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With 424 legistlators, we can always rely on a few frivolous bills being filed. Some - like Rep John Reagan of Deerfield's 'punish the utility slackers' bill - may actually be harmful. Others - like naming a state dog(Sen Roberge), or resurrecting the Old Man(2 separate bills! - Reps Gidge & Taylor) - are less malignant but still cost money just to file and process.
A few state legislators clearly don't grasp that people out here in the real world are hitting hard times, or perhaps they missed orientation and don't realize that bills cost money just to file. Not much, perhaps in the grand scheme, but consider - just the cost of the 4 bills I've mentioned could pay a snow plow driver for several weeks... Fortunately, most of our state's legislators are looking for practical ways to move our state forward. But a few seem to have lost sight of the fact that being a legislator is not about them, it is about us. So, for the clueless, let me offer these suggested guidelines regarding legislation.... Is it necessary?
Will it improve the efficiency with which the state fulfills its functions?
Will it reduce cost?
Will it raise more revenue than it costs?
If none of the above, will you personally raise and pay the state the $1500 it costs to file your bill? If all the answers are no, then the bill should not have been filed in the first place, and should be killed as expeditiously as possible. |
