The state House of
Representatives' decision to take a three-day furlough as a cost-saving
move should be duplicated in subsequent years with the approval of a
shorter session. To its credit, the House has been trying for years to
convince the Senate of the wisdom of reducing the time spent in Columbia.
Legislation has been routinely submitted to shorten the session,
recognizing the amount of time that the Legislature wastes and the effect
the long session has on reducing the pool of potential candidates for the
state House. Not many citizens can take off five months to serve in the
Legislature.
Certainly, the state constitution didn't envision a Legislature that
would remain in session from January to June, since it provides for paying
legislators for only 40 working days.
While that constitutional provision remains in effect, legislators have
bolstered their salaries with a back-door pay hike for so-called local
expenses and increases in retirement benefits.
The three-day furlough will save $42,000 in mileage and per diem costs,
according to a House spokesman. The House's example is one for the Senate
to follow.
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