimburse for actual travel expense. This would cut the state’s cost of doing business tremendously.

Also all terms must be limited to a total of 10 years of service. They will be allowed the same pre-tax amount to retirement fund that any employed person does. When the state’s revenue allows it, the state can supplement that amount on a 50% up to a certain amount of the legislator’s contribution.

I think that this would help the economic state of California.