Full-time lawmakers?
3/2/2023, 6 p.m.
Is it time for Virginia to drop the pretense that a part-time legislature can keep up with the pace of change?
For the sixth consecutive year, the 2023 session ended with budget work still unfinished.
The Old Dominion is the 12th most populous state and ranks in the top 15 for the size of its economy.
Yet, the legislature still presumes that it can fully conduct business in 46 to 60 days.
Some consider that ridiculous. Perhaps it is time for constituents to consider whether our interests would be better served by representatives who do not have other jobs and can spend all of their time focusing on the issues, and receive an appropriate salary.
Since 1972, when the current state constitution went into effect, the population has doubled and the number of people each delegate and senator must serve has increased dramatically.
Our representatives need sufficient time to consider issues and all of their implications.
Maybe it’s time to take a hard look at the legisla- ture as it is now constituted and consider whether an overhaul is in order.
